Oh Boy! Another What Car Thread! (Somewhat Hypothetical)

So my current plan is to sell my RX-8 next spring. The car has turned into a track/fair weather vehicle and I don't want to keep making payments on something I don't drive that often. This winter, budget and time dependent, I want to build a streetable track car, emphasis on track, since I have a good DD now. Let's set a ballpark price of under $10k. I also want this car to have some horsepower. I've been driving momentum cars forever. I'd like one I actually have to manage throttle a bit more on corner exit, yet still handle like a momentum car, be light, and easier on consumables (and, yes, I realize speed = more consumables). Obvious answer is V8 Miata. I am also pretty involved with the local Porsche club so a 944 or 911 of some sort is on the table as well. I wanted to get other ideas as well. This car will have a full cage and minimal luxuries, yet still be "comfortable" enough not to completely kill me on the street driving a couple of hours to tracks. Truck and trailer are not options currently.

1. LSx Miata
2. LSx 944
3. I5 Turbo AAN 944
4. E36 M3 + (Turbo or LSx?)
5. ???

...and GO!

C4 Corvette, Turbo Subaru Powered 914, F2t Miata, LSx in the RX-8 you already have, MR2 Turbo, whatever comes up on craigslist when you search "swap"

I like the LSx in the current RX-8 idea.

Combo shuffle: put the Renesis in a 914 and an LSx in the RX8!

I love the idea of the LSx in my current RX8, but I'd still be making payments on it. Goal is to get something with no payments on it too. Maybe an older RX8, but I don't care for the looks of the Series 1 cars.

car + track suspension + track brakes + track wheels/tires + track safety equipment + complete LSX drivetrain = <$10k?

...That seems a bit optimistic to me.

In reply to Driven5:

Optimistic? Yes. Doable? Maybe. This is the reason I'm asking for other options. This is the land of <$20xx cars that could possibly work but with a bigger budget. What things am I missing?

I'd also love to do a Mid-lana, but that is considered open-wheel and the club I instruct with doesn't allow open-wheel cars. I will be doing the labor myself. This will all be parts cost.

I'm not opposed to oddball ideas either Just no zambonis.

Trash the RX8 for the insurance money, buy it back, put drivetrain in small convertible of your choice.

In reply to NONACK:

I said oddball, not illegal

lsx pinto

Here's the donor for your swap.

In reply to CGLockRacer:

Details...

Really though, my recommendation is either something with a swap already done- then you just have to sort it, and someone else has incurred most of the parts cost.

LSX FC RX-7

foxbody mustang

If you want a track car, hardtop might be the answer. I like the v8 FC, v8 280, turbo e36 325, subaru 2.5rs with a wrx/sti swap, 4th gen corvette wish a motor swap, s13 with a v8, sc300/sc400 with a manual swap and possibly a turbo. Ford fiesta with a turbo duratec?