Well, I think you can pick up an NA 944 for down in the $4-6k range. I assume a 951 is probably close to double that. I believe that the '89 944S2 is the king of the na 944. Then there are 968, but because they are newer, they are more expensive.
I suspect 944 are great cars, they are a Porsche after all, but I don't know if I'd want one unless it was a turbo or something like that. You could always get a miata. They are great, fun to drive, reliable, inexpensive little cars, but they definitely aren't a Porsche.
Shoot, this,
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/off-topic-discussions/770972-anyone-looking-clean-2002-boxster.html , seems like it could be a pretty good deal, but it sounds like it may be at the edge of what you are looking to spend too.
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Steve
'08 Boxster RS60 Spyder #0099/1960
- never named a car before, but this is Charlotte.
'88 targa
SOLD 2004 - gone but not forgotten