An STI or EVO would be worlds faster....

runs and hides :p

yep:)

I've got a Z3 "M" that I picked up in late 2001 for about $7000 off list. It is one of the quickkest stock cars I've ever owned. The buzzing exhaust sound mentioned sounds more like ripping metal from behind. What you hear in the cockpit is not what others hear. With 315 hp it fairly hauls ass. It might not handle quite as well as a Boxster, but I can see the engine and a Boxster "S" will not stand a chance in a stoplight drag race. These were 2 very important issues for me. Being an "old" street racer, stop light drag races are in my blood; sorry.
And fwiw, it requires some skill to drive at the limits and; as one friend put it, it's a millenium Cobra. You drive this car, it doesn't drive you. Did I mention it was $20,000 less?

Regards,

Tom

yeah, last night a 996 decided to open it up a bit on our quiet street (jerk off). Horrible exhaust note. Amazingly bad.

And I still love M Coupes. Yes, the clown shoe.

GT3s have great exhaust notes.

Shocking that anybody lived through their childhood in the 30/40/50/60/70s. Some even went without seatbelts! :D

I still remember the steel dash board in my mom's 59 Rambler. Sat happily on the front seat, 3 years old, facing forward with no belts at all. Fortunately, I never kissed that dash....somehow, we survived.

I too love the M Coupe. Don't care for the Roadster but the Coupe is cool as hell. I've never heard of it referred to as a clown-shoe....I thought that was limited to the Viper.

I was in the market for a 02/03 M3 convertible and was heading towards one with SMG ...I had done tons of research and testing. Two days before a deal, I saw a black 993 Cab with aero kit, big reds etc ; test drove it and fell in love. I have never looked back.

Simply put, I leave you with this quote given to me by a well known authority in modern day sports cars: " The M3 is a great car, but nothing in the world drives like a 993. You will be bored with the M3 in months, but the 993 is a life time enjoyment" - thats the difference i found.

I also own a Rosso Red Lancia Integrale and a Black BMW 325I Cab (commute car)

Good luck!

I own a 03 M3 SMG Coupe. My previous car was a 97 M3. I do not have experience with the 996 but can offer the follwing comments on 03 M3.

Maximum acceleration: Very fast. As fast as a 996 from what I have read. Not a lot of torque at low/medium RPM.

Handling: Great handling but you do not get much steering feel.

Seats: The seats do not hold me well in place. My shoulders are not stable. May be the width adjustable seats would sove this problem.

SMG: All I can say is that I find it fantastic. Way better than any 6 speed. On the Roadfly E46 M3 forum all SMG owmners love it. Certainly a big plus over the 996

Confort: Except for the seats which are average, I am amazed at how confortable my car is.

Luxury: The E46 feels very modern and luxurious. My cinnamon interior is absolutely gorgeous. Most people on the Roadfly board feel the M3 interior is much nicer than the 996.

I did not consider the 996 because I find the Carrera 2 styling to lack character while being much higher priced than the M3. The 4S is beautifull but it is just too expensive.

I suggest you visit the Roadfly E46 M3 forum at: http://bimmer.roadfly.org/bmw/forums/e46m3/

These are just my opinions, others might think differently.