[Langley968]

Since I bought my 968 Cab a half a year ago I have created a real problem. My daily driver is a 2006 Camry, which is a company car, supplied for my sales position. It is reliable, but is sooooooo boring! [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad.gif[/img] It has become even mooooooooooore boring since the 968! I am facing a change in pay structure, in which the company car is to be replaced by a monthly car allowance. I plan to buy the Camry for a "good" deal and then turn around and sell it right away to my daughter (her husband just "wrote off" her car - he's fine).
Now I need to decide what to buy as a DD. [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/cool.gif[/img] I only want to spend between 10 - 15K.
Another Porsche? I've toyed with the idea of a 968 Coupe, but then coming home and looking forward to a spin in my 968 will not have the same appeal! [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/unsure.gif[/img] I want a car that is fun to drive but that does not make my 968 Cab less desirable to take out. [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/dry.gif[/img] I have thought of a well sorted 944, but then...
I am seriously considering an Infiniti G35 coupe (that was before I read the thread here about a comparison between the G35 and the 968), but I have not taken one for a spin yet. I have also thought of a VW GLI, a MB or a BMW. Please share your suggestions and feel free to go "all over the map"! (Keep in mind that I am 6'2" tall).
I know some of you have two 968's and I would like to hear your feed back on that also. Having the same car as a DD may make maintenance more "efficient" (well, maybe).
Looking forward to some great reactions! [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif[/img]

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[flash]

i tried hard to convince he wife to let me get here a 968 tip cab as a dd - she wouldn't go for it - but, that would have been a great choice in my mind - the problem is how much it would cost to get it to the point where it would be a reliable and well appointed car

beyond the purchase price, belts done and all rubber would have to be changed etc, seat heaters installed, nav, stereo, bluetooth installed, the top likely done - it adds up - still, even if we spend 30k, we'd be hard pressed to find a better car - she just didn't like it enough

lots of cars out there, but in my mind, most of them would leave me wanting to drive the 968

10-15k is a very real limiting factor, and i would not consider a 968 at that range as a dd

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[ds968]

I have a similar dilemma : MBZ as a DD, comfortable, reliable, quick enough, decent handlingcar but still ...booooring. Was thinking about a 968 tip also, in spite of the near-duplication factor [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/dry.gif[/img] . Now, if you don't want to go with a tip 968 coupe for fear of taking away from the driving experience of your weekend 968, I think the Infinity G 35 is a superb looking car and probably as great of a DD as you can find. An earlier model can be had for a pretty good price. On paper the stats may be very comparable to the 968 , but I drove one and in spite of a nice sounding exhaust which is intended to give you the impresion you might be in a sports coupe it's NOTHING like a 968 in any other respect, IMO ; just as boring as the Audi S 5 which also crushed my great expectations also when I drove one. Damn, they make all these great looking cars and they can't get that engine to rev and feel like an engine should, nor get a feel the car becomes one with you and responds to you driving it, instead of it driving you.
No idea about VWs but heard good things about them from everyone I know, haven't found a BMW I really like ( that's just me though.. [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/rolleyes.gif[/img] ), but if you don't mind older cars I drove an Audi RS4 once ( not the S4 ) and all I can say is WOW ! I think if you find one with an automatic tranny you'll have a perfect DD and have a blast driving it.

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[Fox944]

If you want a car thats as reliable as the 968, and nearly just as good from a performance standpoint, but way more practical....for 15K you could pick up a really nice 95-99 E36 BMW M3. They are reliable (if maintained and cared for), fun to drive & practical. Plus there are many options out there. 3.0L & 3.2L Coupes, 3.2L Convertibles, & 3.2L Sedans. All can be had with either a manual or auto transmission.

So many of my friends have owned these cars over the years, which allowed me to have seat time in several of them....stock, modified, 3.0L & 3.2L cars. After i bought the house, i almost bought a '98 Sedan 5-Speed....but then i came to my senses and realized it wouldnt be much different from an economical point of view to what i was DD'ing at the time...and Audi A6 4.2L So i picked up a VW Golf Diesel prior to selling the Audi. (my goal was to minimize spending, as i put down a 6 figure downpayment on the house...so i needed a car that was cheaper to maintain, had better fuel economy, and cheaper to insure then the Audi).

I've always been really fond of E36 M3's, and almost couldnt resist. I know if i had one instead of the Audi...i would never have gotten rid of it for a more practical & economical Golf TDi.

Take a look at some and driver a few....Coming from a 968....you won't be dissapointed. And since your a convertible guy, you can pick up a clean 3.2L M3 Convert.

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[Fox944]

This would make a fine stablemate to your 968 Cab. [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif[/img]

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[lbpesq]

If you want a DD that is reliable and FUN, you might want to look for a low mileage Nissan '91-'96 300ZX. I drove mine to 222,000 with few problems. It's a great looking car and, if you get a 2+2, (lots of luggage space), is one of the most practical sports cars I've ever come across. Parts are plentiful and they are going fairly cheap these days.

