like holmes said before, brand new you're pretty much limited to a new mustang (take a look at the Bullitt...they are sharp) or an f-body (camaro or firebird). you can get a used vette for around that but then you have no room for the babies that you and your woman will be having within a year or two. you could hold out for the 2003 nissan 350Z that should hit dealerships around august, but then you're up in the 30K+ range but you'll have about 280 horse. again, no backseat in that mofo either.
honda S2000? 240hp in a roadster, i believe it's rear wheel.
anything else is pretty much going to leave you in a 4-door sports sedan with a 6 cylinder/turbo 4. like corn said, either an acura CL or TL type S will give you around 260hp and decent handling. you're a bodybuilder with extra test so please rule out an eclipse. i have a new maxima so of course i'm biased, but it's a heck of a car for the price(you can get one for around $25K)...255hp and a 6 speed. yum. bmw is always a nice car with good power and a hell of an interior, but that's out of your price range unless you're looking at used one. jetta vr6 is a cool car with decent power.
i think you should go with a white volkswagon cabriolet. have the dealership specially install the little flower vase that the bugs come with.