First off, sit and drive as many different se7ens as possible. even inside the different makes, there tons of uniqueness from car to car. Then plan out ur desires. Then save. save some more.
1. If ur prepared to take a hit or modify ur purchase, a 20-25k starter se7en is the way to go.
2. U may find urself married talking that way.:dupe:
3. lose the pets idea unless u like trailering. I wouldn't be taking a passenger and a canine out in a miata or Z3/4, let alone a se7en. if touring in that fashion is neccessary, a 4 seater converible is a more viable solution. Think Toyota Solara, BMW 3 series, Audi A4.
A se7en is minimalist to the maximum. This past weekend I was driving w/ a sleeping bag bungeed to the rollbar. And the weekend ONLY was autoX and work. If I wish to get away for a week I can load up my 7, and fit a good deal of crap into it, but there are plenty of sacrifices of what does not get taken compared to if I was going in my wagon.