old guy needs fun modern-ish driver

You never really mentioned a budget, but my mindset is in the low teens.

‘03-04 Mustang Mach 1 - Really good blend in styling between nostalgia and what was modern at the time. They’re limited production and sought after so the value isn’t going to go down. They get a lot of the Cobra bits without the Cobra price. Respond really well to mods. Did I mention you get to stare at a shaker through the windshield?

‘04-06 Cadillac CTS-V - Good looking car, reliable LS power, cushy ride with 4 doors and a clutch pedal. They have some weak links, but if you’re not beating on it constantly I don’t think it’d be a big concern.

‘05-06 Pontiac GTO - Basically all the same points as the Cadillac, but 2 doors. Really comfortable interior, don’t see them a lot so they still turn heads, same LS2 as the Cadillac (2004s have an LS1, still a good car).

The 4th gen Camaro/Trans Am would be in this range too, but in my opinion they’re a lot more dated than the cars mentioned. Still a riot and huge aftermarket, but they didn’t really age well as far as the interior and whatnot.