Most of these race series don’t allow you to run antifreeze in the radiator. Water only.

Skip Barber class was amazing for me - definitely provides you with a good framework! I did the 3 day class and once doing LeMons racing I was the fastest - and least abusive to the car- of all of the drivers on our team, most of which had been “racing” for over a decade.

It took us ~$6000 to go from nothing to our first race - car, gear, entry fee. Split 4 or 5 ways it’s still expensive, but not out of the realm of possibility. Or, alternately, you can do an ‘arrive and drive’ - there are always teams looking for additional drivers.

I did one of the Street Safari events in the US (Big Apple to Big Easy - B.A.B.E. Rally) - it was a TON of fun. I think that Street Safari is based out of Europe - they have a “Staples to Naples” event. Not sure if they still exist though. Not a race, but a rally.

2015 Forester Premium can be had with a Manual and Sunroof. Got one myself, and while it’s not quite as torquey as I would like(compared to my 2004 Honda CR-V w/ Manual), it is a pleasure to drive and gets great gas mileage!

Biggle’s adventures in Time?! I didn’t know anyone else on the internet even remembered it :)

Worse than that - he was freed, although suspended by a rope system... Then it failed, causing him to get stuck again!

I was searching just to recommend this. I loved this as a kid.

So, I'm way under budget, but how about these two...

This is the saddest similar story I've ever read:

Buying a Fairmont? Just look for some rednecks and a junk yard. I bought one for $500 to participate in the BABE rally. '79 Fairmont Wagon with mid-80s-ish Mustang GT internals. Quite a blast!