My last post failed...

Mazda Miata or Honda S2000 would be my top choices.

1st gen MR2 would be fun

Mustang for something with boundless aftermarket support

Jeep Wrangler for something in the opposite direction/type

Chevrolet SS or WRX/STi Mitsu Evo if you want 4 doors.

I know a guy who does track days and he’s 76. He stretches every morning, and exercises. I’m following his lead. Selling or quitting motorcycles? Not me.

If you must, get something with some power, especially midrange. You’ll need a V8 or boosted 4.

OK you live in Maine, as do I. You need a year round choice. I personally drive an STI. In the summer with decent tires its almost impossible to use the available grip. But in winter with modern wonder snows it possible to drift, slide and just enjoy finding the traction limits etc.
It will be a budget issue but go find a decent WRX and be very happy. year round.

C4 Corvette. The one thing I hate about the newer Vettes C5 and above, is the that they now have the transmission in the end. So to change out the clutch, etc you must remove the whole back-end of the car $$$$. God Bless !!

^^^
C5 is superior to the C4 is too many way to list.

Maybe 2008-10 WRX

As others have said - C5 Vette. Lots of them out there that are in your range that wont have ungodly mileage or ragged out.

I certainly love my '04

Mustang or Vette are great and fun. Parts/aftermarket/power etc. I have an older Cobra. It comes out of storage when there is no more risk of salt on the roads (mid/late May here in ME) and goes away when the same exists on the other end (early Nov.) That's not to say its not entirely enjoyable over the summer but the facts are you get to use it 5-6 months, max.
Get a 4wd fun machine (WRX/STI/Evo/Focus RS/Cooper/Golf) and have year round enjoyment.

No mention of a Nissan Z variant? I’m sure there are 350Z’s in that price range. ~300hp and RWD. It’s an enthusiast’s car, so you can probably find one that has been well maintained.

quote:

Originally posted by ASKSmith:
No mention of a Nissan Z variant? I’m sure there are 350Z’s in that price range. ~300hp and RWD. It’s an enthusiast’s car, so you can probably find one that has been well maintained.

Most of the 350Z around here are pretty ragged. 370Z are usually cleaner but more $$

Infiniti G35/G37 could be a consideration as well.

My buddy has a 350Z Nismo. Showroom clean, but over 100k on it. Like I mentioned, enthusiast cars are typically very well maintained.

Just saw a 2004 MazdaSpeed Miata go for $12,600. 30k on the odo. Good deals are out there, just have to be persistent and act quickly.

I searched for 30 minutes for a 70's El Camino with a 350 and a four speed , a project truck in your price range, and found nothing.

I'll do another plug for a Mustang or a Vette. For the obvious reasons already mentioned.