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    993, Cayman S, 135i, or E46 M3?

    Ok, I'm a little stuck in my decision making regarding the purchase of my next commuter. I commute 45 miles roundtrip 4 days per week. I loath conventional commuters of any type. Nothing with front wheel drive interests me even remotely. I live and breath driving great cars so might as well commute in one. My budget is $30k give or take a couple of thousand. A used Cayman S is still a little out of my price range right now. The 135I is about the right price but lacks the apeal of any Porsche although I think it's a great little rocket. I've read nothing but grief regarding 996's, hence, my considering the 993. I'm also a little nervous about the reliability of the E46 M3 as a commuter warraneted or not. Please weigh in with your opinions regarding whether a 993 with low miles or Cayman S should even be considered for commuting. Alternatively, do you think a Bimmer M3 or the 135I would make a better  choice. Many thanks in advance for your responses!


    Re: 993, Cayman S, 135i, or E46 M3?

    Welcome to Rennteam  Nice username 

    How about a pre-owned Boxster? 


    --


    997.1 C2S
     GT Silver/Cocoa, -20mm/LSD, PSE, short shifter, SportDesign rims, Zuffenhausen pickup, BMW Z4 2.5i Roadster Sterling Grey/Red


    Re: 993, Cayman S, 135i, or E46 M3?

    Thanks easy_rider911! I did consider the Boxster, but am a bit taken with the Cayman S. One other consideration is that when the weather gets nasty here in Miami you want to be sealed in pretty well. I've got an old but great little Miata that reminds me of that need quite a bit.


    Re: 993, Cayman S, 135i, or E46 M3?

    BMW 135i, it's just amazing fun to drive around. It's the newest with great tech and reliability.

    It'll be the cheapest daily to run out of the pack while still being very very fun to drive!


    --

    indeed shifting is ancient technology - so is a fuel burning engine..  I happen to like both :) 


    Re: 993, Cayman S, 135i, or E46 M3?

    I'd go for the Cayman S (you can find nice ones in the $20k's now) or the 993 if you will track it (dry sump motor is a big advantage over the M96 motor in the Cayman S - doesn't matter for street driving though).


    --

    73 Carrera RS 2.7 Carbon Fiber replica (1,890 lbs).  Former: 73 911S, Two 951S's, 996 C2, 993 C2, 98 Ferrari 550 Maranello


    Re: 993, Cayman S, 135i, or E46 M3?

     I just did a quick check around the web and can't find any '06 Cayman Ss for under $30K but do see some '07 Caymans with low mileage in the low $30s.

    One thing to consider is the depreciation in the cars you picked ... or the lack thereof with a 993.

    If you can find a nice 993 with decent mileage and care for it well, I don't think you'll have any problem selling it for something close to what you put on it, even if you put 50,000 miles on it.

    And then the other advantage is that you would be driving a true classic car. A 911.


    --

    "I don't mean to brag, but I am really good at self-deprecation."


    Re: 993, Cayman S, 135i, or E46 M3?

    Carrageous:

     I just did a quick check around the web and can't find any '06 Cayman Ss for under $30K but do see some '07 Caymans with low mileage in the low $30s.

    One thing to consider is the depreciation in the cars you picked ... or the lack thereof with a 993.

    If you can find a nice 993 with decent mileage and care for it well, I don't think you'll have any problem selling it for something close to what you put on it, even if you put 50,000 miles on it.

    And then the other advantage is that you would be driving a true classic car. A 911.

    I almost bought a very nice Silver/Cocoa 2006 Cayman S with 28k miles and nicely equipped (Xenons, heated seats, Bose, Full Leatyher, etc.) and it still had 6 mos left of factory certified warranty for $28,900 just 10 days ago.  But, I decided not to buy an M96 motor for a car that I'd drive on the track.
     


    --
     

    73 Carrera RS 2.7 Carbon Fiber replica (1,890 lbs).  Former: 73 911S, Two 951S's, 996 C2, 993 C2, 98 Ferrari 550 Maranello


    Re: 993, Cayman S, 135i, or E46 M3?

    Really? Wow, that's a great buy! I'll call you next time I'm looking for a deal.


    --

    "I don't mean to brag, but I am really good at self-deprecation."


