Ouhei

After much thought and consideration I'm planning on replacing the s2000 next spring. While I still love the car and always will, I find myself wanting something with a bit more room and other comforts that it just can't offer. The s2000 is currently paid off and I will be using the sale of it to fund a downpayment on whatever I buy next. My promotion at work is about to go through and I've set myself a max budget of $40k, hoping to keep it under $35k if possible. I don't have to spend even 35, but looking at what I can do as a downpayment and what I'm willing to have as a monthly payment that's the most I'm willing to spend.

Things I want out of the car:

- Fun to drive: it will be my only car and I hate driving boring cars. It will serve as a daily driver (though by mid summer I will be biking to work most days when we move offices) and my "fun" car. I enjoy taking drives on country back roads and hope to make it out to VIR a couple of times over the next few years for fun
- Fixed roof: I've had my convertible and I'm wanting a solid roof over my head now. Mostly for road noise.
- More room: the s2000 has been my daily for over 3 years and does the job fine most of the time but sometimes can't fit big objects I need it to. This wasn't an issue before as I had my fiancee's car for cargo duty but I'm a single man now.
- Back seat: I'd like to be able to drive to things with my friends or coworkers in tow every once and a while. I've been bumming rides for over 3 years and feel slightly guilty about it. I also like driving vs riding in a car.
- Refinement: The s2000 is very raw and I'm wanting somethng with a bit more comfort in it nowadays (I guess I'm getting old).

I've been looking around and so far developed this list.

2008-2010 BMW M3 Sedan
- Fits all my criteria
- Hits the upper part of my price range
- I'm nervous about used BMW's
- Wouldn't mind driving one pretty close to stock

2010-2014 Subaru WRX STi Wagon
- Fits all my criteria, but maybe not as "refined"
- Could potentially buy a brand new one
- Would want to mod a decent amount (at least a good drop)

2007-2009 Porsche Cayman S
- Certainly fun to drive, a solid "upgrade" from the S
- No additional room, maybe less room
- Top of my price range
- Used German cars!
- Wouldn't mind driving one pretty close to stock

2015 Audi S3
- Fits all the criteria
- Top of my price range (rumor is $38-40k)
- Not out yet, so details are scarce and I can't drive one.

2009-2014 Nissan 370z
- Fun to drive, always liked them
- No additional room
- Could buy a brand new one
- Wouldn't mind driving one pretty close to stock

2013-2014 Hyundai Genesis Coupe
- Similar to the Z, but slightly cheaper and with a backseat
- Would want to mod a decent amount (at least a good drop and wheels)

2013-2014 Subaru BRZ
- Fun to drive, has a little more room
- backseat is pretty small
- Low on power, doesn't feel like much of an upgrade from the S
- Would want to mod a decent amount (at least a good drop and wheels)

2014 Honda Civic Si Sedan
- I owned a 2009 model and enjoyed it, the styling on the new ones is growing on me. I like the interior a lot
- tons of room
- decently low in my price range
- Low on power, FWD
- Would want to mod a decent amount (at least a good drop and wheels)

Cars I've ruled out: Corvette, Mustang, Camero, Challenger. I can appreciate these cars and what they offer but they just don't feel like me. That doesn't mean I hate them, so let's just move on from them.

Am I missing some cars that I should add to the list? Or anything I really should know about anything on the list? I plan on taking the next months researching and test driving my options. I've already driven the M3 and I love it, my only concern is maintenance on it, I've heard the earlier models can have some engine issues but they seem fairly isolated. I'm not in a rush so I'll make sure to drive my other options and any other suggestions that peak my interest before I make a decision either way.

sduf88

Have you thought about a Cadillac CTS-V? 4 doors, plenty of space, refined, plenty of power, and a blast to drive.

s2kreeper

370z sport package or genesis coupe 2.0t r-spec + full tune & your listed mods. The z wasn't even on my radar till they introduced their 3k price drop across all of them but the nismo (bummer... as that would be perfect).

Driven

Not sure if they'll give you that AARP membership on a used CTS-V. Although the walking cane might still be there.

mosesbotbol

2007-08 Jaguar XKR

vader1

You can find a nice 335i either e90 or F30 rwd with a 6 speed for that money easy. It is not an M3, but gas mileage is double and can be easily modded to come close to M3 performance.

I have an f30 328i for a daily driver and it is a nice car. Just look for a sport or Msport model with DHP for best driving dynamics.

billios996

Focus ST, Fiesta ST, 2nd the CTS-V, 335 with tune, ATS, Evo 10

JonBoy

2011+ Lexus IS-F
Audi RS4
Infiniti G37 Coupe
Audi S4 (very underrated from factory, practically as quick as a BMW M3)

All fairly practical, though I'd trust the Lexus a lot more in the long run.

rob-2

Are you looking for 2 or 4 doors?

i_heart_my_DB8

How much are you going to get for the S?

Personally, I'd probably rather have the S2000 + a more boring car for DD/hauling/coworker duty. But that's just me, and I'm going to go ahead and assume you've considered that, and ruled it out.

Good luck.