Forget the renting or buying of a newer car, I totally second the VW Westfalia comments. If you can get one based of the Vanagon, they aren't half bad on gas.
You are an old air cooled guy at heart, so maybe an earlier Westy would be more to your likeing.
Drive something with some character.
Plus, unlike some the of the earlier 911 guys, most of the VW people I meet are easy going and nice people.
http://portland.craigslist.org/wsc/car/731266042.html
http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/car/724980221.html
Just ideas....
Bill