    Re: 993, Cayman S, 135i, or E46 M3?

    Carrageous:

    Really? Wow, that's a great buy! I'll call you next time I'm looking for a deal.


    Here's another under $30k, but not nearly as good a deal as the one I considered.  I think this seller is flexible on price though...

    http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/2548973557.html


    --

    73 Carrera RS 2.7 Carbon Fiber replica (1,890 lbs).  Former: 73 911S, Two 951S's, 996 C2, 993 C2, 98 Ferrari 550 Maranello


    Re: 993, Cayman S, 135i, or E46 M3?

    As a commuter, you can't go wrong with either a Cayman S or a 135i. I've owned the first and driven the second (just bought my wife a new 125i Coupe - she didn't need or want the extra power of the 135), and they're both great drivers' cars. Drive both before you make the final decision - the 135i is probably a liitle more practical, given its back seats, and the turbo packs a nice punch in a compact body, but (as you said) it's not a Porsche.

    Re: 993, Cayman S, 135i, or E46 M3?

    Thanks all for the great feedback! The 993 is even more tempting from what I've heard in this forum. Can anyone give some general pointers on what year 993 would have the least problems, not wanting to make assumptions that it would be the last year.................who knows? Also, let's assume its one of the last three years of the 993 run, what sort of asking price do you feel would reflect a car that is well kept, in great shape, and worth pursuing?

    Incidentally, the 135i is what I'm considering the last option, not as a reflection of my thoughts on the car, but I'd dearly love to be in a 911!


    Re: 993, Cayman S, 135i, or E46 M3?

    All 993's are equally reliable, but the 96-98 have a little more power/torque with Varioram, but they also have OBD-II computer which tends to throw Check Engine Lights from clogged ports in the engine called Secondary Air Injection.  This has no performance implications - just emissions stuff.  If Florida will fail your emissions test for an illuminated CEL, then it might be better to choose a 95.


    --

    73 Carrera RS 2.7 Carbon Fiber replica (1,890 lbs).  Former: 73 911S, Two 951S's, 996 C2, 993 C2, 98 Ferrari 550 Maranello


    Re: 993, Cayman S, 135i, or E46 M3?

     Personally I would not take a 993 as a daily commuter. It's a fantastic car, very reliable, but also 15 years old, you will notice that when commuting. Also a good example will be more expensive than a good Cayman.


    --

    2012 Cayenne S White/Espresso 

    Ex: 993 Targa, 986S, 986 and 964 C2


    Re: 993, Cayman S, 135i, or E46 M3?

    I commutute 30 miles a day in my Cayman S and its almost perfect.  Comfy and fast on the boring bits and brilliant in the twisty bits near my house.  The only downside is that the clutch can feel a bit heavy after an hour in a jam.


    --

    Gen II Cayman S


    Re: 993, Cayman S, 135i, or E46 M3?

    Am i the only one who thinks this is a Porsche employee doing some "marketing research" 

    I said 135i so you guys will make the new Cayman amazing!! It deserves so much better, please let it grow.. the chassis has so much potential. Offer it with GT3 engine PLEASE. You know you would commute that each and every day all year long


    --

    indeed shifting is ancient technology - so is a fuel burning engine..  I happen to like both :) 


    Re: 993, Cayman S, 135i, or E46 M3?

    993Targa:

     Personally I would not take a 993 as a daily commuter. It's a fantastic car, very reliable, but also 15 years old, you will notice that when commuting. Also a good example will be more expensive than a good Cayman.


    Absolutely share your thought. The ergonomics on Porsche´s contemporary watercooled models are one of the big improvements over the 993. As much as I love this car, I wouldn´t want to drive it daily.
     


    Re: 993, Cayman S, 135i, or E46 M3?

     My vote would go to E46 M3 since I had owned 2 of them. I still like the design and the performance is better than 1st gen. Cayman S and more practical for every day use, it is an entertaining drive and offers plenty of performance on the right hands.


    --

    ONUR

    11 M3 Coupe AW

    09 Audi TTS Coupe - 07 997 Carrera S - 05 M3 Coupe - 03 M3 Coupe - 96 M3 Coupe EVO (PASS TIME HISTORY)

     


     
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