From Supra to M4 comp or 992.1 911 Carrera S

[Funkjaw]

I've driven a lot of M series cars, as well as Porches..... and personally I can't stand Porches (or their owners). My vote is an M car. RWD. Manual.

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[Snowman]

AT Supra owner for three years. Looked at the G8X and decided to pass. I started looking at Porsche this week and did a lot of research as well. Porsche started putting the larger GTS turbos in their lower-end S and T 992 models. With a simple $2,500 tune, you are pushing close to 500 working HP/TQ. It's more than enough for an MT. I suggest looking for a used 992 (2020) and seeing what you can do for $100K. My thought process at the moment is it's a little less flashy than a Supra, similarly capable on a track, and if you want to build it to 900hp, you can do it for less than $20k and still be reliable. That means it's future proof.

As for driving one, I walked into a dealership, let them know I was interested in a 992, and I was test-driving one 20min later. They invited me to come back when the temps get above 40 to go rip it up Pikes Peak. Dealers are super easygoing, and they've stopped ADM on everything but the GT3 RS and other super high-end cars.

Go test drive one and drive the tar out of it so you know if you really want one.

 

[razorlab]

With a simple $2,500 tune, you are pushing close to 500 working HP/TQ. It's more than enough for an MT. I suggest looking for a used 992 (2020) and seeing what you can do for $100K. My thought process at the moment is it's a little less flashy than a Supra, similarly capable on a track, and if you want to build it to 900hp, you can do it for less than $20k and still be reliable. That means it's future proof.

Would need to bump up to a GT3 or the like for it to be similarly capable on track as a Supra.

 

[Snowman]

Would need to bump up to a GT3 or the like for it to be similarly capable on track as a Supra.

I'm not a licensed racer nor an expert here, but I've put in a few track days at Sonoma and High Plains Raceway.

My best lap time in my unprepared AT supra w/SC2 200TW tires was 2:10:22. I could lose another 2 seconds with more track time but that is fairly consistent with other drivers who had more experience than me. A similarly stock 2021 Carrera T on Michelin 200TW tires was running 2:04.34. I think it's safe to say that with some racing BF and tires, they are both track machines and the stock Carrera T had the advantage.

Could you prep a Supra for less than $40K and get GT3 level track times, maybe, but a stock Supra is nowhere near (or even in the same universe) a GT3.

 

[razorlab]

I'm not a licensed racer nor an expert here, but I've put in a few track days at Sonoma and High Plains Raceway.

My best lap time in my unprepared AT supra w/SC2 200TW tires was 2:10:22. I could lose another 2 seconds with more track time but that is fairly consistent with other drivers who had more experience than me. A similarly stock 2021 Carrera T on Michelin 200TW tires was running 2:04.34. I think it's safe to say that with some racing BF and tires, they are both track machines and the stock Carrera T had the advantage.

Could you prep a Supra for less than $40K and get GT3 level track times, maybe, but a stock Supra is nowhere near (or even in the same universe) a GT3.

Bleh, why track a stock Supra. I have spent less than $40k and have zero issues with most GT3/GT3RS. It's the 911 cup cars that I have a hard time with. GT4's have zero chance.

Here is an example against one of the faster local 992 GT3's, it's even modified. I was basically playing with him as the track dried fully up. He runs very close lap times to me so we where having some fun. GT3's are $220K+. You could almost purchase three of my supra in current state with that money.

Of course, always someone faster.

 

[Superooo]

Speaking as a previous 2021 3.0 Supra owner and a current 2025 Corvette Z06 w/ Z07 owner who has also test driven M2s, M3s, and 911s, the Supra is an amazing platform. I miss my Supra and wish I had kept it. I recommend keeping the Supra and refining the suspension with some high end coil overs.

You really don’t need much HP than what the Supra has for anything other than stop light drag races. I rarely go WOT on my Z06 on the street, even with Cup2Rs. I wish I actually had a map on the Z06 where it would only provide half the HP so I could actually enjoy “using” all the power.

I already took the Z06 to the track and was barely even using it. It’s very expensive to push the Z06 on the track and learn how to drive fast properly. It would’ve been a better idea to really push my Supra on the track, maybe even a GR86.

