yes, it's hideously ugly, but my sister's old boyfriend had a 6 spd Z28... like a 02 or something, not convertible, but looked just like the one above.
Anyway, i got to drive it and wow did it put a smile on my face... that thing will push you back in your seat all day in every gear, except maybe 6th... but it's still the fastest car i've ever driven... he had exhaust and a K&N... the car didn't give me a lot of confidence in terms of handling, but just because a car doesn't feel like it handles well, doesn't mean it won't clean up at the track... a GTI would need major mods to come close except in sexiness... you're talking RWD, LSD, and torque out the ass... you don't have to be rich to have a Z28 like that running in the 11's in the 1/4 mile.