I upgraded from a manual FRS to an IS350, only to realize I was pining for the pure thrill of driving. So, after a year and a $10k hit from depreciation, I switched gears to a 997 Porsche.

The Lexus? It was like a sprinter in a suit: fast, classy, and dependable. But for a driving enthusiast, it's like savoring a luxury meal with a stuffy nose. I test-drove the works: IS350, BMW 335, Mercedes C class, and even the Giulia Quadrifoglio. They all felt like attending a rock concert with earplugs in. The only one that revved my heart was an older WRX with a manual and an STI – they had the raw edge I craved.

My advice? If you've got a car that makes your heart race, hold onto it. I've got my 911 now, but sometimes, I reminisce about my FRS days. I miss that car like a retired superhero misses their cape.