911 and M3 Comparisons

I always read lots of posts comparing these two cars, especially when one is considering the purchase of either one. I'm somewhat puzzled and curious as to why that's so. The M3 is a four-seater and granted, the 911 (GT3 excepted) has rear seats but does anyone realistically consider it a four-seater? Although there may some similarities between the 911 and M3, there are other cars that seem to be more comparable to the 911 as a pure sports car, such as the NSX or Corvette. The rarity of the NSX may explain why it's not considered as often, but the Vettes are abundant, produce outstanding power and handle very well at the track. Other than magazine comparison tests, I can't recall ever reading posts comparing the 911 and Vette as purchase choices. So, why aren't more buyers comparing these two instead? Is it more a German vs. American thing (brand conscious)? I'm just interested in hearing some of your thoughts on this.

I think you nailed it right on the head. I just can't pull off a Corvette. It's simply too American for me to buy into that image which plays a big part in the buying decision. The interior sux. I don't like the way it looks. I like the NSX a lot, but just didn't bother because I like certain 911s better.

Porsche's and M3's have class, Corvette's......................well they don't. (I am a 2-time Ex-Corvette owner)

One of the big reasons that I got my targa is because I can get all 3 of my sons in the car in a pinch. Those seats may not be comfy but they work!

I have often gone between these two cars in my search for my next sports car. They are priced the same, offer the same performance, similar cost to run, can be used everyday, can be raced, are perfect for those who don't want a common car but who also don't want an exotic, offer European quality / cache, etc. etc. I can't think of much else that compares better than those two. And I have been in plenty of Corvettes. But somehow they just don't show up on my radar whatsoever. I do like a Z07 but they are really high $$.

If you are like me, married with one small child, there's no way I'm getting a Vette: besides personal preference, the Vette is out because it has no seats in the back. Ditto, sadly, Porsche GT3. Yes, 911 is a four-seater for those who usually drives alone but has a child or two. Thank goodness Professor Porsche decided to stick with the 2+2 layout 40+ years ago. And there's some truth to the German car vs Americano issue. Maybe I am stereotyping the Vette's image, or perpetuating the old image, but I just don't feel hairy-chested and gold-medallioned enough to want to own a Corvette.

Well, the M3 is quite sporty considering it's got 4 seats. I drove one this weekend since we're shopping a convertible for my girlfriend (who was intimidated by the M3, looks like we'll go 325 for her which is a lot tamer). So the M3 convertible was great, I loved the SMG _concept_ and loved the "adjustable shift timings". In reality I prefer the fun factor of the stick shift+clutch but would love the SMG in traffic conditions. The adjustable shift timings are ... great at max !! Anyways, it handles well, suspension is communicative. The steering isn't that communicative. Overall, I'd say it's several notches below the stock base 996. That is more than made up for by it's 4 seating practicality. So I like that car. The vette ... their interiors can do better (the C6 is much better FYI). I was looking at the C6 before picking up the 996. So I was "comparing both" before I drove them both. However after driving both, I'd strongly disagree. The C6 is great value, but I loved the precision of the 996 and I've always loved Porsche ever since my father bought me toy cars.

I don't own enough jewelry for a Vette

i think it all boils down yo perception........ if we were on the corvette forum, i'm positive they'll say the same as we are with our beloved porsches, which no one can touch......... but i think it also comes down to rarity.... bmw's are a dime a dozens same with the corvette........ it's your everyday run of the mills kinda car and i don't think too many pcar drivers like to be grouped with that......... so what's the next best bet with LESS ON THE STREET, and has the performance that can out gun most cars on the street straight out of the box, PORSCHE......... i think the next level up from here would have to be the Ferrari's and Lambo's....... and for the ultra rich, you get many ferrari's and lambos with a few pcars on the side......... so we are at the peak of the many, and the start of the few....... WE ARE SPECIAL.............

Had an M3 before this car. It was our second car and I needed the back seat for the two kids. Once my wife decided she wanted to get a CLK and keep the Denali I was unleashed and in came the p-car. The M3 is way more than a kid hauler. It was awesome at the track. I agree the steering could be a bit more repsonsive and it was about 300-500 pounds overweight but it is supremely designed and seemed to get tighter and more responsive at higher speeds. Pure fun. It's not as much fun as the p-car but they really aren't the same animal and I do still get the kids around in my car but not on long trips. As far as Corvette is concerned. Well over the course of my life I've owned a car from just about every American Car company and frankly I've been let down. It's not just that the engineering isn't up to snuff, or that the parts aren't up to snuff, it's also that you have to take the car back to the chevy dealership which is also just plain horrible. I will continue to buy American trucks because we make those well but I'm not convinced we have the ability to design AND maintain real sports cars. It's just my perception, I know, but it's a perception learned from HARD lessons at the hands of inept dealerships and their repair departments.