The 911 is a good mix of power and lightweight while the M4 will be a heavy car. 911 will depreciate less percentage wise. For the 911, you’ll have to like the rear-engined balance and way of driving. Drive the cars back to back with your Supra and see what the balance is like. The Supra is soft when stock but it has amazing balance, you can change how soft it is but you can’t change the inherent balance and weight of a car. I’d consider that too.

I would keep the Supra, spend the money on suspension and safety, and enjoy the amazing driving dynamics you get for the great price, including cheaper consumables.

 

[AJRMKV]

I agree, I've always found the Porsche owners I have met just to be pricks. I have met some really cool guys, mainly at trackdays but I know they are out there. When you are on the forums and fb pages though you see it, the same ones saying spend the 50k more and drive a real 911 a turbo (even though all Carreras now are turbo lol) Again though I guess it's no different than when people were saying don't buy the 2.0 Supra buy the 3.0. In the end ill buy what I want without care of what others think, I've always built and bought cars the way I want them.

IIRC @Rob_SER has owned multiple porsches including GT cars. He should be able to give you some good advice.

 

[LowRoller]

Personally, every modern non GT 911 I have driven has been so uninspiring for what they cost. My experience has been 997 (911) and 991 (911 & GT3). Have not been in a 992.

It's just so average...and expensive. Steering feel is great (relatively speaking in terms of modern cars) and that's about it. 991: The turbo motors don't sound great, the interior is pretty spartan unless you are going to drop mad money. This was a car my buddy Turo-ed for the weekend, I had the Jag F Type R (AWD) and another had a Bentley GT. We swapped cars multiple times. Out of those 3, the standout was the Jag. It had a sense of occasion, it was more of a sledgehammer than a driving tool but it was fun, fast, sounded incredible and gorgeous. The Bentley was just a fat, comfortable GT, I would rather suffer more NVH for a more engaged driving experience. After that weekend I just couldn't wrap my head around why people swear by these cars.

Another similar trip a year or two later, I gave the 911 another chance; in the form of a 991.1 GT3. Now I understood. This felt like a well setup track car, the car talks to you through the wheel, I was comfortable getting the rear end out on Mulholland day one in that car. The motor is unforgettable, the response is damn near sport bike, the symphony changes as revs climb, PDK was great preferred it to mDCT. The other standout from that trip (same guy who rented the 911 in Seattle) was the GT350. Only mustang I have driven that I enjoyed, motor was great, 6 speed was great and honestly was impressed with the brakes hauling down that 4000lb vehicle or whatever they weigh. Funny sidebar: buddy who I used to share an autox car and has quite a bit of seat time including skippy, Lemons...etc. May or may not have blown up the auto in the C7 he rented trying to keep up with the GT3 on Mulholland.

I still think about that GT3; if prices weren't so asinine, I would be in a 6mt 991.2 today. Had the supra for a weekend in 2022, said if it ever came in manual I would be in. It was the first modern car I have enjoyed since that GT3. 2023 sat in one at the dealer to make sure the manual was NOT the typical, sloppy BMW garbage (like my e46). Put the deposit down that day.

I still actively watch the P GT market, but given finate resources and enjoying being able to track my car, it's so hard to justify swinging for a GT3 considering purchase price, performance and consumables relative to the Supra. Do I miss the 9k scream and having the steering wheel actually tell you what the car is doing? Absolutely. Do I miss it 4X money more? Nope.

I think for a fun, weekend car, there are much better options in terms of enjoyment and "sense of occasion" than a 911 at the same price point. Especially if you have no intentions of tracking.

For modern, sports car GT thing, the Supra is in a nice spot and massive value IMO. Frankly if I fit in and not ON an S2000, I could justify buying one of those for a more raw, analog experience even with the currently crazy market on those as well.

 

[Rob_SER]

I've had a 987.2 Cayman S and a 981 GT4. I've also had the opportunity to test drive a manual G80 M3 and a G87 M2 as well as a 992.1 Carrera for multiple days each.

Bottom line: the Porsche driving experience is superior in pretty much all aspects and for the same money I'd always go for a Porsche.

But truth be told, what was also said in the thread is also true. The owners suck, the Porsche market suck (milage, accidents, spec sheet, all have big impact in value), the cost of mods and parts is very expensive (Porsche tax is real) and the dealer network is greedy as hell.

