I see where you are coming from but I was thinking more along the lines of a GTI Golf R. Perhaps a Miata would be more fun but I was not that blown away by it and the other sporty Mazda I test drove back in the day, an RX8. Currently I drive a C8 and that is the best combination of handling and power I have experienced. I would take a Miata over a Mustang 4 banger but not over the V8's especially the new ones which are quite good.