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e46 m3 with headers, carbon airbox, tune, ohlins r&t coilovers, square apex wheels with sticky rubber...probably give most gt3 drivers a run for their money on a circuit. $25k up front for a very nice example (less if you want a boring color combo and can stomach some miles)...10-15k in mods/maintenance and you will have an absolute blast. The S54 is a really special motor. With the aforementioned mods you will have a 320-330 whp motor that will scream all the way to 8200 rpm. I would look for one that has the subframe reinforced and the vanos system "bullet-proofed". Those are two costly maintenance items.
I like all the votes for the Spyder. I’m trying to find one myself to test drive first which is prioving to be difficult.
does everyone think the 987.2 spyder will stand the test of time.
havent heard many people throw out the 996 Turbo but that could be a play as well. If it were me and I understand your situation correctly, I’d keep the gt3 and sell the m3 and swap that for a cheaper daily.
I like all the votes for the Spyder. I’m trying to find one myself to test drive first which is prioving to be difficult.
does everyone think the 987.2 spyder will stand the test of time.
havent heard many people throw out the 996 Turbo but that could be a play as well. If it were me and I understand your situation correctly, I’d keep the gt3 and sell the m3 and swap that for a cheaper daily.
The turbos are heavy and fat in comparison. The 996 interiors are the Achilles heal. A 997 turbo and a 997 gt3 drive like completely different platforms. Admittedly the 996 feels harsher but it's also got less power.
I didn't realize you had a e90 m3. I sold mine (6spd) when I got the gt3 and found the power delivery to be sluggish and peaky for such a heavy car. It does make gutteral sounds in the lower revs. The 2013 e92s were the best, better software and syncrhos. My dad has one, I immediately felt the difference.
Any of the boxster/cayman variants will feel neutered compared to your gt3. Even the newish gt4 feels that way. They don't have the cam profile or the visceral build. However on a really nice twisty road (if you have a lot around you) or if you live in superb weather the mid chassis and top down will almost make up for it. You will still mis the rip and snort you get from the gt3 if you are an aggressive driver however.
Do you guys think the 987.2 CS/BoxsterS are s step up overall to my e90m m3? I would expect acceleration is similar with maybe a nod to the m3 .However, handling and braking should be better in 987.2's.
I am a little concerned either will not be hard edged enough for my weekend fun car, but surely some well chosen mods could help. The gt3 has a rawness that appeals to me. I obviously missed the boat on decent prices 964/993s
Do you guys think the 987.2 CS/BoxsterS are s step up overall to my e90m m3? I would expect acceleration is similar with maybe a nod to the m3 .However, handling and braking should be better in 987.2's.
I am a little concerned either will not be hard edged enough for my weekend fun car, but surely some well chosen mods could help. The gt3 has a rawness that appeals to me. I obviously missed the boat on decent prices 964/993s
it definitely is a step up in terms of agility and being hard edged with a few mods. (weight, wheelbase, grip, inertia) the porsche has better immediacy in steering, but the e9x m3 has better immediacy in throttle response. even though, the boxster/cayman is the better sports car, the m3 has a hooligan fun aspect and an engine from the gods. i actually think u have an awesome daily car and i'd hold onto it if possible. keep the m3 and get the 987.2
Raw speed e90 maybe quicker stoplight running. Everything else the Porsche will win. Especially weight and feel.
The edge is why stout suggested to find the spyder suspension for a standard cayman or boxster. It uses a passive sport setup that is really good.
Go drive a few.
you won’t enjoy a 964 or 993 in your price range. Stock they are wallowy and generally slow by any standard of the last 20 years.
Do you guys think the 987.2 CS/BoxsterS are s step up overall to my e90m m3? I would expect acceleration is similar with maybe a nod to the m3 .However, handling and braking should be better in 987.2's.
I am a little concerned either will not be hard edged enough for my weekend fun car, but surely some well chosen mods could help. The gt3 has a rawness that appeals to me. I obviously missed the boat on decent prices 964/993s
Not sure how much you are trying to save (might help this thread), but have you thought about selling the GT3 and m3 and getting something like the m4 GTS. You wouldn’t come out that ahead but you still would save a little bit and have a more raw M car? I’ve seen a few mint ones listed at $83-86.
if you want to save more then consolidate and get an M2.
Not sure how much you are trying to save (might help this thread), but have you thought about selling the GT3 and m3 and getting something like the m4 GTS. You wouldn’t come out that ahead but you still would save a little bit and have a more raw M car? I’ve seen a few mint ones listed at $83-86.
if you want to save more then consolidate and get an M2.
Sell the GT3. Keep the M3. Get a cheap truck, trailer and race/track car. I've seen some very well prepared cars go for a song on BAT.
Ever since I started racing I haven't enjoyed my GT3 near as much. You don't necessarily have to race. DE and TT are great allowing you to use cheap scrub tires.
Another thought is sell the GT3 and M3 and get a Raptor instead of a cheap truck to go along with the race/track car option.
Another vote for S2000. Biased because I'm a current owner and it's my 4th in the last 10 years. Maintenance costs are basically non-existent. Basic fluids routinely like any car and if you're tracking expect to run through tires and pads. Otherwise you really won't have to spend money anywhere else. The S2000 is really a drivers car and one that rewards a good driver or someone that's taken the time to really get to know it. While they won't win any straight line races they are silly fast in the corners. I regularly go for a back roads drive with my neighbor that has a 997.2 GT3 and aside from straights and really long sweeping curves I have no issues staying ahead or keeping up.
Absolutely love this car. Hope to one day be in a 997 GT3 myself but until then this will do.
08-31-2018 | 01:41 PM