Bill

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[DaveN]

I had one for a while and the only problem besides 23 MPG for a DD (imperial) was that for a 3.0L it was gutless compared to the 968. I mean I lived in fear of a Ford Escort at a stop light revving its engine [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif[/img]

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[Ryan]

Wow Dave....gutless? I have not driven a 3 series, but they get rave reviews in the car mags and such. I would have thought they would drive like a 968.

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[rxter]

Check out 968s. They are not boring, and there are lots of them for sale in that range - might be pricey to maintain though. The G35 would make a great commuter. Depends on how much fun you want to have on your commute. I take my RX8 every day, and I have more fun that I should on the way to work. S2000, Gen2 Miata? Both fun, cheap, and reliable. Small and bouncy though.

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[Fox944]

Having driven several E36 M3's...i never found them gutless. The one thing i enjoyed more about the M3 then the 968 is the throttle response. Those cars have amazing throttle response, and it has been a goal of mine to get M3 throttle response out of my 968 ever since the first day i bought it. After modifying several things...its still not quite there..but very close.

For comparo,

<b>968 3.0L</b>
236HP@6,200RPM
225lb/ft@4,100RPM

<b>M3 3.0L</b>
240HP@6,000RPM
225lb/ft@4,250RPM

<b>M3 3.2L</b>
240HP@6,000RPM
236lb/ft@3,800RPM

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[DaveN]

Ryan - I think you thought I was referring to the 3 series as gutless but I was referring to the previous post about the Nissan 300 ZX. 3 series are definitly not gutless.

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[Fox944]

300ZX makes 222HP@6,400RPM & 198Lb/Ft@4,800RPM & they weigh about 500LBS more then a 968. So yeah....it would def. feel gutless after driving a 968.

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[stewhatch]

Dino - we are both on the same page - I was thinking the exact same thing before I saw your post. I drove a 3.0 M3 last month for the first time and it was a phenomenal ride. Are they really that easy to buy at the price range suggested?

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[Chris Vais]

I'd opt for an Audi A4 Avant or sedan with the 2.0 liter Turbo and tiptronic geearbox. You can haul all your promotional materials and a passesnger or two in comfort. It is an all weather vehicle and while not a Porsche, they can be tossed about.

I'm considering the wisdom by getting one myself. It took me an hour and a half to get to class last week in stop and go traffic driving the Porsche. I needed a left leg transplant when I got to school.

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[Langley968]

[img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif[/img]
WOW! When I posted this thread last night I knew that you guys would come through with some VERY good comments. Keep the discussion going! Based on some of the comments, I have browsed on Craigslist locally and have seen some great looking M3's and G35's. I sure have the car buying "bug" again! [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif[/img]

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[Fox944]

Stew,

They def are. Clean cars cost a little more money. But 95 3.0L's can be had for cheap. Finding the right car is the hard part, many have been modified or beaten to death and because they are cheap to buy, make big gains from small modifications & are much cheapr to mod then cars liek the 968. Parts are plentifull.

But if you look around and know what to look for when buying these cars, a really nice car can be had for not so much money...and i think they make a perfect daily driver if you already own a 968.

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[SHA-JR968]

If you are looking for something rational and practical which is still fun to drive, I could recommend an E46 BMW - preferable as station wagon.

If economics is not an issue, the 2001 Audi S8 is also a very nice ride.

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[Winston968]

I second the BMW E46 Touring recommendation. I've had one for about a year and it's lovely to drive.
It suits me and my family (wife and 2 young children) perfectly.
It's a different driving experience from the 968 though. The engine doesn't feel all that powerful (mine has a 2.2L inline 6), but it hustles along in traffic just fine.

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[flash]

hmmm - i've driven every 3 series bmw since they first came out, and while they are quite a decent touring car, and certainly worth having in that respect, they have always felt gutless - even the E46 M3 we had lacked - i have also not ever felt "inspired" when i drive them - well appointed, solid and consistent, they are a fine car, but seem to lack the driver connection

a great commuter - not so great at making your heart sing - i think you'll still want to come home to drive the 968

but is that a bad thing?

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[rhudeboye]

<i>i never found them gutless. The one thing i enjoyed more about the M3 then the 968 is the throttle response. Those cars have amazing throttle response, </i>

Once again Fox, You are dead on.

I think that you'll be very happy with the E46. You can get a good one within your price range.

I now have one and cant agree more about the throttle. Its a blast to drive even though they are not speed demons. They give a good sense of speed and control. And the engine note is not too shabby either. I'm really enjoying the car. I have actually considered trading in my 330i and the 68 for a newer M3. Make it a DD and call it a day.

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