[hsb]

Hi,

I had a 2020 Porsche 718 Spyder that I sold with the idea of going BMW M2... but now I'm getting second thoughts.

The Spyder was nice and all but it was a bit too serious and frustrating to drive unless you could unleash it on country roads. I previously had a Miata ND and loved the thing, it was so light and fun to throw around and inexpensive to mod it.

Now I'm considering if maybe a GR 86 would be more fun for me. I also like to track my cars and a heavy car like the M2 or even Spyder is much harder on brakes and tires needing replacement often.

What other cars are you guys considering instead of the new M2 and why?

[Schn3ll]

I have a few on my list (currently have a Taycan):

- 992 Carrera T - had a 991.2 Carrera T and loved it save for the carbon buckets that my wife hated and no back seat. I would maybe go balls to the wall with my spec ~$140k and do a PTS car, hopefully making it my forever 911. Not sure how many non-hybrid 911's there are going to be left (might be the last from the standard range).

- CT4/CT5 Blackwings - CT4's can be had under $70k but CT5's are a bit overpriced right now. I can get on a list and wait but who knows how long.

- C63 AMG - should be around $85k base and nearing $100k with options. Downsides are that it's heavyyyy, anonymously styled, auto only and a 4-cylinder engine, but I like the plug-in hybrid aspect and should be a rocket. #1 on my local dealer list for one.

- M2 - best value here and should hang with everything - but also most polarizing in the looks department. Most modifiable. #3 on my dealer list now. Just wish they offered individual colors.

- M3 is an option as well, however the wait list is a mile long and I gave up my spot earlier this year...

I considered a Lotus Emira, but the local Lotus dealer closed and I would be a fool to buy a car that I have to drive 2 hours to my local dealer for any maintenance. See also Lamborghini, Ferrari, Bentley, Rolls, etc. Porsche is right down the street, same with BMW and Benz.

[10"]

Porsches are not fun—like you said they are way too serious and clinical. Like someone followed a recipe too closely and forgot about the having fun part. I've driven so many and they almost never give me any joy. Good cars YES—-fun cars? Not for me.

I am keeping my 1M because it is insaaaaaanely fun. Even after all these miles it makes me smile every single day. I feel like I won a jackpot every time I drive it! My 1M will never be for sale again!!

I am looking for a 2nd car like the M2 is because my wife wants another car to visit her elderly parents on the weekends when I don't want to go—and originally I had an allocation for a Corolla GR. Recently she told me she doesn't want to drive another manual—and due to traffic in NYC she wants an automatic. So I canceled my allocation for the Corolla GR which sucks because I would have loved to get that!

If it were 100% my choice right now for a 2nd car it would totally be the Corolla GR. That is the car to get right now!!!! Checks every box and seems special.

Other things I am considering: buying an automatic older E46 M3, used E82 128i automatic, new WRX—-new Civic Type R is also out because of transmission. Audi RS3 is super fugly now but the 5 cylinder would surely be wonderful. It is kind of a sad day when Audis are lighter than BMWs :/

I think the new Toyota GR86 seems cool but won't work for us—but smaller and lighter is ALWAYS better than bigger and powerful, IMO. It won't be fast, but that's fine if you're after fun over speed!

[Schn3ll]

Originally Posted by 10"

Porsches are not fun—like you said they are way too serious and clinical.

I guess they should be pumping in that fake engine noise for more fun... Or maybe if Porsche completely removed steering feel?

I would argue that you aren't driving them hard enough or driving the wrong Porsche. If you have been in a GT3 on track and aren't having fun, you don't have a pulse.

[hsb]

Originally Posted by Schn3ll

I would argue that you aren't driving them hard enough or driving the wrong Porsche. If you have been in a GT3 on track and aren't having fun, you don't have a pulse.

They are fun on track or when unleashing them on a twisty road, but they are a bit frustrating to drive elsewhere

[Ctothej]

Z06?

[ElHeffe]

Originally Posted by Ctothej

Z06?

Z06 was the only other car I seriously considered. The premium for them is fairly high which was part of why I didn't go that route.

[VIERsr]

Originally Posted by Schn3ll

I guess they should be pumping in that fake engine noise for more fun... Or maybe if Porsche completely removed steering feel?

I would argue that you aren't driving them hard enough or driving the wrong Porsche. If you have been in a GT3 on track and aren't having fun, you don't have a pulse.

This is the point.
Either you drive fast (very fast), or you don't have fun with a Porsche.
They are amazing, well engineered cars, but they require a lot of speed to put a smile on your face. Not always possible on public roads.
With an M car you smile even when driving in the city.
It's a different story on a track, where you can see where all the money spent has gone.
An M car as a daily car and a GT3 (but even a GTS would be fine...) for the track would be the ultimate combo, if money are not a problem.

I honestly don't see any real competitor to the M2, the gap with the GT86/Miata is too large and Porsches play on another league. Even the M3/4 will be an unicorn now that Mercedes has basically left the game. Maybe we'll have a renewed Giulia Quadrifoglio next year?

