Another vote for the M3 Coupe or Sedan if you need 4 doors.

As others have mentioned, Audi S4 or S5 as well, or MB C63 AMG are worth looking at as well.

I also find the new Mustang Boss 302 very interesting and a great bang for the buck. It wouldn't match me, but it might match you? But in that price range, I think I'd go for a loaded Nissan 370Z.

Speaking of Nissan, how about a GT-R? Flame suit on, but dare I say it'll give you 125% of the 911 S performance.

 

I have an M3 sedan as my daily and love it. Very fast and lots of fun in the twisties. It is not a Porsche, but it has a lot of utility.

 

BMW 135

 

09+ CTS V,just drve one!

 

was just down in Fla rented a 2010 mustang interior was wonderfully retro and quite nice- impressive job ford did with the car at 16 kmiles in this particular rental car it was still tight and held together, most rentals are beaten by that many miles

 

E55, some mods (pulley, cooler, intake, etc) and be rolling with 650hp..... a nice sleeper and pulls like a freight train and would offer a different thrill then a Porsche. (more brute power and less handling etc...) For the ultimate sleeper E55 wagon-modded

Like the CTS-V notion as well, that car is a beast.....

happy hunting as looking is so much fun...

 

I rejected the 3 series because it has runflats only. Your statements about the engine are not quite correct. The new -28 engine is a 3.0L composite of aluminum and magnesium. The -35 engine is the old aluminum 3.0L six but has cast iron cylinder liners to increase strength. The big issues are the fuel system and turbocharger/wastegate as you stated.

 

Though I love the C63 and used to own a debadged E55 wagon (really one of the all-time great Q-ships), the manual transmission is not available in these cars. Still, an interesting thread that's fun to talk about...

 

That's a pretty easy fix...

 

No question you should buy a V8 M3, 6 speed. The M3 is just as fast as an M5 but has much better handling since it weighs a lot less. Look up the stats between the two in any car magazine.

I own a 2008 M3 Sedan with a 6spd and love it. I also own a 996 C4S. both are great cars.

 

get an M3, no run flats

 

Get a GT3....they leak oil, when the seal goes it blows oil all over the back of the car

But who cares, it is the best car ever built, daily driver or occasional. You will smile ever time it starts and take longer drives home

I bought an S5 (still have it and am in the process of trading it in on a tow vehicle Q7 TDI)....the car is heavy, slow and sucks gas.

 

Loved all the responses.

I am now looking into a 335 is six speed manual. Or a 335i 6 speed manual. T

Wish the Panamera came in a 6 speed manual.

I heard a rumor Porsche was trying to develop a 7 speed manual. Is this still the case. If so, another overdrive would be great on the highway...

 

Caution on the 335i. They have had a lot of oil cooler issues if you drive them hard. The turbo chargers run them hot when pushed. Dinan offers an upgrade.
I had 1 Audi (2001 A6 4.2). Dealers were useless. Lots of little problems including warping 3 sets of rear rotors < 45K miles. Won't own another Audi mostly due to the dealer issues.
Right now, I'd only consider the M3 coupe.

 

I have owned everything from Porsches to Ferraris to every German car marque, and now am on my 10th Corvette, a 2010 Grand Sport 6 speed convertible. I have had ZERO problems with any Vette, and they are so inexpensive to service. $75.00 and 45 minutes at the dealer for oil, lube and filter. I drive 20K miles a year and get over 20mpg. However, if you really want to live life, get the ZR1. GM gave me a 2011 ZR1 to drive for 2 weeks as part of a marketing campaign. The car is so easy to drive as a daily driver, easier than a Z06.
But let me tell you this. I have NEVER driven a car as quick, and that includes the Ferrari 599 and Scuderia. The ZR1 is just a sledgehammer. My buddy owns a 599 and a Porsche Turbo, and when he drove the ZR1 last week and got on it he almost peed in his pants! You ca get a fully equipped new ZR1 for around 100K and they come standard with carbon ceramic brakes. If I wanted a coupe (which I never will) I would buy a ZR1 in a heartbeat. Test drive a ZR1 and you will forget that BMW or Audi even exists!