StevenStone

Hey guys,

I am new to the forum and need some advice.

I currently have a 2010 e90 M3 and 2007 Cayman S. I daily drive the M3 and feel it’s best overall performance sedan made. I’ve owned the Cayman almost 4 years and use it as my special weekend car that I take out once a week and a couple DE’s a year. Even though it’s significantly slower than the M3, I just feel more connected to it and feels like a true sports car.

I have always wanted a 997.1 GT3, even before I bought the Cayman. I have never driven one, but imagine it’s like my Cayman, but a lot more hardcore and faster. Ideally, I am searching for a more hardcore and visceral driving experience over my Cayman for weekend runs. More speed is not important.

However, in order for me to justify the $45k+ difference to upgrade to the GT3, I would need to sell my M3 and replace it with something more modest like a Camry.

Is the GT3 that much better than the Cayman S as an occasional weekend fun car to make up for the misery of daily driving a Camry instead of my V8 M3?

Thanks!

m5trol

No.

Targa Tim

if you are not always driving your Cayman at 10/10 during weekends, then I would rather have a Cayman S and an M3 in the garage.

a GT3 is not enough to make up for driving a Camry 5 days a week. I don't think any car will make that up.

ChrisF

Have owned a Cayman S and spent 1300 miles in an M3 last weekend. Both are fantastic cars but the GT3 is an entirely different animal. I can't say I'd be willing to put up with a Camry as a DD to own one though. Try to find one to test drive but beware if you do. I've yet to meet someone who's driven one and didn't want to switch.

tcsracing1

If the Cayman is a DFI, keep it and upgrade the motor to a 3.8L DFI.

The GT3 is fun, but for now you have two really nice cars that each serve a purpose.
Save your money, but if you must, get the RS

ShakeNBake

Keep the m3 and cayman.

Please don't buy a Camry/if you have one get rid of it and buy nice bicycle.

P.J.S.

As soon as you mention Camry... No...

996FLT6

Keep both. Cayman S if dialed rt very fast on track. You got 2 nice cars- keep them. Mike

Jake951

I went from a Cayman S to the GT3. Compared to the Cayman, the GT3 is raw, visceral, and noisy. It gives you a much better feeling of being connected to the car and to the road. And obviously the GT3 is much faster, and it's the ultimate track tool. The Cayman is more refined as a street car and is considerably easier to drive quickly. For long road trips, I would pick the Cayman because the noise and stiffness of the GT3 can become fatiguing.

You need to drive the GT3 to decide if it's for you.

globed

Coming from someone who used to change cars more often than his hockey buddies changed underwear...

I'd keep what you have, great combination... I hope the M3 is a 6 speed?

That said, if you really can't help yourself... find a more fun daily car than the Camry... lots of stuff out there. Whether it be a pickup or Jeep to bounce around or an older sport sedan.

montoya

You have two great road cars that can be converted to great track cars. Pick one to make into your track car. If I was you, I would mod out the Cayman for the track and keep the M3 for the street. The M3 is one of the best all around cars ever, and the four door is a keeper.

In short, no- a Camry is a no go. If you must scratch the itch for the GT3, which I understand, and need to sell both, then look for a decent 328 6 speed E46 or E90, you will be much happier. A little suspension work and while not an M3, it's still a lot of fun to zip around in everyday.

dawgdog

I went from a heavily modded e92 M3 to .2 GT3RS. Love the RS but the M3 was an incredible car. My brother has an 07 Cayman S modded by Cantrell Motorsports and it is a monster. It has an aftermarket turbo kit, Brembos, JRZ, custom bar, Guard's diff, Recaros and the list goes on and on. He has a lot of money in the car but the car is so balanced and easy to drive fast.

I would keep the M3 and mod the Cayman.

LVDell

The last thing you want is a bucket full of suck for your commute every day. At least spend that time in a car you will enjoy. I've thought about that a few times since the gas mileage in my daily driver is horrible (Audi S6) but I think, the hundred bucks or so, I'd save a month in gas is nowhere worth the smile it puts on my face when I head to/from work. If I wasn't in a place financially to have my S6 for my DD and the GT3 to toy with on the weekends, I'd be very happy with a M3 and CaymanS/R

KurtF

As an owner of a GT3 which I ride both on street and track, I say do it. The car is brilliant. the Cayman and the M3 are really nice cars. You already know that. Something deep down inside is whispering to you GT3. It will take a few months, a few thousand street miles, and a few good track days and then you will start to get it. There will be no regrets. To many who know, this car is the Holy Grail.

As far as more modest cars go you can do much better than a Camry. Even on a budget there are much better choices for people like us. My winter car is a VW and while it doesn't stir the soul like a Gt3 it's far more fun than a Camry!!
What ever you do, best of luck.

Mvez

Don't do it.

Terrible time to buy a GT3 right now. You're buying at the very top of the market. Wait until lots of current GT3 owners start getting spanked by new 991's, and then the dealer volume will grow, then prices will come back down to earth.

You CANNOT replace what you get from an E90 M3 with a GT3. They are so completely different. IMO, keep the E90, save up the 45K over the next year or so, then sell the Cayman and buy a .1 GT3. Don't bother overspending for a bubble wrapped garage queen. Buy one with 20,000 miles, and enjoy. People live in lala land thinking 20K is "high" miles for these cars, especially if you plan to actually use the car.

A happy garage is one with a GT3 and an M3.