Am I doing the right thing? Trade in question.

[[ui]ICEMAN]

I'm largely decided on what I want to do with this but I figured I'd put it to a final audience before committing completely to this.

As you all know, I have a 2006 Carrera 2S with some beautiful HRE wheels and the GT3 aerokit on it. I also have a 2008 BMW 135i which I purchased quite recently as my daily driver.

Both cars are coming up on the end of their warranties. The Porsche expires 9/11 (lol) and the BMW is almost at 50k miles which means I need to extend it. The total cost for two extended warranties over here is almost $9k which buys me another 3 years on the BMW and another 4 on the Porsche. For reference the Porsche has 43.5k on it and the 135i has 45.5k.

I've mentioned before that I'm in the middle of a career change and I'm currently back in university studying medicine to be a trauma surgeon or radiologist, thus I spend most of my time in school or studying. I may also be living on or around campus next year since the schedule is starting to become a little overwhelming with my 150mile daily commute back and forth, not to mention the 3-4 hours spent in the car each day.

So, I'm considering consolidating the cars into one car that I can still enjoy and is still an amazing priveledge to own but that doesn't look quite so flashy and/or cost/have the potential to cost me large sums in maintenance in the future. I toyed with buying a new 911 but sadly prices have been driven up over here so high that I'm almost paying RRP for a 2 year old car, something I refuse to do. Also, driving a Porsche every day on campus perhaps doesn't send the right signals and I'm always a nervous wreck all day when I leave my 911 in the university car park for any period of time.

I came across this car yesterday while perusing autotrader and I must admit, I'm quite taken by it.

CAR

It's almost brand new, has only done 11k miles and has a full CPO warranty until May 2016 and free maintenance until May 2014. It has *every* option ticked, all four major packages including the new for 2011 ZCP package.

I just wanted to know if anyone else sees my logic here or if you think I'm stark raving mad for considering this?!

I can always get myself back into a 911 in the future and to be honest I don't really get to enjoy my 911 how I'd like to out here anyway, my only fun is on the straights (of which that's almost all there is) and the occasional on ramp. At the end of the day, in 5 years time my Porsche will be a 10-11 year old car.

I'm curious to hear your responses

 

[Gibbo]

You want RAMP and straight performance, buy what all the other Yanks buy, a bit of Muscle and far cheaper.

New Mustang, drive one even the standard 5.0l is said to handle superbly out the box, but I suppose out there they are like Mondeo's.

Would you not be worried by having a near new M3 on campus thats worth even more than the 911?

 

[Morba]

Would an M3 be dismissed by people who want to damage or steal cars?!

I can understand why dropping the C2 now wouldnt be a bad thing, you can get another 911 when you want and when is more appropriate to enjoy.

Have to say I'd be of same opinion as Gibbo, some modded big muscle car

 

[DM]

Having just blown however much on wheels steering wheel and body kit i would get rid of the BMW, extend the warranty on the Porsche, forget what people think on campus because that means jack **** anyway and get some use out of it.

Should have just left the 997 standard then they dont get a second glance.

 

[Cristian]

You want RAMP and straight performance, buy what all the other Yanks buy, a bit of Muscle and far cheaper.

New Mustang, drive one even the standard 5.0l is said to handle superbly out the box, but I suppose out there they are like Mondeo's.

Would you not be worried by having a near new M3 on campus thats worth even more than the 911?

pretty much this.
I mean a new Mustang GT should cost nearly... half as much as that M3.

 

[[TW]Fox]

The Mustang is nothing like the M3. The performance might be similar but as a package for day to day use its nothing like it.

 

[Gibbo]

The Mustang is nothing like the M3. The performance might be similar but as a package for day to day use its nothing like it.

How is it not?

Have you driven both?

Both front engine, both RWD, both 2+2, both V8's, both have three pedals, steering wheel and 4 wheels.
Both over 400BHP, both sound very nice, both have a large boot, both are coupes. Infact they both directly compete with each other, I am failing to see how they are not alike.

Please tell me how these cars are not similar?
Let me guess, interior and something about refinement and quality? Maybe my goals are different but both performance cars and in that area performance, handling they are very similar, except one is half the price.

 

[rare]

What about a 335i coupe. De badged won't attract to much attention.

 

[Cuchulain]

How is it not?

Have you driven both?

