Good First Car?

I just turned 17 and I'm looking for a first car. I'm only going to spend about 10k on the actual car and 2-3k on aftermarket parts. I'd like something fast, 2 or 4 door but I'd like to have a back seat. I don't mind Japanese made cars but I'd prefer something European or American. I've looked into A BMW E30 and a 3000gt VR4 but I'm looking for other options. Thanks.

Honestly, I'd wait a few years on the aftermarket parts. More than likely, the car "cool factor" will change before you're 18 let alone 20. Not to mention that aftermarket parts will affect the resale of whatever you buy, and usually not in a good way.

Both the cars you mentioned have HIGH maintenance costs, not to mention very high insurance costs. Will you be footing the bill for those, or will your parents be helping? If that tab comes to you, you'll really want to reconsider. Believe me... it cost me $175 today to get my Honda towed and have a wire replaced and reattached... and that's for a lousy Civic!

Parents will be covering the insurance and I'll hold off on the aftermarkets but do you know of anything that fits the bill stock?

How about Subaru WRX or Mitsubishi Evo? Even the VW Turbos are fun. You can probably find most of those in the used market, and wouldn't need many mods. I know you aren't so much into the Japanese market, but they're probably in your price range.