Hello,

Newbie here!

I've been contemplating between a new M3, the new Corvette and a used, facelifted 996 Carrera.

Perfomance wise the Corvette beats the others, but nothing compares to the 996 when talking about handling and road feel.
M3 is a nice car, but I thinks it's not in the same league with the 996.

I've also driven all of them so were I to choose based on test drives, the Carrera would win the others 10 to 1.

What kind of options should I be looking for (suspension, exhaust whatever) if want it to be as close to a GT3 as a base Carrera can get? (I don't know too much about what options were available for the 996s)

Also, what should I avoid when buyin a used one?

Basically this is what I want:

996 coupe
'02 or newer
less than 25k miles
6-speed

I will be giving the car some track time, so a roll cage and seats+harness will propably make it's way to the car later on.


There is 6 year/100k mile warranty on all the Carreras? Even if I buy from a private person?

Also, I have read a lot bad things about OEM aero kits. I think the 996 looks really good with any of the aero kits, but are there technical problems with the kits, or why do people avoid them?

Oh, and my apologies; I know that I should use the SEARCH function 'cause most of the information I'm asking for is propably already been laid out hundreds of times in previous posts.
I just thought I could get some encouraging comments to lean my decision towards the Porsche...

Thanks!

Juha

 

Don't think there is a 6yr 100k warranty on all 996's. Mine didn't come with one. You might be able to purchase an extended warranty or aftermarket warranty. Earlier M3's have 6yr 100k warranty, but the new ones don't.

As far as aerokit problems, I'm not aware of them. My car has an aerokit and I wouldn't have bought one without it. I've heard a couple stories of people with weird vibrations at certain speeds that they attributed to aerokit, but it could easily have been tires or alignment. Another problem with aerokit cars is that they usually cost a little more.

Maybe someone can enlighten us both as to the aerokit problems though, because I havn't experienced any.

 

engine only - cause they grenade

 

Where did you read that the OEM Areokits have problems??? - Only problem that I see is with their cost


The Porsche Aerokits are very good in fit/finish quality and it is usually the aftermarket ones (not all mind you) that have a poor finish and/or fit.

 

If you buy a Corvette or an M3, you'll always wonder what owning a 911 would have been like. I've never once wondered if I should have bought a Corvette or an M3.

As to the Aerokit, I've had no problems with my factory version. Its hard to imagine what kind of problems one could have.

 

On the contrary the factory aero kit very much improved the vehicle. It's the same body as the GT3. Also if you are looking at 996's I would suggest looking for one with the 030 factory suspension option or X73 suspension. If someone has upgraded to coil-overs, even better. The reason is the base 996 suspension is rather soft for marketing reasons, and the car is handles completely different than one with any of the suspension options.

As for Corvette vs M3 vs 996, completely different vechicles in design, intended audience and stuff.

Corvette...Inexpensive high performance sports car, all engine no refinement but flashy, great strait line performance for the price

M3... Fast high performance sports sedan, all engine moderate refinement. One of the best sedans out there but not a true sports car (when you drive a real sports car like a ferrari, lotus, porsche or aston martin you'll understand no matter what the M3 is still based on a sedan chasis).

996...Fast overpriced high performance sports car, balanced engine and percise refinement. Not the easiest vehicle to drive, but once you learn you'll do circles around non-porsches with more than 100hp more. Take a ride in one with an experienced 911 driver and you'll understand, it's not just about HP, then drive one back to back with the corvette and you'll understand the refinement comment.

996 TT(turbo)...Fast relativly inexpensive super car, all engine and very very percise refinement. Much easier to drive fast than a stock 996, and nearest competition(i.e. Ferrari) costs 50-100k more.

if cost is an issue and you want some refinement, not as much as a porsche but certainly more than the vette and some huge amount of HP, then I suggest looking at a late model viper(early ones were not very refined). It's a very reasonably priced Race car (not sports car) available for the street and it's nearest true competition is the GT3 and the very expensive Ferrari CS.

Cheers and good luck,
Corey...

 

knowing your budget would be helpful. also if you love the narrowbody vs the widebody. a c4s may have everything you need without much add ons. a used turbo is also a great deal now. good luck and keep us posted.

 

get the corvette!