Both front engine, both RWD, both 2+2, both V8's, both have three pedals, steering wheel and 4 wheels.
Both over 400BHP, both sound very nice, both have a large boot, both are coupes. Infact they both directly compete with each other, I am failing to see how they are not alike.

Please tell me how these cars are not similar?
Let me guess, interior and something about refinement and quality? Maybe my goals are different but both performance cars and in that area performance, handling they are very similar, except one is half the price.

I suspect the M3 won't go ploughing into the nearest tree every time you turn the steering wheel.

 

[Scania]

I think the OP is spot on, the performance of the 911 (almost!) with the practicality of the 1 Series.

I still think it will probably stand out a bit on the car park, but only to the petrolheads, to many, it'll just be a flashy 3 series....

Seems to me, the OP prefers his motors European, or are they - 'Stangs - really as common as Mondeo's out there?

Nice dilema OP! regardless!

I suspect the M3 won't go ploughing into the nearest tree every time you turn the steering wheel.

And a Mustang would?

 

[[ui]ICEMAN]

Having just blown however much on wheels steering wheel and body kit i would get rid of the BMW, extend the warranty on the Porsche, forget what people think on campus because that means jack **** anyway and get some use out of it.

Should have just left the 997 standard then they dont get a second glance.

This was actually my intitial idea but even with the best aftermarket warranties, there are exclusions. This idea also only solves my issue for the next 4 years max, that's assuming I don't hit the mileage cap first which I probably would if I don't find a place this summer.

I'd be just as nervous about my car if it didn't have the aerokit on it, I love my car and I take great care of it. I did look into buying a new 911 but as I mentioned before, I have a huge issue with the pricing at the moment and in all honesty, it's still a Porsche that all I'm going to be doing is ploughing on highway miles.

I'll get 90% of what I paid for the wheels back and the steering wheel issue can be resolved easily anyway. The only real loss I'd take is on the aerokit and actually since I got it so heavily discounted, it's not really a gigantic loss.

 

[Gibbo]

I suspect the M3 won't go ploughing into the nearest tree every time you turn the steering wheel.

You need to read this before posting such carp:-
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests...stang_gt_vs_2011_bmw_m3_comparison/index.html

 

[Scania]

Seems to me the OP has an issue with the cars "Presence" on the car park, for that reason alone it would rule out -for me, were I in his shoes - a Mustang along the lines of Gibbo's old one, that thing re-defined "presence" !

 

[[TW]Fox]

How is it not?

Have you driven both?

As you are no doubt aware yes, I have covered several thousand miles in a 2011 Mustang ands several thousand miles in various E9x 3 Series. I'm not going to discuss the performance orientated specifics - ie handling and performance - but more the cars as a day to day tool. You know, the daily grind. The drive to the mall. The 150 miles back home, the sitting in traffic. That sort of thing.

It is here where there is a marked difference between the two. The M3 has a considerably better interior, is more luxurious, is made from better quality materials, is filled with a better standard of technical equipment - its just better as a day to day car. The Mustang is cheap and nasty in comparison - it feels like a far, far cheaper product.

I'm sure you will argue until the ends of the earth how on a track the Mustang comes close to the M3. I'm sure it does. But life involves more Walmart trips than it does trackdays.

For day to day use, the Mustang isn't even on the same page as the M3. I fully expected you to now rubbish my experience of the Mustang because I drove a 305bhp V6 not the V8 but there is absolutely NOTHING in the V8 that improves on the normal day to day experience. It has the same cabin...

Now in isolation the Mustang is a fantastic car. But it isnt in isolation here, it is being compared to an M3. The Mustang is half the price and in many areas this shows itself quite clearly. For the money, the Mustang is excellent. But the OP has the money for an M3, therefore he should purchase one and leave the Mustang to those who don't have the money for the M3.

Both front engine, both RWD, both 2+2, both V8's, both have three pedals, steering wheel and 4 wheels.

That sort of logic would also imply that a Mustang and a Mercedes CL500 compete with each other! You kinda missed out the big important thing here - price.

Lets think of some other cars that compete using this unique weird logic.

How about the Toyota Camry and the Porsche Panamera? Both have 4 wheels. Both have a steering wheel. Both have V6 engines. Both have 4 doors and a boot. There we go chaps, the Camry - competition for the Porsche Panamera!

 

[Fr0dders]

Gibbo, Don't feed the trolls !

