Do not get an e46 m3 under any circumstances. First and foremost, it doesn’t sound mean regardless of what exhaust you have on it. Even the eisenmann race or dixis spirit still make it sound like a chainsaw.

Second north of 100k miles, you’re on borrowed time. Even after the bearings grenading engines (3 of mine) and the service surrounding it, it’s still a crapshoot. You can do way better for 25k. WAY better. You can get into a C4s for the same money with the rms work done and have a better car. I’ve owned and tracked 3 e46 m3’s. I know everything about them. Every nut and bolt. Stay away.

Get a 1960's or 1970's Musclecar, those are a blast to own and drive. My hobby car now is a 2012 Camaro SS Convertible, they are fun too!

You just opened up a can of worms!

You have a huge variety to choose from and it all depends on your taste (new or old) and
if you're willing to do some repair work occasionally. Just like pinball machines!

Modern fun cars are Miatas and BMW Z3's. In your price range you can get a very nice
example of either. Another good one is a newer Corvette. They are the best bargains around
IMO. A bit out of your range would be a -58-'61 Vette with styling that is about the
best of ANY American sports car (IMO).

BUT, if you want to have real fun, consider an older British sports car. Yeah, I know...boo, hiss
from the naysayers but I've been driving and collecting them for 50+ years now and once
you get the hang of them and realize they do occasionally need some work, you'd be hard
pressed to find a more enjoyable and unique ride.

My top choices (from experience): Austin-Healey 3000 or 100-6, Triumph TR-6, for back roads
earlier MG Midgets (pre-1974), Austin-Healey Sprites or MGB's. Jensen-Healey too. Could go on and on
but will leave it at this and see what others have to say.
Steve

Well, mine is this...

It's ridiculously under-rated, with an inexpensive tune it can do 0-60 in under 5 seconds, and can be picked up for a lot less than some of the other stuff you have mentioned. People like to try to compare it to a Miata, but it's really closer to a miniature Corvette. It will outrun and out-handle a Miata all day long.

It also has a big head-turning, what-the-hell-is-that factor.

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I just buy a KTM X-Bow RR the most funny and radical car you can buy, one problem it's the car have no controls and it's very difficult to drive if the driver do not have any notions of sport driving, but it's one of the best purchase of my life.

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P.S. +1000000 for the Miata. It won’t have the sound your looking for but as far as fun goes? Most fun you will ever have on 4 wheels. No traction control. Rear wheel drive. Infinitely Tossable. And cheap as all hell to own and maintain.

Want to race it? Cheap and easy.

Sold my collection of early SS pins in ‘14 to buy this. Now I have the car and 8 pins back. Go with American classic muscle!

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I got a ride in this 68 last night.

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I bought a certified pre-owned Miata last spring. LOVE IT
If you are looking for the break neck 0-60 off the line speed this car may not be it, but it holds its own off the line and is hell of fun to drive. And it’s about as affordable as you can get.

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Beautiful machine.

My problem is at my age I couldn't climb in and out of that thing.

It would be fun !

LTG : )

Cute little piggies.

LTG : )

Apparently your can buy it in the USA. Just not street legal.

Well, with my lottery win. That would last about 5 minutes. Lawyers and money for the rest.

LTG : )

Oh! I din't knew was not legal in USA, in Europe is totally legal.
Here a picture with plates with my wife.

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How about an Alfa Romeo 4C

Best thing non pinball for fun that my wife and I have gotten yet

Sounds ridiculous good and loud like an Italian sports car should, especially with a few modifications, mine is upgraded to do 0-60 in under 4 seconds. Launch control mode, there are a few down sides, but it’s a fun weekend car, don’t need all the luxuries... it turns heads everywhere.

Oh yeah , it also comes in a spider config

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Vette was 25k, targa top. Can get it convertible. Had 6k on the odo.

Camaro is older. Slow as shit. With 25k could buy a solid car for 12, ls swap for another 10 and have a killer sleeper.

No offense to the Mazda people or that saturn...but buy a sports car if you want a loud exhaust and some power. I feel you'll be underwhelmed in anything with a 4 cyl.

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Flowmaster 40’s will make most any big old engine sound badass. Might be able to save yourself some serious cash if that could scratch the itch for you. Then again most pinball people seem to have limitless cash, so go crazy

Go with the Fire Chicken. I've owned 2 '77 Pontiac Trans AM Bandits (special editions) and am looking for my 3rd.

Beautiful machine !

Your first picture I looked it up in case it's a toy I need if I ever win the lottery.

My 1976 Camaro Rally Sport LT I was already having problems getting in and out of. Now 35 years later, my lottery win would be the crane and people to put me in it and pull me out. The rest of the money I'd blow on the lawyers and fines as soon as I get it out on the road.

