If you had $15,000 to spend on a USED car

[Stage2Sasquatch]

Miata and a MKV GTI hands down.

Still having an absolute blast in my Miata. It's significantly more fun than my GTI now that I've got RE71R's on it.

 

[MonkeyMD]

Since he's considering a dart.

I would say go with a civic si instead.
Better reliability. Better engine. Much better shifter.
Nvh, not so great. Oh well. You can get an 8th gen with money left over for a few years of insurance, or a vacation or a s/c.