In the February 2008 issue of Car and Driver, a Subaru Impreza WRX STI and a Nissan GT-R were tested. The results were really impressive:

Subaru WRX: 0-60 mph= 5.1 sec.; 1/4= 13.6 sec.@ 102 mph (Cost=
$39,440).

Nissan GT-R: 0-60 mph= 3.5 sec.; 1/4= 11.7 sec. (Cost= $70,475).

Just to balance things out, they also tested a Corvette ZR-1. The results were: 0-60 mph= 3.5 sec.; 1/4= 11.0 sec.; top speed= 200 mph+ ; (Cost= $100,00 est.).

 

Two of those cars are out of my price range... but all three would be a joy to ride.

 

The STI's a hoot! I guess to the other thread...if not a challenger, probably one of those. They are built for the sole purpose of FAST, and they do it well. To boot, they handle nicely and get relatively good gas mileage!