'04 Boxster S or '05 BMW M3 Coupe

[TX Speed Demon]

S4 is a good idea. I voted for the M3 though. Just the extra room and trunk space, without giving up much in performance would make the deal for me.

The boxter seems fun to drive, but I bet it's not nearly as nice to ride in. With the M3 the driver gets the excitement while the passenger gets the comfort. Best of both worlds IMO.

 

[Protege52003]

I have always liked the M3.......better reliability than the porsche in the long run. choice is yours though.....personal preference (or the wife's)?

My vote is for the M3

 

[benimal]

slow down kid... you act like he attacked your man hood.

anyways... the boxsters these days look tacky, inside and out. Personally i like the M3 but im also a huge fan of the new audi line. A chipped TT can be fun and the S4 is oh so sexy... i say you look at those as well.

kid....that's funny... I might sometimes act like one, but I'm far from being one.

In any case, no I didn't think he was attacking my manhood, but I loudly objected to his comments about the Boxster being entry level and less reliable than the much lauded M3.

With that said, I was curious what Consumer Reports had to say on the issue of reliability between the two models. While some people may not agree with Consumer Reports, I have found them to be spot on, with one exception, in the 15+ years that I have consulted them on vehicles.
So.... according to them... both models have average predicted reliability. Sorry all of you who thought the M3 was so much more reliable than the Porsche.

 

[01bluemp3]

I work for bmw, so im gonna say them m3. I drive them a few times a week and they put a smile on my face every time. just somthin about the 332hp inline 6 to make you happy. We have had some boxter guys trade up for the m3. i drove some, just didnt like them. there isnt much room, and they have quality issues, the last 2 we had to have them taken to the Porsche dealer for work we couldnt do.. if you want a drop top, get a m3 vert. they are just a nice and they have a back seat, big plus i think. and you can get them both in SMG. like a 6spd just no clutch, kinda cool for people who dont want a cluch to work yet the performance of a norm 6spd.

 

[vindication]

that SMG is crap. I've heard nothing but bad things on the beemer SMG for the newer cars. read it in a few magazines and heard it elsewhere

 

[01bluemp3]

Only problem we have had as a DME programming update for them, nothing major

 

[WillisW555]

I'm gonna carefully renter this thread. The '04 boxster is the last generation. The redesigned one's are the '05. We are looking at the '04 because they are 10K off. The '04 M3 covertibles are also being discounted.

As long as these cars don't break down every week, we are no too worried about the long run maintence as we probably won't keep it past the warranty anyhow.

We had an SLK32 before we traded it on a house, so I love convertibles and lots of power. The thing about the M3 vert is that the performance suffers as the car is not a lightweight.

Also, the porsche is a pretty light car and the guys at the track think it's one of the best track cars.

We have test drives this weekend, so I'll post my impressions after.

(enguard)

 

[Nextruss]

the M3 is so hot! its my dream car under 80K. Wow, get it, its beautiful, smooth, and fast. Handles like a pimp!

whatcha talkin' 'bout Willis? -hehe

 

[WillisW555]

Well we test drove both. I like the '05 Boxter S (the redesigned one). It sounds soooo good stock. I think it would make a great toy.

Also tested the M3 Coupe SMG and I don't like the the SMG right off the bat. The new car manager told me that it took him like 6 months to be really smooth. We also don't know if its good to buy and old-in-a-few-months body style. We're going to probably want to replace it as soon as the next M3 comes out.

The Boxster S is not be as fast as the M3, but it is reputed to be one of the best handling cars. I don't think either would be a bad choice though.

 

[Foolish]

Go MazdaSpeed Miata! You don't get much more weekend toy than that, and you save $10K+!

 

[jred321]

i say m3, i've always liked how it looks and never really liked the boxster's looks. plus i've always like m-series bmw's, so maybe i'm biased, but it has a reputation as the ultimate driver's car. and if you decide to make it more than just a weekend car it actually has some cargo room and a bit of practicality. i may be biased though cause i'd take any m bmw, especially an e30 m3 have you looked at the s4 at all or is that too luxury oriented for you?

 

[WillisW555]

The S4 doesn't really appeal to me. I has a big motor, but is soooo heavy for a 'smallish' sedan. We also considered a C55 AMG, but considering the lack of quality that Benz is putting out lately, I think we'll pass for now.

 

[Mr. 4500 RPM]

ever considered a used m roadster as well? pretty much, from what i know, is its a z3 body style but hardtop with m3 motor in it so it should pull real nice. just a thought

 

[jred321]

the m roadster is still a convertible, the m coupe is the hard top and the best car ever it took the roadster and addressed some of the chassis weakness issues by putting a hard top on it. i think the 2001 models have the new engine in them, before that they still had the e36 m3 engine. they're kinda hard to find though since they didn't make many, and they don't suite everyone's tastes cause it's kinda a unique look. i really like them though. but if he's looking at a new m3 vs. a used m coupe, i'd go with the new car still

 

[ken830]

Hey Willis... I would say M3 over the Boxster S, but I haven't driven either...

In that price range, why not consider a C6?? You can (sorta) test drive one at the autoshowinmotion coming up at Monster Park... Don't want American?

 

[MazdaNeal]

Lotus Elise, 40k with hardtop, nuff said. I would HIGHLY consider purchasing one of these over what you have shown interest in.

 

[vindication]

yeah, elise is nice. if you can get it.

 

[WillisW555]

Well the decision has been made. We ordered an '05 Boxter S. Seal Gray, with gray interior and blue top. We kept the stock 18s as there are too many dang potholes to eat up expensive wheels around here.

The Lotus is a bit too hardcore. I like hardcore in go-karts, but no in a weekend car. The seats don't look all that comfortable. Also, I'd have to break out my racing shoes to drive that car.

The E46 M3 is getting a little long in the tooth and will be replaced in a year or two.

The Corvette, while freakin' fast doesn't quite do it. My partner doesn't like that it's a Chevy. I think he likes the prestige or perceived prestige of the Porsche over the Chevy. I like the way the Porsche drives.

Now we have to wait about 3 months for the car to get here.

 

[CommieSpeed]

Uhhh...M3 all day. I would kill innocent children with dull knives and nerve gas to have one of those. Lol wow that statement is ****** up....maybe I should just finish school and get a decent job, then I won't have to do that. Anyway...yeah, M3.

 

[tritonheat1]

Since You are going to get a (Weekend Car) Why not wait for the Nismo 350Z, Or Mazdaspeed RX-8!!!! I mean, if i was going to buy a $40-50thousand dollar car. "It better be my all day commuter car!!!! I don't want it to sit in the damm garage until the weekend pops up. "but hey it's your car and your decision and whatever float's your boat, more props to you! Good Luck on your Decision,BTW: i'd get a 04-05 S2000 for fun roadster weekend!!!! you have 2 import vehicles! ???Why not make it three....hehe