Four real seats?

[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

[lowinor]

The Infiniti G37 convertible should hit showrooms soon. Check it out if you're unfamiliar with the G series -- to be completely honest, I find them more fun to drive than the 3 series.

[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.