nope! no M5 in 2004/5 or 2011/2012 for the US

Depends on your definition of better. Cayman and Boxster are MR while the 911 is RR. There are inherent handling advantages to MR over RR. I believe they are a good bit lighter as well. So, if handling is your thing, the Cayman and Boxster are better value for the dollar.

The newer Boxsters aren't garbage, though the engine in the 986 was questionable at best (it had a really high failure rate due to IMS issues). The 987.1 (1st gen Cayman, 06 [I think] through 08 Boxster) was pretty darn good (beefed up IMS bearing dropped the failure rate from 10% or more down to pretty negligible), the 987.2 (09-13 Cayman, Boxster) was better still (No IMS bearing to fail, if I remember correctly, along with an improved oiling system for high G cornering), and the new Cayman (981) hasn't been out long enough to fully judge yet (but it sure looks like it'll be a good one based on its design). As for how a Cayman is better than a 911? It's lighter than all 911s except the GT3, and the engine is in a bit better place for balance. Sure, the 911's absolute limits are higher, but I'd take a Cayman over a base 911 any day (and I can't afford a 911 Carrera S, Turbo, or GT3 at the moment, so that comparison would be a bit pointless anyways). I would love to try driving a Turbo or a GT3 sometime though - I'm sure they're amazing cars to drive.

If Nissan ever pulls their head out of their @#$%, I imagine my FRS replacement would be a new 240Z, FRS competitor or an S16!

Future supra, brz or frs ;)

Anybody like the FJ cruiser? You can get that as a manual standard. I kinda would like to try that (over a Jeep, of course)

If the Honda NSX comes out in the next 10 years, would definitely consider that.

I said the early model boxster was garbage while the latest generation was greatly improved. The failure rate of the boxster earlier boxster engines was incredibly high.

As for the new ones, They haven't been out long enough to really prove reliable or not. As for racing, I have seen a lot of Boxsters get light contact from other cars on the track and start on fire, there were a lot of issues with boxsters as race cars as well.

When comparing the Cayman to a Base 911 I think it is only fair if you compare the base Cayman to the base 911. You really aren't comparing similar vehicles if you compare a cayman s to a base 911, the two cars are built with two different objectives. They are both sports cars, but I don't feel like they are in the same category. One is built with race performance in mind, while they other is made to drive to the office.

I would take a used 911 turbo over a new cayman s though if you are just looking at what you can get for the same money, but if you are comparing what cars you get for the same money, the entire argument changes. New for new, I would probably take an M3 over the cayman S anyway. If you want performance, I would take a used GTR over a new M3 or New Cayman S.

Maintenance is the other conversation you would need to have. Buying a used premium brand because it falls into your price range, does not mean that the car and the maintenance that comes with it are still affordable to that buyer.

CLA45 AMG :)

If the next generation mustang is around 3200 pounds with Rear independent suspension I will get the Boss. Until then I will stick with the GT86.