New M3 or older 911 Turbo?

R

rookwood

New Member
#1
Messages
5
Likes
0
Location
Cincinnati, Ohio
#1
I've decided to bite the old proverbial bullet and spend $65K on a performance sports car. The problem becomes a matter of the best investment for the money. My heart is with the M3, but am I better off finding an older 911 Turbo for the same amount? The M3 will probably depreciate faster as the turbos seem to level out after a certain amount of years. Even though the M3 styling is beautiful now, when will it begin to look dated? Regardless of your preferences, I don't think anyone would disagree that there aren't many cars as awesome looking as an older wide body turbo Porsche.
Second part...I would opt for the SMG and I've heard and read many reports about rough shifting. A problem apparently being corrected in the next version. Buy now or wait? BTW, this will be my everyday car and 90% city driving.
 
PuShAkOv

PuShAkOv

2000 Post Club
#2
Messages
2,523
Likes
0
Location
Cleveland, OHIO
#2
I would go with older Turbo 911 if you want to settle for a very nice sports car. M3 usually are for a more "bursty" generation that likes to get a nice sports car and switch it after a short time when they are bored. With a 911 you would join a steady "keepers" crowd and you will be safe to enjoy your car for a very long time without marketing begging over your head to buy a new car. It would be great no matter what the age. No M3 is going to take you 0-60 in 3.3 sec.
 
Last edited:
Tom

Tom

1
Staff Team
#3
Messages
8,351
Likes
13
Location
Southwest
#3
This is really a tough choice, you really can't go wrong with a Porsche in terms of performance and styling. The M3 is a great car and in the eyes of most car enthusiast will never be outdated. I still find the E36 M3 still as beautiful as ever. I don't have an SMG so I can't comment on this. Best thing to do is visit a dealer and take both cars out for a spin. Goodluck with your purchase.
 
Wadula

Wadula

1
#4
Messages
5,379
Likes
0
Location
Paderborn, Germany
#4
Me, as a huge Porsche fan, i have to recommend the porsche. it is just the car.
however, there might be some points to consider. for example the space both cars deliver. as i don´t know what the rest of your garage offers i can´t tell. 911 is only two seater. there is a rear seat but more than an enfants seat does not find enough space. the M3 delivers more practical issues there.
 
bahnstormer

bahnstormer

2
#5
Messages
3,420
Likes
0
Location
Metuchen NJ
#5
the m3 interior kills the porsche interior. personally for the money i'd go with porsche only b/c i'm a performance fanatic and the 911 turbo outperforms the m3....

push the turbo doesn't do 0-60 in 3.3
 
brahtw8

brahtw8

2
#6
Messages
1,129
Likes
0
Location
Milwaukee, WI
#6
Depreciation should not be your primary concern in making this decision. You won't know until you drive them.

The new M3 is holding its value quite well. It would be a more practical daily driver than the Porsche.

Which 911 Turbo are you talking about? For $65k (or less) you can get a 1996-97 993 TT w/AWD, or a 1994 964 Turbo 3.6 (RWD), or any of the earlier 3.3 or 3.0 liter 911 Turbos.
 
Wadula

Wadula

1
#7
Messages
5,379
Likes
0
Location
Paderborn, Germany
#7
the 964 i would not recommend. they are a pain when it comes to maintenance. the enigine is so damn hidden in that bay that it will rob your valet to have the mech doing work on it.
 
R

rookwood

New Member
#8
Messages
5
Likes
0
Location
Cincinnati, Ohio
#8
brahtw8,

I would opt for the 1996 TT... creature comforts and all since it will be my daily driver...even though I prefer the looks of 1989 and prior wide bodies. . Also, it is my understanding that 1996 was the last year for the air cooled engines. I think my bottom limit would be the 3.3L which began, I believe, in 1978-79. The 76-77 year was the first out at 3.0L. At any rate, and I may be mistaken, you're looking at $30K for a 1979, $45K for 1989 and a minimum $65K for a decent 1996 TT.
At 57 years, I think what I am really looking for is my last car. I started when I was 18 with a 1967 Corvette Stingray with 327. full power and knock-offs (I would gladly buy it back today for 5 times what I sold it for in the late 70's) I am getting ready to order my wife a 2004 Mercedes CLK 500 Cabriolet (extremely nice car and value but too prissy looking for my taste). Every day I pass the local BMW dealer and go home thinking the M3 is it...but that turbo wide body is timeless.
 
