I've made my (for now) final decision, C4

Okay, this is going to be a bit long... I'm graduating from Engineering school next year, about this time, and I've been offered a new car... (This is kinda like winning the lottery) So, I've been on a mission to find my favorite ~$50k sports car. As I drive a BMW Z3, my first, and most obvious choice was an M3. I love the SMG system, the car is beautiful, and I could order it to my specifications Black/Black, no sunroof, SMG, 19" wheels, etc... But! After driving 4 separate cars ('01 & '03 manual coupe, '01 manual conv., and '03 SMG coupe), I became a little disinterested. I started looking around, and I realized that the M3's S54 engine is nearly un-tuneable (a real big downer for me). Active Autowerke, a famous M3 tuner, won't touch that engine, but they'll actually remove it and put the old M3 engine in before they do any turbo/super-charging. So, the search continued. I was down at Champion Porsche in Deerfield Beach, FL, and for the hell of it, I drove a 95 C2 coupe. It was fun, but just barely quicker than my Dinan Z3. Truly the car is very special, but I don't want a 10-yr old "new" car. I recently realized that the prices of low-mile '99 996's were within reach, then I thought about it, and when I buy, I'll probably be able to get a low-mile 2000 model. My family has had Porsches for years (Currently we have an '02 Carrera Coupe and a Cayenne S). So, I was aware of the qualities of Porsche cars. My Dad talked to his contact at Momentum Porsche, who informed us that miles really don't tell the story of a used porsche, and that we shouldn't be afraid of cars with 30k if the other factors, such as one-owner and good-service-records match up well. I was in Austin last weekend, and right before my family and I were t-boned in our Suburban by a Lincoln Navigator (my neck still hurts), we drove by Beasly Porsche, where I came across a C4 with 40k miles. It was a one owner car, silver with black interior, sport seats, and the nice full-leather package. My dad and I took it for a drive, and wow, I really liked the C4. I never thought I would, as it isn't the most "pure" form of the car. But I really like the handling, and the car feels more "solid" than the '99 C2 coupe that we used to have. Anyway, I am now on the lookout (in about 1-yr time) for a nice '00 C4! Of course, there are a few caveats. Is the Elise coming over, or it just a big "sports car message board" myth? How good is the C6 'Vette going to be? Will there be an M-version of the Z4? When will the Boxter-S get real power? Is the new S4 as boring as it looks? Will I win the lottery and buy a GT2?

Well, of the cars you discussed, I'd pick the C4 or Boxster S, but given your penchant for horsepower, stick with the C4. The Elise is coming, but would not be the best daily driver IMO. I wouldn't touch a Vette at all. The Z4 is the most hideous creation ever produced. And the S4 is not really a "sports car" like the others you are considering. I think you are on the right track...just my $0.02.

wow, when I graduated from college, i got a pat on the back along with the offer that my parents will pick up my insurance till i find a job. I just wanna be born rich next time <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" /> Sounds like you are in for a C4 in the near future

There will be an M version of the Z4. They had a picture of it in one of the car magazines this month, I can't remember which one. I owned the previous version of the S4 and all I can say is that so far Audi can produce some great and awesome race cars, but it doesn't transfer over to their street cars. Very boring cars. My advice is go with C4 or if you really like BMW's wait and go with M Roadster.

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Originally posted by GTOne: <strong>Is the Elise coming over, or it just a big "sports car message board" myth? How good is the C6 'Vette going to be? Will there be an M-version of the Z4? When will the Boxter-S get real power? Is the new S4 as boring as it looks?</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">The new Elise will be here next April. It is great fun, but you'd hate it as an everyday driver. Waaay too cramped, and ingress/egress is horrid. The C6 will likely be a fine car and rumor has the current Z06 motor as the base motor (405hp) while the Z06 is rumored to be getting 500+hp. Horsepower aside, it is still a Chevy. The next M-roadster (Z4 based) is likely still a few years off, and it will have the S54 you profess to hate (it really is a lovely engine!). It isn't as 'tunable' because BMW tweaked it to near it's limits from the get go. The BoxSter S has a real engine. It's very nice, actually. Beautiful flat torque band and good power. Would it be fun with another 100hp? Yes, but what wouldn't? It's still a LOT of car. That's why I bought one after I let my M3 go. The new S4 will probably be very nice. VAG cars can feel a bit sterile sometimes, but I'm sure that it will be a great car. All that aside, get what you like. Then really learn to drive (I don't mean that as a cutdown, everyone can get better at it, regardless). Learn to find the limits of whatever you buy, and you find out that most of the above cars don't need much aftermarket tweaking after all! -Paul