ADias

You should get the M2 as it was suggested to you already.

The family should ALWAYS win.

Hella-Buggin'

I have a 997.1 and my wife drives a 535 M Sport. Totally different machines. The BMW is a great car but the 997 is like a daily capable go kart. I also have two kids and once they get about 7 years old, trips with any distance longer than 45 miles results in grumbling. It's just small back there.

phaphaphooey

Mostly correct but Omega>Rolex so long as we are talking Chronometers.

As you were.

ColoradoMark

Maybe it depends on how tall you are. I'm 6' and there is not a lot of room behind me.

Ganthrithor

997.1 and a used 135i?

wolfgang1

I drive an M2 as a daily - back seat is shockingly roomy. I've had two adult passengers in the back and they were shocked at how much space there is back there.

I also have a 997 gt3 w porsche back seats installed (previous owner had installed) and there is not much room back there...

vern1

I am 6 1. No one sat behind me ie one in passenger seat and one behind him and they are both near 6ft. My point is really that it was an adventure for them (and me) and the guy in the back just stretched across both seats. And it is a cab so we had the top down a lot.

Kids don't really care much of the time. I sure as hell wouldn't have sat in the back coming across Canada!!

bruinmd

Nice!!

My M2 arrives in November --ordered it in Long Beach blue
Did you get a 6MT or DCT and what are your driving impressions of it so far?

SJP3003

Road & Track's assessment of the M2 rear seating:

"6. The backseat remains claustrophobic. The M2 is a modified 2-series coupe, so this shouldn't come as a surprise. The 1-series that came before this car was no different. But if you're thinking of making an M2 your only car, remember: The small windows, the high belt line, and the low roof all conspire to make you feel stuck. If you need to put anyone in the back seat, the standard answer would be to put your money into a gently used M3 instead.

Screw the M3. Throw the kids or the boss in the trunk. This car isn't as fast or as hairy as an M3, but it's cheekier, it makes you work harder, and it's far more fun."

MemeMagno

BMW? My wife loves her X5 F15 which it's also our family car (but with MPBK, M-Wheels, CF full interior and M-Steering wheel). M2? Not close to any 997...just another BMW, but with less weight...

caslca

I traded my '13E92 M3 for the p-car. Have two kids (7/10) and they both love the drives and beg me each time we head out as a family to take my car instead of mom's. We regularly do ~1hr drives around town.
The only thing i miss is the sound of that glorious V8 which won't be a problem for you

Nihil27

Great discussion, thanks for all the input! My wife may have solved this conundrum for me. My current daily driver (an old R53 Mini) has been having tons of trouble lately. Saturday, I was frustrated with it yet again, and she told me to just buy a 997 now, and then when my name comes up on the M2 list next year, we can decide then if the 997 has been working for the kids. If not, we'll sell it and get the M2. If we're lovin' the 997, we'll just keep it and let the M2 go to the next person on the list.

Soooo...here are two candidates that meet my requirements. What do you all think?

First, my requirements:
Years: 2009-2012
Transmission: Manual
Trim: C2, C2S, C4, or C4S
Suspension: Must have PASM
Interior: Must have a black dashboard
Mileage: 41k or less (why? kind of arbitrary honestly)
Pre-owners: 3 or less
Price: $54k or less with warranty included
Wishlist: Blue exterior, sport chrono

Candidate 1:
https://www.vroom.com/cars_and_truck...era%204s/85629
Pros: Is a 4S. Love the fat rear on the 4S.
Cons: High mileage. Have to buy an an aftermarket warranty.

Candidate 2:
http://locator.porsche.com/ipl-custo...925891&url=usa
Pros: CPO, Sport Chrono
Cons: "Just" a C2, not an S. Has everything else we want, though. How important is that extra 40Hp really? I've head that a lot of people like the sound of the C2 better than the S, but I've only driven the C2S so far.

gotgolf52

If this is your DD, it would be an easy decision to go with the C4S. C4S has bigger rear, look better and of course more hp. The differences of 10k miles for DD is not much to worry about, save that 5k and buy aftermarket warranty like Fidelity Warranty. Call Circle Porsche in CA ask for Elliot Dawson, he gave me the best deal out there and Fidelity cover everything Porsche offer without much hassle. Good luck

pavster

I used to own an R53 Cooper S - awesome car until things go wrong. It's my firm believe that unlike a Mini where S means A LOT more power (in % terms), with Porsche, the S is just a small bump, mostly in HP, not much more torque. It's something you wouldn't notice 99% of the time. And yeah I drive a C2 myself. It's a great daily driver as long as you don't have to drive in snow - though it does fine with snow tires, but the anti-ice road treatment just eats the car.

Whether you'll be able to drive with your kids is a big question. Kind of depends on how far back you and your wife keep your seats. There is really almost no space back there.

Good luck with your decision!

Fined

Between the extra power and standard PASM.. I'd say the Carrera S is practically a no brainer, for someone that uses a 911 like a sports car. If you use a 911 like a Camry then perhaps it might not make sense.

I much prefer a car with adjustable suspension from the factory, then as time goes on I can upgrade it when/if I see fit. Starting without the adjustment is either so soft its boring (back to the Camry) or I end up wanting to do suspension right away.

The SPASM on my car is fantastic, and it's given me time enough that I'll make the transition to Damptronics without rushing out to do it right away.


at 55k there are a lot of options for a 911 out there. Base 991 are for sale at that very number. If you're into that sort of thing. I even saw a 997 GTS for sale for 58k with CPO here in Charlotte.