BMW 3-Series or Porsche?

Question

For a college freshman?

Answer 1

No question here BMW 3 will have more room for moving books and dormatory junk around.

Answer 2

Hmmm ... this seems like a very irrelevant question for a freshman in college.

But if we take your "stage in life" out of the question, then the answer depends on your needs.

If you need a performance vehicle then the 3 Series (aside from 330ci, 335, M3) will be comparable to the Boxster. The 330ci, 335, M3 will come close in performance to the 911.

Z4 compares well with the Boxster as well ...

All are great cars and you can't really go wrong with either. Porshche is more driver/performance focused while BMW's are more functional.

Both are very reliable cars but expensive to maintain and repair.

Now ... if we add in your "stage of life" curve ball into the mix ... then I don't know why it matters. You're a freshman in college what would a Porsche or BMW do for you ... aside from "showing off"?

In College, you'll need a hauler of all things so that rules out any Porsche sports cars. The BMW's aren't great for college lifestyle either ... unless you get the touring model (aka stationwagon).

A WRX Wagon will be faster than a BMW 325ti, has better gas mileage, cheaper insurance, and a lot more fun. You don't have to worry so much about prestige or status when you are in a more subtle car like a Subaru. And most importantly, you are not shouting for attention and risk being labelled as a spoiled rich boy or pretentious.

If you flash your money around in college, you'll attract a certain type of people to you ... not so sure that's such a good thing.

However, if I had the money when I was in college I would probably have gotten a very fast car and stealth it so others wouldn't know. Perhaps a debadged 1998 M3. But the WRX doesn't stand out but is as fast as any 3 series or Boxster.

Good luck.

Answer 3

I know a lot of people would say you are in college, don't waste your money on either. Be responsible, save up, and in the meantime drive a Honda Civic. Well that is all fine and dandy, but that does not answer your question. I will leave my personal opinion about you out of this, and give you my personal opinion on the cars you ask about.
IMO, I would go with BMW. The BMW M3 is one of most fun to drive cars out there. It looks great and performs even better. No matter what year you choose, you wont be disappointed, even though the older ones are not as fast, they are still very very fun to drive.
Another car that I went years without realizing how nice it was, is the BMW 335i. This has been rated by magazines as the best car even built, period. And it's engine is top of the line! It has a 6 cylinder twin turbocharged engine. This particular engine is designed so well that there is basically no turbo lag whatsoever, and you can reach its peak torque at very very low rpms. This will give you more than enough power throughout the entire RPM band. Along with a super engine, this car offers all the luxury and refinements that you expect from a BMW. Also I like this car because it is comfortable daily driver, excellent performance car, and still looks sleek and a lot more subtle than say a Subaru WRX STi or Mitsubishi Lancer EVO.
Hope this helps!

Answer 4

BMW

I have owned Porsche. Now, I have 2 BMW's, and am looking at a Ferrari for investment only.

Reliability, and driving enjoyment come more from my BMW 3 Series than I ever had with my Porsche 911.

Of course, you are asking the opinion of those cruising the BMW section and might get a different response in the Porsche section, but that's my true opinion.

Answer 5

I'd strongly recommend you to go with the BMW 3-Series Sedan, for many reasons. It costs cheaper than a Porsche, maintainance costs are much lower etc. Plus, you're a freshman, if you're driving in a Porsche people are gonna consider you as "just another rich kid" and you'll probably be tagged as "braggy" (unless you're going to Harvard).

I'd recommend the 325i or 328i, both are really good-looking and powerful cars. You'd be better of with a Sedan coz if you wanna go out with friends and so on, it's more comfortable than the coupe version.

Answer 6

See in the experience that your dad has some incredibly deep wallet, decide for then decide for porsche carrera gt. little doubt porsche is a lot greater effective than BMW in the fields of the two layout and technologies. If u like SUVs then porsche cayenne rapid S is a efficient one yet not a good looking one. and in others there Porsche Cayman S. in the experience that your heart beats BMW. then do not subject reason u can decide for M5, Z4 or 650i. in the SUVs section i could incredibly recommend u to bypass foe a X5 3.0 or X5 4.8

Answer 7

Frankly, neither, unless you have more money than sense.

I don't know if you have ever been to a college campus, but it is full of crappy junk cars. It's also full of student rushing to get to appointments and classes they are late for. From what I have seen they have little to no regard for other vehicles. Your car is going to be banged, scraped, scratched, dented and dinged all over. Spending so much money on a car just to have it worthless in four years time, seems rediculous, unless money is meaningless to you.

The next thing to consider is that you will from time to time have to take items and people from one place to another. This pretty much rules out the Porsche, unless you were talking about their SUV. All their other cars are sports cars and so you are talking one passenger and little to no luggage.

Even the three series is not big on space. The glove box is so small even the car's manual won't fit in it. The trunk opening is also small, so big items won't fit in it and the seats won't go down.

I really think you should get something less flashy, less expensive, and more practical. My suggestion would be a Nissan Altima 2.5S. Or even a RAV 4. Save the luxury cars until after college.

If you are as rich as you are trying to portray, get the Porsche too and keep it at home for your vacations.

Answer 8

what years are we talking about? what models. you didnt give enough details. i would say a 3 only because its going to be more reliable and you will not have alot of money to fix either car.. being in college. so porsche would get you more tickets... BMW

Answer 9

Are your parents buying for you.?
Or you are a millionaires kid.?
If u want to keep the prestiage,go for BMW 3 series.
My question is,will u be able to study if you have this car.
Your college mates will not allow u to study in peace.
Thinks of all pros and cons b4 buying luxury and sports cars while being a freshman.
U have to think and go a long way dear.

Answer 10

The Porsche 911 GT3 is the best car on the market in it's class. hands down out drives any car.