Dilemma: Keep M3 or 911 (sad story)

[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.

[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!

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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

[Obioban]

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

[Hammerfang]

Appreciate the insights, just reached out to our architect to see about drawing up plans to reframe the garage for the lift.

If I’m being honest with myself (in stock form) I like the way the 911 drives better and the way the M3 looks (and community) better. That said, I want to figure out how to keep both.

Regarding driving more, most of my driving time is spent commuting through some traffic and rough roads. Hence why I daily a model 3. I do take the M3 out on errands but rarely get a chance to just go out for a drive. Was planning on it last night, but 1 of my kids was throwing a tantrum about going to bed and I couldn’t just leave my wife to deal with both of them. By the time he fell asleep, I was exhausted and needed to help with some stuff around the house.

The reality is I would have had more time to enjoy the car 10-20 years ago. Before kids and a much more demanding job (which I enjoy).

[jvit27]

I prefer M3's, but vote 911 in this case. If you already aren't using the car for practical purposes, then the 911 will be better at that job. If you can keep both financially, then you can afford to do nothing and hedge regret.

If not, LSB is arguably what makes the car 'special', otherwise there are way more M3's out there to be had down the road. And with less mileage. A 997.2 is more rare, and will only be harder to find. Given that it is your father's - that is truly 1/1 and someday (hopefully not soon) when he is gone, you will wish you had it. But in the meantime it's something you guys can share together and that is far more important than just experiencing the M3. Truth is if it was that important you would have used it more in two years... often the fantasy of the plan overshadows the simple reality right under your nose.

Will you pay more for an M3 down the road? Sure... but I bet when the accounting is done, paying for storage/insurance will offset that to nothing or even in favor of letting it go. An E46 needs more mods and maintenance to out perform a 911. It can be done but factoring in your time constraints it is less likely to get there. I know I would enjoy a stock C4S much more than a stock M3.

EDIT; further those are peak drivers' cars. You can spend more on newer/faster cars as life goes on but it's gonna be tough to do better than a timeless combo like that. HODLGANG.

[Obioban]

The real problem is you have to prioritize your dream car vs his. Nothing about the specific cars really matters beyond that.

You either have to figure out a way to keep both, or choose who to make sad.

... and, if it's the e46, start actually driving it.

[SQ13]

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

Eh, nothing wrong with having options

[Bimma360]

Man, I am sorry to be blunt, but drive your damn car. It's antithetical to me, that (1) you bought your dream car but (2) you don't drive it. What ever your reasoning is, I bet it boils down to you trying to keep it nice for the next owner. Or you're really not into cars like you used to be or thought you were. Drive it to the office. Sit in it in traffic. Go pick up groceries in it. Get a door ding, fix the door ding. Get a scratch, fix the scratch. You only have one life to live. If you love cars, and love driving said cars, then drive them.

Regarding the 997, are you crazy? Take the car, keep the car, and if space or whatever is the constraint, figure it the heck out. Drive both of them. Enjoy them, especially since your dad can't enjoy his dream car anymore. And perhaps later down the line, if life changes you make a decision. Or maybe one day you pass these cars or one of them to your kid(s).

Bigjae is right. The financial burden is the only thing that matters. If owning both cars puts strain on your family, then yes you need to make a decision.

[Hammerfang]

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

longer term I want to get a lift in my garage, but that will require some reframing of the roof in my garage, so not a quick or cheap solution.

[bigjae46]

If you are trying to be rational...none of this is. The rational thing to do would be sell both cars.

I just look at the financial burden. If you can afford to store and maintain both cars then do it. If not, sell one. Probably the M3. There is something to be said about a car that has a story. My E90 M3, bought it new, euro delivery through the italian alps to the nurburgring. Then performance center delivery among other adventures.

I still own it 15 years later.

[Sharocks]

It's your dad's 911.

You'll figure out a storage solution in time.

You don't let that thing go.

And you keep the M3 because it's way more practical.

Also 997s are rad.