ThrottleJock

I'm between a 996 Cab or an M3 Convertible. Either would be a couple years old, used. Can't afford or justify a new one of either.

The gearhead (devil) says to go with the 911. As if it were even a choice, right? The sensible (angel) side of me says go for the M3.

The car will be driven daily, autocrossed periodically, and generally abused as a regular teutonic tool for transportation. I'm good about maintaining cars but I'm very hard on them. I pedal hard and brake late everywhere. I tend to think that a Porsche will hold up to this better than a BMW. Or maybe that's the gearhead talking. I drive about 30 miles a day total, so overal mileage will be pretty low.

I need to fit a baby seat in the back to cart around my girlfriend's friend's kid occasionally, but now that I see I can pull this off in a 996... no other real need to haul more than a few bags of groceries or a gym bag.

Tell me what I want to hear.

Benjamin Choi

M3 will be more practical - simply more room period

I also think it's much better looking

laneskelton

Buy the Porsche! It's the car that you really want. If you get the Bimmer, evertime you see a Porsche will will wish you had bought one.

ThrottleJock

I really REALLY want a 993 coupe set up for the track and just tolerable enough for the street, but the soon-to-be-wife and I share a car (she works out of the house, doesn't need one most of the time) and is footing a good portion of the purchase price... and she wants a convertible. I'm no dummy, I can live happily with a cab version of either car, and I'm real good at sharing.

JEC_31

1) Find good examples of each and test drive both of them with her. Let her do most of the driving.

2) Buy the one SHE likes better and get used to it. Yes, I am married, why do you ask? But read on...

3) From that point forward save up every damn penny you can hoard - and once you're ready go get the no-compromise track machine 993 that you really want.

manny_g

I used to have a 01-996 cab and it was also a daily driver, no problems ever, used to put on average 35 to 40 miles per day. From the looks department you can not beat the 996 when compared to a M3. Just be ware that maintenance on these cars can get expensive if you buy one w/o warranty or certified PO.

In the end is really what you like. Good luck in your search.

AsianImage

my 01 996 cab is my DD...

I LOVE IT! but yes maintenance is kinda crazy. I just had to replace my expansion tank and now my windshield has a crack in it. Ugh...sooo...

but I driving that thing is great!

here is another solution...get the 996 cab...and forget the DD...buy a beater. I mean a $1000 Civic from the mid 90s. Alternate that and the 996 and you are golden. That is exactly what I am doing now...looking for a POS car so I can sit in traffic all day, never wash it...just change the oil and drive the hell out of it...and on those "special" occasions and weekends...bring out my beast! Food for thought thats all...and an extra beater is always handy to have around.

NNH

I can't shed any light on the cab, but the underlying car is up to it. I've put 26000 miles on my 2002 996 coupe in just under a year of daily driving, with a few track days. I'm putting the rollbar back in on Saturday so I can go to the Silver State Classic again.
Get the 996, or you'll always wish you had...

Small print:
It'll cost a fair amount to run, but if you stay on top of the maintenance, a Porsche is a great daily driver.

s14roller

Reliability wise I'd go with the 996...

rcg412

996. Daily driver for over 2 years, >25K a year (less now)

himself

You want to hear:Also:
Buying a car based on the need to haul around your girlfriend's friend's kid is a bad idea.
Kids do fit in the 911 - both my 14 and 11 year old neices fit in the back seats.
An older M3 is about as fast as the new 335i 4 door sedan, with a steptronic transmission.
We will all ridicule you and call you names behind your back if you get the M3.

Good luck!

-td

NNH

This rang alarm bells for me, too. Since when do SOs' friends get to decide what we spend our hard-earned money on?

Ray S

+1

My 996 is my daily driver in rain, snow, and sun. It performs well in that role and you couldn't get me to trade even for a shiny new E46 M3.

There is just no comparision to the sound, power or road feel of the 996. Standing alone, the M3 is a fantastic sports sedan. Standing next to a 996 (as a performance car), it is a distant second best.

marlinspike

My mom (I won't say her age, but consider that I'm the younger son and will be going to law school next year) uses a 996 6-speed as a daily driver and before then she pretty much only drove comfy cars...if as a self-proclaimed throttle jock you find yourself annoyed by using a 996 as a daily driver, I think Porsche may force you to change your username.

Carrera Mike

AMEN.