I second the Cayman S. I'm sure you could get one close to the price you are looking at.

I think the 370 with a few mods would be a nice car.

I had an E46 M3 and it was a great daily driver (track driving and street commutes come sun, hail or snow). I am sure there are low millage Competition Package ones available (I would avoid the vert).

If it was me, as much as i enjoy the Elise, I find it scary on the roads when SUVs don't see you and decide to switch lanes.

 

Tough decision. House + baby = important priorities . But so is a Porsche id that need provides an outlet. There may be a 5K rebate on a bought car BUT if it's financed the rates are very low (I think its 2.9 percent) . It's a lot of money if the money is needed somewhere else.

A cayman won't cut it. Nothing will make it right until you go buy upward of the car you had . You meed to wait .

I know how it feels
I once sold a car and missed it every day without it because theives had ruined the experience so many times that it made no sense to keep it. Here is the post I wrote a week after selling it (look at the date) . 18 minths later I replaced the car (not good enough to erase the hurt) . 5 months after that I traded for my current 997 Turbo and then the journey began to create a car like none other I have ever had begun . http://forums.roadfly.com/forums/por...6718012-1.html

 

I know how you feel! I bought a gorgeous black/black 2003 C4S fully loaded and loved it to death. But it was a purely emotional choice, not practical and was thoroughly over my budget. I subsequently sold it and was regretting the loss of that amazing ride. A few years later, I got into a brand new 05 997 3.6 black/black 6 speed, chronos sport package, 19" sport wheels and I've been driving it as a daily ever since. I will not sell it unless I get the next generation 911/GT3. there is no substitute for a 911, especially if you half-heartedly sold your previous one!

 

There's NO Substitute!

 

Can't solve your fitment issues but IMO the S2000 is easily the best $ for the car you can get out there.... looks, reliability, driver connection, V-tec, roadster/drop top and possibly the best shifter on this planet.... if you can modify the seat keep the s2k.... add some Espilier springs maybe swap the exhaust and have fun. Great car for the $..... Oh and if you need some more HP, add a SC for 7500 installed and watch stock 997's fade from view in your rear view mirror.

Own a 997 now and use to have a nicely modded s2000 prior.... one of the best cars I have ever owned for the $.

 

I had an '06 997S, and now have an '08 Cayman S. The Cayman S is a great car, just needs more power. Both cars stock, the Cayman handling is better than the 997S without doubt. Depending on the track, the CS will have as good or better time, depending on how much you can use the extra hp of the 911 on the specific track. Obviously, it all depends on your personal priorities in the car's features. Since i enjoy track events, the car for me on a budget would be a used ZO6, but I've owned a couple and like them, you might not. It takes a lot of track time in one to be quick and safe. But, the Cayman S is a great car, and I think you would like it.

 

OK - two more days of S2K driving and I feeling the love again. I'm inspired by the prospect of lowering the seat a few inches although that is one seriously expensive mod. Maybe I can pick up some used ones. On the drive home, drove behind a 993 C4S and then after getting off the freeway, followed a 997 C4S. It's like a sign "buy me next". hahahah.....ooo the sound of an air-cooled....

Somewhere in this string, someone said the S2K is a GREAT hiccup. I like that way of thinking. Looking at it that way, and the lowering seat project, will be a fun interim solution before a C4S (maybe even a turbo or GT3 - depending on how long I wait)

 

Forgot to comment on the strong Cayman recos. I drove it back when I was looking for a Porsche but ended up getting the 997S. I felt the Cayman was cramped (yet somehow I'm surviving in a S2K, huh?!), but really I just LOVED how the 997S looked and drove. Couldn't find a good local deal either, but found something decent on the 997S about an 1.5 hrs away. Anyway, when I go back to p-car land, I will definitely test it again - no question. I hear only wonderful things about it's balance/handling.

 

Been there ssaa . I'm convinced that you are temporaily convinced .

Here's why -

1) The mere fact that you are reading a 997 forum implies that you still love your ex car .

2) you even compare yoir ex car to the Cayman (I happen to agree with you) .

3) you want to made the s2K a better hiccup or at least one you can cope with . Don't spend too much . It won't last and you will need the money for the next car.

4) you hint at fantasy of the C4S 993 . Yep it's the purest form of your last car with its traditional styling and air cooled history but fixing it out of warranty is a new adventure and with 10+ years old it may have a few odds and ends .

I do empathize with you . Let it all settle . It's part of the 997 grieving process. You'll be back to the car and if you stick around here long enough .. it will be sooner than you think.

 

For the money, early s2k's are tough to beat.

I would have bought another one (had one for 5 years) but decided to give e36M a try.

 

A recent article in Road and Track pit the 370Z and Cayman S against each other. The Cayman won because it can do everything the 370Z do, but more refined. Of course, there is the price difference.

So either choice will be fine, but if you got a new Z you would know you were the only one who abused it.

 

how bout an 05 Boxtser S 987? I have seen them in the low 30s. Having experienced both, the Boxster S is much more comfortable...

 

E46 M3 COUPE. You can find a good example in your price range and it is more rigid as well as faster than the convertible.

 

I have my second 997. My first was an 06, S, Cab. I sold it for similar reasons to you and bought... of all things... a '69 Camaro. I knew immediately it was a mistake. After losing $30K on the 911 (like you), i bought a new '08 4S. Going from the cab to the coupe was a great decision for me and I absolutely love this car. It was painful waiting a year to be ready to get back into one, but absolutely worth the wait. Good luck.

 

I would say get Audi S5. It really is a classy car, maybe a little big and heavy but it looks beautiful. But I would suggest you to buy a used one with the V8 engine, Audi changed it to V6 twin turbo charged... Which sucks I think. I would rather get a naturally aspirated V8 to a TT V6... A naturally aspirated engine is simply too much different.

Anyways, that is the car that I would go with. The rest of them do not even compare in quality and class...