Hi, I am new to this forum, so if this is the wrong spot for this, I am sorry.

I am going to be 16 soon and I am looking to get a car. I have grown up around Chevy engines and vehicles, my dads side of the family is heavy into drag racing and we are always working on a project here or there. I have a budget of around $6,000 and I would like to get a vehicle that has good handling, fairly good power, and is also reliable. I know that is a hard find at $6000 but it doesn't have to handle or run like a BMW or Mercedes. I have looked into the early 2000s monte carlos and impalas, but the reviews I have read aren't too good.
If you have any advice as to what a good vehicle would be, or even a non-Chevy vehicle, please let me know!
Thanks!