s2000 is very common around here...
Also, the lack of tq would make me want to punch babies if not at full tilt all day long.
Mercedes are all auto, so that sounds equally as awful as no tq.
I'd do a 335 manual out of the cars you mentioned. Maybe a g8 gxp, e46 m3, e36 m3, b8 s4, or a brz/frs and some mods, etc.