[minn19]

Save a bunch of money and get a M6 ZL1. Actually a very good GT car with the mag ride and obviously tons of power, great brakes, steering etc.

[eluded]

Get a proper one with three pedals. When ICE is long dead, and gone, those will be the most valuable.

[baege]

Originally Posted by KevinC

Since you mention at least a passing interest in the Z4M Coupe, I highly suggest you drive one and see if it's for you. I've owned 2 for a total of 10 years, the first of which I bought new back in 2007, when BMW couldn't give the damn things away. I'm an old Datsun Z guy from WAY back (bought my boss's '73 when I was 19, and I was hooked), and when the Z4MC came along, I was instantly blown away by the looks and similarity to the original Datsun Z. Think E46 M3 minus a couple hundred pounds, minus a back seat, in a small, low-to-the-ground, sexy package. I'd still have my last one if it wasn't hit last year. I still hope to get another again someday. With your fairly large budget, you could afford a super-clean example and have a buttload of cash left over.

I actually owned an e86 Si coupe for 5 years the longest I have ever owned a single car. The e86 design and driving dynamics definitely speak to me in that special way that I want in a keeper car.

It's definitely in the run.

what I have found is that used cars can feel very different depending on how they have been driven and maintained

so it may well be that in the end if I find a really clean good example of a 991.1 gts, s52 clown shoe, e86 manual, r8 v8 or v10 gated or vantage v8 in a colour I want I will just go with that...otherwise I could be looking for a very long time

In the fall of 2019 I passed on a 2012 Gated R8 v10 and have regretted it ever since, it's a lesson that if you find a gem of a car that you really want go for it.

[G MONEY]

F the V-8. Get a built R-34 and be done with it:-)

[10"]

I'd vote E86 either 3.0 or Z4M. Love both of those!

Glad I bought my last ICE car (1M) already because it blows me away every day, still…

I've never felt any connection to any Porsches I've driven. They just leave me cold—they are clinical exercises in engineering, not "fun".

[baege]

Originally Posted by 10"

I'd vote E86 either 3.0 or Z4M. Love both of those!

Glad I bought my last ICE car (1M) already because it blows me away every day, still…

I've never felt any connection to any Porsches I've driven. They just leave me cold—they are clinical exercises in engineering, not "fun".

it just goes to show how subjective "fun" is

porches are definitely fun for me, but I get the clinical comment

I would say my M2 was more fun in handling around town than my caymans because it had a playfulness to its handling the porsches lack

but the viscerality of a normally aspirated flat 6 paired to a sweet manual is definitely fun times for me!

[W///]

Originally Posted by baege

it just goes to show how subjective "fun" is

porches are definitely fun for me, but I get the clinical comment

I would say my M2 was more fun in handling around town than my caymans because it had a playfulness to its handling the porsches lack

but the viscerality of a normally aspirated flat 6 paired to a sweet manual is definitely fun times for me!

I was actually going to ask why the current Cayman doesn't speak to you. Is it because the limits are too high on the streets to enjoy?

I've got a Z4M Roadster (which is currently in need to maintenance and repairs) but it's one car I don't want to give up on. It's the opposite of clinical in my opinion, even compared to the other M's I have yet alone Porsche, but that's exactly why I like it. It's always an event, and especially with the top down, 40 MPH feels faster than it is.

I also personally would not go for a 911 if you aren't happy with a Cayman GTS. It's a bigger package and even more civilized, not sure that's what I'd be looking for on a pure weekend/fun car.

[baege]

Originally Posted by W///

I was actually going to ask why the current Cayman doesn't speak to you. Is it because the limits are too high on the streets to enjoy?

I've got a Z4M Roadster (which is currently in need to maintenance and repairs) but it's one car I don't want to give up on. It's the opposite of clinical in my opinion, even compared to the other M's I have yet alone Porsche, but that's exactly why I like it. It's always an event, and especially with the top down, 40 MPH feels faster than it is.

I also personally would not go for a 911 if you aren't happy with a Cayman GTS. It's a bigger package and even more civilized, not sure that's what I'd be looking for on a pure weekend/fun car.

well as to why the cayman doesn't speak to me, hard to put a finger on it, there's just certain cars that have that extra special thing for me and the cayman doesn't have that for me

in terms of driving dynamics, maybe it's partly the high limits, it's just not as fun around town as the M2C was in terms of handling. my knowledge of the technicalities of vehicle dynamics and handling is pretty limited, but I know in terms of seat of pants it just doesn't feel as fun as the M2C did on the curves and ramps

the engine and drivetrain though are addictive, NA sound and throttle response, amazing intake wail

the 991.1 GTS will offer that in spades and the 911 shape just has that extra special thing for me, but I agree it is bigger which I am not a fan of

[Alfisti]

I told you 4 years ago to get a 997 GTS and it still stand today.

[dgoldenz]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

I told you 4 years ago to get a 997 GTS and it still stand today.

Def should have done that 4 years ago, now the 997 GTS manuals are priced in the same territory as 991.1 GTS manuals depending on mileage. Both great cars.