The original poster nailed it, going from an M3 to a 911 is a most logical (and common) progression. The 'vette has never been a consideration for me, even the recent generations which solved the porky factor; they're simply too unrefined, with heinous interiors and dubious quality.

Awww jeeze not this s*** again...... Try a search, you should be able to find around 1,000 previous threads on this.......

he,he,he...........

Ray, you can search for sure, but I doubt you'll find one that asks the question: "Why M3 vs 911 and not Corvette vs 911??" So before you jump to dismiss this thread based on its title only....

How big is your garage, Tom?

Spread between two countries Jim

That's crap!! All you need is one, THICK, rope chain.

That's an arrogant perception.....

I thought BMWs were cool in 1970 so I bought a 1967 1800 sedan. BMWs had only been available in the US a short time and most people had never heard of them. The last BMW model that was somewhat popular and obscure was the Isetta car. It had a 250cc motorcycle single cylinder motor in the back and a single door across the front of the body. It sat 2 adults and was fun to ride in. I would have much rather had a Porsche but they were quite rare and extremely expensive. I was only 21 and had lusted after Porsches since I was 14. I had been a subscriber to Road & Track for several years and followed Porsche racing religiously. Funny how impressions in your youth stay with you for a long time. I still think of BMWs as the quirky little car from Germany that you buy because you can't afford the Porsche yet. My more up to date impression is that BMWs are the car that the masses aspire to owning. When you buy a BMW, you have "Arrived".

Did you mean this literally (or sarcastically)?

Oh no I was intrigued....spread over two continents that's still quite a big collection!!

I am currently looking at getting a older 911 so alot of people around here have been asking me to consider a vette. well I live in Bowling Green kentucky where the Vette is assmebled so they are as common as a civic. I also worked at the Corvette museum and have driven some 83-83 vettes(I am looking at 911SC's) and a 911sc is alot better car in my opinion. Also having driven almost every street driven Porsche(Minus Carrera GT and 959) out there and alot of different vettes(C4, C5, C5 Z06, C6, C6 Z06) And honstely the corvette isn't really that exicting to drive(Minus the C6 Z06) but even as a everyday car the Z06 isn't recommended. Thats why I chose to go with the Posche over the Vette. Because there aren't alot of Porsche in this City. And the bang for the buck and everyday usuability of the P-car is the reasons I choose Porsche. However I wouldn't mind having a M3 to the Stable one day along side my porsche's Brandon J

I read your post. Both M3 v 911 and Corvette v 911 threads are readily available. https://rennlist.com/forums/showthre...t=Corvette+996 https://rennlist.com/forums/showthre...t=Corvette+996 https://rennlist.com/forums/showthre...t=Corvette+996 https://rennlist.com/forums/showthre...hlight=E46+996 https://rennlist.com/forums/showthre...hlight=E46+996 https://rennlist.com/forums/showthre...hlight=E46+996 The threads above only scratch the surface. You could easily find 20+ threads on each without searching very hard.....

I don't get the "Search the forum" posts. So we talk about it again? Big deal. Are you saying that this isn't productive time? Rarely is anything around here original. It's still fun to rehash this stuff and if you don't want to read it, then just don't open up the thread. Perhaps it will be more productive to open up yet another' exhaust mod' post or 'which oil is better' post or 'my C4S rocks' post? It's all in fun and maybe some of the more recent rennlisters haven't had a chance to weigh in with their opinion on this topic.

I'd agree with you on the majority of re-hashed topics. However, threads like this get old because they attract trolls like bugs to a porch light and quickly degenerate into a 10 page my car is better than yours pissing match. If you really think that's productive and you're bored you could always head over to the 993 board and post a topic like I'm looking for a new car. Should I buy a 993 or a 996? After all (using your logic) it's probably worth another discussion. Do you see my point.....

Get the 993, those 996's aren't real sports cars. lol

The operative words here in your reply is: "without searching very hard." If you "don't search very hard," as you have done above, you will find a million M3 vs 911 threads, and a million and one Corvette vs 911 threads. None of the threads you quoted are posing the quetion that is posed here on this very thread: Why are we always comparing M3 to 911 and shouldn't we be comparing Corvette to 911 INSTEAD? In a way this thread is comparing M3 to Corvette, and asking why are we generally preferring M3 over Corvette as a competitor.... SO I say again: trying to toss this off as another "Should have searched" thread before you read the original post and understand the question....

