More shake ups at the home garage...

[Vinsanity]

Well, maybe he's talking more about the "cute face with extra volume in all the right places" type of fat chick.

[JYODER240]

Hmm, this could definitely make into the price range at some point...

I wouldn't be surprised if maintaining one of those makes a 911 look like chump change.

[SVT666]

What fat chicks do you know?

Maybe not a fat chick, but it certainly isn't flattering.  I mean, don't get me wrong, I would consider a 350Z or G35 Coupe when I'm shopping for my next Mustang, but the rearend of the Vert is just....bulbuous.

[SVT666]

How do my reasons suck? 

After all these years Raza, and you still can't tell when my tongue is firmly planted in my cheek?  I'm disapointed.

[JYODER240]

I think it looks good in that picture

[SVT666]

From the rear the car's ass looks huge and fat.  That picture doesn't do a good job of showing it, but it was the best I could come up with at the time.  Sorry, but the rearend ain't pretty.

[Raza]

After all these years Raza, and you still can't tell when my tongue is firmly planted in my cheek?  I'm disapointed.

Oh, too right. 

Although I saw a GT vert with the top down, and it did look damn good.  But I just don't think it's the right car for me right now.

[Raza]

I like it. 

Now this angle isn't particularly flattering:

[FlatBlackCaddy]

I was on a big maserati stint awhile back, i really really really wanted one. I spent a good amount of time pouring over(what little) information was available. I found a Owners Forum and spent a good amount of time there for a few weeks reading up on them. The allure of a rare car with a premium nameplate packed with a ferrari V8 was very very tempting. It was/is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to get into a ferrari V8 without breaking the 40K barrier(i found nice cars for around 30K).

Anyway to the point, the cars are actually not bad as far as cost of upkeep is concerned beyond one key area. The automated manual that alot came with are VERY problematic and prone to a specific failure. There is a pump inside(exact name escapes me) that controls fluid pressure for shifting between gears, when it goes the car is stuck in gear(normally second) and requires pump replacement. It seemed that the average cost for the job was around 4-5K.
Other than that i saw very little in the way of high cost problems. The other problems aren't associated with cost, it's just the design of the car. Bare in mind i haven't driven one but read enough reviews(both magazine and owner reviews) to come to the conclusion that the Ferrari V8 is about all this car has as far as performance. It's a GT car, period. The overall driving feel on the road(highway) and in the twisties is probably more similar to a 5 series than a boxster. Get some seat time in one if you want, and don't even consider anything other than a MANUAL like you posted(should be a no brainer) but i have a hard time imagining you being happy with the performance(lack of) this car offers compared to the others on you list like the S2000 and 350Z Roadster.

[FlatBlackCaddy]

That Black 350Z looks nice, though what doesn't look good in black.

Personally if i wanted a open top car i would have most of the same entries as you would.

S2000
Miata
Z3
Boxster
996 911(i'd stretch the price for this)

Personally i wouldn't be considering the 350Z, If i were going japanese i'd prefer the lighter feeling and pure experience of a miata, the s2000 would only be an option because they are cheap and have good power compared to the miata.

[Raza]

That's good to know about the Maser.  If the prices drop 50% within the next 18 months, I might buy my first Italian car!

One of the draws to the 350ZR, I admit, is that it isn't perfect out of the box.  But I could use it to learn a bit more about suspensions, work on the handling components, and actually do a little DIY work finally.  I don't want to take huge risks with the Wolf because it's a daily driver, so if I tackle a job that's too big for me to handle over a weekend because I'm such a neophyte, that becomes a real problem.  If I bite off more than I can chew in a weekend car, I can just chew longer. 

The MX-5; sure, they take well to aftermarket work, but that seems too obvious. 

The S2000 is an accomplished dual sport car right out of the box. 

But the 911 offers its own set of unique challenges, and that is incredibly appealing. 

[FlatBlackCaddy]

That's good to know about the Maser.  If the prices drop 50% within the next 18 months, I might buy my first Italian car!

One of the draws to the 350ZR, I admit, is that it isn't perfect out of the box.  But I could use it to learn a bit more about suspensions, work on the handling components, and actually do a little DIY work finally.  I don't want to take huge risks with the Wolf because it's a daily driver, so if I tackle a job that's too big for me to handle over a weekend because I'm such a neophyte, that becomes a real problem.  If I bite off more than I can chew in a weekend car, I can just chew longer. 

The MX-5; sure, they take well to aftermarket work, but that seems too obvious. 

The S2000 is an accomplished dual sport car right out of the box. 

But the 911 offers its own set of unique challenges, and that is incredibly appealing. 

I wouldn't have too much hope that the maserati prices will drop too much in another year. I've seen a few(very few) coupes touch the high 20's but other than that i'd expect the price to be the same if not a few grand less. There isn't really a ton of these around(even less manuals) so they aren't giving them away.

You had a 986 boxster didn't you?

Why don't you have a newer one on the table?

Cost factor?

It's amazing that for all the cars out there when it comes down to it the selection is always pretty small.

[Raza]

I had a 987 Boxster S, a 2007; one of the early ones with the 3.4 Variocam that debuted with the Cayman S.  It was a hell of a car and a hell of an engine.  It wasn't my decision to let it go. 

