So, why don't Germans like the 996 or Boxster?

[Wellardmac]

Your comment about that Audi doesn't surprise me - although I must say that owners I know have mixed reviews with the regular run-of-the-mill Audi, so I recently decided against buying one.... I have one friend who constantly complains about squishy brakes and another about electrical problems.

I would expect the BMW to be awesome on the autobahn. In fact friends recommended I rented one of those for the reasons that you suggested.. I don't know.. I'm not a speedfreak, but it would be nice to drive a version of my car on the roads that it was designed for. I'd like to do the Treffen at some point, but that's an expense that I'll defer for a special occasion. I like the BMW trip suggestion. I work with a supplier based in Austria and my contact was hopeful that I'd get to visit their facility in Austria while I was over there... he also recommended the route you mentioned and said that the roads were fun and quiet.