Re: Older 911 replacement? (archive)

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In Reply to: Older 911 replacement? posted by maestrox on September 30, 2001 at 00:20:40:

If you check out some of the recent posts below, you'll see that I just made a VERY similar move in the past week. I sold my 1990 911 for a 2000 M Coupe.

With the 87 you have a car with even fewer creature comforts than the 964--which has a better AC, airbags, and ABS. You also have a car that is MUCH more coveted by the Porsche community, since everyone wants a later-model 3.2 Carrerra with the G50 transmission. Indeed, you could make the switch for very little money.

I just made the move, so I dearly miss my 964, but I love the fact that the M Coupe won't cost me an arm and a leg in maintenance, I can do oil changes myself in 25 minutes (rather than the 2 hours the 964 took), and I can sit in traffic with the AC on without worrying about overheating.

As to driving, there is no substitute for the Porsche, but the 50/50 weight distribution on the M Coupe lets you drive it much closer to the limit and the torque is incredible.

For the prices you are talking about, and since you're switching from a Porsche, I don't see why you wouldn't want to look at the M Coupe and not the Z3 Coupe. If you can buy a NEW M Coupe for invoice, then we're talking $42K, and a used M Coupe is going to be very close to $30K

I recently bought an '87 911 Coupe that is great, but frankly I would like some more creature comforts (ie AC that works, some assist on the steering, etc). I drive in lousy LA traffic and haul my 5 year old around (I understand I can get BMW to defeat the passenger airbag). Having a back seat would be nice, but I think I can live without it (and I love hatchbacks).

Any good arguments for the Z3 Coupe? I'm looking to spend under $40K, and closer to $30K is better. Does the sunroof had an inside cover (ie you can keep the sun off you)? New Z3 coupes can be had for well under invoice these days, as BMW can't seem to give the cars away...

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