I flew in the Skysport Bulldog G-CBCB, on sunday, curtesy of FNG, and i can confim that it is a LOT nicer than your average pa28, not much different to fly (CS prop, but that needs about 5 minutes training to get used to) but nicely aerobatic, cruises at about 110 - 115 kts, but feels nicer, having a stick.
I dont think that skysport are hugely expensensive either at ~£100/hr tacho wet.
If you fancy ex mil jets though, North Weald seems to have more than its fair share, I'm sure a poke around the notice board there would reveal a few jems for those deep of pocket.
There is also the option of the T67M firefly, i'm not sure if its ex military, as they were owned by a private contractor, but they are nice to fly, a little sluggish in roll, but with fully inverted fuel/oil systems, you can cruise around inverted, should you ever wish to experience the c150 'cant see whats above me' feeling, without having to fly a cessna
Also (I know i harp on about them a lot) the cap 10b, which is used by the froggies as an ab initio trainer for their navy pilots, which is an absolute delight to fly, and is the aircraft that i did my ppl in. It has a brisk 1200fpm climb, but is a taildragger, which may take a little longer to learn to fly. The Sherburn Cap is only £95/hr to hire, and with a 130kt cruise, makes it hardly any more expensive per mile to hire than a PA28, but while being hugely more fun
One of skysports bulldogs G-CBCB with FNG at the wing, with the Sherburn in Elmet Cap10b G-GDTU in the background, taken at Bourn last Sunday
Or how about a YAK 52, certainly different, and ive yet to see anyone climb out of one without a grin on their face. Its quite high on my 'like to fly' list, but ive heard is a little thirsty with its 360hp radial engine.