I have an 04 G35 coupe, auto with slapshift tranny, as my daily driver if I'm not in the mood to drive the 996tt, or I'm going on a rather long/boring road trip, or need the cargo space. I ABSOLUTELY love the G35 coupe. I like the 03/04 G35 coupe better than the G37S coupe I test drove. Exhaust note is fantastic for stock, nice deep growl, its very peppy and has much more response/torque than even the 996tt does immediately from a dead stop (of course the porsche is faster, just doesnt' climb out of a hole in that first .5 seconds as peppy). I also think the power delivery is great, smooth and responsive and torquey. Handeling is fantastic (again of course you can't take corners as fast as the porsche, but its very predictable and a good stiff chassis).

After 04, Infiniti started putting on dinky spoilers, which I wasn't a fan of. Also get the premium wheels and Bose sound system (the sound system is magnitudes better than the crap Bose system in the Porsche). I'm 6'6'' and plenty of room for me.

Anyway, these cars are super cheap, can probably get a clean one for $12k-$15k now fully loaded. Only problem I ever had with mine was new rotors/breaks at 30k miles, DIY with parts on ebay for $225, otherwise problem free. I absolutely love mine and will never sell it.

 

One vote for the lexus is350.

Peppy (300hp) and if its gets a scratch/ ding/ window chip, you won't feel as bad. Virtually no maintence problems and efficient with gas ... I commute 60 miles a day.

 

Didn't read every post, so I don't know if this has been mentioned, but a nice choice that is a little larger and luxurious is an 05 E55. We have the wagon and it is an amazing car. More guts in a hole shot than the TT.

499HP/516TQ.

Overall ours has been pretty reliable, but I would go for an extended warranty. Might be a touch above your range, but worth every penny. Close to a 12 second quarter stock in a 2 ton sedan.

Fantastic sleeper. Overall enjoy it more than my former E46 M3.

That said, my TT is my DD.