Thanks for the responses, guys.

The more I think about it, the more I realize owning a Porsche is out of my league. I've no Porsche ownership experience and don't know anyone who owns one. Now hearing about the Boxster having particular issues is scaring me away. And not to mention the fact that you can't wrench on it because it's so complicated of a car. Interest is waning (again), but I'm sure when I'm ready to buy the interest might come back, as it has before.

I didn't realize the TT has rear seats. I thought it was strictly a 2-seater. I'm curious why all the hate on Audis? I know they had a bad rep in the 80s and 90s, but I know the TT and the A4 were suppose to bring the name back to respectability. Yesterday I was cleaning my room and realize I had some car rating books and mags and found a few TT reviews. They were all praising the TT, particularily its styling, which I think has held up well. Being a VW of sorts, wouldn't it be deemed a reliable car that you can work on?

About the R129. This might sound stupid, but in the back of my head I'm thinking it's too much of a car for me. I feel like I have no business driving, much less owning one. Only successful people or people born with a silver spoon in their mouth drive this car. What's a plebian like me driving one? But really, I've always liked it from a styling and engineering point of view. Initially it was my main choice, if not the only choice.

I've never been a big fan of the BMW Z-series, so that's not a choice even if it's better in some regards.

Right now I'm leaning towards the TT because it seems to be the car that looks like you can do some of your own work on. Also, it's the most affordable as far as later years are concerned. Another factor is that it doesn't seem to be associated with the tuner culture. It's a car for mature people, sorta like the R129.