I've finally decided to move on from my current car which is a Mazda RX8 R3. Basically I want a similar car with more power. My uses are mostly for weekend driving (no commuting) and also I do about a dozen track days or so a year so I value handling balance and a linear power curve the most. That said, I still would like a car that can seat 4 in a pinch (a few times a year at most) or carry the dog on weekend trips so no 2 seaters. Also would like to be able to carry my track wheels inside the car when going to events.

Right now I've kind of narrowed it down to either an E92 M3 or a 997.2 C2S. The M3 is on the heavy side being around 3500lbs it's probably the heaviest car I'd consider. The Porsche I have less experience with having never driven a rear engined car extensively. My budget is around $60k but can be stretched if needed.

I know there are lots of threads comparing these two cars but I was wondering if there were other cars that fit my criteria that I've missed? It's really just a 2+2 or 4 seater that handles well, has decent power (better than 10lbs/hp hopefully) and weighs under 3500lbs. I do feel like I'd be making a sacrifice going from the RX8 with double-wishbone/multilink front/rear to the M3/911 which are struts up front but it seems like less and less manufacturers are offering wishbones up front these days.

Anyway, thanks in advance for the input.

 

I almost bought an RX-8 R3, very nice car, I just could not get over the oil issues and gas mileage.

Anyway, I would look at the Audi TT-RS as well, great car that can hold a lot more with the seats folded. I do not know how your going to fit your track wheels in a 911.

 

I tracked my 996, 997.1S and now 997.2S. The older M3's are competent on the track but I have seen very few newer M3's on the track beyond the first timers in the green group. I am far from a pro and the limiting factor on my 997.2S is definitely me - its got so much more to give... From riding in and talking to newer m3 owners, I would not consider it for track duty approaching your needs.

 

I don't know if I'd say any 911 can hold 4 people in a pinch. It can hold 2 adults and 2 children/double amputees in a pinch.

 

can a 911 hold 4 track wheels inside the car along with a driver?

 

I've seen a pic with 4 tires in a Cabriolet, looks tight inside a coupe

 

Well one 996 owner managed to do it without using the passenger seat which is pretty amazing.
http://forums.rennlist.com/rennforum...67-post15.html

 

Impressive indeed... not likely replicated in a 997 unless C2 coupe w/ 18" wheels. Even then unlikely as smaller trunk in 997 than 996 - especially w/ spare removed. With 19" wheels or any C4/S I'm comfortable saying NFW

 

for ur needs, i can't think of anything better to recommend than a 997

for tire transportation, see this link with pics http://forums.rennlist.com/rennforum...ack-tires.html

personally, i wouldn't put all that weight on the roof.. haha.. but pics are funny

 

I am always in awe of the Carrera S and just how well it performs across the board. Comfortable and sporty as a daily/weekend/fun car, and with only a set of Super Sport tires and uprated pads/fluid, a track weapon. Stock for stock it will devour the M3 on track.

It covers so many bases extremely well. I'm an admitted car nut and swap cars fairly often. This is my second 06 Carrera S and I struggle to find a replacement for it.

I understand I'm biased (aren't we all here!?) but I would endorse the Carrera decision 100%.

 

Couldn't have said it better myself. The Carrera is an overall excellent performer, on and off the track. I find that the e92 M3 is no longer true to its heritage, and firmly believe that it wouldn't be a suitable track car.

The carrera will be torturous to whomever winds up in the back seats though. At 5'3" i barely found enough space to fit "comfortably"

 

C2S over M3

 

Thanks for the replies all. I know the back seats in the 911 are small, they would be for short trips in an emergency and my friends aren't too tall. I guess I wouldn't be able to fit track wheels inside either, so getting a roof rack seems like a good idea (2 on top, 1 in each back seat perhaps?).

Anyway, when you say the C2S would destroy the M3 on the track, do you mean in terms of feel and fun or actual lap times? The reason I'm debating these two so much is that they seem to post very similar lap times (according to Car and Driver's lightning lap, Motortrend's laguna seca tests, nurburgring times, etc.). The only complains I hear about the M3 with regards to tracking is the stock pads fade quickly (which won't be a problem since I'll have dedicated track pads) and that there's lots of understeer with the stock setup. I'd probably use a near-square setup so that the rears aren't too much wider than the fronts as well as some camber plates to dial in some negative camber. As I understand it the C2S also needs more negative camber up front for track use?

My local sanctioning body puts the two cars in the same class so it doesn't seem like one will brutally outperform the other? To me it seems the C2S might be better on smaller/technical tracks while the M3 will be faster on longer, more power oriented tracks due to the HP advantage.

 

if u r looking for m3 vs 997 opinions, here are 2 threads to help u:

https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/...m3-09-a-4.html

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=225585

however, keep in mind, its nothing but opinions.. lol

Don't get too caught up in the numbers from a magazine

i am sure u didn't buy the rx8 based on its 0-60 figure..

have u driven either one ?

If not, first go test drive a m3 and a 997, and u will know what u really want.

they are both great cars, so u can't go wrong.

 

Ive owned both a 2008 M3 and a 997.1 carrera S. I did not track either but on canyon roads there was no way my m3 could keep up with the 911 in the turns and was not faster on the straights. I eventually sold the M3 and am now selling the 997.1 for a new 991. If i had a larger garage, I would keep the 997.1 as a fun track toy!