M3 vs 996 vs Caymen? Getting Married, still want to keep the P-car

My girlfriend drives an '02 BMW 325i. She loves the sport suspension and handling of this car. My '88 Carrera is in good shape, but a bit too old and rough for her. We will probably sell both cars and compromise on just one - it makes no sense to have 2 cars in the city of Chicago. We both like to buy used cars that don't depreciate much. She wants trunk space and modern HVAC, and controls. We both like the Cayman, but it's still too new. So I guess it's really between a 996 or BMW M3. The M3 is a great car, but I'm trying to justify the 996 or at least staying with Porsche. Good news is that she can drive a stick and loves to take the corners fast...

I probably think of keeping the 88 and getting the M3. The M3 is a better daily driver and has more space. Though if the back seat of the 996 is sufficient for the trunk space you require and you never have more then 2 adults riding around, then a 996 would be my choice.

Your girlfriends opinion will be the final word on this matter... no matter how much time you spend on Internet forums. I know this from experience

Keep or buy the one that gives you the most pleasure driving. Soon enough you'll have kids, dog, etc... and you might have to compromise on the vehicle for awhile. In the meantime, when you need something more utilitarian, just rent some domestic behemoth for the day(s). This will certainly cost you a lot less than carrrying two car payments.

That may be true. She's a die-hard BMW fan, and I've always ranked Porsche as my #1. So you see the problem. At worst, I'd have to "settle" for an M3?? Not the end of the world, if you know what I mean.

996 - me and my wife (gf at the time) both use the car and live in NYC

get her in a 996 for a fun test drive. remember you have the final words..... yes dear

Dear Murphy, You sound good and whipped to me....sounds like a BMW in your future....to keep her happy and thinking you are wonderful. Also, when those first repair bills come in, it will be HER choice of car that is broken. AND just think, with the BMW you will have plenty of room for INLAWS! Good luck, Remember to tell your wife what I told mine a long time ago. That if I did not meet her standards, she should lower them.

married 10 years- what they said

otherwise she can't pay for it.

A minister officiating a wedding once gave the groom some fantastic advice "You can be right or you can be happy". you have no say in this. find that E46 and be happy. They are great cars.

I looked at the e46 M3 before I purchased my 996. The M3 is an great car and has a more practical interior (read room) than the 996. However, the 996 is so much more than the M3 when it comes to driving. IMHO, it (the M3) just doesn't hold a candle to the 996. Get the 996 and don't look back!!

The 996 has back seats. What more can you ask for? hehe

If it has to be your only car than the m3 is the more logical choice, I am sorry to say. You will need to pick stuff up for your apartment, go somewhere with friends, etc etc, and the 911 just won't be useful enough for these matters.

If she's almost sold on a Cayman, why not try a Boxster?

If you're only going to have one car (of the choices you listed) you should get the M3. When I was trying to decide my wife preferred the Carrera but we have other cars for hauling people and stuff around....if we didn't I'd be driving an M3 too! Enjoy it, they're pretty cool cars.

M3 cab, SMG. You might as well sell out totally....

Truth be told, we could even put a baby-seat back there. I guess we'll see what happens when it happens, but I will only ask her to test drive a 996 before we make the final decision. When we drove the '02 996, she said, "I've never been in a car that fast before." I guess I drove it correctly.

996 will give you a better ride. An E46 M3 has a mucgh harsher ride especially if you have a lot of pot holes and rough roads

spin it to her this way...this will be HER last chance to have a real sportscar before you have kids and she has to join the ranks of minivan driving soccer moms...

That's perfect. She told me just the other day that she'll never in 1000 years drive a minivan... In all seriousness, with respect to the 911 daily-driver being shared by a couple, there are only really 2 shortfalls: 1.) space for only two people, not four. 2.) small cargo/trunk space. But I negate #2, since there have been many occasions where the mirror that we bought wouldn't fit in her BMW, even with the rear seats folded down. It that case, we would need an SUV. But when I bought my leather couch, I had to use my friend's Ford F250 to get it home. So an SUV wouldn't help in that situation. When it comes to furniture, such as couches, TVs, tables, you're better off having it delivered instead, since it most likely will not fit in a standard-sized car. If delivery costs $100 per item, isn't that worth driving a 911?

Alternatively, it costs about $45-60 to rent a Dodge truck from a local Enterprise. When I had a Miata as my only car, I'd schedule all my furniture shopping for a single day and rent a truck.

^ did the same with a Home Depot rental Truck($50) when I had my Miata.

Having said that, it's amazing what you can fit in the passenger seat of a Miata with the roof down!

