The dark side is calling...

[s2per]

..and I'm having a hard time saying "no" to a non-911.

Since Vera's gone, I need a new track ride. I won't have a lot of time this year to do a project car again, so the '70-73 R-Gruppe thing will have to wait awhile.

I've got a sub-$12k budget in mind for the car and it's NOT a daily driver; just a street and track toy. But what I'm seriously considering are 2 very different rides:

1) a '95 M3 with a few miles on it
2) an '86 944 Turbo

Sure, I'd like to stay true and get another Porsche. I love the power of the 951, but it is looking a bit dated. On the other hand, it's not a tricked-out sedan. And please don't suggest 914s; I'm just not a teener fan.

Ideas?

[Jgordon]

Keep it in the family -- get the 944.

[jluetjen]

$12K could get you an awfully nice early E or T. Either one would make an awsome track car too because of the light weight. An early 911 would make either of your other choices look pretty porky. Besides, since your not racing, it's not about pure power but fun on the track -- and that's something that the lighter weight early cars have in spades.

[s2per]

Yeah, I keep the early car in the back of my mind all the time; something I can't say about the others. The 951 is a great track car, with a good balance, etc. and the M3 is more of the same, with a usuable back seat. Both of them will run away from a stock early T.
But for character, I agree, you can't beat an early car. If the right one was to come along....maybe I'll just watch for that elusive 3.0 or 3.2 to plug in.

[Joe Bob]

914/6......find a converted car with a 2.0 or 2.2 in it.....very doable for that price.

[jazzbass]

968 - a little more $$ (though not much), updated look and all the power of an early 951 with more low end torque. More exclusivity, too, if you're into that kind of thing. BMWs are everywhere. The only time I see 968s are in Hershey every year.

[Zeke]

Originally posted by s2per
..and I'm having a hard time saying "no" to a non-911.

And please don't suggest 914s; I'm just not a teener fan.

OK, I won't.

[Emission]

A $12K '95 M3 won't be very nice - it should run you closer to $20K for a clean example.

I'd go with an early 911 too.

[1982911sc]

I drove both today, and both hard. And I have to say, the 911 had me smiling the entire time. The E46 is awesome, but man the Porsche is so cool. The 944 Turbo is a sweet car, you can get some great buys on these now. The M3 will bore you!

[Craig Stevens]

Tim, You could buy a 951 for $6000 to $7500, Lighten it spend some money, Chip, exhaust,suspension & still meet your target. I would love to mod a 968 some real potential there! more money though. Either way, I know what ever you do will be fast, & fun. Craig

[adomakin]

dont bother with the bm, thats got to be the worst M3 they made. all spongy and posh. do the 944 and drive it hard! (the turbo dumpin' will keep you smiling long after the sound of that muted straight six)

[s2per]

The more I think about it, I remind myself (and so does my loving and patient wife) that I have ALWAYS wanted an early car, since before my last car (3 years ago), before my '85 Carrera, way back to my first Porsche ('75 Targa) days.

All the other cars that I've considered are really nice, really competent, and can be set up to be really fast.

But nothing, NOTHING is like a '69-'73 coupe. The handling response, the unrestricted exhaust sounds and the absolutely beautiful lines. I've wanted one for a long time, and now is the time to do it.

It may be tough, but I'm going to wait and find the car I REALLY want.

[onewhippedpuppy]

I'm trying to sell my 70T right now, non sunroof coupe, it would be perfect for a race car. No structural rust, currently a great driver. I'm asking $7500, you could have $4500 left over for fun stuff, not to mention what you could sell that you wouldn't need for a track car.
'70 911 T 4 Sale/ Trade

[racea911]

I'm always amazed at the negativity towards M3's on this board.

I have a wickedly fast, 73 RS Replica with an MFI'd 2.9 liter motor. The car weighs less than 2200lbs and is totally tricked out suspension wise, has a full cage, full race prep yadda, yadda, yadda. The thing is a top 5 car at most of the San Diego track events and those usually draw well over 100 Porsche's. What I am trying to say nicely, is that my 911 is faster than MOST of the guys who post on here.... not bragging at all, it's the CAR not ME. I'm just trying to qualify my opinion.

And I FREAKING LOVE my '99 M3, seriously. The M3 kicks ass. High mileage '95 M3's are getting into the very low teens. I am also considering one for some track use. I do some canyon carving in my bone stock M3 over Ortega Highway with 300' drop offs and the M3 is like a high performance, never shaken rock. Nothing I throw at it seems to upset it. The 911 over the same highway is not as quick, BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO END UP DEAD!

A 240 hp 3.2L M3 engine, brand new in the box from BMW is $6500. My 260 hp 2.9L 911 motor was three times that amount.

I will take an M3 over a 951 without a seconds hesitation, I might even take an M3 over my 911.

[dreeves]

For the track, I think the M3 is hard to beat. Well-balanced, reliable and easy to drive fast. Enough power to get you into trouble if you're stupid, but the balance makes you incredibly comfortable exploring the limits.

The 951 would be similar in many ways, but I keep hearing nightmares about the maintenance costs and upkeep. No personal experience with them, though.

[Emission]

Originally posted by racea911
I'm always amazed at the negativity towards M3's on this board.

I will take an M3 over a 951 without a seconds hesitation, I might even take an M3 over my 911.

I love the E36 M3 (1995-1998) too. Great car with excellent handling (years ago either C&D or R&T named that car the best handling car in the world - over the NSX, Ferrari and Porsche). If I had $20,000 I'd get an M3 in a flash.

However, the original question was what to do with a sub-$12K budget. You can't get an E36 M3 for that (but you can get an E30 M3 for that price). For my $12K, I'd go 911.

P.S. - '95 M3 is 3.0 OBDI while later years are 3.2 OBDII. Something to think about if you want to mod them.