P

pydo82

Member
#9
Messages
171
Likes
0
Location
berkeley, ca. & Cypress, ca.
#9
performance wise you'd want the porsche, however, in my opinion, when your 0-60 numbers get below 4 or 5 sec. it really doesnt make mucch of a difference unless the you want a car purely for performance. I think taking into consideration the fact that you will be using the car as a daily driver, go for the m3. It's an awesome sports car, gets mad respect on the road, and looks beautiful. YOu'll get better gas mileage, and it'll be much more comfortable. As for it becoming dated, I agree with Tom, when he says the e36 still looks great. the e46 in my opinion is an even better design and will never go out of style in my book (I am biased being an e46 owner tho, so go figure.). Also the e46 coupe is going to be the last 3 series coupe as the coupes will be replaced with the 4 series, so you wont see any "new" 3 series coupes on the road making yours look older. Both great cars, but the fact that you wil be using it as a daily driver, tips the scale in favor of the m3 in my opinion. Anyway, hope you come to a decison that'll satisfy you. Godd luck with that man!![thumb]
 
brahtw8

brahtw8

2
#10
Messages
1,129
Likes
0
Location
Milwaukee, WI
#10
rookwood said:
brahtw8,

I would opt for the 1996 TT... creature comforts and all since it will be my daily driver...even though I prefer the looks of 1989 and prior wide bodies. . Also, it is my understanding that 1996 was the last year for the air cooled engines. I think my bottom limit would be the 3.3L which began, I believe, in 1978-79. The 76-77 year was the first out at 3.0L. At any rate, and I may be mistaken, you're looking at $30K for a 1979, $45K for 1989 and a minimum $65K for a decent 1996 TT.
At 57 years, I think what I am really looking for is my last car. I started when I was 18 with a 1967 Corvette Stingray with 327. full power and knock-offs (I would gladly buy it back today for 5 times what I sold it for in the late 70's) I am getting ready to order my wife a 2004 Mercedes CLK 500 Cabriolet (extremely nice car and value but too prissy looking for my taste). Every day I pass the local BMW dealer and go home thinking the M3 is it...but that turbo wide body is timeless.
Click to expand...
They made the 993 TT in 96 and 97. [Edit-not counting the 1998 993 Turbo S, which is way out of your $65k price range). Air cooled engines lasted through the 1998 model year and the end of the 993. I don't know if you like the 996. If so, stay away from the 99s.

You should also check out the 96-98 911 C2S/C4S. You get the turbo body without the extra cost. Those cars have been rock solid in the resale department. Some people consider them to be more desirable than the 996. Most are between $45-55k

Why not get the wife an M3 Cab and yourself the 911? Then you get the best of both worlds.
 
Last edited:
M

m3onkey

Member
#12
Messages
80
Likes
0
Location
boston, ma
#12
when you say 'older 911 turbo'. how old are you talking about? if you mean '99-'01, then i guess that would be reasonable, but nothing below that. if so, then you should go with the m3 or just wait for the m5 [:D]
 
frolf

frolf

2
#14
Messages
4,412
Likes
5
Location
Wayzata, MN
#14
if you speak of the 993, which i think you do, you are in for a ride. those cars are SOOOOOOOOOO nice. i think Tim can agree with me here and say that the 993 911 is an amazing car. Albeit i do love the m3's, all of them e30-e46, i would personally jump at the opportunity to get a 993. i think my dream car is a later year 993 911 C4, black on black. OMG, i'm almost drooling right now thinking about it.......
 
Abdoman

Abdoman

2
#15
Messages
705
Likes
0
Location
Edmond, OK
#15
That's a tough choice. Looking at reliability, the 911 must be maintained correctly and in that price range you would be buying a used vehicle. You can by a brand new M3 with a warranty and no service cost for the first three years, plus the M3 is much more practical - trunk and back seat. I have always wanted a turbo 911, but every time I look at them I'm a little scared of the maintenaince costs.
 
flashinthepan

flashinthepan

Active Member
#16
Messages
802
Likes
0
Location
Oregon
#16
The M3 is a wolf in sheeps clothing - and would be fun to catch others off guard etc..an un-assuming looking rocket.

The 911 Turbo is a wolf in wolfs clothing, immediate respect always.

I like both scenario's
 
Wadula

Wadula

1
#17
Messages
5,379
Likes
0
Location
Paderborn, Germany
#17
frolf, i hear you....buddy i hear you loud and clear....it is the car. THE car!!! 993 forever. it may not be the fastest. it may not be the safest, the most environmentally sounding, the cheapest, the whatever, but it is one of the most desireable cars on earth. it has the perfect butt [hihi] , the most perfect balanced character of challenging force against you on the one hand and addictive charisma on the other.
it is like the woman of your dreams somehow. You know? the one that has so much power and superiority that she makes you get on your knees but at the same time she is beging you to lead her with a strong hand.....uaaahhh....i love that car.


uups....wrote too much [:I]
 
ILuvBMW

ILuvBMW

Active Member
#20
Messages
522
Likes
0
Location
Egremont, MA
#20
If I had 65k to spend and wanted anice sports car, I would do this : I would buy a duPont Registry, leaving me with roughly $64,993.01. Then, I would search for used M5s. I would select the best one in the price range and buy it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.


Top