I'll be the last person to talk you out of getting the 911 instead, but the need for some cargo space isn't just confined to the occasional furniture purchase. Oh the hell with it, get the 911 and order from Peapod!

oh, man, furniture purchase?? u dont' know how much i hate about decoration\color matching\table cloth\window treatment\counter top pattern...... just get 996 and rent a car/van/pick-up if you need to.

BEWARE!! STAND YOUR GROUND! Let her know you must have you will have a Porsche! She can pick out the china, decorate the house, chose vacation spots but damnit you must control something! Porsche, Porsche, Porsche! I am married with 3 children. My wife can call the house hers', my money hers', my pen-- is hers', but the Porshce is mine. Mine! Mine! Mine! Thank you. I feel better now. k

I would go for the 996 even for the sake of reliability. Seemed like more M3s had issues versus the 996.

She just told me the other night that she will give up her BMW and we can keep the Porsche. What a girl. But in the end, I want her to be happy as well. The want to compromise on my part is turning into a necessity. It's important for me to make sure that we do a Win/Win on this one. Besides, if she isn't happy, I won't enjoy driving as much...

read kc996's post again, guess that's the difference ebtween married man and man-in-love.

So you're going to get the BMW, and kid yourself that it was your idea? Wow, you're well trained...

I personally like the M3 over the 996 for the practicality of it (yes, driven both extensively). Given the choice, I'd rather save my money, get a better warranty, and drive the M3. Also, look into the Z4. That's what I owe, it is an absolute BLAST to drive, and getting to the engine isn't like digging for buried treasure. If you get a BMW, check out bimmerforums.

Yes, well trained as well as housebroken. But it could also be reverse psychology. I could ensure that I have her interests in mind and they are more important that than car we get, would would allow her to fully absorb the 996 test drive. In other words, if I'm not pushing, she might be more absorbing of the 996 idea. Or maybe I'm just full of sh*t !

LOL maybe... On the other hand, any time a man thinks he is psychologically outsmarting a woman, he's probably wrong

on the third page of this thread and noone has tried to talk this gentlemen out of getting married ? what's wrong with you people ?

That's because misery loves company. I don't think you can go wrong with your decision, but get whatever car is easiest for her to drive. Both cars are great cars, so you want to minimize the chances that she'll f--k it up or complain to you about driving it.

My favorite marque is also Porsche but I've driven Bimmers as well since 1986. When I was looking for a daily driver I went with the M5 over the M3. More room, more HP, more torque and fast as hell. You're talking 400 HP and 368 ft/lbs of torque in a 3900 pound body. I'd have to check but I think the production quantity of e39 M5's over it's run was less than that of the M3, so depreciation of the M5 may be better there as well. The M5 also is a little more stealth than the M3; the M3 shouts speed, but I find many don't recognize a M5 until it's too late. If possible, keep the 911 sell just the BMW and pick up an e39 M5. This was the last year of that body style. With winter tires, the M5 also gets around good in the snow as well. I run Dunlop WinterSport M3's. Got a chance to drive it through some freezing rain and sleet today with no issues. Some M5 details. http://www.bmwmregistry.com/model_faq.php?id=18 Here's my 03.

Hey! I'm a married man in love damn it. There are just certain things that need to be made clear. When I bought my 996 I bought her a Yukon Denali. We are both happy! k

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If the 88 is paid for why not keep it? I am from Chicago. How could you not need more then one car? What if you both want to leave the city? Or go somewhere different? Separately? Unless this involves street parking and very little or no garage.

If we move a little ways out of the city, it's not a problems, we'll just find a house with 2 parking spots. But in the city, it costs about $30,000-$45,000 for a parking spot. So even though I paid cash for my car, 2 parking spots will increase our mortgage by at least 60,000. It's either that or I park the car outside on the street. I guess I'll wait and see what kind of apartment we buy. The one's we want as walking distance to just about everything imaginable, or I could take a cab instead. This is how I got along for the last 5 years in a city with no car - live where you can walk to just about everything...

Having spent time in both the Porsche and the M3, I can say from a practicality standpoint, the M3 is the better choice. Unless it snows and you are sliding all over the place compared to a AWD Porsche. The M3 is a fantastic car and it has tons of power, great suspension and plenty of modifications available but in the end it just depends on how important the Porsche is to have. You already have a great 911 so getting an M3 is not that bad. There are 'worse' cars to have to settle for!

Good enough then. I felt the need to regularly leave that place, so I needed vehicles. One time I just didn't come back.

I see that. Is it true that San Diego is full of Midwesterners? I have friends in Long Beach that are from Chicago as well. I love it out there in Cali.