[jkarolyi]

My first car was a '77 924 bought in 1990...those are too old for a good first car these days, but looking back it was a perfect first car. Awesome handling, but gutless as they come! Really helped teach me the art of driving well.

A base 944 would be a good first car...they aren't overpowered and don't really "impress" friends much anymore. But the maintenance would be the killer! I spent WAY more keeping my '88 944 (second car) going for one year than I have for three years in my '89 911! They are just high-maintenance cars, period.

The best option for a first car these days would be a '92-98 BMW 318i ...coupe sedan, or convertible. Pretty gutless with a four cylinder, but one of the world's best handling cars. A well styled and still modern looking car to boot. You can pick them up in your price range with high miles, they're low-maintenance (no timing belts) and bulletproof, and you can keep liability insurance only on the car. The old-style '91 318is would be an alternate if you can't find a newer one cheap enough.

That's my vote.