I say if you love the C32 and so as your wife. Give your C32 to your wife and buy Jake's (Loungn14) C32 with all the goodies already installed, it's also in your price range. You'll definitely will have the fastest C32 in this forum.

 

It is really tough to match, let alone beat the performance and quality of the C32 at the stated range of $20-25k. I can offer my comments and 2 cents on cars I looked at before the C32 or would consider for replacing the C32.

Jaguar - Drive it and you will understand that it is a pretty Ford, POS. Better than the older Jags but not up to the standards of even an Audi. Forget it.

E55 is one of my top choices. Good handling and better power than C32 Winner!

SLK32 - looks and performance

SLK55 - Looks performance and a better sound track than the 32, lol

BMW M3 E46 - nice car with nearly comparable power and better handling.

BMW Z3-M I can find low mileage versions of this little hottie in the $15-18k range. Stick shift is a plus to me and I like convertibles.

C63 - more pricey but a nice ride and one on my "Future Car" list.

S2000 - a very underated sportscar in every way comparable to the Porsches in handling. A well prepped S2000 can keep pace with a C32 on a road course, but not in a drag race. Still it is not slow and is NOT a chick's car.

Any Porsche (as long as it does not have 4 doors, lol) - Most will cost more but even the older P-cars are fabulous handlers and have magical properties. 944 Turbo, 928 S4/GT, Well cared for older Carrera, etc.

S4 V8 6 speed - Red or Blue sweet

Lotus Elise - Toyota reliability with exotic sports car panache and handling. The only British car that I would have besides the Exige. Uncomfortable as hell and completely impractical. Only makes total sense on a race course. Great fun in a package as fast as the C32.

CTS Spec-V I would have to drive one to be serious first

CL600/CL65 TT - These are much more costly and complex/costly to maintain/own/mod, but if you have the jack they are a clear step up to the C32 without giving up performance. Again, it is necessary to drive one. I drove a V12 SL600 before I got my C32 and was badly disappointed. Heavy, slow (compared to my C36 AMG) and ill handling.

AMG sorta spoils you for the other Benz models if you value total performance over styling and comfort. My only two complaints about the AMG's are lack of 6 speed manual trans, and the plain jane styling compared to say an M3. I love the E92 M3 but it is way outside the price limit today. I love the E46 and they are an option. The power requires more work to access and the easy, massive torque of the kompressor engine make the C32 tough to replace.

Irish

 

I guessing the SL600 you drove was just the 6.0 V12 all motor with 389hp and 420ft-lbs , what year SL was this you drove that's slow? 03+ SL600 would make a lot of cars look very bad as it runs the V12TT with an underrated 493hp and 590ft-lbs.