I can't afford to get a 987.  Price point here is 15-16 grand.  Slim pickings at that price for a relatively new sports car; some hardtop 1999 911s are running around at 18K, but the convertible would be a tougher buy.  I'd like to get into another Porsche, but I don't see it happening for some time. 

15K can get me a late AP1 S2000 (AP2s are still holding strong), a 2006 350ZR Enthusiast, a slightly older Touring (that's the model I'd go for; the Grand Touring which adds Brembos costs too much), a 2003-04 Z4 2.5i with low miles or 3.0i with higher miles, or a 2000-01 Corvette with medium miles.  Obviously newer MX-5s and MR-2s are available as well. 

[SVT666]

I still say 2003 Cobra Vert.  Imagine the tuning potential.  My next Mustang will be either a 2005 GT or a 2003 Cobra.

[FlatBlackCaddy]

I had a 987 Boxster S, a 2007; one of the early ones with the 3.4 Variocam that debuted with the Cayman S.  It was a hell of a car and a hell of an engine.  It wasn't my decision to let it go. 

I can't afford to get a 987.  Price point here is 15-16 grand.  Slim pickings at that price for a relatively new sports car; some hardtop 1999 911s are running around at 18K, but the convertible would be a tougher buy.  I'd like to get into another Porsche, but I don't see it happening for some time. 

15K can get me a late AP1 S2000 (AP2s are still holding strong), a 2006 350ZR Enthusiast, a slightly older Touring (that's the model I'd go for; the Grand Touring which adds Brembos costs too much), a 2003-04 Z4 2.5i with low miles or 3.0i with higher miles, or a 2000-01 Corvette with medium miles.  Obviously newer MX-5s and MR-2s are available as well. 

I didn't know you were considering the corvette. Might have a hard time finding a vert with a stick, plus i didn't think the car would meet your standards when it comes to the interior quality etc.

[SVT666]

I didn't know you were considering the corvette. Might have a hard time finding a vert with a stick, plus i didn't think the car would meet your standards when it comes to the interior quality etc.

Who cares about interior quality in a sports car?

[the Teuton]

Who cares about interior quality in a sports car?

The 986's interior wasn't even as good as a contemporary Civic's in terms of quality, but it managed to sell well enough.

You might be on to something.

[Raza]

I still say 2003 Cobra Vert.  Imagine the tuning potential.  My next Mustang will be either a 2005 GT or a 2003 Cobra.

03 Cobras are likely too expensive!

[Raza]

I didn't know you were considering the corvette. Might have a hard time finding a vert with a stick, plus i didn't think the car would meet your standards when it comes to the interior quality etc.

Interior quality isn't much of an issue. 

[SVT666]

03 Cobras are likely too expensive!

Yeah, I didn't think they would be too expensive, but I just looked on Craigslist and they are still going for as much as $32K.

[FlatBlackCaddy]

Interior quality isn't much of an issue. 

I was also speaking of quality in general even though i highlighted the interior in general in the post.

[Raza]

I was also speaking of quality in general even though i highlighted the interior in general in the post.

They seem durable enough.  The interior isn't that bad of a problem, but I'll be honest, the manual top operation is. 

I don't mind a manual top, as long as it stows into its own soft boot like the MX-5's does.  Open and close from the driver's seat.  I never park my car with the top down, and it would be really annoying to keep having to jump in and out of the car to open and close the top every time I leave somewhere.  It really hampers a cool exit.  So either I do that, or I start parking with the top down.  And I'm not so sure I'm comfortable with that.

[FlatBlackCaddy]

Are you finding any corvette convertables in your area that meet the price requirement?

Around here early C5's still are in the mid 20's from what I see. I know that you are still a year out but I wouldn't factor too much depreciation into your candidates over the next year.

[Raza]

Are you finding any corvette convertables in your area that meet the price requirement?

Around here early C5's still are in the mid 20's from what I see. I know that you are still a year out but I wouldn't factor too much depreciation into your candidates over the next year.

Yeah, there's one. 

206,000 miles.  If I include the coupe (which is still open top, although more of a hassle, but also better looking), a pretty red one (actually, it's the light red, the one I don't like; my friend had one that color) pops up with 80K miles, but I don't mind travelling to get a good car in blue or silver (the Corvette is one of the few cars that looks good in silver). 

I used a lot of parenthetical statements there. 

[Rich]

When I went to look at MX-5s last fall the dealer had a new '06 on the lot still, going for 18k.  It had the 5 speed (whatever model that would have been)  If they looked more agressive I probably would have bought one (good thing I didn't since I didn't know I was going to leave soon).

That MX-5 and the S2000 are the only cars I've driven that felt like extensions of my brain.  I don't think I'll ever get over driving the MX-5 for the first time, I felt superhuman - everything happened so naturally -  throttle sensitivity (usually a HUGE issue with E-throttle cars) and response, steering, brakes, shifter, driving position... good stuff

The Solstice I drove was right there with it, except for driving position, the gauges felt funny in their relation to the driver and the beltine was higher...

The GXP I drove was worse than the 2.4L, clutch was horrible, powerband peaked too early...