Similarly, I drove for performance on a daily basis. The car that changed my outlook on driving was...
The 2003.5 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII
It turns out that you can't drive it on public roads (legally) as it was designed, it's inefficient, costly, and not practical. After that, I started to focus on FE.
History: I got my learner's permit at 15 in Kansas. At that time I drove one of my folks' vehicles:
1988 Plymouth Voyager SE V-6 (primary vehicle)
1984 Chevy K20 Silverado 350-V8
1985 Jeep Cherokee Pioneer 4-speed, 4-cylinder (leaned to drive stick on that one).
1988 Olds Cutlass Supreme Classic (RWD, V-8)
First Car:
1977 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme Brougham 4-door Colonnade 350-V8
Later...
1995 Chevy Beretta 3100 V-6, Level-II
1990 Chevy Beretta GTZ Quad-4, 5-speed
1997 Honda Civic DX Coupe, 5-speed
1999 Honda Civic Si Coupe, B16A2
2003 Mitsubishi Evo Turbo AWD
1999 Acura TL Base
Current:
2006 Acura TSX Base Automatic (Wife's Car)
took over her vehicle (original owner)...
1998 Acura Integra LS 3-Door Automatic (see garage)
...and scores of rental cars.
RH77