M3 v. 911? In my garage it's 04 CTS-V v 03 911. In a straight line the wife's V can outrun my targa but it can't turn as well nor brake as well. Can the V out perform the M3? That would be a new discussion to have. Both are saloons and both have gobs of power under foot. For those new to the CTS-V, it is a standard CTS caddy that has been stuffed with the LS-6 (our model year) and the LS-2 (current model year) 8cyl motor right out of the Z06 vette. Both the vette and the V of the same model year are the same price. This means that the motor isn't tuned down in the V. Anyone have an M serires to line up against the V?

The M3 is a bit slower than the CTS-V, but I'd take the M3 over the CTS-V 10 out of 10 times. The CTS-V has some fundamental flaws and build quality is a joke (no offense). The M3 is many times better than the CTS-V.

The V is one of those cars that was built with a lot of passion and intent but when the clock rang 12 the pencils were put down and the car went out the door sort of unfinished. Part of the V looks like they were right on track and then the inside kind of falls down on style points. Whoever is in charge of material choices at GM should be canned. For the money it's a great car. No issues or warranty claims since 2004 (knock on wood). Tires and brakes have been the only expenses thus far. Truly you get what you pay for with the V. For the record, we almost bought an M5 but went with the V instead.

Here is the original question...... Did I get it all in? Did you try the search function?????????????????????????? Here's a newsflash for you, many do compare the 911 to the Corvette. (Many also consider the M3, and others look at the NSX) If you tried a search you might have stumbled across that fact. Bottom line, the premise of your questions is flawed. The Corvette is often compaired on this board as an alternative to the 911 They are!!! (In spite of the fact that you can't "ever" recall it). https://rennlist.com/forums/showthre...t=996+Corvette https://rennlist.com/forums/showthre...t=996+Corvette https://rennlist.com/forums/showthre...t=996+Corvette https://rennlist.com/forums/showthre...t=996+Corvette https://rennlist.com/forums/showthre...t=996+Corvette https://rennlist.com/forums/showthre...t=996+Corvette https://rennlist.com/forums/showthre...t=996+Corvette https://rennlist.com/forums/showthre...t=996+Corvette https://rennlist.com/forums/showthre...t=996+Corvette https://rennlist.com/forums/showthre...t=996+Corvette https://rennlist.com/forums/showthre...t=996+Corvette https://rennlist.com/forums/showthre...t=997+Corvette https://rennlist.com/forums/showthre...t=997+Corvette https://rennlist.com/forums/showthre...t=997+Corvette https://rennlist.com/forums/showthre...t=997+Corvette This search took less than 5 minutes and was not difficult.

how so?

Thx for being candid and not taking offense to my opinions against something you own - truly nothing personal - so that's really cool of you. I would've picked the E39 M5 over it as well. lol The only time I've encountered a CTS-V was in my supercharged S2000 which is slightly faster than a stock E46 M3 straightline. We did a 3rd gear drop (at least on my car) and the CTS-V creeped forward at an even pace where it would've probably had about 2 car lengths on me above 100MPH. It had an aftermarket exhaust, but it just doesn't sound very good - very throaty and truck-like. Owner was really cool.

A few reasons: 1.) Both cars are meant for daily driving 2.) Both cars have made attempts at carrying more than 2 passengers 3.) Both cars have trunk space 4.) Germany vs Germany. Bavaria vs Stuttgart. Which German region builds a better car? I'd bet that if Mercedes-Benz was in the performance game, there would be a comparison among these 3 German makes. But they compete in the luxury segment, so they get a bye.

Here's how I break it down for the Kraut manufacturers: MB - Biggest power output; not great at tickling the driving senses; awesome tourers for the most part and very practical Bimmer - Moderate power output; good balance of sporting fun and practicality; the liberal designer P-car - Mod to big power output; the best sporting driving experience; a great story in motorsport I like them all for what they have to offer, but I'm definitely more of a BMW/Porsche fan than MB. As I get older, that may shift to MB/Porsche.

Or a shorter version: MB = touring BMW = groceries P-car = track

Can't belive this comparision tread is still going. Do your wives or girlfriends all look a like....probably not. Case and point, its all about preference and what you are looking for. Weather it be a trophy wife, a mother of my children or just a fling.....all about preference. Same for cars, or food for that matter.

cayenne for costco M6 for pimpin

Ray, it's easy to say you found a lot if you are only looking for what you want to look for and not what others are talking about. finding a million threads on 911 vs Corvette, or another million threads comparing M3 and 911, does not answer the question of whether M3 or Corvette is a more meaningful comparison to the 911. Before you click that Search button again, answer this first: Have you found more than THREE threads asking the following question in its entirety, not just portions that you would like to selectively search for : "Which is a more meaningful comparison to the 911: M3 or Corvette??"