M3 Over '02 to '04 911 Turbo?

[HEY32G]

I've been planning on an M3 in a couple of years, but I've seen some really nice, low mileage 4 to 6 yr old 911 Turbos for sale for about the same price.

Any thoughts?

[ismelllikepoop]

i'd rather have the turbo but there are some big hurdles. maintenance costs are zero for the m3 and probably sizeable for the 911, especially if anything goes wrong with the turbos, it is an expensive proposition. the porsche is a lot flashier and no way could i be a student and drive around in a turbo, a lot of ppl think the m3 is just any other 3-series which is fine by me. the other thing is practicality, i can only have one car, and the m3 is convenient enough to be.

[ACZakka325i]

I was thinking the same thing before I ordered my M3. The problem is my father has a 997 C4S and now that I've been used to the 997, i cant get used to the 996 again. Frankly, I think the interior of the 996 it terrible. Not to mention it lacks most standard gizmos and gadgets. OEM nav is junk, no ipod, no bluetooth. It would be a pain putting in an aftermarket headunit that has those option, and also quite costly.

Its really about performance over practicality. The 996 Turbo is SAWEET, but not comfortable, not functional, and expensive to maintain.

The choice is yours. If it were my $60k-$70k to spend again, its the M3 every time.

[King Tut]

I looked at those as well as 997 CS, but I decided I really wanted a new car and 4 year warranty. Any of those cars would be a great drive.

[M2381]

Get the M3, I was also thinking about the same thing untill I started adding up the costs if parts on the 911 start breaking down.

[Captain Scott]

Originally Posted by Laszlo

the new M3 will pounce on an 02/04 911 Turbo anyway. .

[bmstyle71]

owning a car like that without warranty is like giving a homeless thief your credit card and your pin number.

[Sticky]

The M3 is a brand new car, and the 996 body style really looks dated to me. Not to mention that interior was horrible, IMO.

Why get old and outdated when you can have new?

[arr0gant]

Sold my 01 Turbo. the Turbo would run circles around the M. Other than that, the M is the more satisfying car. I do however miss my TT. The boost threw you back and pinned you to the seat.

I replaced several things not covered by the CPO including the diverter (blow off) valves, motor on the spoiler, and a few other things that I can't think of right now.

You WILL have to pay maintenance on the TT but you won't get hit with the same depreciation you will on the M. I would recommend driving both and decide. But you ain't gonna find an 04 with 15k miles for less than $80k

[MMMazing07]

Originally Posted by Laszlo

Plus, I think the new M3 will pounce on an 02/04 911 Turbo anyway.

lemme get some of that crack your smoking

[ericld]

Go park a 2008/09 M3 next to a 2002 911 and tell me which gets more stares and compliments. <Hint, it isn't the 911, trust me I own an M3 and I rarely come out to my car in a parking lot without people staring at it.>

If you need to get to 60mph about .4 of a second faster than the M3 can do. Go get the used 911 turbo with no warranty..

Bottom line is the M3 can hold more passengers, has a trunk, has a FAR superior sound system, softer leather, better seats with thigh bolster, LED tail lights and indicators, angel eyes, etc..

Couple that with NEW CAR SMELL, and no ugly fried egg headlamps and I think we have a winner.

[MJC///M3]

Go for the M3.

[jeremyr4]

I fully agree about the 996 interior - horrible, especially considering how much the car originally costs!! That being said, it has endless torque and still looks great.

I would drive both and take it from there. In the end of the day you'll have to really love the 996 far beyond the M3 to choose it due to the high maintenance costs and dated interior. I think it will come down how much you REALLY like driving vs. being in a more updated interior + warranty + more refined car.

Good luck - good problem to have!

[GnokGnik]

The smart move is the brand new M3, don't even hesitate. Buy a NEW turbo when your outta school and if you can afford it as a separate track car.

[JS11]

buying an old turbo car is just asking for trouble

[mkoesel]

I would probably be looking at GT3s rather than Turbos, but that's just me.

[CMOS]

Interesting debate. I've been looking at exactly the same choice: 2003-2005 Porsche turbo vs. 2009 M3 (loaded). The Porsche can be had (with 2 yr CPO warranty) for about $70k. I see alot of these used 911 turbos not selling at dealers for weeks on end these days, so I'll bet you can get the price right where you want it.

But the interior on the old Porsche really does blow. If you get one with Nav, it at least looks a little better.

One nice aspect about the Porsche is that you get away from the BMW service side. The BMW service near me is always mobbed and they treat you about like a McDonalds. All these people here are worried about techs joy riding in their new M3s, etc. Wouldn't mind getting away from that.

Also, it's kinda cool to have a car that was about $120k->$140k in 2004. Nobody will know that you didn't buy it new, so you can at least pretend to be a player!

If I were to go with the 911, I would probably want to negotiate a great deal and then sell the car shortly after the 2 year warranty was up. Then maybe look for a used 2008 C2S or C4S, or whatever. If I were to go with the M3, I would probably keep it for at least 5 years.

[ACZakka325i]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

I would probably be looking at GT3s rather than Turbos, but that's just me.

We're talking about 996's.

A 996 GT3 is very hard to find and still will cost more than the turbo due to its rarity.

If your talking 997's, good luck finding one for $60-70k.

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by ACZakka325i

We're talking about 996's.

A 996 GT3 is very hard to find and still will cost more than the turbo due to its rarity.

If your talking 997's, good luck finding one for $60-70k.

I know we are talking 996's.

Edmunds has them priced similarly, but its possible they are wrong. Admittedly I have never checked myself.

One forum member, GT3-Tim, just sold his I think so you might ask him how much he got for it if you are curious. He'll probably chime in on this thread when he see it anyway though.

[CMOS]

The GT3 and GT2 don't have a backseat at all. At least the regular 911 has a small backseat (and the M3 has a pretty good backseat by my standards).

[TLud]

Originally Posted by CMOS

Interesting debate. I've been looking at exactly the same choice: 2003-2005 Porsche turbo vs. 2009 M3 (loaded). The Porsche can be had (with 2 yr CPO warranty) for about $70k. I see alot of these used 911 turbos not selling at dealers for weeks on end these days, so I'll bet you can get the price right where you want it.

A 2005 911 would be the 997 model, which would be a lot more than $70k for the Turbo. I doubt you could get a choice CPO'd 2005 997TT for less than $80k.

Originally Posted by CMOS

But the interior on the old Porsche really does blow. If you get one with Nav, it at least looks a little better.

The Porsche nav is what blows. You'll be paying extra for something you never use.

[synclastica_86]

Porsche are highly customizable cars. You can individually taylor every little part of the trim. They are also very expensive (the options add up). And since taste and wealth is inversely proportional, I'd doubt that you can find a preown that fits your taste exactly. Trust me, I looked into a C4S not too long ago... You'd be surprise what people put in their cars. Also, the options can jack up the price on porsches... options that adds nothing to performance... I wouldn't be willing to pay thousands extra just to see the trim of my ugly orange leather seats done with a specific color of blue thread that I hate.