[boxlover]

I have been a porsche fan for as long as I can remember, and now am faced with an interesting situation... I currently drive an Acura TSX 6 speed, and while it is a great car I am ready for change, and in spring will sell it and be getting a replacement vehicle, I have narrowed it to a few choices. My complaints about the TSX, interior quality(love the styling, just not the highest quality materials used) and speed/performance(I knew it was a slow car when I got it, but I didn't think it would be a big deal... but now I am ready for something quicker). I am looking at the new infiniti G35(maybe named the G37), a new RL(returning as an Acura customer I will get a great trade in and a heavily discounted price on the RL) or a low mileage, few year old Boxster S.

All will cost about the same amount and I think its fair to compare the RL and the infiniti, but the boxster is the odd duck, in that its a two seater convertable, and not brand new. I am a fairly successful guy in his mid-20's, no serious gf, no kids, no real resposibilities in life, and a lot of my older friends are telling me "you only live once, you can do it now(get the porsche) do it". While part of me agree's with that, my practical side says a new car will be less potential problems, a sedan makes life a touch easier, but the new cars will cost more to own(residual value on the RL is horrible, and the infiniti is merely average based on the current model) , so the porsche will probably be a cheaper car to own and maintain. I live just south of Albany New York, and this will be my daily driver, but with a set of snow tires I am not too concerned about winter driving. My work load will be changing soon and I will be able to work primarly from home, so even if it is nasty out, I may not need to go out, or have the ability to delay until things are cleared up a bit.

I know I will get some bias input from a boxster forum, but if you were in my shoes, what would you do?