2001Porsche911

Hi everyone,

Just thought I would get people's opinon as I will be looking for a new car late this year/early next year.

Currently I drive a 2011 Lexus CT hybrid as my daily driver and I usually have a 911 as a weekend car. I was considering getting rid of my CT and just having one car to drive year round (seems more cost effective and I can enjoy something all year)

The Lexus was initially purchased because I drove a lot but now I don't drive much now as I take the subway to work (probably about 350-400km a week max).

Here are the cars I'm thinking of (all very different)

1) 2014 BMW M3- 4 door
2) 2013 BMW M5
3) 2013 BMW M6
4) 2012-2013 Porsche 991 Carrera/Carrera S
5) 2007-2009 Porsche 997 TT

I like the BMW's because they have all the cool tech toys that I love (night-vision, surround view cameras, power trunk, sunshades, etc). I also feel like the BMW's would be much more of a "daily driver" car. Does anyone have any experience with these cars?

On the other hand, the Porsche is an amazing car and would be the most fun to drive, but I feel like it would require more maintenance to drive on a daily basis. With all my past 911's I was always scared something would go wrong (IMS, etc)........probably because I read so many stories online (I know only very few have these issues) and there would always be small things that break (sensors, etc).......which I would fix myself, but I would rather not have to worry about that for a daily driver.

I know none of these cars will be as reliable as the Lexus but I thought I would hear what others have to say.

What would you do?

Thanks!!

993GT

IMHO, I'd consider a 997.2TT with CPO warranty...more pure, faster, similar pricing

2001Porsche911

Actually I forgot to add that on my list, I was definitly looking into that option. Would a 997 TT be a reliable DD? I know the Turbo's are usually built the strongest, just wondering how the 991 N/A's engine compares

993GT

I am D.D.'ing my GT2(Mezger) this summer...probably the most reliable/consistent performing car I've owned.

2007-2009 997.1TT are Mezger engine and great cars, some have seen issues with camshaft wear(unique to 997, not 996) but otherwise solid. Older technology but very good cars.
2010+ 997.2TT are 9A1 based engine, not as durable/strong but very fast out of the box. Improved interior technology.

IMHO, based on amount of electronics/tech...997 will be more reliable long-term then 991. This is also the downfall in all newer cars, including BMW

vern1

if you are going to drive it year round why would you not consider a C4S? I use mine all year and find it an excellent DD with the AWD

2001Porsche911

I plan on using it year round so it has to be decent in the snow. The C4S is also a nice car but if I was going for the 997 body style again I would probably want to go for a turbo. The 991 C4s is really nice but out of my budget

BIG smoke

Porsche problems??? IMS.
BMW had their Vanos problems.
Any high horsepower car has its problems.
All your BMW's have four realistic seats, and your 911's are two doors and two rear pretend seats?
Are you leasing or buying this?
Is cpo important to you?
Can you live with 2 door, 2 good seats, two little seats?
Neither brand is services in Bowmanville, though oshawa does have BMW. But you've Porsched out of Bowmanville before.

I dd'ed my C2S all seasons, no problem until the snow got over the fog lights. I was not the problem, others were.

PPo

My preference would be to go with option 4. Buy some good winter tires/wheels and never look back...

At this point, choosing between the cars on your shortlist can only be decided by passion, not logic. I like BMWs, I owned a few, but I would prefer a 12-13 991 over an M car. The last few years of BMW seem to be lacking a bit of soul for me... personal preference really. The M cars are great, and you can't really go wrong with any car on your shortlist... The 991 speaks to me for some reason... it's a car that after you drive it, your turn around and look back at it as you walk away.

By the way, if you still have the car in your signature, and if you are selling it to buy one of the cars on the list, please contact me by PM as I may be interested.

greta991gt3

I've had 911s as my daily driver since 2004 (2004 C4S, then 2008 997.1 Turbo, now 2012 997.2 Turbo). All manuals. All perfect.

Also had a BMW 3 series. made in SC. Loved the car but not great workmanship. Headlight fell out and hanging by a wire while I was on the freeway, whipping against the hood.

theiceman

Id love an M5 Actually . That's about as sports sedan as it gets, But I know someone personally who had the VANOS problem and had to get a loan to have it fixed.

BIG smoke

O/P - some of those cars on your list have electric steering I believe.
Some love it, some hate it, some don't know what it is.
Spend some time with it before you pull the trigger.
I can't get my automotive head around it.
It is hear to stay.
OMG- I've become my father.

2001Porsche911

That's a good point, I've never driven a car with electric steering so maybe I should check it out. I'm going to see a M6 convertible tomorrow just to see how it is. I'm not ready to buy right now but I figured I would start looking around.

To answer your other questions:

-CPO is not very important but nice to have incase something big goes wrong
-I'll be buying the car not leasing
-I can live with 2 door, but want to have 4 seats (even if 2 are usless rear seats-911)
-Unless the servicing is covered, I plan to service/fix the car myself unless its something I can't figure out............but most of the time I'm in Toronto so distance to a dealer is not an issue either

Thanks for all your replies, definitly very helpful!!

For the people that daily drive your 911's, do you go through tires a lot?

I've had 4 911's but drove them sparingly so I can't judge maintenance costs too well in terms of daily driving

993GT

Given your points, 997.1TT is the answer.
Saves $$$ upfront, rewards PM/preventative maintenance with reliable long service life.
Beside fuel, tires are my biggest running cost; car is driven hard, a lot...

2001Porsche911

I'm thinking so too, I've always liked the 997 TT and from what I hear the engines are built very strong. I also like the fact that they are much better priced and should hold their value pretty well from now on (unlike any of the other cars which will be on a steep decline).

I've never driven a turbo. Do dealerships typically let people test drive these cars? I've had 3 996's and 1 997 Carerra S but the never a Turbo.

Do people with the manual 911's as daily drivers get use to the stiff clutch pedal? I'm wondering how the car would be in traffic (not that I drive in that much traffic) ? I've had one tiptronic 911 and I really didn't like it.

993GT

In my experience its easy to go for test drives.
You'll find a Turbo clutch is very easy to press if stock,...if converted to GT2 parts then it will be fairly heavy.