[Nkc]

1M is a worthy consideration at your budget with a good chunk left over for some tasteful mods but since you said turbo is a nono, I'd concur with Z3M Coupe and Z4MC.

I too feel that the S52 is better on the Z3M and that would be my choice as well since its cheaper than an S54 equivalent. The S54 fits very well in the Z4MC. As I have all 3 mentioned, I don't think you can go wrong with those.

[KevinC]

Originally Posted by baege

I actually owned an e86 Si coupe for 5 years the longest I have ever owned a single car. The e86 design and driving dynamics definitely speak to me in that special way that I want in a keeper car.

It's definitely in the run.

You should drive a Z4M. It's a completely different beast - the Si has a crappy electric steering rack (remember this is one of the first cars BMW used EPS in, if not THE first), while the Z4M has a proper hydraulic rack. And of course the S54 is just a spectacular lump.

[G30M]

Originally Posted by W///

I was actually going to ask why the current Cayman doesn't speak to you. Is it because the limits are too high on the streets to enjoy?

I've got a Z4M Roadster (which is currently in need to maintenance and repairs) but it's one car I don't want to give up on. It's the opposite of clinical in my opinion, even compared to the other M's I have yet alone Porsche, but that's exactly why I like it. It's always an event, and especially with the top down, 40 MPH feels faster than it is.

I also personally would not go for a 911 if you aren't happy with a Cayman GTS. It's a bigger package and even more civilized, not sure that's what I'd be looking for on a pure weekend/fun car.

2nd gear will send you to jail so you stay in 1st gear & 2nd gear for the life of the car. 1st gear from stop, 2nd gear while on the move. that's all you do.

[dylanwilson]

I'd go used gallardo with the gated manual or r8 with manual

[M3WC]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

I told you 4 years ago to get a 997 GTS and it still stand today.

+1

[INTMD8]

For me it's an F355. If you prefer touring I would do 550 Maranello or DB9.

I've considered the R8 a few times but really turned off by ports clogging up due to direct injection.

Not that you can't clean it, just bothers me.

[Germanauto]

Whichever vehicle you connect emotionally with best. The driving experience, interior, styling, and overall "vibe."

Which car makes you feel fulfilled? Which would you go drive when you have nothing else to do? Which feels like it could be your best friend?

[Humdizzle]

Originally Posted by baege

well as to why the cayman doesn't speak to me, hard to put a finger on it, there's just certain cars that have that extra special thing for me and the cayman doesn't have that for me

in terms of driving dynamics, maybe it's partly the high limits, it's just not as fun around town as the M2C was in terms of handling. my knowledge of the technicalities of vehicle dynamics and handling is pretty limited, but I know in terms of seat of pants it just doesn't feel as fun as the M2C did on the curves and ramps

the engine and drivetrain though are addictive, NA sound and throttle response, amazing intake wail

the 991.1 GTS will offer that in spades and the 911 shape just has that extra special thing for me, but I agree it is bigger which I am not a fan of

agreed. savagegeese mentions this in his m2c video. what makes the m2 so fun around town also makes it less ideal around the track. it always wants to get its tail out.

porsches have tons of mechanical grip. its nearly impossible to unstick and slide it on public roads. i could slide my frs, f80, and 458 without too much difficulty. or at least get the back end to wiggle a bit. can't do that in my gt3. limits are just too high

[baege]

Originally Posted by KevinC

You should drive a Z4M. It's a completely different beast - the Si has a crappy electric steering rack (remember this is one of the first cars BMW used EPS in, if not THE first), while the Z4M has a proper hydraulic rack. And of course the S54 is just a spectacular lump.

I've driven a few of them. The S54 is not my fave, it's not as smooth and more raspy than the S52 or the N52 and I prefer butter smooth. And I am afraid I am a bit of a neathandral when it comes to the finer points of vehicle handling and don't appreciate steering feel as much as others.

But if a good example comes up when I am closer to making this move I will definitely go see and drive it as it is in the running

[baege]

Originally Posted by dylanwilson

I'd go used gallardo with the gated manual or r8 with manual

I've always actually quite liked the gallardo but gated examples are crazy priced now here
like 180K for a decent example.

[baege]

Originally Posted by Germanauto

Whichever vehicle you connect emotionally with best. The driving experience, interior, styling, and overall "vibe."

Which car makes you feel fulfilled? Which would you go drive when you have nothing else to do? Which feels like it could be your best friend?

it's a good perspective and I will keep it in mind

out of the front runners I would rank them like this

driving experience
1. R8 V10 gated
2. 991.1 GTS
3. Vantage V8
4. e86
5. z3m

je ne sais quoi factor/vibe with
1. E86
2. Z3M
3.Vantage V8
4. 991.1 GTS
5. R8 v10 gated

Weird that there appears to be an inverse relation between my preferred driving experience and the overall vibe with factor

[Alfisti]

Originally Posted by INTMD8

For me it's an F355. If you prefer touring I would do 550 Maranello

F355's have really gone up in price and servicing is proper insane. I dunno, once you step into that world you need to go from "sensible guy who did ok and saved a few bucks" to "I wipe my ass with hundreds".