[PSUSMU]

Originally Posted by SenorFunkyPants

For what its worth IMO the 996 is one of the least rewarding 911s to own.
I bought one new and had it for a couple of years, I didn't miss it for a second after I'd sold it. Would a 997 be out of reach?

I couldn't bring myself to own a 996. I can't get over the headlights. If you don't mind, it's a pretty solid deal for what they're going for now.

[Mr Tonka]

Originally Posted by SenorFunkyPants

Yeah sort of.
Let me put it a different way: given that there is not much performance difference between a similar aged 911 (the 997) and an E92 M3 (I've driven both back to back).
Imagine then if you built a 997 chassis into a E92 M3 chassis (to produce a car that looked identical to a BMW M3 but drove like a 997) and asked a group of people to drive it in a blind test against a normal E92 M3...I'd suggest the majority of drivers would prefer the way the M3 drove overall...its an easier, more forgiving, more fun car to drive.
When you buy a Porsche, you are buying into a brand and you pay for that as much as the driving experience.
It is an iconic and desirable car though ...in the UK its one of the few cars in its class that you can own without people thinking you are a nobhead.

Originally Posted by John 070

Don't get me wrong, I love the E92, I have owned one since new. And it turned heads in 12/06, imagine that?

But the car is not comparable to a 911, 997 or 991, it simply is not....

WTH is a nobhead

I can attest to Mr Funky Pants' supposition.

I got a 2012 911 GTS4 at the same time as the 2009 E92 M3. Got them both new, so i had a few years experience in the E92 before getting the GTS. After the Porsche honeymoon ended, I would drive the GTS for a week or so and the instance i got into the M3 i would smile and think about how nice it was to be back in the M3.

Now when i got into the GTS, i assumed all my Porsche dreams were going to come true. Had planned to sell the M3 as well. And for the first month or so, they did and i thought i was indeed going to sell the M3. Then i started to get tired of stupid things that Porsche does. Very tired of the key being on the left side of the column. Very tired of having to push 5 buttons to get the car set they way i wanted it every time you start the car. Very tired of the sub par infotainment system, bluetooth audio, and enormous amounts of road noise. Not to mention how harsh the suspension was on it. People would ask me if the windows were down when i was on the phone with them. And that's NOT using the bluetooth system, it's just that loud when driving. If you were driving more more than 45 min, you'd have that long road trip buzz/vibration thing going on when you got out of the car.

Don't get me wrong though, the GTS is a beautiful vehicle. Every time i walked out to the car i was smiling from ear to ear thinking, man that car is hot. Then i got in it and the joy slipped away very quickly. I don't think i would hesitate having a RWD 911 as a track car, but outside of the track, for daily driving, the M3 is a hands down winner in my book. My father, now 73, who has owned 12 911s in his time, fully agrees with that statement as well. He is a diehard 911 fan and was throughly disappointed with the modern 911 experience.

The M3 sounded better, was more comfortable, caused less fatigue from daily driving, was quieter inside, better infotainment/stereo, better bluetooth, (that says A LOT) and inspired more confidence when driving; it was far more predictable than the GTS. I should mention that the M3 was nearly 2" lower than stock running on coil over suspension with camber plates and had a rear section exhaust. GTS was stock.

While having the GTS and participating with some Porsche events where i could associate with other 911 owners; i came to the conclusion that the vast majority of 911 drivers are driving them because of the Porsche reputation and very seldom even get the car to 7 tenths of it's capability.

That GTS experience completely ruined me for every wanting to own another 911. If i every buy another Porsche, it most certainly won't be a 4wd version and it'll almost certainly be a Cayman S.

Pics of both.

[ASBSECU E93]

Originally Posted by Mr Tonka

...well, this is the problem as I see it....Neither of them are convertibles

...but the E92 M is a lovely shade of Space Gray

[DUI Elite]

i have 0 doubts i will get a 911 at some point in my life.

[FASN8N]

I will own a 993 911 one day if prices come back to reality.
The technology on the new cars is nice, but the styling doesn't do much for me at that price point.

[M3Bimmer77]

Maybe when I grow up!!! I like them, I don't love them. I guess I still need to build that Porsche passion.

[tc535i]

I came really close, but the engine problems made a 335 my clear choice. Still got an e36 m3 for my canyon carving urges.

[NEFARIOUS]

Originally Posted by SenorFunkyPants

For what its worth IMO the 996 is one of the least rewarding 911s to own.
I bought one new and had it for a couple of years, I didn't miss it for a second after I'd sold it. Would a 997 be out of reach?

