integra type R.
thats what i say go for, theres a guy on here with a integra type r who has modded it and it hauls,
you can get a mustang gt for under 12k, but it sounds like your a import head so you might not want that
umm... you know for under 12k you can get a 300zxtt if you look around
i've seen plenty were i'm from, your not gonna get a 97 for that amount but its still a 300zx twinturbo
maybe a 90-94
uh..... i don't have any other suggestions.