I’m not looking to go over $800/mo and $0 down. I don’t need more than 2 seats, don’t need more than 3,000mi/yr. Not interested in an SUV or a Camaro/Mustang/Challenger/Charger.
What’s the most fun / best bang for the buck I can get?
Get the z4s that the brokers are trying to sell at 24%+ off
BMW M2 or M240i. Not sure you can get the M2 for $800 though.
That grey M340i that @IAC was blowing out should be like $800 after taxes.
Any performance EV.
Go electric or go home! 
there are z4s new at 24% off? dang are those the 4 or 6 pot?
The two I saw are the 4cyl
540i just as good 
Integra Type S - https://omegaautogroup.com/lease-deals/2024-acura-integra-cvt-type-s-lease-deal/
Looks like the RS3 is out of your price range.
Audi S3 is probably fun, (https://omegaautogroup.com/cars/?jsf=jet-engine&tax=car-model:31) but I would say the S5 is just going to be much more comfortable in SoCal traffic.
Audi S5 Sportback - https://omegaautogroup.com/cars/?jsf=jet-engine&tax=car-model:5540 - probably my pick. It’s quick, comfy, and just a nice car. Top speed of 174mph without the speed limiter.
X5M is what i would get
A “driver’s car” to me is something light, tossable, preferably manual transmission. I’d say GR86, GR Corolla, Z, Miata. Supra 2.0 if you want automatic.
Just buy WRX limited. Great drivers car. You will sell it 3 years later, your monthly will come out to around $450-500.
I might have another one to blow out. 
buy a used cayman or 911 at the bottom of the depreciation curve. leasing isn’t worth it with such low mileage/year reqs
Thinking about this - I used to have a 2014 981 S that I loved. Concerned about costs of ownership for an out-of-warranty Porsche though. Maybe that’s misplaced.
Might or do?
Manual VW GTI
Too many options, head’s going to explode…
Ok… do you drive stick? These 3k miles, are they canyon carving, cruising down PCH, a little Sunday morning auto crossing with a car club? Do you kick the tail out here and there, or are you a “TC stays on” kind of guy? Is this a year round car, and if so what’s the weather? Are you open to used (and financing I’d assume)? Are you particularly tall?
I’ve got a half dozen cars in mind, nearly all of which I think disappear when you answer the above.
Prefer paddles as this is will be my daily in addition to some canyon miles. No drifting/over the limit driving or track time. Year round, Los Angeles. Open to used. 6’5".
Ok, so that blows my first choice, which was to get a a used BMW 1M with mid miles, drive it for a few years and then sell it for what you bought it for. 981 Boxster Spyder ditto, though used Porsche prices seem due for a correction.
You’re tall which is going to skew German. How do you feel about an i4 M50? I wouldn’t normally count it as a weekend car, but it’s fast and nice and likely in budget. Or is noise important?