Neon's heading into it's last winter

So I'm getting to a crossroads. I've had my Neon for 10+ years now and the calcium and salt are eating it away. I'm sure it's got one winter left - but I need to replace it. I'm doen with my farm tractor payments in the spring next year so I was thinknig a new car. I've never owned one - but they look fun...lol. Initially it was a Dart - then I had somewhat of a midlife crisis and that changed to a Charger RT. I like 4doors.. but now I find I can't get a V8 with a real manual transmission - they all only list the Auto Stik - which I consider an automatic. I want a clutch pedal. I have a close friend who's a dealership GM and she can't get me one either...lol. So now I'm thinking either finding a used R/T with a stick, or perhaps borrowing money to buy something old but very clean/southern, or a new 5.0 Mustang. Those are the choices I've come to. Honestly the Neon is a load - it's got almost 300K miles on it, cracked windshield, rust, fading/peeling clearcoat and paint.. etc. So I could be happy with an old Dart or Aspen with a V8, OD stick, and AC even if it wasn't a great looker. But - whatever I get will be driven until it's rusted so that's a death sentence for any old car.
So what do you guys think?