Assuming a similar price point, similar maintenance budget, similar usage of the car

 

just getting back in a 996tt after a year but would probably say Gen 2 Viper GTS - always wanted one and probably going to own one in the future - much less practical than the p-car though

 

Viper GTS 98-02
CTS-V sedan 6-spd
C6 Z06
SRT-8 WK2
Cayenne GTS 6-speed.

GTR would be on the list, but it wouldn't be in the price range obviously.

I was headed in the direction of a Viper GTS, but once I picked up the 996T...I forgot all about the other cars. Except it would be nice to pick up an SRT-8 Jeep or Cayenne GTS as a DD.

 

Nsx, r32 gtr, m3/4

 

Interesting two people said Viper. I've never driven a Gen2, but I did test drive a Gen5 for a friend who is in the market. I honestly did not like it at all on a street test drive. It has presence, the interior has gotten much better, but it just had no connection with me (in terms of feedback or the emotional experience while driving)

 

I went from air cooled 911 turbo to viper gen 2 gts back to 996 tt. Vipers look cool but way to slow up at our altitude....unless it has a set of twins! If I sell my 996 I would get, one of these... They are all a little more money because there is nothing as good in this price range

Pro Touring Muscle Car with modern hemi or ls
Gallardo - (little more money)
C6z if I tinted the windows real dark so no one could see me...
GT4

 

^^^ Well of course Matt!! Twin Turbos on the Viper for sure!! lol

Haha are C6Z that bad? Tough crowd.

 

C7 Grandsports

 

Ferrari 360. Its still on the list.

 

I thought about doing an LS1 RX7. I thought to try out the GT500. I eventually did. Car is too bulky and heavy.

 

Prius

 

LSx-swapped RX7.

I always wanted to take a beat up 930 and build a 935 K3 clone; I think that is out of budget now though, but a few years ago I saw one already built go for around 40-45k.

If I can't build something to suit me, maybe a Cayman S/Boxster S. 996 GT3, if can find in the right price (probably not anymore).

 

Been there done that...you are 100% correct, they are so not practical. And if you live anywhere that gets warm, you'll be wishing for that Porsche's A/C, the Viper's was horrible.

If I didn't buy a 996 Turbo when I did back in December 2014, I'd probably still have a blue '07 WRX STi sitting in my garage collecting dust as I rarely drove it (and that was before my 2 children arrived in '13 and '15). Fortunately for me, it held it's value very well from when I bought in 2009 until I sold it in mid 2014. Basically covered half the cost of my 996 Turbo.

 

2003-04 Lotus Esprit V8TT

 

Keeping it at the same price makes it difficult. None of the other cars I would consider for $40k +/- $5k offer the same combination of performance in all metrics.

Lotus Elise/Exige
2nd Gen Viper GTS
Vantage

I don't think any of these would be as completely satisfying to me as the 996 Turbo is.