I've got one.
+: I think it's gorgeous, it's probably the best handling car out there that is not a pure race car (or a lotus, but way more comfortable and usable), and it's easier to work on that people think. Surprisingly practical too, with 2 trunks, and you can put a 986 spare tire in the nose... Everytime I see that car in my garage, I go "wow"...
Now as far as talking you out of it.... I can try to do that too:
- It's a 2 seater, as you know, and that can suck sometimes...
- It's not as good a track car, stock, as a 911. You need to work on the wheels geometry, oil sump baffling, possibly an oil pump solution to avoid oil starvation... That's annoying to me since I like track days and my old 911s can go to the track bone stock. it's all tweakable, mind, but know it'll cost you a few thou to make it track-durable.
- It's got a few mechanical issues, like all porsches.. you know about the RMS/IMS possibility. I'm more concerned about piddly crap like my water pump going out at barely 40K miles ! Not cheap, annoying at that low of a mileage...
- It's too quiet, the gas pedal is a little hard to modulate from a standstill (stick) vs all my other cars, it can get a little hot inside (engine nearby) but on the flip side it cools off quick, small cockpit... and the gearbox linkages can be a tad noisy vs a 911 of the same era (the linkage snakes around the engine all the way to the gearbox).
- Also, it does not have that 911 "ass plant" in a turn that lets you shoot out of corners, it's more balanced throughout the turn though, so it's a matter of preference/driving style... I like both styles, unfortunately, so I am undecided... Oh, and unless you're a giraffe, you can't tell the rear spoiler is actually up, so you'll never know ;-)
That's all i got, trying hard to diss the car... Personally I think it's a screaming deal of a gorgeous car, w/ incredible steering feel and balance, easy to mod and maintain yourself with an ODB2 cable and software. Lots of aftermarket stuff too... A private party CS 2006 these days is high $20s.. why not, huh?
PS: I prefer the Gen 1 styling, but the GEN 2 cars (2009+) have the new DFI engine that removes the RMS/IMS issues, gives you 20 more hp and better mileage, if you can afford those...