Daily driver recommendations, yup, still trying to decide Options

[djm914-6]

Those of you on the 911 lists and boards are probably getting tired of my asking similar questions but I'll ask anyway. I'm looking for an mildly entertaining daily driver to replace my aging Golf VR6. I started looking at 928s, but decided that the maintenance and upkeep would put me in the poor house or at least limit my 914 project spending. Early 911s are out because I want 3 point rear belts for the kids (the 1-2 times per month they actually ride in my car) plus ABS, and airbags. I thought I wanted a 964 C4, but after doing more serious searches, I found some reasonable prices of 993s and even high mileage 996 Carreras. Even the 968 is looking interesting as it has some usable hatch space, not that it's a priority with the wife getting a Suburban soon. Please give me your feed back after reviewing my list. I'm asking my 914 pals because I feel as a whole, you're not as bias toward a particular car like many on the 911 lists. I already know that Mike Z voted for a 968 Cab.

Criteria:
Safe, modern, daily driver. Mostly a one person car but may see 2 adults and/ or 2 small children on very rare occasions. Not looking to infringe on 914 project budget with high maintenance. No track performance needed, nor upgrade potential as it'll be CW original. I'm leaning toward Tip equipped cars as I drive in heavy interstate traffic daily.

Cars:
'03 MINI Cooper S
'90-'94 964 Coupe/Targa C2/C4 Man/Tip, open to best example, lower mileage.
'95-96 993 C2 Coupe Man/Tip, probably some flaws, higher mileage
'99 996 C2 Coupe Man/Tip, high mileage
'94-'95 968 Coupe/Cab Man/Tip lower mileage preferred.

Thoughts, sneers, suggestions and comments welcome.

TIA,

[Qarl]

I fell in love with the looks of the new E-class cars (finally something that didn't seem so MB-like on the inside). We drove one a few weeks ago. WOW! The V8 in that car was the older AMG V8 that was in the E-class AMG lineup. That thing pulled like a mother. And it's a very heavy and safe car.

I do a lot of highway driving to and from work at higher speeds. (Actual speeds have been deleted to protect the innocent). So I want something that I can cruise with on the highway.

The Boxster is noisy, but sporty. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) Try driving 75 in the interstate in a mid-summer Florida downpour. Heck the 914 is quieter than the Boxster in the rain. And don't mention heavy thunderstorms. There's something about a huge bolt of lightning cracking down beside the highway and blowing out your eardrums through the Boxster convertible top. I know I'm safe in the car, but it seems a little too personal.

Whenever I have a client visiting from out of town, it sucks drying to fit their luggage in a Boxster. So I will try the Mercedes car next (about 12 months from now actually).

I always stick with the German cars. (Once I digressed and had a Dodge Ram 1500, but country was cool back then too!). I've owned four 914s, one VW Scirocco 16valve, two VW Passats, a BMW 328is, a Dodge Ram ((IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)) and a Boxster. Do you notice a theme here?