joe80

porsche>bmw


simple math!

pvmike1

I prefer the steering and tranny of the M3 (or even the regular 996) over the 996tt.

People forget that the 996tt is a 4 seater too, but only small children and pets fit back there.

I'll bet you'd be perfectly happy with the E92 M3 - it's no slouch. But the 996tt is considerably faster, and with the X50 package will be just as quick as anything on the road.

flipspeed

has to be a convertible. i never really liked the cayman for some reason. GT-R is automatic so i wouldnt even consider it.

ffpowerLN

iTrader: (1)

Did that "simple math" come from personal experience?

toy4two

I say if you are liking the Boxster (eww) go Caymen > 911 > M3

The thing about the Caymen is unless you get the S it is slow, an 350Z would blow it away. The midengine cars will always be more fun than any others so that is why I choose the Caymen over the 911. I've also seen Caymen's now selling for 31k!!!

IS-SV

I assume this car will be a weekend toy, not a dd.

flipspeed

not really. i would be alternating it with the es300. sometimes im in the mood to drive manual but then i start to get weary of it being that i encounter traffic going to and from work.

IS-SV

That being the case (use as dd), I'd recommend a warranteed Boxster S. I've owned 2 Boxsters and used them mostly as weekend toys at reasonable overall cost. A Boxster is the best-looking/best handling convertible in the Porsche lineup.

flipspeed

gotta go top down man. it's like a roller coaster experience. sure you get the added structural rigidity with a fixed roof which relates in better performance. however, without a roof, you feel as if you're going faster than you actually are and there's no escaping the sound of the engine and exhaust.

flipspeed

i agree, only a turbo convertible comes close as far as looks. im not too crazy about how a regular 911 covertible looks.

IS-SV

All rear engine cabs look a bit butt heavy with the top mechanism folded up on top of all that hardware. Later if I buy a 911 it will probably be a C4S coupe.

kt22cliff

If it's "gotta go top down" then how about Lotus Exige or Elise. Either convertible will run circles around boxter s.

IS-SV

Except that in dd use (daily driver) the Porsche will provide the superior driving experience with good safety, comfort, torque, climate control, audio systems as added bonuses. If his goal is autocrossing, well the Lotus is the way to go.

btw, is the Lotus a convertible or a lift off/targa-type top?

LexFather

Technically he is right. BMW makes great cars from the 1 series to the 7 series. The majority sold are smaller engine or diesel cars. |

Porsche's value leader is still a 50k car in the Boxster and its NEVER lost any comparo to the Z4 or Z4 M since they both were sold.

Only in C&D (which notoriously makes love to BMWs fannie) did the M3 actually beat (lol) the 911 turbo. In EVO/CAR the 911 BASE is picked over the M3. I have hte issuse where they even pick the base 911 over the M3 CSL.

I've already stated my opinion of both before that ALL 3 cars are winners but Porsche> BMW is the truth. Porsche makes nothing but sports cars and SUVs and now sedans. They rarely if ever lose a comparison ANYWHERE in the world.

I didn't get into the Boxster but some regard it as the finest handling car in the world. It pushes all the right buttons. You can mod it easily. Used Boxster S models are in the low 20s. That is a lot of fun for the money (but have money to maintain). The 911 advatange is even less apparent when you involve the Cayman. The Cayman is held back by Porsche so it doesn't outdo the 911. with its mid-engine layout, surely it can.

If you go with the Porsche, maybe start with the Boxster S and then go to a 911 turbo. Again, you surely cannot go wrong with the new model M3. I'm just a fan of big V-8s in small and midsize cars.

kt22cliff

I guess it's more a targa than a convertible, if you have to pick one.

You can get elise with a air-conditioner, audio and all the creature comfort that boxster has minus perhaps "luxury" such as leather wraped dash from factory. Not too much torque although since it's so light it's not as much minus as in 3000lbs+ sleds.