ok, but what about a 2005-2006 C4S vs a new M3, which would you pic?

The other day I counted the number of BMW's I saw on the way to work. 11.
It was a slow day.
I saw one Porsche, a yellow 911. Usually I see one Boxster or Cayman a day, three or four 911's a week but I haven't seen a 911 turbo in months.
Like you I looked at the new M3 (Which I have only seen twice since they came out), but chose the 996tt because of the way it looks and runs. We own fairly rare, beautiful, powerful cars. I would do it again in a minute.

Thanks for all the info and comments

As it stands now, 996TT wins and by a big margin !

I want to find a low mileage one (2002-2005), less thank 5K miles and completely stock...

No easy task !

03 with 5k miles ...................thats going to be a search

And quite silly.....these aren't Ferraris where there is a massive mileage penalty....plus who wants a car driven less than 1,000 miles per year? Potentially expensive maintenance.

As to the first question, if you need a daily driver and a Turbo won't fit those needs I'd get the daily. Trust me, it feels like crap to drive a sub-standard rig 5 days a week just to find weekend bliss.

I recently upgraded from a 1997 Camaro with 170k miles to a 2007 335i convertible.....a much better daily drive.

Well you've come to a Porsche forum and asking if P is better than M? Well you got your feedback alright. In all honestly, I have owned BMWs (specifically M3s) since the E36 (1997).

I recently purchased an 05 TurboS with a GT800 Kit on it (so perhaps my perception is a bit skewed). But, for daily driver, I take the M any day. For weekend and looks and feel for a real sports car, TT all the way or if you can afford it a RS.

However, I have found that the best way to ascertain the fit of a car to your driving style is to actually drive it. I do not care what the numbers or magazines say, I ain't no Marrio Andertti and I do not race the car from light to light. So I went to our local BMW dealer, got a E92 M3 for test drive and it was nice, definitely different from my E46.

Then, I went and test drove a stock 911 TuboS and the modified one that I ended up with. I liked the P better, just because I was not going to drive it everyday...

So be realistic, first figure out what you need/want, then test drive and at the end decide.

Good Luck

Sounds like he already has a DD if the TT would be a weekend car, so I'd say stick with the TT. If your a DD'ing the M3, the value will go down fast, you'll take it in the pants on resale with a new car purchase with high miles.

The M3 is a little more natural (I.E. GT3'ish) to drive, but with DCT, ugh. A manual M3 would be a tougher decision. I really like the looks of the new M3 in person though, they are a mean looking car. You need a few mods for the TT to look as mean. But you'll have a little extra dough anyways if you buy the TT. Cars are close stock, but TT has massive amounts more potential with mods.

I'd argue that it was the E36. The E46 was great due to the added power, but it was pretty fat by the "old" M3 standards. The first cars were all about handling, and no frills. (Just check out the E30) My turbo reminds me a lot of my old '99 M3 in many regards. I wish I hadn't crashed it. (The M3, that is.)

I would love to have a new M3. I love the sound of that V8. But not at the expense of my TT.

my brother has a 04 m3 i have a 04 996tt tip his car is great but he loves driving mine i have 22000 miles he has 12000 the porsche still feels like new from steering to riding his has loosen up a lot since new not in a bad way though. i would have to say hands down 996tt or 996 997 993 or just a porsche!!!

You made this decision purely by the responses here? I would certainly drive both and go from there.

I am considering both cars as well (but 6-speeds). One thing I fear is even with a reputable PPI, I am going to have the misfortune of spending a decent amount of money on maintanence. This would only be a weekend and evening toy. Everyone says the 996tt is bullet proof, but even smaller items like clutch, it can add up quick being an older car. If I find a clean car, and have around 5k set aside, should I still worry about a car not under warranty?

5k is not much to have set aside for a car like a 996tt. If the possibility of high maint cost are a concern then get a aftermarket warranty.

But on the M3 vs 996tt debate.. . ..no contest. 996tt.

Nothing like a 3.6L that can be upgraded to a street drivable 1000HP

just don't floor it on a freeway onramp with that 1000hp car.