I was looking to replace an Acura 2.3 CL manual with 180K miles. I started looking for a used Acura TSX, Lexus IS, Infiniti G (coupe and sedan) in a MY range to cost under $15K. I was avoiding the BMW 3 series and Audi A4 due to reliability concerns. All had to be manuals. With limited options locally, I used our wonderful interwebs to expand to a national search. I read all the C&D comparisons. They all sounded much better than the CL, but still lacking.
I was sharing my frustration with a friend at work, and he (a car enthusiast but never owned a Boxster) suggested the Boxster. Quick searches to determine price range, then started thinking about the Z3/Z4, TT and S2K. Read the C&D stuff again, and decided to make Boxster the only option. I could still drive the Acura in the Winter.
I test drove a local 99 with 130K miles I had no intention of buying just to confirm Boxster was a good choice. The condition of the car was bleh, but it convinced me.
After that, I only looked at Boxsters - Autotrader, Cars.com, Cargurus and e-bay. Scored my 01 S unintentionally on E-bay. A flight to Sacramento, a friend's drive to Chico, and I had a ride home.
DBear