You want decent power, cheap to modify, rear drive, some cargo space, and don't want to spend too much cash (less than $7K) right? What about a decent late model (SN95) Mustang GT? I'd prefer the fox chassis 'stang, but good luck finding a unmolested one.


Another option, a early late 90's or early 2000's high mileage, but well kept 3 series Bimmer? Though maintainance costs could get you....but so will a SC300's.


Way off the chart, but a viable option for what you are looking for, Maybe you can find one of those Nissan Frontier Crew Cab's with the supercharger, not really that fast, but it meets most all the other requirements you are looking for. Just an idea...probably gets around 20mpg average.


Then there is the 240SX of course. RWD, a bit of cargo space, decent platform to modify. 2nd gen body style will generally be easier to find and less likely to have been ragged out. Plenty of them in your price range. But then there is the whole "being in the scene" part that you might not like about them.


And if you really like the S2000, but can't afford it. Why don't you go out and buy a clean 1st gen (post '03) Miata, and then also get a el-cheap-o daily driver for the same price as one car? Like a nice little used daily driver commuter car. You could have both for $7-8K.

PLUS

= two cars for the price of one.