Dilemma -p car but not boxster
 

Need some input cause my wife is no help. Sold my daily driver honda accord. Want something more sporty. Looking at a brand new BMW 328i 6 speed manual 240 horse...4 cylinder turbo with all the bells and whistles.

Also looking at several 03 996s with very low miles...all under 25,000 miles. Obviously, IMS would need done and I would assume hold back another 3-5k for other stuff that needs done...

What would you do...go with new, warranty, less HP, non Porsche or go with the 911. Bmw is priced about 10k more than any of the 911 I am looking at. I live in Florida, so nice year round driving and I am NOT looking at a convertible...

Thoughts?

If you go on a BMW forum, you will get a different answer, but here, well, I say go for the 996. You already know the pit falls and it would make a nice daily driver. But it really comes down to what you would be using the car for. The BMW will have more room with more modern conveniences. Do you want/need four doors? The BMW is sporty, but not a sports car. My wife needed something new, and she decided on a Toyota Highlander with all of the bells and whistles. It gets up and goes and I do like the modern gadgets, but I prefer to drive the 986 hands down. Of course, if you were thinking about the 996 Turbo, then it would be a very easy decision, at least for me:D I tried to talk her into a Turbo but no luck:(

Yeah, my wife just got a new pilot with all the bells too... I work from home 95 percent. The other 5 is either driving to Tampa or car sits in an airport. I have two kids so back doors and seats are nice but one of them is almost old enough to sit up front now. I want something I can take to a car show but also take to pca events but also park at grocery store. The bimmer is nice though. I figured with manual tranny at least it is a little more sporty...and yes, a 996 turbo........YES please!

I think I can field this question, in my driveway I own a '01 boxster s, '11 e93 335is and a f30 328i xdrive. If I want an all around drive or want to really haul ass, I get in the e93. If I want the all around fun, throw the car around in twisties... Boxster. If I want to commute, get to A from B... The 328i. It really has no feel... And I am on the bmw forums.

Now, ask my wife about the 328i and she will say it is the greatest. She loves it. She is a woman and she is Asian...take that how u want.

Damnit! Good insight though

That comment right there tells me your answer;)

2000-2003 996TT's are a good buy, no IMS worries....

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/i..._KVaTAngKPO96s

996 or for what a fully tarted up 328 will run you a early 997 or even a 996 Turbo.

We looked at 328s right when they came out for my wife. Between the less BMW feel of the car then I expected (its become more luxury then sporty) and the obxious options prices I was not impressed. The wife ended up going with Chrysler 300c that cost $32k (year end deal with $12k off) compared to the 328 with the same options was deep into the $40s. As a realtor her clients love it and don't get butt hurt like they would with a Bimmer.

Your thinking of getting 6 speed. Any thoughts on resale especially with these being more luxury than sport. I was on the Bimmer lot the other day and they didn't have a single manual transmission car on the lot. If you wanted one they'd have to order it for you. Not a good sign IMO.

For what it's worth, I absolutely love my wife's 2013 328i. Before my P cars, I spend 17 years in 8 different BMW's...including a 135i and Z4MC. The motor in the 328i is completely fantastic. (And my wife is a Realtor and drives the living crap out of the car. Often crammed with a family).

Dunno...I have to say for DD, I would go with the Bimmer. Love my P-Cars, but I bus to work and I don't *have* to have them. They are just for fun...mostly for weekend use. Not sure I would have one for DD.

We have two BMW 325i's plus my 996 which I drive daily. There is no comparison. Trust me, buy the 996.

I suggest strongly against a new car if any make. Regardless of an old porsche or whatEver I would stay pre 2010 pre infotainment I drive Yada Yada a pain to fix.


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BMW Z4 coupe
Porsche 987.1 Cayman S
Scion FRS
BMW 2002 :D
Mini JCW
Miata race car

With the 2002, when I was looking for a replacement I ran by a local specialty dealer that does lots of rare and proper drivers cars, (road trip Carolina's if anyone is interested) and he had the most beautiful one owner black BMW 2002! He usually has a Alfa Romeo or 3 around as well.


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For a Daily Driver
 

I have a BMW 323IS E36, great car..never much trouble and when it is super easy to work on. Rides great...will go 125mph pretty easy and pretty quick. It is nowhere as quick as my 01S...but requires far less upkeep.

As much as id love a 996 or 997 DD, go with the brand new bimmer and add the 100,000 mile scheduled maintenance. Almost just bought an x1 for my wife and the scheduled maintenance you get with the bmw is a huge draw. Jake, your opinion of brand new cars will change when you own one. Used cars are always a losing battle. Brand new cars are just that. Brand new...no worries. WARRANTY.

For those that own a 996...do you think on occasion small children would be comfortable in the back seat? Not often...

…even for our grand-girls, ages 9 and 6, it's a little difficult for them getting in the rear bench, but once in there is plenty of room and they seem quite cozy.
I love both my P-cars, but the 911, non-turbo, is still a rocket !

And depreciation arghhh, mostly I am just not a fan of all the tech they put in cars, everything is over complicated, and you really do have to take it to the dealer then.


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For what it's worth my next daily will likely be a 997.2 (2009) coupe, preferably a C4S. ;)

I'm not much of a BMW guy, they're nice cars though. I'd look at the new Mercedes C-Class (W205) if you're still interested in a sedan - they're pretty slick.

Of your choices, I'd go with the 911.

I have to disagree here as everyone is entitled their own opinion. :D
I always bought new cars. Porsches included. Then with the Cayenne I did have issues. No major ones but enough to have the car being repaired at the dealer for over a full month over the four years I owned. That does not count appointments for regular service. Sure it was under warranty and I paid nothing. BUT the damn depreciation on ANY of these cars is just nuts.
If you buy used and do your homework to find a good used vehicle, you will never spend on maintenance as much as these cars depreciate over the same period of time.
Any Porsche you buy, will depreciate $20k-$30k if not more, over three years. The cheapest, a Boxster, a $60k car (all said and done, taxes, out of the door) will be worth $40k in three years. IF that much. You will NOT spend $20K on maintenance if you buy used.
I say that as someone that owns, among several cars, a V12 BMW 750iL, a Boxster S and a Lamborghini Gallardo, all bought used once I decided not to EVER buy new again.
I did not spent on maintenance anywhere close what these would have depreciated if bought new. By a HUGE margin. Even with the pretty much engine rebuilt we had done on the Boxster.
The only time I will buy a new Porsche ever again will be in a couple years when I am pretty much certain I may die in the next 10-15 years and THEN I will completely customize a Targa 4S and get it delivered in Germany and then keep it until I get called to the other side.
Until that day, used it is.
That said, I would get the Porsche if I had to choose between it and the BMW. For God's sake I almost DD the Lamborghini, taking it to Walmart, Groceries etc, all with my 3-year old on his child seat. If I can do that with a Lamborghini (in terms of being a practical vehicle) a Carrera is a non-brainer with ALL that luggage space I do not have on the Gallardo. LOL.

Cheers.

CR