Another Option would be a Panoz.It's made in the States but is far from anything Resembling what Comes out of one of the Big 3 Factories.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2001-Panoz-Esperante-Classic_W0QQitemZ280036307916QQihZ018QQcategoryZ6472QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

How about Aston Martin of Course those go for $100,000+ unless you buy a Used one.

The BMW 335i Coupe...  starting at $42k on th bottom of your price range.

1. Nürburgring in 8:26...
2. Practical, got a boot, carrys 5... etc.
3. Respectable - yep... even the diesel bit...

How about the Lotus Europa?  I've also always been a big fan of the euro sport sedans.

I'm also looking at getting a new car in the next year or so.  Short list is mazdaspeed3, vw gti, audi a3.

Quote from: ostwayne on October 10, 2006, 02:14:55 PM
I guess the term starting at 66K is a little under market value

what was your friend quoted, out of curiosity?

I thought it was mid 80's...was wrong though-$68k...

Quote from: pantablo on October 10, 2006, 01:25:22 PM

Quote from: ostwayne on October 10, 2006, 09:18:33 AM
2. audi rs4

friend is looking at buying one of these-WAY out of the price range. only 300 of them in the states apparently.

I find that hard to believe, but it would be a great all around car!

Sanjay, I saw that you're in palo alto.
Do you also get sick of all the 3-series bimmers flying around with people that don't really know how to drive them? 
I would pass on the a3, I think for the amount of money that'll set you back, go for a mazdaspeed6... sleeper and it'll KILL those bimmers I'm talking about above. 
gti is nice, but I'd say wait for the R32 (4-wheel drive) if they're still bringing it to the states. 

the evo X looks sweet too, imho.

Pablo, $68K for the rs4??? damn! I wish I were older and had more money...

Yeah there are a lot of bimmers here and their drivers are usually on cell phones.  It's even more depressing when you see the undergraduate parking lot at Stanford lined with them.  Such is life.

I test drove the mazdaspeed6, but it really didn't do it for me.  It looks really good on paper, but when you drive it the 3700 lbs just can't be ignored.  Even when you compare the A3 3.2 (V6 and AWD) vs. the A3 2.0T with front wheel drive, the latter is more fun b/c of the lower weight.  The R32 will basically be the A3 3.2, thought they might bump the new model up to an R36.  Too pricey for me, too.  The mazdaspeed3, though, should be a different story.  Still waiting to hear from dealers about test-driving, but the magazines really like it.  Only downside is crappy mileage compared to the 2.0T from the A3/GTI.  Though not as crappy as the RS4 I saw at the local dealership.  They didn't even let the salesguy I was talking to test it out, since he was relatively new there. 

I REALLY wish the Evo and WRX weren't so ugly (though the Evo X looks better than earlier ones).  I love rally racing (way before Gran Turismo put it on the map in the US) and really like the old rally cars.  But I'm not into the wings and scoops - definitely more of a Q car guy.  Incidentally, I'm going to the SCCA RallyX competition (http://www.sfrscca.com/RallyX/) up at Thunderhill with my old Audi and one of my buddies is taking his mini cooper s.  Should be fun.

speaking of...how about a John Cooper Works special edition Mini Cooper?

The build quality of the Audi and even the GTI cannot be ignored.  The Mazda is total shaZam! compared to the Audi in build quality.  Yeah, thats a harsh statement, but I mean it.

After how amazing my A6 has been, I'll likely never own anything but Audi's.  Granted...its...slower than most 18 wheelers, but that's why I own motorcycles!

-Turd.

Quote from: OctaneMotorsports on October 10, 2006, 04:54:06 PM

8 minutes 30 seconds top, not 8 days and some hours...

http://www.porsche.com/

Quote from: Turd Ferguson on October 10, 2006, 08:59:17 PM
...but that's why I own motorcycles!

That's slower than most harleys! lol

Quote from: Turd Ferguson on October 10, 2006, 08:59:17 PM
The build quality of the Audi and even the GTI cannot be ignored.  The Mazda is total shaZam! compared to the Audi in build quality.  Yeah, thats a harsh statement, but I mean it.

After how amazing my A6 has been, I'll likely never own anything but Audi's.  Granted...its...slower than most 18 wheelers, but that's why I own motorcycles!

-Turd.

Are you talking about fit and finish or reliability?  I am very happy with Audi's interiors and general finish, but I'd say the japanese cars are generally more reliable.  And what engine is in your A6 that makes it slow? 

Quote from: CirclesCenter on October 10, 2006, 09:01:34 PM

Quote from: OctaneMotorsports on October 10, 2006, 04:54:06 PM

8 minutes 30 seconds top, not 8 days and some hours...

Hahaha, pretty obvious joke.

...although I hear Toyota Echos are friggin' mosters!

Nurburgring in a minute flat.

Geo Metro hatchback...but make sure you get the lsi.....it has the 1.3 liter engine as to the .9......its like a five speed go kart!

Whomever said RS4...

Quote from: seaheifer on October 11, 2006, 04:41:48 PM
Geo Metro hatchback...but make sure you get the lsi.....it has the 1.3 liter engine as to the .9......its like a five speed go kart!

A Turtle!!  I've always wanted one to strip and gut, pull the rear subframe out, slap in an FC RX-7 IRS in and run with a GSX1300R engine...or a built B12 engine.

...for those that care that'd make a 1300lb car putting down 165rwhp/98lb/tq with the 1300, or 155ish whp/125ish lb/tq with the 12...

I believe that sports cars should be light and have a balance between power and handling. It's bad if you have a big hulking engine throwing off the weight balance.

Best full out sports cars:
Ariel Atom
Lotus Elise/Exige

Best "practical" sports cars:
BMW M3
Audi TT

Best sports sedans:
BMW 328xi
Lexus IS250 AWD