The Quest For The Inexpensive Drivers Car

I think I've been bit by the driving bug.

Yeah I know that "driving" is such a broad term but I'm talking about the real kind of driving. Cruising around for the fun of it... accelerating away from lights and around corners... Actually, one of my favorite moments while driving is that merge area from the on ramp to the highway. Dropping it down a gear (or two) and stepping on the loud pedal… ooohhhh yeah!

I don't want to be sitting in the seat a boring metal cage but rather be part of something exciting. I want a car that feels awesome even when sitting motionless in traffic. Do I need to spend a lot of money? I'm thinking no, but I aim to find out.

Note: I'm not in the position to buy at the moment so I'm really just window shopping. Which to be honest, is the best kind of shopping!

What's on my list? Well, I'm open to a lot of things actually. Recently I've been leaning towards some older British roadsters but that's probably because it's Summer now. Although I do love a wooden steering wheel.

Generally, if it has a manual gearbox and was designed for spirited/emotional driving, I'm in. So right now, my browser history contains searches for the following: Triumph Spitfire, Alfa Romeo 1750 GT Veloce, MG, 90's Mazda Miata, '88 BMW 535i or M5, '90 Saab 900… you get the idea.

Oh and it's worth mentioning that I was looking at some older muscle cars but with gas prices the way they are, I opted to pursue the "less is more" school of thought. I also don't have the need to be the fastest on the road, I just want to enjoy myself. 

It seems that my peers (twenty somethings) look more at flash and features and less on feeling when picking out a car. I'm looking for something that is just good plain fun. 

Did you have or do you currently have a car that you're in love with? What draws you to that particular car?