LTG : )

Jeep ? Nothing beats taking the doors and top off on a beautiful sunny day

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Not practical, not cheap, but fun nevertheless (Z4 M40I).... I never owned a convertible before until last year. With covid, it was my escape capsule for the road to just get out of the house for a bit. I have a nardo grey 3 series for my daily driver...

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We really like our ‘64 Bonneville

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C6 Corvette is a buyers market. Ultimate bang for the buck. You have a lot of choices including soft top, manual transmissions are common and also the Z06 version if you want 500+ horsepower. Stick to 2008 and newer.

Tesla S is the way to go, all electric does 0-60 in under 2 seconds; top speed of 200MPH and a range of almost 400 miles on a single charge. But its a gonna cost over $25K.
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No offense taken, but you could get my car for half the price of your Vette, and be giving up almost nothing but some rear storage space.
Unless you are on a timed race track, you can't tell the difference between a 0-60 time of 4.9 and 5.0.

And TBH, there are so many Vettes around here that (unless it's a C8) no one even pays attention to them anymore.

We bought this SS Camaro a few years back, it the first car I bough just for driving weekends...
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Buy mine!
It‘s actually for sale (8000€ OBO), has a new(ish) engine, suspension and AC.
No shipping.

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I’m seeing late 80s corvettes in nice shapes going for Stern Pro money. Looks like a fun waste of cash!

nice pontiac,I added a 65 to my fun collection.

Recently purchased my weekend fun truck.
Long time coming - Lifted 2015 Tacoma platinum w/supercharger and extras.
Look forward to hitting the trail this summer.
Highly recommend - good luck finding your ride!

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Go with your gut and what gets your attention.

My wife said lets buy a muscle car. I said ok and thought that I better do it before she changes her mind! She wanted a Camaro or Mustang but I wanted something a bit more obscure. Nothing againts Camaros or Mustangs, they are fun, beautiful cars.

I ended up with a Plum Crazy Challenger Hellcat. Love the supercharger whine.

...and it is not a weekend car. I drive it to work too.

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I just got a new BMW Z4 M40i. It's my everyday fun car and checks off all of your criteria. 0 to 60 in 3.9, great sounding exhaust, a shit ton of high tech, a drop top with trunk space, and a bunch of other features...and all for 30 to 40k less than a Porsche. I know...I compared both and loved the Bimmer way more.

F electric cars.

Doesn't meet your 70's/80's criteria, but if you are looking for something sporty and fun to drive you can't go wrong with a 370Z or even a 350Z, and you can pick up used ones at very affordable prices (mine is a couple but you also have convertible options). Spend a little for exhaust and intake upgrades, and they sound great. The sky is the limit from there with upgrading the engine they come with. BTW, not the quickest car, but handles well, quick and fast for the money at around 5 seconds 0-60, and even getting up and well over 100mph is pretty quick.

Here is my 2017 (bought new) with carbon accent upgrades, cold air intake, and non-resonating tail pipes, smoked tail lights, Indy style rear brake light, and powder coated wheels.

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How about a V-10 Viper!!

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I have a BRZ not fast by any mean but a lot of fun to drive and kind of reminds me of a somewhat early RX7 or four cylinder front engine Porsche 944 as far as power and weight.

I also owned an S2000 highly recommended.

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Projects are great but unless you’re very familiar with them, you have a major overwhelming task on your hands. Ask my friend who took 10 years to get his 69 C2 going and had on lift. Finally when it left I got another over for me that’s not a project. Much more fun to just go out and enjoy. Pick your flavor as long as it’s a V8.

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I would avoid older vehicles in your area unless you or a friend are very competent at identifying rust damage during a vehicle inspection. Something to keep in mind is most euro vehicles are more expensive to maintain or require specialized tools if you want to do it yourself.

See if there is a driving school in your area that you and your wife can attend, most offer a variety of cars to drive and it could help narrow down which cars you like.

I think the best bang for the buck is probably a corvette as others have mentioned. When it comes down to it, spend a little more if the right car comes along.

Just get a mustang convertible with a 5.0 and 4 or 5 speed manual all the fun you need on the cheap

Now we are talking. EZ Go golf cart.

LTG : )

This should work.
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Want vs. Need
I have been saying this for a year now. Need and want have become equal.

Can't go wrong with a Jeep. And my exhaust is loud and pisses off the neighbors.
My newest need, and work in progress is a 99 Tahoe 2 door with a loud stereo that also pisses off the neighbors.

Pick up a 2000 to 2004 vette, easy to find for 25k or less. Borla exhaust will make the neighbors hate ya! Had a 2002 a few yrs ago, great car. Or just forget the budget and go buy a Z06, great car!

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