IMHO, an S2 coupe seems the best all-around 944-variant.
The perfect form factor for fun-driving practicality.
Not the explosive accel of the turbo but sufficient take-off and traffic tourque.
A beautiful front and rear-end; and a maint cost south of a 24yo 951, 18yo 968 or a 12yo Boxster.
As a Porsche novice, my impression of the S2's I've driven leave me smitten..
Next car is either an S2 or an S with recent camchain proof of service.
Good luck in your hunt!

I say S2, 68 or 51 if you like the 944 Family. A boxster is a great car as well, but I would want an S. As for a 951, they are very good cars if maintained and will be every bit as reliable as an NA, however most have been driven hard and not taken care of and can cost a fortune to sort. This is probably the only reason why I have not sold mine as I know I will want another one some day and mine is very well taken care of. The 951 is also a bit of pain in traffic and trying to pull out in front of traffic. They are very very quick, however they are also very laggy compared to modern turbo cars.

If you have to drive it everyday I'd be temped to stick with a 951/968 over a Boxter. I have owned a true two seater mid engine car and it really sucks for practical everyday type things. The hatchback makes the 944 chassis far more useful.

Not sure what the mod market for older Boxters is so not sure what to tell you there.

My BoxsterS definitely is not a daily driver, but that said I have to agree with it being a thousand times more refined than the other options. Granite my 924S had bone shattering suspension, but even driving a 951 or a 968 I would have to go with the Boxster. The 951 I didn't mind but for everyday I would have the 968 or the 986S. Find a S with a little bit of mileage and you'll meet your price gap. The IMS is an issue but as long as you find a well sorted example, and get IMS guardian much of the failure is relieved.

i agree with this from a DD standpoint .. but once yo u drive an ICOn youd be nuts to go back :)
i have never looked back after moving from 944s to 911 .. but admitedly its not my dd

I have a 951 for sale. Although it probably needs a tad bit more work than you are looking for.. :/
http://athensga.craigslist.org/cto/3105693274.html

Elliot I like those wheels on that 951....

951 is awesome. I love mine.

Eh.....I love going to Porsche meets and not being like everyone else with a 911:cheers:

A few years back I looked at:
924S, 944S, 944S2 and 968. I found the 968 and 924S the most appealing, but both were sold before I could come to my decisions....

I ended up buying a 2000 Boxster (2.7). What a really nice car. Very qick. Well balanced. Had a blast autocrossing it etc. But to me, it wasn't a real "porsche" so I bought another 914 (my first porsche was a 914).. but it was slow.. and I couldn't fit both kids with me..

So I sold it and bought a 944 (87, 2.5, 8V). Its been a wonderful car. I like it more than I thought or wanted too. Fun to AX... no safety nannies.. room for the whole family. But, underpowered.

You've done the 8V N/A already.. consider an S2 or 968, but I think jumping to the more modern Boxster platform would be the more enjoyable route. Plenty of trunk space for the "work" items.

Thanks guys, great input.
I have some thinking to do.

I bought a base 2.5 boxster with plans to use it as a dd for a couple years then make a spec boxster.

I've had all the 44 variants except the 968.

The chassis on the boxster is definitely a step up. Mid engine makes tinkering a bit tougher. I've never really felt space constrained. Lots of aftermarket parts available.

While more power would be nice, I enjoy wringing the 2.5 out and staying in the power band. Brakes are great

My next step will be a Cayman after I convert this.

Most boxsters seem to have a weight distribution of 45 percent front & 55 percent rear...

coming from the 944's near 50/50, was there a noticeable improvement in the 986 mid-apex transition ? Or was the 944 (any variant) more stable?
TIA

Well sorted 951, hands down. Your budget can perfectly accommodate one of the nicest examples out there and still leave a little maintenance wiggle room. You won't regret it! And you won't be wanting for power. I just have a chip in mine and am satisfied with the performance. Upkeep shouldn't be terrible if you find one like the low mileage black example above. Mine has been moderate with the higher mileage, and coming from an occassionally-driven life to a nearly daily-driven life so parts are wearing.

Sentinelist, I agree with you on everything with exception of the low mileage part. You don't want a low mileage example, a higher mileage-maintained example is MUCH MUCH better unless it will be a show car. I know this from personal experience. Most of the problems these cars are having are from lack of use and maintance (again attributed to little use). You can find some higher mileage cars that are as nice if not nicer cosmetically than a low mileage car and it will cost you less to run them.