 

[Gibbo]

Seems to me the OP has an issue with the cars "Presence" on the car park, for that reason alone it would rule out -for me, were I in his shoes - a Mustang along the lines of Gibbo's old one, that thing re-defined "presence" !

The new ones are much better though, vastly better interior, every so slightly more refined, neither to the level of an M3 but certainly not poor by any standard.

However performance and handling wise the new ones right out the box with factory brembo package are superb and one fully spec'd up is like $40,000-$45,000 brand new, one 6-12 months old will be in the $30,000 region.

I suggested it because a Mustang will cruise on the Interstate just as well if not better than an M3 as its engine is at lower RPM at cruising speeds, it will drink far less fuel than the M3 as the Mustang has a far superior V8 engine in my oppinion and it will cost less to insure/run.

Plus as they are 10 to a penny out there it actually probably won't attract much attention if Dave just gets a silver basicish coloured one so it blends in.

 

[[TW]Fox]

Gibbo, Don't feed the trolls !

Troll is fast becoming the worst word on the internet. It used to have specific meaning, these days it seems to be used against people who simply disagree with an opinion.

 

[Scania]

I think your post, above, makes a lot of sence Fox, thing is, square it with Gibbo & his 'Stang - CSL - 'Stang car hop, sure, I know the 'Stang was modified but for him to have had it, gone to that driving king, the CSL, and then wanting his 'Stang back surely speaks volumes for the Mustang?

I don't doubt Gibbo & his ability to judge a car & its capability, nor you & your excellent practical advice.......

Just a thought!

The new ones are much better though, vastly better interior, every so slightly more refined, neither to the level of an M3 but certainly not poor by any standard.

However performance and handling wise the new ones right out the box with factory brembo package are superb and one fully spec'd up is like $40,000-$45,000 brand new, one 6-12 months old will be in the $30,000 region.

I suggested it because a Mustang will cruise on the Interstate just as well if not better than an M3 as its engine is at lower RPM at cruising speeds, it will drink far less fuel than the M3 as the Mustang has a far superior V8 engine in my oppinion and it will cost less to insure/run.

Plus as they are 10 to a penny out there it actually probably won't attract much attention if Dave just gets a silver basicish coloured one so it blends in.

I think, perhaps, you miss understood, if he ends up with a 'Stang like your old one mate, it would stand out - to me - more than a 911! - Yours did!

 

[DM]

This was actually my intitial idea but even with the best aftermarket warranties, there are exclusions. This idea also only solves my issue for the next 4 years max, that's assuming I don't hit the mileage cap first which I probably would if I don't find a place this summer.

I'd be just as nervous about my car if it didn't have the aerokit on it, I love my car and I take great care of it. I did look into buying a new 911 but as I mentioned before, I have a huge issue with the pricing at the moment and in all honesty, it's still a Porsche that all I'm going to be doing is ploughing on highway miles.

I'll get 90% of what I paid for the wheels back and the steering wheel issue can be resolved easily anyway. The only real loss I'd take is on the aerokit and actually since I got it so heavily discounted, it's not really a gigantic loss.

Im not really getting the car park paranoia to be honest, if you are considering an M3 whats the difference? Its still a lump of money parked in the car park.

As for extending the warranty only solving the issue for 4 years, well thats 4 years, drive it till you hit the miles cap in 3 years then sell it.

Worry about then, in 3 years.

Course if you just fancy an M3 **** it buy one, but dont complicate the job with silly non problems

 

[[TW]Fox]

I think your post, above, makes a lot of sence Fox, thing is, square it with Gibbo & his 'Stang - CSL - 'Stang car hop, sure, I know the 'Stang was modified but for him to have had it, gone to that driving king, the CSL, and then wanting his 'Stang back surely speaks volumes for the Mustang?

Gibbo's needs and wants are different. He wants the ultimate in performance, handling and presence. Thats what he enjoys. Thats why he has the Evo, its why he liked his Mustang.

It also makes the benefits of an M3 over a Mustang something Gibbo has no requirement for.

I suspect the OP is different.

Oh, and the Mustang doesn't cruise on the interstate 'brilliantly' either, not better than a 3 Series. I suspect you think it does simply because the engine revs lower or something, which is a bit of an odd metric to use.

As a cheap performance car the Mustang is fantastic. When proper money is involved, if you want an ALL ROUNDER, then the M3 is just better.