What I would look for would be a 96-98 Cobra. They can be had for $4000 if the leather and paint are shot but they are still good runners. In really good shape they are around 6 grand, thats what I paid for mine and sold it a year latter for a little more. Car was absolutly trouble free. Kicked down 299 rwhp and got me 25 mpg no problem. The Teksid engine is an unbelievable little engine, one of the strongest aluminum bloks ever made for a street car.
This is what 5-6 grand will get you: