It totally depends on what you're looking for... I had a 350Z prior to my 911, and I used to drift every corner. Now I can't since the 911s don't have LSD standard and it's a RR car... But it's a Porsche non the less

If you like to drift and planning to do straight line racing (if you do it, and probably do), I would say go for the M3. Also the M3 has much more space. But it is a BMW when you sit in it...You don't see any difference from a regular 3 series when sitting in the car... It is a comfort-sports car.

But if you get a 911, it is a whole new level... It is a Porsche, has a unique interior. You feel that you really are in a raw sports car... You hear the engine, you feel the car... It is a complete TOY (in a good way )...

I would say don't regret it and get a Porsche

 

I was going to buy a e92 m3 earlier this year and I even went to the m school to really get a feel for it. I almost pulled the trigger and my friend told me to drive a 997.2 before I did it. He had just bought a CS and loved it. I now own a c4s. Just a different car. A 911 is to an m3 what an m3 is to a 335....different. On side note a instructor at the school drove a 911.When I asked why he didn't drive a m car he said m cars are really sporty cars but a 911 is a sports car.

 

The 997.2 has a LSD option, or you can install a third party in a 997.1 (like I did). I cannot understand why Porsche felt this shouldn't be a standard option on the 997S, it is the one thing I think Porsche missed the boat on.

Other then that, I have nothing but praise to say about the 997.

 

I know, most sports car has LSD as standard... And 911 is one of the best sports car ever! They really missed a big chapter on the components of a sports car...

Hey Ed, how much did you pay fot the LSD (including the installation) ?

 

Ordered an E90 M3 last year, drove a 997(.1) C2, cancelled M3 order, bought Porsche (short version, have posted the long one before)..

Buuuutttt....update: Really wanted an S but baulked at the extra $'s so this week traded the 997.1 C2 on a new 997.2 C2S. Process papers this week, pick up the car next.

Still like M3's but no regrets. Friends with them tell me they would prefer my car. Me too.

 

Congrats on the new 997.2!!!

Did you get PDK or Manual Transmission?

 

I owned a E60 M5 before getting my 997.2 C2S. I did not consider the M3 because I did not want another gas guzzler and the M engines are high strung, they love to rev and really come on above 5k rpm but that is the good news/bad news. In town they can feel somewhat gutless. If you get to wind the car out often that won't be an issue for you.

 

FWIW,
I had a 2004 e46 M3 and it was a great car. When I instructed at BMW CCA events I would take the car out in the Instructor sessions and I was one of the faster cars. Top one quarter maybe.
Anyway, I took my 2006 C2S to instruct at a BMW CCA event this past March.
It was the first time I had the Porsche to a BMW event. In the Instructor session I was absolutely the fastest car there. I passed all the BMW's including the new M3.
Mr. B

 

 

 

Not sure about buying a 3 year old car that's likely had the crap beat out of it routinely, vs a car with the same performance, a full warranty and maintenance, and not a day of driving on it, that in addition to all the performance of the P-car, has many capabilities the P-car doesn't (trunk/back seat/engine sound/stealth).

I like the Porsche, but it isn't as if 997.1 engines are legendary for their durability. New vs. new, unless you HAVE TO get adults in the back, take the P-car, S or not.

 

paging curio, paging curio...

 

Difficult to say, I bought the LSD for $800 (new) from a guy on eBay. I had it installed with a LWFW. I would imagine that if buying the LSD new, from a dealer and install could cost between $3000 and 4000.

 

How about the e46 M3 engine meltdown debuckle????
e92 engine is new and has yet to prove itself. 997.1 engine is a 38 year old evolution rather than something completely new every 7 years.
I can't go back to an M3 after owning a Porsche. A logical transition after the 997.1 would be a 997.2 GT3 or Ferrari/Lambos.