There is a reason why I don't own the GT4 anymore and did not buy a Porsche replacement. Those reasons are all listed above.

If you don't mind that, Porsche all the way.

Oh and BTW, if you are interested in a manual M2/M3, the gearing sucks. The gearing is miles better on the Supra

 

[razorlab]

Personally, every modern non GT 911 I have driven has been so uninspiring for what they cost. My experience has been 997 (911) and 991 (911 & GT3). Have not been in a 992.

It's just so average...and expensive. Steering feel is great (relatively speaking in terms of modern cars) and that's about it. 991: The turbo motors don't sound great, the interior is pretty spartan unless you are going to drop mad money. This was a car my buddy Turo-ed for the weekend, I had the Jag F Type R (AWD) and another had a Bentley GT. We swapped cars multiple times. Out of those 3, the standout was the Jag. It had a sense of occasion, it was more of a sledgehammer than a driving tool but it was fun, fast, sounded incredible and gorgeous. The Bentley was just a fat, comfortable GT, I would rather suffer more NVH for a more engaged driving experience. After that weekend I just couldn't wrap my head around why people swear by these cars.

Another similar trip a year or two later, I gave the 911 another chance; in the form of a 991.1 GT3. Now I understood. This felt like a well setup track car, the car talks to you through the wheel, I was comfortable getting the rear end out on Mulholland day one in that car. The motor is unforgettable, the response is damn near sport bike, the symphony changes as revs climb, PDK was great preferred it to mDCT. The other standout from that trip (same guy who rented the 911 in Seattle) was the GT350. Only mustang I have driven that I enjoyed, motor was great, 6 speed was great and honestly was impressed with the brakes hauling down that 4000lb vehicle or whatever they weigh. Funny sidebar: buddy who I used to share an autox car and has quite a bit of seat time including skippy, Lemons...etc. May or may not have blown up the auto in the C7 he rented trying to keep up with the GT3 on Mulholland.

I still think about that GT3; if prices weren't so asinine, I would be in a 6mt 991.2 today. Had the supra for a weekend in 2022, said if it ever came in manual I would be in. It was the first modern car I have enjoyed since that GT3. 2023 sat in one at the dealer to make sure the manual was NOT the typical, sloppy BMW garbage (like my e46). Put the deposit down that day.

I still actively watch the P GT market, but given finate resources and enjoying being able to track my car, it's so hard to justify swinging for a GT3 considering purchase price, performance and consumables relative to the Supra. Do I miss the 9k scream and having the steering wheel actually tell you what the car is doing? Absolutely. Do I miss it 4X money more? Nope.

I think for a fun, weekend car, there are much better options in terms of enjoyment and "sense of occasion" than a 911 at the same price point. Especially if you have no intentions of tracking.

For modern, sports car GT thing, the Supra is in a nice spot and massive value IMO. Frankly if I fit in and not ON an S2000, I could justify buying one of those for a more raw, analog experience even with the currently crazy market on those as well.

100% agree. GT3 or no Porsche for me. It's basically the difference between a 320i BMW and a BMW M3, but with an insanely different price spectrum.

However, I think the GT3 is INSANELY overpriced for what it is. Like I stated above, I give them a hard time on track and I spent at least $130k less. That said, the sound of the GT3 is glorious.

 

[LowRoller]

100% agree. GT3 or no Porsche for me. It's basically the difference between a 320i BMW and a BMW M3, but with an insanely different price spectrum.

However, I think the GT3 is INSANELY overpriced for what it is. Like I stated above, I give them a hard time on track and I spent at least $130k less. That said, the sound of the GT3 is glorious.

Every time I catch myself trying to justify the GT3 purchase I remind myself of your build and what you have done with it. Reliable, fast, affordable. She ain't perfect, but the Supra is pretty special in today's world of vibrators on wheels.

