CP

Hi,

Just curious, if you have gotten the Porsche ownership experience out of your system, what other sports car would you consider. Assume that is mostly a street car with very little track use.

I have listed 4 choices: Corvette, Miata, S2000 and Lotus.

I have owned a Miata, and quite frankly, I'll buy one in a heart beat. It is light, the shifter is to die for. It is gas efficient, a ton of fun to drive. It has enough power for street, and it is cheap to own and run. I will add a hard top as I think it looks real pretty with one. I hate the small tank and the limited driving range though.

I have never owned a Corvette or driven one extensively. It is light enough. Certainly a lot more power than the Miata, decent cruising gas mileage, and is much more capable on track. However, it is too big (for me), certainly not as precise in the gear box/shifter department, and not the ownership image I associate myself with.

The S2000 is a Miata on steroids. It is a bit more to buy and to own, but possibly more fun to drive. I have never seen one with a hard top. Don't even know if they make one. I think the Miata and the S2000 will be the most reliable car for long term ownership.

I added the Lotus here as it is a true sports car. Undoubtedly the lightest and most nimble amongst the group of cars. Unfortunately it is very impractical and probably a challenge for the less than limber folks like me.

So please educate me with your thoughts. Feel free to discuss cars besides my list here.

Oh the reason why I post this thread. Coming up to 58 years old, and contemplating retirement (as soon as I can afford it), I may have to start planning for a life without a Porsche. I think by then I would have gotten the Porsche ownership thingy out of my system, and we can operate with a 2-car set up. Now we have 2 cars each (Ruf+Cayman, RX330+Odyssey) and that's just too much of a good thing. Thus this what-if post.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. BTW, you can vote on more than 1 car with this poll.

CP

fast_freddy

Easy, Lotus Exige. Largely because what it isn't.

Vette, eh.... I grew up in Northern NJ so the stereotypical gold chain and chestwig wearing Vette driver comes to mind.

Miata. I like them, even bought one for my mother in law, but they're not for me. Same thing with the S2000.

I'm simply not a fan of convertibles with the exception of 356's and 550's. Love the Cayman but the Boxster while I think it's a beautifully balanced car visually and functionally it just doesnt do it for me. I'm very much a proponent of form following function .

hal m

Pong,

Good for you to be hoping to retire soon! I still another 10-12 years. Feels like a prison sentence!

I know this is sacrilege and my wife would kill me, but I need some torque which the Miata and S2000 lack. The Lotus is just ugly and useless for anything other than strict track toy.

I don't even need Z06, just a 436hp convertible you can drive to the grocery store without worries!

You won't get rid of the Ruf!!!

Hal

RS man

I bought a S2000 a few months back. Got a 2004 car with less than 8000 miles from a middle aged couple who kept it pristine. I don't have the hard top though as I don't think I will use it and it will take up precious storage space. My 1st car was a CRX so I have a softspot for Hondas. I don't need a really powerful convertible so it suffices.

Do not buy Lotus with the Rover K-series engine - buy the Toyota version as the head gasket blows on the Rover version - I know from bitter experience.

Harry

justin993

Ferrari 360

bluejam

Cobra kit.

Cactus

I would love an 04+ blue S2000 without the hardtop.

95 C4 993

Baseball, hot dogs, apple pie, and Chevrolet.

If I were to move off the Porsche bandwagon, a Challenger SRT or 2010 Camero has my attention. I pulled up next to a Challenger the other day and I was impressed. Its a sweet ride.

red911c2

That's the funniest Vette driver description I've ever heard!!!

fast_freddy

In real life it's not funny. Watch the Soprano's, the characters are who I grew up with. If it wasn't a Vette, they were driving either a IROC, Trans-AM, Monte Carlo, Eldorado, Coupe DeVille or Seville. Seriously. In Nutley, NJ where I grew up they were known as Guido's. These guys would groom their chest hair with an afro pick, I **** you not.

csertich

CP,

If you think you'd miss the power of the RUF, gotta go with a Z06. Make a hell of a fun daily driver. Great A/C. Maybe next year they'll upgrade the interior which would be nice. Wonder if Hurst or someone makes an after market shifter to improve the stock one?

Second choice would be a S2000. I've only ridden in one. The lack of torgue might be an issue in the lower RPM ranges. Great shifter from what I've heard.

I like the Miata hardtop/convertible concept for this year. Looks pretty good. I just think the S2000 would be the more fun car of these two.

Lotus as a daily driver might get tiresome. Maybe I'm just too old......

chuck

Crimson Nape Racing

I am a (not so) closet redneck, so I would love a big V-8. I also come from a Ford family, so I will never own a Chevy. Maybe a Roush Mustang. I also like the idea of a Cobra kit.

I have a 15 year old daughter and think a Miata would be a good first car - not too much power, can't talk on the cell phone & shift, no room for a bunch of distracting friends. My wife thinks I'm crazy.....

95 C4 993

Can I call dibs on the on your 993 RUF when your ready to depart? That car needs to be deported to Utah!!

95C4VanIsle

Though not included in your poll I would seriously look at the new Nissan GTR. I'm not really in love with the body but the spec's are really impressive, especially for the price. Otherwise, the Lotus.

dcdude

Big price spread. Each one of those is king of its price point.