NSX, GT3, and 1 M are all excellent but very different cars. GTR is awesome but I agree with you on rowing your own gears.

The GTR tops my list out of the cars listed. The 996 was the worst body style ever on the porsche...even the GT3 looked bland. The C6Z is not a liveable car, it's a riot to drive, but if you plan on daily driving it, better prepare yourself. The 1M I am just not a fan of because i will never own a BMW due to some shitty customer service when i was looking to buy a new M3. A used NSX is fun to dream about owning, but from people i talk to it is much like the C6Z in that it's not a great DD, not to mention the fact that the car is starting to show its age. As for the Mustang...that's a choice only you can make, but i find the cars to be hideous and also heavy feeling cars. The laguna seca is a great track car but still wallows in turns compared to something like the GT-R, Z06, 996, NSX, and even the 1M.

After driving a few GT-R's they are amazing, they act like a *****cat driving around town but when you want to lay the smack down on pretty much anything with wheels, it can do that too. Also for it's size it handles superbly, it's almost magical how the car disappears under you...well when you are pushing it the car feels smaller and rotates like a smaller car. I want one pretty badly if you can't tell but it's on my "someday" list...not my "right now list".

Why does a longblock swap cost $12-15k for an FD RX7? Am I missing something? Are you wanting some custom 4 rotor swap?

http://www.rx7store.net/product_p/20b%20engine.htm
And that's a 3 rotor. Keep the 7, ported rotaries sound sick!

The FD is already set up for an LSX; sub-frame, trans, wiring, A/C, P/S, Cruise are already established. Personally, it would be more trouble than it would be worth to put a rotary back in. If I did something with a rotary, I would want it in smaller, lighter car; maybe like a Datsun 510? The cost of fixing it includes: a built 416 based LS3, with a 4" stroke, ported heads, cam, FAST 102 intake, &etc. Also, the cost I listed includes the prospect of an IRS Ford rear end. Since this setup would be easily capable of ~550/500, the factory rear won't cut it.

Although I am leaning towards keeping my car and hoping that it will be reliable, the prospect of a new car is intriguing. This is why I'm here: to get some fresh, new ideas. Thanks for all of your opinions so far.

As much as I'd like an NSX, NA2 prices don't seem to justify the product.
I'm not really fond of the 996 aesthetic, either, but the 997 GT3 is still a little out of my price range.

At this point, it is between keeping my car, a C6Z, or a 996 GT3. I guess I might still consider an R35, but the transmission and routine maintenance cost are two major negatives.

Am I missing any other viable alternatives?

You've got the 1M up there, why not the M3?

I can't really explain it, but while I like the 1M, I can't jive with the idea of an M3.

I guess I'm going to start looking for cars to test drive, but every time I pass my FD I wonder if I will ever be able to part with it. ;_;

If you like the idea of the Exige but want something more liveable, how about an Evora?

1M by a landslide for me.

I was thinking about a 996 or C6. Very glad I went with the LS RX-7 :)

Thanks for all of your help guys. I thought about it, and I just can't sell my car. I love it too much. If anything, after I throw more parts at the FD, I could keep it and get a second hand BRZ as a daily next year. :]