Glenn,

You asked "Now what do I do?"

Do: ==> Cry!!!

Don't: ==> buy a Honda! It just causes more of this ==>

 

I drive my Jeep more, been taking it off road on some interesting day trips, riding my motorcycles more, driving wife's Boxster a bit. I miss it and are constantly looking at P cars for a replacement. I do admit it's nice having a 4 place garage with only 2 cars in it (Jeep stays outside), not worrying about whether I'm driving it enough, and not having to insure and register a 4th car with only 2 drivers. I feel a replacement will have to be very special and hit me over the top emotionally like the one I sold did. Until I find that car, I'll go without.

 

everyone has a BWM.... get a sleeper like a Suburu WRX

 

Two friends have an M5. Great car! Lot's of power, room and creature comforts. The era of the V-10 is gone as well...so thats a bonus too.

 

I'll shorten the list for you.

06/07 C2S or C4 coupe or cab

 

I have an s5.....and a 997

The s5 is pretty boring, more of a grand touring car

 

I got to drive a buddy's Infinity G37 sedan. 7-speed automatic. Pretty amazing power for a 3.7 litre engine.

 

This is going to sound either really snobbish or naive. I don't think I can drive another Japanese car - while I respect the WRX si immensely for its performance, and the G37 for it's looks (which I do like) and performance - I wouldn't be happy looking in the garage.

I want the car to be aspirational. I've done the 911 - so while still aspirational, it's now pretty expected. The M5 (I suspect) would be fun to drive - and hold its value. This last point is also something that I'm kind of sensitive to now having gone through the sale of the 996. I know there was a lot of baggage with the early 996's and gawd knows everyone had an opinion on why they got hit so bad - but all of it was totally unfounded based on my personal experience. I want something that I won't get bored with in 6 months and something that won't depreciate at $400 a month.

Anyway - I'm driving an M5 and an S5 tomorrow. Will report back.
Cheers G

 

I will second the suggestion for a Mercedes AMG. Just give it a test drive. You've got nothing to lose....

 

I hate subaru's the sound reminds me of a Chevy 350 with water in the distributor cap


YUKK !!

 

You mean the sound of a boxer engine? Yeah, I hate the sound of boxer engines too! Yukk!

 

HEY HEY !

VW and Porsche never sounded like that....Subi's has figured out how to mess it up

 

I think M5 and S5 both fall in that category of depreciation and then some..

 

02 TT
S5
RS4
335 CSI

 

I read this with lots of interest as I sold my 996 6 months ago and I have yet to replace it. I just can't find something that's fun and exciting enough to replace it (within a reasonable budget). I keep looking at 3-series, M3's and even M5's occasionally but I really have a hard time getting excited about it. I catch myself typing in "Porsche" on Craigslist and Autotrader....

I'm curious to see what you finally pick up and how you like it compared to the 996. The more I look the only decent replacement I can find is the new E90 M3. More practical than the 996 with 4 doors (I have a 2 year old), beautiful interior, fast and fun to drive.