Four real seats?

[greesedc]

VW EOS convertible hardtop
Audi S4 Cabriolet (if you like to go fast in syle)
Audi A4 Cabriolet (lots in the pre-owned market)
While I am a German car fanatic all the way, considering the sorry state of car sales at Volvo, maybe a look at their convertible hardtop...

[nefarious986]

In retrospect, the Cayenne probably didn't get a red carpet welcome from the Porsche community either. But it turned out to be a good thing.

Even the Boxsters were poorly regarded first when it was announced. Being considered "the poor man's Porsche" is not exactly flattering.

Lets hope the Panamera is going to be freakin brilliant.

[achillian]

IMO, if you want a convertible sports car, and you need room for four, the BMW M3 is the only car to get. The E36(older) , E46(newer), and E92(newest) bodystyles have all been fantastic sports cars with room for four. The M3 will not handle the same as a boxster, thats a given due to different dynamics, i.e. engine location, size, and weight. But, the M3 is similar in that you get a lot of performance in a stock package. Their power to weight ratios always seem ideal as well. I believe an M3 would put a smile on your face everytime you drive it, like a boxster would, just probably not quite as big.

[gerrygug]

Another vote for the M3
I have a 3 Series BMW and it is hands down the best Sedan I have ever owned.

[jthomas_null]

Thanks for the M3 suggestion -- I thought it would be the leading contender but it's good to have people with far more experience than I confirm that. I have a friend who has a 335i hardtop and he took me out in it, it was a lot of fun.

Ironically, my wife _loves_ the Boxster and wants me to get one. But I'm trying to balance the tradeoff: I get the Boxster and enjoy it mostly alone, or I get something like a 911 or maybe an M3 and enjoy it together with my wife and young son.

[gerrygug]

http://goodstuffauto.com/inventory/9751/9751.htm

This might work for you.

[dmcutter]

I test drove an E46 M3 a couple months ago-I loved it. I seriously considered trading the Box for it as it would be a much more "practical" every day driver. Alas, they couldn't offer enough on my trade to make it worthwhile. It doesn't handle like a Box, but few cars do...but it's a rocket. If I drove an M3 and had never driven a Box, I would be perfectly happy with the Beemer. But nothing feels like the Box when you're railing through the twisties.

[ChrisZang]

I also would say M3 or RX8, but if you have some more money to spend, there's always that car, which - I believe - outperforms the Boxster, the Carrera AND the M3: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferrari_612_Scaglietti

[cvhs18472]

Don't laugh till you have driven one, but a Volvo C-70 is not a bad car and is a bit of a hoot to drive. No it is not a Boxster, but then again nothing else is. My wife drives a C-70 and it really is a nice car. Ed

[bkiersz]

Panamera doesn't do a thing for me. Something Taurus-esque about the looks that turns me off.

[jthomas_null]

I ended up getting a CPO'ed base 911. Not quite as involving for me as a Boxster, but still pretty impressive; I've been quite happy. I wanted to thank everybody again for the feedback.

[angman]

Glad that you made a good choice. I would have voted for a 3 series convertible too though. I currently have a 335XI as well. I think that or the M3 in a convertible would be an excellent compromise.