What Entry Level RWD Sports car should I get?

[Michael-5]

I'm not getting a car for 3-4 more years, and most of the cars I'm interested in now are just in the prototype stage, but this could be my last chance to own a nice fun RWD manual transmission car. What should I get?

a) Subaru BRZ Cabrio - The Subaru BRZ Open Concept is rumored to be added to the model lineup in spring 2014. Since a BRZ costs about $33-$35k brand new after taxes, a Cabrio will likely cost $39-42k or so. Meaning a used 3 year old model (if I buy a car in 2017) will likely cost around 25k. Not a bad daily driver, not particularly fast, but I drove and pushed one of these recently (hard top) and they are really fun to drive. I live in a big city, so I won't have many opportunities to use the full power anyway.

b) Subaru BRZ STI - Also rumored to be added to the lineup in 2014 spirng. Still a naturally aspirated 2.0L Boxer engine with 200hp, but even lighter then its 2,800lb curb weight. Should be about as fast as a BMW 135i or a Nissan 370Z (about 0-100km/h in 5.4s)

c) Subaru BRZ STI Cabrio - If they make an STI and a Cabrio, they probably will make an STI Cabrio, but maybe not until 2015, which means a used one will be very very difficult to find, and probably expensive too. My car is doing well, if it lasts more then 4 more years, then maybe I can hold out for this.

d) BMW 335i - I wouldn't get a Cabrio because it's a hard top, and it's just a bit too heavy to be a good convertible, but a Coupe is a good idea. Already a used one with moderatly low milage runs for about 30k. Plus the interior is so nice. Only drawback is, they are replacing the 3 series coupe with a 4 series, so my car will look old and be out dated, fast.

e) BMW 235i Cabrio - They are replacing the 1 series with a 2, which will be slightly larger, but just as fast and fuel efficient. Two problems, electrically assisted power steering, and auto only in North America (Lucky Europeaners!). If they do decide to make a manual version of this car, it will instantly be on my list, since the current 1 is too small, and the current 3 is too big for me. I dunno, the 3 looks prettier, I wish it came with a cloth top.



f) Porsche Boxer S - A Real chick magnet, 2007's sell for <30k now, so in 3-4 years a 2010/2011 should be about the same. 2012 is the last hydraulic steering boxer, and I love the tail light design on 2009-2011 models. The only real drawback with this car is that it would be expensive to maintain, is not practical (remember I am driving this in the winter, and we do get snow ocassionally in Toronto, Canada), and is largely seen as a girls car. It's the prettiest, and fastest car of the bunch though (0-100km/h in 5.3s)

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I'm not interested in Mustangs, or Camaro's. I want something reliable, so Chevy and Dodge are out, and the Mustang looks ugly, and drives like a truck. I want something that handles a bit nicely. I thought about Infinity's too, but I drove one, and they are not as good as BMW. As for the Hyndai Genesis, it's slow, heavy, and cramped in the back. Nissan 370's aren't bad, but they are heavy and while fun to drive, I liked the BRZ and BMW 3 a lot more. As for the BMW Z4, I drove one too, and it's very similar to the BMW 1, I'd rather get a boxer or a 1 for practicality.

If I'm missing anything else (relatively new, don't suggest a 2005 Acura NSX as a daily driver, or a 1997 Nissan 300 ZX), let me know.

EDIT: I might have kids when I'm in my 30's (24 now), so a 2 seater boxer might be out on that accord. This is why I really like the BRZ, it's a cheap mans 4 seater boxer.