Test drive BRZ, Cayman S, and...?
 

1. 2007 Cayman S
2. BRZ
3. ???

My buddy wants to test drive 3 cars before deciding which to buy but is having trouble coming up with a 3rd candidate. Coming from an Explorer this will be his first sports car I believe. He wants it for daily driving and time attack tracking a couple times a year.

His Criteria:
- RWD (or AWD)
- Good handling
- < $40,000

NOT interested in:
- Miata
- S2000
- RX8
- 370z
- Gen coupe
- Mustang
- Corvette
- BMW

He's test driven a 07 Cayman S and was really impressed by it especially by it's power. Only (minor) negative criticism he had about it was that the passenger footwell slants inward at an angle that prevented him from sitting with both feet straight so a long drive might get a little cramped for a passenger.

He hasn't test driven a BRZ yet.

His friends time attack with a 2011 Camero V6 and a 2010 WRX STI. He hasn't ruled either of those out but he's not very excited about either of them.


Any thoughts on a 3rd test drive candidate?

Audi S4/RS4 (if you can find it used, cheap, or good condition)?

Just curious, why isnt interest in an s2k?

He isn't looking at convertibles.

I have both the Evo X and the BRZ. I'd argue these are the two best handling cars(new) under $50k.

I was just going to suggest Evo X. You can get one used for about the same or maybe less than a new BRZ.

-Lexus ISF, Audi S/RS4, Caddy CTS-V, Merc C63 (beast sport sedans that can hold their own on track). ATS is supposed to be well received too.
-Lotus Elise/Exige/Evora (though as a daily the Exige and Elise would probably be bad candidates).
-Used Pontiac G8? Pretty much a holden commodore SS sedan or something....

He's pretty much eliminated the entire plethora of sporty/sports/power cars on with that list lol.

Half of those are a hard top.

If you're gonna tell him to take a look at the s4/rs4, then might as well cross shop the 335i/335is/m3

He said no BMW, but DIDNT rule out the other luxury brands :P

Make sure part of the test drive involves the service dept and a quick quote on the next few services, brake changes, oil changes, etc.

Definitely the Evo X. For a tall/heavy AWD sedan, it handles quite well and gives good steering feedback. Was surprising for me coming from an STI.

Might also consider a used Lotus Elise, 911, and NSX.

Why specifically 3 cars? It sounds like he's already ruled out pretty much all of the other possibilities in that price range. Personally, if I wanted to test drive something else in that price range, I might look at a C5 or C6 Z06 corvette with low(ish) miles, or possibly a Mustang GT w/ track pack, but he's already ruled them out. That having been said, I think the best option in that price range will be the Cayman (not that I'm biased or anything, since I own an 06)...

Evo's always have been better pure driving machines then sti's @DarkSunrise so why the surprise?