Save yourself 30K and consider a John Cooper Works Mini Cooper S Coupe.
For me, there is a very real difference in feel between the German and Japanese cars.
I've always wanted a Porsche, but only now have actually seriously considered buying one (used). My Hondas are no fun.
If anyone owns one, or used to own one, I'd like to hear about it.
Everyone should own a Porsche, once.
Porsche... I love sitting on mine when the weather is nice smoking a cigar, drink in hand and chatting with friends.
If you want one buy one! You only live once.
The P-car bug hit me hard back in the late 90s and I owned both a '88 3.2L Carrera and a '89 928 S4 for a couple of years. The total investment for both cars was about US$40k. Other than washing/waxing, tires and regular oil and brake fluid changes I had no maintenance issues with them. For 10-15 year old cars (at the time) they were comfortable, reliable, solid (built like tanks) and extremely fun to drive.
The 928 was the ultimate 2 person touring car, built to cruise at 120mph+ - the 5L V8 32v motor was a torque-y thing (315hp/330ft-lbs) and acceleration was never an issue. At any speed in any gear, push the pedal and it GOES. At the time I don't think there were any contemporary production cars that could match the 928's acceleration from 70-120.
The 911 was much more of a "sports" car -- really not all that fast but small, quick and tossable, just plain fun to drive because of how it involved all the senses with the feedback it provided through the suspension, steering and pedals. And nothing sounds like that flat-6 motor chuffing loudly behind you.
Both cars were what I would describe as requiring high-effort: steering was on the heavy side and pedal effort as well (the 911 had a racing clutch which didn't help). The cars encouraged you to put some work into driving and getting the most out of them. I've never gotten the same feeling from say an Audi or BMW though I don't have that much experience with either.
One of the best quotes I ever read about driving a 911 goes something along the lines of needing to treat it like a rambunctious labrador puppy who loves to play rough and tumble and get a little dirty. Every once in a while you just need to grab him by the scruff of the neck, give him a good shake and show him who's boss.
One of these days I'd like to own another Porsche. A 993 is what I lust for since it is the last of the air-cooled flat-6s but a Cayman would be fine too.
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