[T_U_D]

Allegedly a variant of the upcoming 992.2 will be receiving the engine from the 718 Boxster/Cayman 4.0 GTS. I would be highly inclined to order one and with PTS. To-date the arrival is unknown so I will continue to follow thru with my G87 order.

[Schn3ll]

Originally Posted by VIERsr

I honestly don't see any real competitor to the M2, the gap with the GT86/Miata is too large and Porsches play on another league. Even the M3/4 will be an unicorn now that Mercedes has basically left the game. Maybe we'll have a renewed Giulia Quadrifoglio next year?

I can agree with this. I am lucky to live so close to some of the best roads in the world (Dragon, Cherohala, Blue Ridge Parkway, Caesar's Head, etc.) and so I use my Porsche's accordingly - but most aren't so lucky.

I thought about the Giulia QV, but it's very dated and automatic only. It seems that the refresh updates are just going to be headlights and a digital dash. I don't see the Giulia getting a proper 2nd gen car with FCA's commitment to EV's.

[VIERsr]

Originally Posted by Schn3ll

I can agree with this. I am lucky to live so close to some of the best roads in the world (Dragon, Cherohala, Blue Ridge Parkway, Caesar's Head, etc.) and so I use my Porsche's accordingly - but most aren't so lucky.

I thought about the Giulia QV, but it's very dated and automatic only. It seems that the refresh updates are just going to be headlights and a digital dash. I don't see the Giulia getting a proper 2nd gen car with FCA's commitment to EV's.

That would be a shame, because the Giulia's platform is very good and that car drives amazingly well, but as you say it is very dated and if 7 years after launch the best they can do is LED headlights and a digital dashboard... well, they deserve to fail again.

[viospeeds]

I sold my 2017 Audi S3 and was considering an 2023 RS3 before the G87 M2 was revealed..

Also, I was waiting for the LCI Z4 if they will bring a Z4M but they didn't.. was looking at GR86 but the ADM is not acceptable specially for a Toyota..

so, I will stick to the G87 M2 as my choice🤞🏻

[m20e3087]

Originally Posted by T_U_D

Allegedly a variant of the upcoming 992.2 will be receiving the engine from the 718 Boxster/Cayman 4.0 GTS. I would be highly inclined to order one and with PTS. To-date the arrival is unknown so I will continue to follow thru with my G87 order.

That will be awesome. I was driving my buddies 992 GTS six speed behind another friend's GTS 4.0 on a Porsche Rally, both of them are running aftermarket exhaust but the sound of 4.0 was intoxicating. After I am done with G87 gen, will definitely consider a 4.0 variant.

[Alpha97]

Gray e30 M3 with around 100k miles for $50k
distant second is a base black M2 at msrp
then a Type R with $5k or less ADM
last choice is a Supra manual

[bangerman15]

The only other car I’d currently consider over the new M2 is the one I already have - CT4 V Blackwing. Not many options out there with usable backseats(for us at least) and a manual transmission. I’ve previously considered the g80/82 m3/4 as well, but won’t consider them again until the LCI does something about the nostrils. The new M2 isn’t perfect looking, but I can’t get over the grille on the new m3/4 at all.

[DrJLag420]

Cayman GTS/GT4 or 911T.

[Bimmerg621]

I might be in the minority here but I'm one of those people cross shopping the M2c with an M4c. I miss being in a coupe and those are really the only two cars that fits the performance and price. Anything new Porsche is still too rich for my wallet.

[StickyPickle]

These were the main ones I was considering (only manual transmission)

Emira - Beautiful car but reading too much feedback concerning the lack of raw performance and also there are no Lotus dealers within a 4 hour radius of where I live. I think there are plans for a Lotus dealer in Philadelphia soon which is 2 hours away so this will probably be my next car once they come out with a higher performance model like they did with the Evora)

718 GT4 - Awesome car and probably would've went with it had it not been for the outrageous ADM people are asking for

Z4 - Was waiting to see if the LCI was going to bring the manual to the States but it appears that's not going to happen

[ronin13013]

He chose M2.

[VIERsr]

As far as I know, the GT4 is discontinued.

[reward72]

718, but I don't want a 4-cyl engine and a six with basic options is out of my price range. I would like it enough though to accept the lack of a usable back seat.

Supra with a manual, but not really, the S58 an the usable back seat gives the M2 the edge.

[Bumpinjeep]

Originally Posted by hsb

Now I'm considering if maybe a GR 86 would be more fun for me. I also like to track my cars and a heavy car like the M2 or even Spyder is much harder on brakes and tires needing replacement often.

If you track your cars and this is like a weekend thing, why even bother buying a new car? I would look at a C5 or C6 Z06. They have more power than the GR86 or M2 and weigh less than the M2 and you can get a big tire under there. Plus you can strip it and sell the parts you don't use.