I bought a 1981 Fiat X1/9 for $1000 (the cost of the stereo equipment in it) after my first Fiero GT was totalled.  It was no where near as quick but it seemed to handle just a bit better.  1.5 liter 4 cylinder and a 5 speed transmission were combined to make this a very fun car to drive.  The thing that I always liked the most about the car was that the tachometer swept counter-clockwise.  If I remember correctly, first gear would get me to 45 MPH.

 

I have never raced an X1/9 but they seem to perform pretty well at the solo2 events that I have seen them at.