jpinpb– I’m so sorry to hear about your accident, but I’m glad it sounds like you came out of it relatively unscathed. That is a total bummer about your car. It’s just too bad that you have no way to know how well cared for another 2001 would be (no matter how good it might look). I’ve always loved that particular car.

That said, maybe it’s still worth considering trying just to get back into roughly the same thing (and if you start shopping now, you can use the actual replacement cost in your “dialog” with the insurance company). Sure, it might require more maintenance than something newer (sadly, fairly likely with an Audi, but you know that), but if it’s still paid off, then it’s a lot more tolerable.

Make sure whatever you get fares well in crash tests. Sounds like the Audi took care of you and I don’t know where it falls on the safety spectrum, but that’s where I’d start.

Now that I’ve dispensed with the good advice (because we know nobody really wants to go with that), just go ahead and get yourself a Boxster.

But again, especially having met you, I’m just glad you’re okay.