Yes...I realize that he wants a newer car...at least in the 2000+ era...that's all fine....
Yes...Z's are very impractical...only 2 seats, leg room from hell, and a gas guzzling RWD.
But...
Age and experiance will speak for a moment...
I live in CT, some strict emmissions and inspections, property tax on everything and of course...it's expensive as hell to live here...
But since I bought the my Z, I have noticed a few things.
A. Property tax is greatly lesser. My 1990 Jeep was $90, my 87 CRX was $20, and the 1995 Subaru Legacy was $180....each year. While the Z was the most expencive car I have...it's property tax is less than $9 a year. In this area, anything over 2000, will prolly be in the $500-1000 range...I'm sure has got his property tax on his new WRX, and I bet it took up a decent portion of one of his pay checks.
B. Pre 1975....NO EMISSIONS OR INPECTIONS. enough said. I can slap in any engine, run no muffler, and have as much rust falling off of it as I want. Cops don't pull me over if they hear me coming. If the exhaust is loud or it smokes more than a chimeny...they don't care.
C. Parts and labor to fix is nearly dirt cheap. Blow an engine, find someone with a good engine sitting in his yard, bought for a case of root beer. PARTS ARE DIRT CHEAP. Plus, the aftermarket for these cars are very readily availible. Anything will bolt into or on it, the can be fabbed to have anything you want to be done to a decent 2 seater sports car.
D. The rear hatch can actually haul a lot of stuff...perfect grocery getter....if you like to speed in style.
E. People come up to you everywhere you go, and actually talk to you about their old Z, Everyone has had one or 12 of them. That will never happen while you drive any other car, even a Vette.
F. You can do anything to them without worry-ing about voiding the warrentee.
G. In the era that it was developed, the designer was actually trying to design a car with european looks but Japanese technology to sell in America.
I can go on and on about it...but for the money, that blue Z has everything I would want in a decent sportscar. Granted, it's not family freindly, but I don't know if the original poster is looking for a family car, or something dependable. If the car was rebuilt properly, and has lasted over 25 years, I bet it will last another 10-15 years. My cars don't last, because I beat the crap out of them. But, when I rebuild them, I focus on the weak spots, and build it better if I can. If any car can stand up to my abuse, then it's a good car. So far for my second vote, I would lean towards a Subarun Legacy...the one I have I still haven't had to drop a penney into it for anything but gas, oil, and taxes.