Used C5 on the high end, RSX-S on the low end of those price brackets.

BTW, the right car is the one YOU test drive that communicates the right amount of 'road info' to YOU. (IMHO, of course).

 

If legroom is the only thing stopping you from getting an s2000, you might be in luck. If you're willing to spend a few hours and a couple bucks you can actually lower the s2000 seats several inches. In doing this, you might be able to fit afterall! Here's a link. If that's too much work, you could also purchase aftermarket seats that would also give you significantly more room.

If this doesn't work and you're forced to get something else, I would consider looking into a BMW. The M roadster/coupe both in S54 and S52 (240 hp vs 315 hp) form are fantastic cars. You could probably pick one of them up for anywhere between 20 - 30k. Also, if you really love the M3, why not get a used one? You can pick up an '01 for mid 30s these days.

Anyhow, good luck in your car hunt!

 

Given what you've described, I'd have to agree with a couple of the recomendations above and point toward the RSX-s. I can't comment on the vette as I've never driven one, but visually and from what I've read, they don't catch my attention much. Plus the new one just came out; something would bother me about getting a C5 when the C6's just came out.

Save yourself some cash. Get a new RSX-s, drop a few grand in mods into it over the next year or so, and take a nice vacation or start saving for a ferrari or something with the rest of it.

 

Among those choices......really nothing has a big interior. The G35 coupe has the longest wheelbase, that might help to fit you inside comfortably.

 

I have the RX8. They have some pretty big discounts on them right now. You can get a fully loaded model for low $30's. I will caution you on the G35. This was my second choice. But by your definition of a "sports car." It is nowhere close. I love the sound of the exhaust, & the torque of the engine, but it is 400 lbs. heavier than the RX8, & a whopping 550 lbs. heavier than the S2000. If you are looking at about 3,000 lbs and under, you have the S2000, RX7, RX8. For amazing AWD handling you have the EVO IX coming out, the STI, etc. 330CI's are nice. If you are worried about a bit more power they have a new package that gives you a bit more hp, special interior, bigger wheels, etc & should improve handling quite a bit.

 

Wow, I had completely forgotten about the C5 vette, and i REALLY didn't know I could import a REAL integra type-R. I'll definitely take the time to review those seat mods. I have a lot of test driving to do. Thanks alot. Things are really looking up.

 

Only CL's were available in the 6spd. We TL-S's were forced to mate with the 5spd Sportronic Auto

 

Used C5. Very comfy for the big-and-tall crowd. Even the base model will blow away most cars out there, straight line or curves, once you put real rubber on it. Or swing the Z06 and be the neighborhood bully. You could suck it up and drive the S2000. I didn't fit in one either but that didn't stop me for a couple of years...

 

Incorrect.

 

Given that the Solstice is an American design, will it fit American sized people?

An option anyway -- especially if they really do release a F/I model.