[2002M3Drew]

I agree as well that the SC is more fun to drive than the heavier Carrera models. I drove a ton of cars during my search for a car last year, both SCs and Carreras. By far, the cars I preferred were the SCs (two, one of which I ended up buying), and a 1984 Carerra Targa with high miles. It really comes down to two things:

1. Weight
2. Gearing

Both motors are strong in their respective ranges. The SC makes the most of its robust midrange with shorter gearing than the 3.2s. The 3.2 has taller gearing to make use of the increased horsepower. On paper, the differences are not all that dramatic. Someone said it was a 1 second difference to 60 mph, but depending on the pubication, some of the SC tests had almost equal acceleration numbers. In terms of the "butt dyno," the SCs just feel faster because of the torque and the gearing.

The weight is also not to be underestimated. Most SCs had 6 & 7 (16 & 17 lbs respectively) Fuchs with smaller tires. Carreras had many options, many of which were heavier (phone dials) with wider tires (more weight). Carreras also have larger standard brakes...more weight. All of this tire, wheel and brake weight is UNSPRUNG weight, which is the enemy in terms of car feel. Witness the old Colin Chapman Lotuses.

Feel is more important than sheet of paper performance, particularly when we are talking about two older models of cars, neither of which (objectively) can better the performance of just about any modern sports car. Heck, some SUVs will walk all over a 911 in acceleration. But that isn't why you buy these cars.

I also have a Miata. Mine is the early 1.6L model. It is lighter than the 1.8 that replaced it by some 150 lbs. It also has a "zingier" engine compared with the 1.8. Its a lot like my SC...on paper inferior to the 1.8 successor, in feel, much more a sports car.

Perhaps the best comparison for me is to my "daily driver," an E46 BMW M3 with 333 HP. This thing is a beast. It will dust any NA 911 ever made, including a 996, in a straight line. It will pull over 0.85 on a skidpad, and it will top out at approx. 162 MPH, when the limiter stops the fun. But it's heavy at 3400 lbs +/-, it's luxurious and comfortable. Great car, but the 911 has so much more feel and feedback.