[cashflyer]

Thanks for the input so far. I am gaining some insight with the answers, and I also have a few replies:

Originally posted by SoCal911SC
You guys bought a new Kia?

Well, the 20 year old Celica was looking pretty shabby. Hyundai/Kia has a good warranty, and I really have nothing bad to say about it. She loved her car - right up to the day she went to a DE.

Originally posted by DaveE
Who needs A/C, really?

I have an SC that I DE in. I really don't miss the AC. But she wants this as primarily a daily driver that she can also hit about 3 or 4 DEs per year in. Summer temps in the high 90s plus high humidity make AC a very nice thing to have. Besides, SHE says it is required.

Miata, MINI Cooper S, Mazda 3, C-5 Vette, S2000, 944/968, etc, etc

She set the criteria, not me. The choices are 911SC or Boxter.

Originally posted by 86 911
BTW, it's a Boxster (referring to the spelling in the poll)

Duly noted; my life remains unaffected.

Originally posted by fastpat
Using your named guidelines, I'd recommend considering only the Boxster. An "SC" would be problematic since it's likely to have a lot more miles on it.

I will go further and say that if you can swing the difference, I'd go to the $22-25k region of expenditures even if it meant adding a year to the payment schedule. Much nicer, more recent Boxsters can be had at that price point.

I am also a little concerned with reliability on a 23-28 year old car. Although my SC has been very reliable, I don't use it as a daily driver. And even if I did, I don't work a job that I would lose if I had car trouble on the way in to work. But being a nurse, her situation requires a car that makes it from A to B every time.

If I were to up the budget, neither the BoxSter nor the SC would be considered. It's not so much a matter of not having the money, as not wanting to spend more than the stated amount.