Mine a Miata: not expensive, dependable, simple, nice, cabriolet...a bit weak on the performance side but quite adequate.
This is only considering "realistic" options (which might include the Mini Cooper, Rover P6, a few others).

As to "unrealistic" options: Dino, Cobra, E Jag,

Most lovely, too, is the Alpine A110 mmm...closest to an early Porsche. But then, if the Porsche would not exist, neither would the Alpine, since the original Alpine was a Renault, which air-cooled engine in the rear layout was at least part developed with the aid of Dr. Ferdinand, when an involuntary guest of the French government...

Caterham 7 R500........500bhp/tonne..... :)

In the realistic category, probably an early Audi Quattro Turbo Coupe. These were bascially homologation specials - plus I've had the pleasure of bouncing off the sides of more than a few snow banks in one of these while attempting a Hannu Mikkola imitation ..... :D

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1063365268.jpg

...............a bus, tram, train or taxi.

1966 Stingray
1985 Ferrari 400i (5-speed)
Some old Maser
E30 M3

Well I just bought a 78 Corvette to drive around for the winter What a TUB!! next to the 911, now I can see how a 140 HP 911 can peel a Corvette, I have had 7 Corvettes before I wised up to the 911 but didn't ever think they were that loose, This one was such a giveaway I couldn't pass it up so don't hold it agenst me

Without a Porsche I'd probably drive..... myself crazy. I'm already halfway there, having sold my previous one before finding its replacement.

1st choice:'65 Fuel Injected 327/375 Corvette Coupe. Mosport Green/Saddle, knock offs, side exhaust.

2nd choice: 69 Z28 DZ302 "X-33" Cross Ram 2x4, chambered pipes. Fathom Green or Hugger Orange.

3rd choice: '74 Trans Am 455-SD. White over Mulsane Blue Stripes/ Blue interior.

4th choice: Public Transportation

5th choice: Walking

Tom

Factory 5 Cobra or

Ferrari 328 / Dino or

Late 69 TVR Vixen (or Tuscan) or

Triumph TR6 or

71-72 MB 280 SL

Damn, the list just keeps growing. Plenty of interesting cars to experience out there.


Oh forgot! Pantera would be high on the list.

I think I'll weigh in with the Z3 M roadster. I drove one in '99, thought it was really something. But not a Porsche.

It's clear that having no Porsche's would leave a big void for many of us.

SmileWavy

Weekends - 57 Ferrari Testarossa
Daily - 250 Berlinetta Lusso or 69 Datsun pickup

E30 M3 is looking pretty realistic...

Another good one S2000, yep, that one too.

There are several turbo and supercharger kits for miatas. Several miatas come with LSD. There are several suspension upgrades for miatas, and There are wheels for miatas that only weigh 9 lbs.

We won't even get into the fact that there are several companies that offer conversion to the mustang V-8 for miatas.

I've got a '01 315hp S-54 engine model. I picked it up after drop top season (any convertible after July 4th on the East Coast is considered a liability) when the weather was turning cold and the '02's were coming as well as the rumors of the Z-4. The dealer did about $5,500 off list.
It's an animal and does require some skill to drive at the limit which is part of the charm of the car to me. It is very quick and with a few mods can be made even quicker. All of this costs of course and Dinan among the other tuners like AC Schnitzer and Hamann are doing their utmost best to lighten my wallet.

I call it a Millennium "Cobra". It's a rough and ready driver’s car.
It really has more hp than it needs but who's to say how much is really enough? If a little is good and more is better, then too much is absolutely right. ;)

Tom

PS: the M Coupe is the real sleeper but unfortunately the better half nixed the hardtop and looks which I think are the cars best attributes.

A Dino or a late '50s GT SWB would be nice, but my first choice would be:

A 1997 Grand Caravan monkey hauler complete with bike scratches, scooter dings, crayon marks, gum in the carpet, odd smells, old shoes and apple cores.

Wait a minute, is this a dream? It seems so real. . . .

A brand new pair of New Balance sneakers.

Or, if the budget would allow, maybe one of the Cosworth Fords ... RS500 perhps?

But, really, I would probably end up with American Muscle ... a 70's C-10 pickup with a stout 350 is the most realistic, and I'd probably use it to haul my early 60's short wheel-base Nova with a 10,000 RPM SB2 NASCAR motor, full cage, coil-over suspension, Lenko tranny, and a 9-inch rear-end to Willow Springs. :rolleyes:

TVR Tuscan. End of Story.

In no particular order, depending on how much "utility" you want form an occasional fun car, ..age... and price:

C5 Corvette ( drive one before you snicker), maybe Lingenfelder modded
BMW M3
Lotus 7 / clone
Ferrari Dino/308/328
Cobra Kit Car
550 Kit Car

In the stratospheric price range:
Ford GT40 / Safir GT40 / "New" GT40 ( 43?)
Ford GT 40 Mk IV
Original Ford Cobra 289/ FIA 289 / 427
Ferrari 275 GTB/4
Ferrari 288 GTO
Ferrari 365 GTB/4 ( Daytona)
Ferrari F40
Ferrar1 312PB ( yeah !)
Lamborghini Miura
Porsche 904 ( if it qualifies in terms of the original question)


---Wil Ferch

OKm let's be real
 

Realistically, I'd drive my 1998 Lexus GS400. It may not be a sports car and may not have the top speed my 911 has (the Lexus peaks out at 142MPH) but it's got better acceleration and is the smoothest ride I have ever experienced. It's got the same V8 that the LS400 has but it has a sport tuned suspension. The biggest difference between the Porsche 911 and the Lexus GS400 is that in the Porsche you 'participate' in the driving experience and in the Lexus you're just going along for the ride.

Since we needed an additional car (my wife just recently started teaching full time) I was willing to let my wife drive the Lexus while I bought the Porsche. I would not have traded the Lexus in for the 911, though. It is a truly fine ride!

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1063394062.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1063394087.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1063394109.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1063394142.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1063394169.jpg

A few fun cars within my budget....ish.

No flames for the Nissan please!;)