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[ndsbass]

well now that ive been driving for a year and a half im starting to look at cars. after sorting through some, realizing a mkiv supra wasn't a realistic idea at all, and confusing mysef many times over, i have come to the xs forums in search of a vast amout of wisdom

my price range: approx 15,000 and down
type of car: either some old american muscle or (prefered) a sport compact (i.e. import) (ya i know that makes no sense, just think of it as opening up the possibilities)
hp: something decent, but not overkill. upper 100s to lower/mid 200s
drivetrain: preferably stick but auto works, RWD is prefered
etc: lots of performance upgrades available

so heres what ive been looking at so far
1. a couple 02-03 mustang gt's (even though i try to stay away, they

pros
-big old 4.8L V8
-RWD, manual
-classic american muscle in a more modern package (that sounded pretty gay)
-cool rear and side styling
-lots of performance parts available
-sweet bullit? rims on both models ive been looking at


cons
-dislike the way the front bumper looks
-parents against v8s (which is stupid since some v6s put out just as much if not more power)
-EVERYONE in my city and at my school has one

neutral
-a little more than i would like to spend but its pretty much in my range

2. Toyota Celica 2000+

pros
-i like the way it looks, especially with a body kit

who here doesnt kind of sort of like that?

-a decent amout of performance parts available
-very cheap
-hatchback trunk

cons
-1.8L inline 4
-seems kinda slow
-FWD

this is all i got right now, if anyone has any suggestions/comments/complaints, please post them

p.s.-please dont try to convince me to get an earlier generation supra, i cant stand the way they look *no offense ubernoob, your supra was still sweet*

[lostboyz]

dont knock the i-4 engines they are pretty impressive

look into a mazda3i or dodge srt-4 both have inline 4's and srt-4 is turbocharged and pretty nice.

[twistedsymphony]

have you considered all wheel drive?

Here are some suggestions:

89-98 Nissan 240sx
+Dirt Cheap
+Rear Wheel Drive
+Loads of aftermarket parts & Japanese parts to swap with everything from bolt ons to complete body and engine swaps available
+pretty unique (I rarely see them around)
-Hard to find (particularly in a stick about 80% of the autos)
-some models arn't the quickest/best looking when stock
STOCK:

With the Japanese S15 Front end conversion


85-96 Nissan 300Zx
+Turbo Motors are fast
+Rear Wheel Drive
+If you look around you can find them for < $10K
+Some models have All Wheel Steering which is friggin cool
+next to the supra it's the epitome of import-tuner muscle
+Lots of aftermarket stuff available
-kind of heavy
-non turbo versions arn't the fastest (though still much quicker then your average sedan)


84-89 Mitsubishi Starion (AKA Chrysler/Dodge/Plymouth Conquest)
+Rear Wheel Drive
+VERY rare
+Dirt Cheap (if you can find them) (the last one I saw for sake was only $1K   )
+Pretty Damn fast Turbo Motor
+Damn cool looking (kind of like a more boxy version of a Porsche 944)
-hard to find
-pretty old at this point
-not to many aftermarket parts due to it's age and rarity, though there are some you can import from Japan


94-99 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR4 (AKA Dodge Stealth R/T)
+Damn Cool Looking
+All Wheel Drive
+Fast
+Decent aftermarket parts available
+Women love this car (I don't know what it is but ever chick I know swoons over them)
-usually a little pricey considering it's age (though still well within your range)
-depending on your area hard to find the VR4 / RT models


90-99 Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX (AKA Eagle Talon Tsi)
+All Wheel Drive
+Awesome 2.0L Turbo Motor
+LOADS and LOADS of aftermarket parts
+Dirt Cheap
-Lots of people have the crappy GS version (non-turbo/FWD)


84-95 Mazda RX-7
+Rear Wheel Drive
+Damn Fast
+Damn Cool looking
+Lots of aftermarket parts available
-Engines have a short life span if you plan on tuning them/beating on them


90-06 Mazda Miata MX-5
+Rear Wheel Drive
+Depending on age well below or a little above your price range
+LOADS of aftermarket parts available
+Pretty quick
-kind of feminine looking IMO
-2 seater ragtop (could be bad or good depending on your tastes)

98-06 Subaru Impreza 2.5RS/WRX
+even the low end/older models handle well (you can pickup a 02/03 WRX in your price range)
+lots of aftermarket parts available. If you get cash down the road you could even do an STi engine swap.
+All Wheel Drive
+/-02/03 models are kind of stupid looking IMO but 98-01 and 04-06 look pretty damned cool.
-only the older non-turbo (read: slow) models are available in a 2 door, all the newer ones are 4 door only

00-06 Honda S2000
+Rear Wheel Drive
+Civic Drivers will kiss your feet wherever you go
+Damn Fast
+Bad-ass looking
+Loads of Aftermarket parts available
-probably a little above your price range
-2 seater ragtop (could be bad or good depending on your tastes)

91-05 Toyota MR2
+MR2 stands for Mid engine Rear drive 2 seater, what's not to love  
+AWESOME handling
+Loads of aftermarket parts
-kind of on the small side


You could also consider European... Porsche 944, BMW 3 series etc. All awesome RWD muscle cars.

