[thstone]

I have a '99 base 2.5L with 126,000 miles.

1. Its my daily driver and weekend track machine. I find it very comfortable as a daily driver.
2. Original IMS bearing with no worries whatsoever - if it was going to fail it would have done so by now. There are a lot of owners in the 100K+ mile club on the original bearing. Maintanence and repairs can be expensive - similar to your 944 and BMW experience.
3. 964 or 911SC or Boxster - your choice.