Originally Posted by PSUSMU

I couldn't bring myself to own a 996. I can't get over the headlights. If you don't mind, it's a pretty solid deal for what they're going for now.

Yeah, it was more so price point; once you get the IMS out of the way it's a pretty solid car. SenorFunkyPants was there any other factors besides the lights that PSUSMU mentioned?

[P1]

Originally Posted by MrPrena

Very reason I drive S65 powered car for almost daily.


Currently have 3, but if Avalon needs new timing belt, I am just going to sell it with disclose info , and stay with 2. It is not worth dropping ~$800+ for a car which is worth 1200 w/ little front damage. lol.

I thought about leasing a cheap Corolla or Camry at 79/mo ish, and trade the Avalon. $79+tax is like 2 day compact rental car price. However, I don't want to drop $3000-3500 for a 2 year lease.

So that Camry is more like $225 a month. With a big enough down payment on a lease, you can make the monthly be anything. Silly advertisers...

[MrPrena]

Originally Posted by P1et

So that Camry is more like $225 a month. With a big enough down payment on a lease, you can make the monthly be anything. Silly advertisers...

Yup, price of the car, residual, and money factors are one of the variables to calculate the monthly payment after $ due at lease signing.

[SenorFunkyPants]

Originally Posted by NEFARIOUS

Yeah, it was more so price point; once you get the IMS out of the way it's a pretty solid car. SenorFunkyPants was there any other factors besides the lights that PSUSMU mentioned?

It was a while ago so the memories aren't fresh...but it just seemed dull, the 996 was the replacement for the 993 which was the last air cooled 911 and it felt like Porsche has gone too far in trying to make it easy to drive. The 993 was a great car, if you can find a nice one of those, they are definitely going to hold their money if not appreciate.
I sold a nice modified 964 turbo to buy the 996 so that probably didn't help but when I later drove a 997 Carrera S I recall thinking that it had got back that 911 feeling that the 996 had lost.
It could just be me though...my 996 just didn't excite me, maybe it would be different for you.

[purecrema]

Adding 16 MW F80 M3 to the garage....should arrive mid Sept.

[IMG][/IMG]

[tony20009]

Originally Posted by purecrema

Adding 16 MW F80 M3 to the garage....should arrive mid Sept.

[IMG][/IMG]

Let me guess...it'll be black.

All the best.

[marksae]

Originally Posted by FASN8N

I will own a 993 911 one day if prices come back to reality.
The technology on the new cars is nice, but the styling doesn't do much for me at that price point.

I feel the same way. I just love the look of the 993's. I wonder if the astronomical 993 prices are a US trend or in other countries as well.

[SenorFunkyPants]

Originally Posted by marksae

I feel the same way. I just love the look of the 993's. I wonder if the astronomical 993 prices are a US trend or in other countries as well.

I think its the same worldwide.
Porsche didn't build that many 911s in those days compared to the modern era.

[TrevorM3]

Originally Posted by Ebolo

Hopefully, cause they are certainlay the best cars in the world!!

991 GT3

lol

[Cameronc08]

Originally Posted by Mr Tonka

While having the GTS and participating with some Porsche events where i could associate with other 911 owners; i came to the conclusion that the vast majority of 911 drivers are driving them because of the Porsche reputation and very seldom even get the car to 7 tenths of it's capability.

This guy gets it. Been there, done that. After owning one for a minute the luster wears off, especially in SoCal. Very happy with my m4. So much so that I'm actually selling my heavily modded manual 997 turbo later today. Will I miss it, sure. But the m4 more than makes up for it. But that's not to say I won't own another. I'll have a 991 GT3 by 30!

[Vanmarsenille]

Yes. A 911 will likely be my next car; probably a C4S convertible, after I'm done with my E93 M3. But that will be a while, because the S65 is a keeper.

[sA x sKy]

991 GT3 will be my next car.. In two more years..either that or a F 458. But would choose the GT3 if the allocation will be available

[Cameronc08]

Sad to see the turbo go today but the BMW more than makes up for it!

[John 070]

Originally Posted by sA x sKy

991 GT3 will be my next car.. In two more years..either that or a F 458. But would choose the GT3 if the allocation will be available

I was walking my dog yesterday, and a 997 Turbo (no S) cabrio drove by. Hopefully it was a 7-man but could not tell.

Have to admit, when you see it, it's not a big deal. But I feel it's something special, when you drive it.....

Sat in a GT4 Cayman that weekend, but did not drive it, as it was on display

[Taskmaster]

There is no f**king way I would ever pick a BMW M over even a base model Porsche.

None.