[thewickedjester]

Alright, I gotta plug the American cars

Have you looked into a Camaro? If your price range is 15 grand and down, you'll be able to pick up a nice late model Camaro SS, which I have to say are sick. Or you can get like a z28 and have a good bit of cash left over to put into it.

Of course, I love my car, a 96 Impala SS. Sure, its big, its a BIG ASS CAR. But I can carry 5 adults comfortably (and plenty of room in the trunk for the bodies...), decent horsepower (and a engine thats EASY to find parts for, 350 LT1) and good handling (keeping in mind its size of coruse), and you can find one anywhere from 7-12 grand depending on the condition its in. The even cheaper method is to grab a decomisioned 9C1 Caprice (old cop car), get a repaint and a few extra parts on it and you have a slick SS on your hands.

I doubt thats what you are looking for though... I'm betting you want something small and fast no?

[lostboyz]

good call TS on the porche 944 my dad has an 87 german import in our garage with 60k on it. for a four banger it really pushes. beautiful car but depreciating in value (good for buyers). Insurance is.....a little steep if your under 25.

[xboxhackern00b]

I would definitely be looking at the Ealge Talon TSI's those things can haul some serious ass for a minimal amount of money

[Silentscream__]

Whats insurance costs like in the US? here in england insurance on a first car is like, £1000, even £2000-3000 for a first car depending on the engine size and insurance group.

the biggest engine that you can realistically get insured on here at 17 (driving age here) is like a 1.6 or MAYBE a 1.8.

You mentioned getting a celica, my friend got a celica and hes 22 now, only after he turned 21 coul he get insured, even then hes cheating and its his dads policy with him as a listed driver.

[lostboyz]

yea its A LOT easier to get insured here, and cheaper (generally)

[thewickedjester]

QUOTE(lostboyz @ Jun 28 2006, 03:03 PM)

yea its A LOT easier to get insured here, and cheaper (generally)

Yeah, insurance sucks about every little thing of your car though, if its a red colored car the policy costs more, same if its a 2 door, RWD, any designation as a 'sports car' all kinds of stuff like that. But all in all, its not that bad, not nearly as bad as I'll be it is in the UK...?

[Rylinkus]

Without quoting all of what Twisted said.....

I'd be leary of the Mitsubishi 3000GT and Eclipse as they tend to have frsagile drivetrains, engines, electrical, etc.  Add to that the 3000GT is probably the hardest on that list to insure for some strange reason.

The Starion/Conquest is a DAMN cool and rare car, but I'd love to know where you can find one for 1k.

I'd definately check out prices. And test drive cars if you can. Friends'. Ones for sale. Whatever. Make sure you like driving whatever you buy as 10k is a lot to spend on something to regret it a week later when you get to drive something else. I like the 240 and Miata. Fun cars to drive. Even a newer Civic SI would be decent. Or a maybe a Mazda 6? Mazda3/Ford Focus? (They have mazda speed versions and a 6 speed SVT Focus) Ford Lightning? Im sure we could list cars all day long. It really depends on your tastes in looks and driving. (As a daily driver my camaro would BLOW. Occasionally tho it's fun as hell. So if I were driving it every day I wouldnt have bought it. )


Chevy Sprint Turbo??  

[ndsbass]

wow everybody thanks for all the input, especially twisted, that really helps alot, thanks

QUOTE

dont knock the i-4 engines they are pretty impressive

i suppose your right, i cant really say anything about them considering i haven't ever driven one

my band had a show today and one of my friends in another band pulled up in his 02 celica. i really like the way it looks, just wish it wasnt fwd
i suppose i will have to do somemore research before i make a decision, especially with all the new options twisted has opened up. thanks alot for all the help

[thewickedjester]

QUOTE

(I have a 69 camaro ss/rs with a Gm Performance 572 big block... It gets the job done.

I HAVE to see pictures how you stuffed a 572 into a Camaro... I just cant beleive it... I'm not saying your lying or anything, I'm just wodnering how you managed that.

[thewickedjester]

Damn dude, VERY nice. Thats freaking awesome.

[Rylinkus]

QUOTE(garver @ Jun 29 2006, 02:42 AM)

Im going to have to agree with jester. Ive seen some 2000 camaro ss and z28s in black for under or at your price range. These cars are fast and handle very well. I would get one of these any day for that price. But you could buy a older car and fix it up. (I have a 69 camaro ss/rs with a Gm Performance 572 big block... It gets the job done.
)

I didnt want to come off as a Camaro fan boy, but yes, they can be quite amusing.

[xboxhackern00b]

let's see some bigger pics! and of the exterior

[/thread jack]