From firsthand experience I'd say check out the Nissan Z. I had an 03 and still miss it sometimes. The Pcar has a much smoother and stronger engine but if you like to drift there is really nothing better on the market. In the rain with TCS off it's absolutely brilliant fun at completely sane speeds. It just lazily rolls into power oversteer and you can throttle steer it until you run out of road. Drifting a 911 is much harder by comparison and the limits so high that it is in some ways not as rewarding in day to day driving. The FR layout actually makes the Z a lot like the M3 in some ways but much cheaper, at least I thought so compared to my 99 M3 but I haven't been in the new one.

 

.. I wonder how much it would cost to get a 240Z and update it with modern suspension, some engine tweaks, etc. That would be an amazing car.

 

<--- Contemplating that for a 'project'/track car.

 

So, here's what I'm hearing from my hypothetical:

M3's (obvious), used 911's (ok), 335's, 135, used GTR's (really?), S2000's, Boxster, 370Z, Subie's & Evo's, Vette's, and an occasional SUV (really, really?).

What do people have opinions of cars such as Mazdaspeed3, GTI/ R32, 944/ 968's, Mustang 5.0, Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.6? Respectable or blah?

I've owned a S2000, Cayman S, Audi TTS, R32, Exige S240 and was pleased enough (except Lotus) but considered the 997 a step up, so obviously they could be a "step down". In my mind, I'm thinking Cayman for most similar definitely like the 370 suggestion. Though all of these sound reasonable, I never considered GTR or an SUV as a "downsize".

 

GT-R = SUV. lol!

They have about the same space, same visibility, same size tires, and they weigh about the same.

 

My step down process thinking goes like this --
1) It has to cost less and offer something.
2) It has to drive ok for the dollar
3) It has to be reliable

Cars like SUVs are not always cheaper and an old car like a 944 makes no sense if repairs can add up to more than what the entire car is worth.

That said --taking the plunge down
1) M3 is a first level drop .
2) 335 or 1 series is a second level drop.

Once the second level is gone .. i see no sense whatsoever to in trying to cling to 997 performance or refinement . It's all out saving money beyond that point !!!!

The car I would buy --I already have --Honda Civic Si . It has Civic reliability with a little growl at sub 25K price. Used one can even get a car under 15K with warranty and decent condition .

 

Well, based on that - I reintroduce you to the GT-R. ~$82k compared to a BASE model 911 with sport package priced over $90k (before any additional options).

I think you get more for less, reliable (especially if you don't launch it 100 times with VDC off), and I believe it's a pretty decent deal for the money.

I think this would be step down #1... lol!

You can get them used for about mid-$60's, or what about a C6Z06 for low $40's?