cant decide between the two.

[NSFW 335i]

Well my lease for the 335i is almost up and now i have to decide on my next car. So far i have these 2 cars on my mind
2008 bmw m3 or a 2006-08 porsche cayman s (turboed)

the porsche will overall be better "sports car" then the m3. But the m3 will obviously be great as well and have more luxury. Also if i go with the M3 i will be driving another 3 series ( i know the M3 is a totally different story But its still the same 3 series over again)

but the m3 also has the rear seats if i ever need them. I have driven both cars and honestly they are both good and i just cant decide.
If i get the M3 i would not do much engine mods to it, besides exhaust and intake. But if i buy the cayman i will do so much to it. Overall it will be faster then a 911 gt2 acceleration wise and handling wise, with the mods i will do to it. But the M3 will have more comfort... IM SO CONFUSED!!

Any advice from you guys would help, what car would you go with?

[BTM]

Porsche

[samwoo2go]

Porsche, you are not getting any younger.

[immiketoo]

Get the Cayman.

[Alexander]

Porsche.

[shipill]

M3

[Comet]

wait, turboed?
are you going to turbo it or you are buying it used with a turbo... if used with a turbo, i'd suggest not buying a modded car.. you'll spend too much time in the garage IMO..

but the Porsche is much funner..

[koreez88]

I don't know why, but I just love Caymans... So my choice is obvious.

[ZJP]

If you don't really need rear seats, Cayman S for sure.

However the M3 is more practical for everyday use, no question about that.

[Elie335]

I just find the porsche cayman S CHEAP as it have something related from the porsche boxter, I dont know its just me, I find it cheap for a " porsche " if it was a 911 turbo or GT3 RS, I'd take them over the m3, but not the cayman sorry. Go for the m3 sure.

[BTM]

Originally Posted by Elie335

I just find the porsche cayman S CHEAP as it have something related from the porsche boxter, I dont know its just me, I find it cheap for a " porsche " if it was a 911 turbo or GT3 RS, I'd take them over the m3, but not the cayman sorry. Go for the m3 sure.

This might be how non-enthusiasts think but people who truly appreciate cars realize that price point is not necessarily indicative of driving experience. The Cayman S handles much more neutral and predictable than the 911. Additionally, any Porsche, entry level or not, is nothing to scoff at. At least to me the reasons you posit above speak more to insecurity than to buying the right car.

[OC Guy]

Funny, everyone always votes the Cayman but buys the M3.

[BTM]

or...you're on a BMW forum...what do you expect a bunch of Porsche owners?

I would take the Cayman and head over to 6speedonline

[SpacE82]

i say get both...but its your monies

[wakeboarder109]

if you don't need the back seat, I'd go with the Cayman for sure

[OC Guy]

Originally Posted by BTM

or...you're on a BMW forum...what do you expect a bunch of Porsche owners?

I would take the Cayman and head over to 6speedonline

No, I see it on non-BMW/Porsche forums as well. I think most people want the Sports car but practicality wins out.

[Red Bread]

A stock Cayman S would win, or even with with another stock Porsche motor like the 3.8l Carrera S motor, but given the turbo, I'd probably pass. I've gotten by with a similar sized car for a decade now and have never really missed back seats or the practicality of a larger car.

[Elie335]

... whatever, porsche looks like a frog, while the m3 is a beauty machine.

[BTM]

Originally Posted by OC 335i

No, I see it on non-BMW/Porsche forums as well. I think most people want the Sports car but practicality wins out.

That's probably very true...it's nice to dream about what you want the most, but when life sets in you know what the "right" decision is - from a practicality standpoint the Cayman has no shot.

[BTM]

Originally Posted by Elie335

... whatever, porsche looks like a frog, while the m3 is a beauty machine.

Eye of the beerholder my friend

[Mahmood07]

I say, get a 911 S instead of buying a cayman and modding. It's so much nicer inside and out. but stock cayman S for stock M3, i'd take the M3 simply for the extra horspower.

[ak335]

M3 or if you can 997.2 S