What car advice - 2+2 coupe/cabrio, manual, engine sound

[flatso]

Looking for the "fun car" to be used on the weekend. Because of the baby it needs to have a halfway decent rear seat. Manual tranny is a must as well as an awesome engine sound. Obviously a V8 is on top of the list, but the 2+2 and manual really limits the choice. Budget would be around 10-15k.

Audi S5: the 4,2 is a great motor, but quite afew of the around, still a nice looking ride.
Maseratti 3200 GT: a bit scared of the maintanace costs
Jag XK: only comes with an auto box.
6er BMW: not sure about that rear end; sometimes I like it and sometimes I just have to shake my head. Sleek, elegant is definately something else.
Merc V8's are all automatic.

6-cylinder:

911: the 996 is in for the price but some of the issues I've been reading about put me off.
3-er BMW: not really exiting to look at.
Alfa GTV with the Busso motor: looks amazing, sounds even better, cheap...how is the handling?

Greatful for suggestions.

[flatso]

I live in Switzerland and unfortunately we do not get the VXR8 on the continent. RHD is not an option!
The RX-8 ....the engine sounds a bit like a lawnmower? Are there any aftermarket options for this?

[flatso]

Lawnmower was probably the wrong analogy, meant to say vacuum. It just does not sound gutsy. Smooth yes, but not hair-raising growl.

[flatso]

Orgasmic whale sound? A Humpback most likely:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAbRG7BFo6k

The 928 is a good shout.

[flatso]

Anyone have any experience with older generations of Camaro's and Trans Am's?