Ummm...one suggestion: how 'bout an RX8? I've been looking on and off at these:
-- good hp/ratio; revs over 8,000 RPM
-- 6 speed
-- true four-passenger seating
-- handles outrageously well b/c all weight is between the axles.
-- weighs well under 3,000#; some say 2,700# if not optioned out.
-- Porsche durable if driven like a Porsche - i.e. high revs/hard
-- track day capable
Best part: a racer buddy of mine has another friend who picked his up -- brand new -- for $19K. He saw it in the Sunday new car ads.
Of course there are two caveats:
-- very little torque - hence the need to rev the 1.3 high.
-- V8-style MPG
Anyway, that'd be my choice over a lot of other nice cars.