 

[gixxersixxerman]

So, Saturday I went down to the dealership and spoke to an older salesman which was an absolute pleasure to talk to. all the 992's they had there were way out of my range. I did find some vehicles there that were Gentian Blue, which by the way for me was one of those weird much better in photos and videos then in person things. And I can kinda say that about the car itself. It was a beautiful car. But for some reason I thought it didn't look as insanely wide or just grab my attention in person as much as they do in videos and photos. (exact opposite of the Supra as I find it much better in person then photos)


I was there about an hour and we talked about the company, the cars ( I had no idea Porsche will CPO 12 years and up to 124k miles one of their cars and give it a 2 year bumper to bumper unlimited mileage warranty) He showed me a 311k mile purple 2012 GT3 that was in for regular maintenance being held together with duct tape on the front splitter and zipties on the rear bumper, he stated for the owner he drives it like one would a civic, it's just a DD for him.

I was kinda shocked at the interior, as some said in here its sparse and there is a big upgrade from the 991.2 to the 992.1. Though fit and finish was impeccable. Everything felt so nice to touch even on an 2019 with 111k miles.

I'm going to rent one on Turo for a couple days and see what it's like and then I guess make my decision. I can't go dealership as they are just so much more the private party plus NV doesn't charge sales tax on private party registrations.

Overall, I can say I wasn't as jaw dropping impressed about the car overall looking at it as I was with my Supra first time seeing it (mine wasn't stock I seen the ad and knew I had to have it)

 

[AJRMKV]

So, Saturday I went down to the dealership and spoke to an older salesman which was an absolute pleasure to talk to. all the 992's they had there were way out of my range. I did find some vehicles there that were Gentian Blue, which by the way for me was one of those weird much better in photos and videos then in person things. And I can kinda say that about the car itself. It was a beautiful car. But for some reason I thought it didn't look as insanely wide or just grab my attention in person as much as they do in videos and photos. (exact opposite of the Supra as I find it much better in person then photos)


I was there about an hour and we talked about the company, the cars ( I had no idea Porsche will CPO 12 years and up to 124k miles one of their cars and give it a 2 year bumper to bumper unlimited mileage warranty) He showed me a 311k mile purple 2012 GT3 that was in for regular maintenance being held together with duct tape on the front splitter and zipties on the rear bumper, he stated for the owner he drives it like one would a civic, it's just a DD for him.

I was kinda shocked at the interior, as some said in here its sparse and there is a big upgrade from the 991.2 to the 992.1. Though fit and finish was impeccable. Everything felt so nice to touch even on an 2019 with 111k miles.

I'm going to rent one on Turo for a couple days and see what it's like and then I guess make my decision. I can't go dealership as they are just so much more the private party plus NV doesn't charge sales tax on private party registrations.

Overall, I can say I wasn't as jaw dropping impressed about the car overall looking at it as I was with my Supra first time seeing it (mine wasn't stock I seen the ad and knew I had to have it)

If I were you I would buy an MT Supra, upgrade the suspension, brakes, tires, seats, shifter, steering wheel and maybe some bolt ons or a mild turbo upgrade and an intake manifold. If you like to drive, no current M car will be an upgrade on that dynamically as they all suffer from obesity.

In addition, I don't know much about Porsche outside the GT cars, but the MT supra will likely hold value better than any of the M cars or base model porsche

 

[gixxersixxerman]

If I were you I would buy an MT Supra, upgrade the suspension, brakes, tires, seats, shifter, steering wheel and maybe some bolt ons or a mild turbo upgrade and an intake manifold. If you like to drive, no current M car will be an upgrade on that dynamically as they all suffer from obesity.

In addition, I don't know much about Porsche outside the GT cars, but the MT supra will likely hold value better than any of the M cars or base model porsche

I have absolutely zero interest in a manual Supra. I have access to drive one daily if I want from Speed Industry and I feel no more enjoyment driving that car then my own. If I lived in an area where I could maybe enjoy it in the canyons or mountains then maybe. But as a cruiser around Las Vegas where there isn’t really anything around to have fun without doing well over double the speed limit, its just not that big a deal to me.

 

[AJRMKV]

I have absolutely zero interest in a manual Supra. I have access to drive one daily if I want from Speed Industry and I feel no more enjoyment driving that car then my own. If I lived in an area where I could maybe enjoy it in the canyons or mountains then maybe. But as a cruiser around Las Vegas where there isn’t really anything around to have fun without doing well over double the speed limit, its just not that big a deal to me.

If that’s the case maybe you should broaden your search to some other options like the GT500.

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