Dilemma: Keep M3 or 911 (sad story)

[Hammerfang]

Not really related, but IMO 997 is the best gen of 911, and .2 makes it reliable. At least there's no bad options :P

Agreed! My dad considered a 991.1 when buying this car but didn’t like it as much. Just wish I could have convinced him to have gotten the GT3 instead. Either was it’s plenty quick for the street.

https://www.ccsmotors.com/2009-porsche-911-carrera-4s-coupe-c-67.htm

[CrisSilberGrau]

Ive driven a beautifully spec'ed 997.2 GTS in a vibrant red not arena, it is a very nice car. The engine as noted above is not special (to me, coming from a fully moded S54 save for a stroker), admittedly it was not tuned and had a mild exhaust. What you notice is midrange punch due to the larger displacement and general stock tune. So on the road it drives very nicely, toque is nice ngl. It looks amazing especially with the BBS E07 gold face center locks which it had. Stock for stock it is a better driving experience for some.

It's your dads car, if you can afford both, keep both, find a solution. The dilemma of which keys you take you can figure out, it's not a bad problem to have. Both cars will never be made again, hang on to the memories and the experiences they will both provide.

[TexaZ3]

I can afford to keep both, I’m just not sure how many miles I’ll actually get to put on each.

I have 9 cars - do you think I drive them all every day, or have regret about them sitting for weeks at a time? Nope.

[Nate047]

You gotta keep them both for a while, the long term answer will make itself clear. Do not let your dad’s car go, right now.

[02_lsb]

I have 9 cars - do you think I drive them all every day, or have regret about them sitting for weeks at a time? Nope.

This guy fucks!

[dreamdrivedrift]

You should have a chance to experience both cars and then decide. For now, you need to keep both if you can afford it.

There's always storage solutions. Both are special cars in their own right and I'd argue have a different use cases. The 911 is the purer sports car and feels that way, but definitely less practical. You have to drive that car more like a scalpel. The S54 is special in its own right and the handling dynamics of the M3 are a total hoot. Many of us have both 911s and M3s - both driven for different reasons at different times.

Whether it's a storage locker (least ideal), enthusiast storage garage, or a lift + garage modification in your own garage, or renting a spot somewhere else, those are all possible and low effort solutions, and you won't have to deal with the regret of selling. Heck if your ceiling height is high enough just get a lift and be done with it.

Sure, if you store it and find that you don't touch the car for a year at a time, then yes...then it's time to sell. And sell you should. But your $ cost for the time to figure it out is minimal. And plus, if you get a lift now but sell the car, when that next car comes up...you'll already have an empty space waiting for it. You're future proofing yourself for the inevitable.

[sasha]

You gotta keep them both for a while, the long term answer will make itself clear. Do not let your dad’s car go, right now.

This. With such a thing, I don’t think it’s possible for anyone to know the right answer but you. But I think rushing into a decision before it is clear to you is the wrong one.

[R60BBA]

Hammerfang leave the 997 at your dad’s house until you can find an appropriate storage solution.

[9kracing]

Depends what kind of guy you are.

If you're a hard-core modder, then keep the E46. Dialed in on the right suspension with the right power-adders, and the E46 can do everything the Porsche can do and more.

If you're going to leave them mostly stock, then the E46 doesn't do much but look good.



You also have to figure in whether selling your dad's pride and joy is going to eat at you later.

[Hammerfang]

This. With such a thing, I don’t think it’s possible for anyone to know the right answer but you. But I think rushing into a decision before it is clear to you is the wrong one.

I think you’re right, appreciate the post. The car can stay at my parents for a bit, it just won’t get driven unless I take it out. I suppose that’s not terrible for a few months.

[Dave092]

I own a 997.1 C2S as well as an e46 and I'll say that if I truly had to pick one id pick the 911. Sure, it's going to need an engine someday but whatever its part of owning these things and driving them. Porsche is 10x better than BMW at keeping parts available. I can call up the local Porsche dealer and buy literally any little trim piece, button or whatever for my 911. I absolutely cannot do that with my e46. Also, the 997's are climbing in value so dramatically right now to the point where if you sell it you'll likely never be able to justify paying what they are going for to get another one. In my opinion the values on them are out of hand at the moment and only going one direction. Im lucky enough to have the space to keep both and I do often have more fun in the e46 but theres something special about getting in the 911 and going for a cruise that I don't get out of the e46. The 997 in my opinion is the best of the water cooled cars.

[R60BBA]

I own a 997.1 C2S as well as an e46 and I'll say that if I truly had to pick one id pick the 911. Sure, it's going to need an engine someday but whatever its part of owning these things and driving them. Porsche is 10x better than BMW at keeping parts available. I can call up the local Porsche dealer and buy literally any little trim piece, button or whatever for my 911. I absolutely cannot do that with my e46. Also, the 997's are climbing in value so dramatically right now to the point where if you sell it you'll likely never be able to justify paying what they are going for to get another one. In my opinion the values on them are out of hand at the moment and only going one direction. Im lucky enough to have the space to keep both and I do often have more fun in the e46 but theres something special about getting in the 911 and going for a cruise that I don't get out of the e46. The 997 in my opinion is the best of the water cooled cars.

I also own both cars, but would keep my E46 M3 if I could only have one.

The 997 is most certainly a better car out of the box though. And I hear you on the specialness of driving a 911, as well as your point on parts availability/dealer support.

But on the flip side the M3 community trumps the 911 club.

It’s not really a straightforward decision, hence why the solution is to have both

[SQ13]

I have 9 cars - do you think I drive them all every day, or have regret about them sitting for weeks at a time? Nope.

I can barely keep up with maintenance for three cars…how do you do it with nine??

[TexaZ3]

I can barely keep up with maintenance for three cars…how do you do it with nine??

Umm, well - when you have so many, you don't use them up as fast ))
But yeah, it takes effort. I do a very thorough overhaul of everything and bunch of preventative stuff after I buy the car. Then its just keeping up with basic stuff for a while.

[BCEXP]

Oh man, so sorry to hear about what you and your Dad are going through. I have my fingers crossed for the best.

I would keep both the M3 and the 911. See if you can find a dry, clean storage facility for it nearby. The M3 is more practical, but the 911 is a blast to drive.

I know it sounds easier than done, but expand your garage space or something. I literally just bought a house because of the garage space. Now I am kinda broke and may start selling some beloved parts LMAO!