[Turbowned]

John, what will you be using it for? Purely for fun or will you need it to get you to school and work, too? If it's just a toy you could think about an older Nissan/Datsun 240Z depending on what they go for in NZ. Around here you can get a nice runner for about $5,000USD. It's like the granddaddy to all Japanese sports cars; simple, light, quick, and has gorgeous styling and serious street cred.

Another "toy" option would be a Mazda RX-7 - I know that Kiwis love their rotary cars, and you should have no trouble finding a rotary specialist that can help keep yours running. They're such great cars, they're just a little too thirsty and unreliable to be a daily driver.

An MR2 Turbo would be another great choice, or one with a BEAMS engine. You can't really drift it like the others (you can but it takes serious, serious skill and practice and most people just don't do it) but it's a great car otherwise. Another great Toyota would be an MA61 Supra. It has a similar power-to-weight ratio as the Toyota 86 and has a classic cool look to it. An AE86 Levin/Trueno/Corolla would be good if you could find one?

A Silvia is always a good choice. Cheap, light, fuel efficient and a great learning tool for a young driver. I'd skip the R33 Skyline as it's too big and heavy, and a non-turbo would be too slow.

How about an E30 BMW? My 1991 318is is a great little car. 2600lbs, 134hp, fuel efficient, has sport seats, a manual gearbox and LSD.

I have owned a 240Z, FC3S RX-7 Turbo, AW11 MR2 and SW20 MR2 Turbo, AE86 Corolla, and E30 BMW and they've all been lots of fun! I've had some very enjoyable late-teens/early 20's years in these cars. I just recommend you buy the cleanest, lowest-mileage example you can find for the money, because you want to be able to spend more time driving and less time wrenching on it. Avoid heavily modified cars, trust me.

Also, I wouldn't get too hung up on "turbo cars have lag" and "turbo cars are unreliable". You'll be missing out on a lot of fun with a mindset like that.

Good luck and let us know what you decide!!