[racer]

How much do C4 gen corvettes sell for these days? can't be much more than 6K can it? Maybe a 1980's Mustang GT?

I think it comes down to the type of class you want to run in (stock? SP? Mod? ST classes? ) there are TONS of classes these days it seems to me. The Miata could be speced out to run in several different classes depending on mods.

Do you want to win your class? contend at nationals? or just have a "beater" you would also enjoy ax'ing?

Civic SI (1989) seems to be a car of choice in STS(?) I have seen several very fast FWD cars, plus they might teach you another set of skills in the process.

I like the MR2 spyder, but near me they are more than $6K.

944 / 924S , in E-Stock, tends to get beaten up by Miata and MR2's.