Fastest car, for cheapest $

[s0m3th1ngAZ]

monster miata.
small.
V8
parts everywhere.
is beastly

Also requires a s*** of work to get working in a DD manor. Sure you can get it running for "cheap" but to do it right is around $15K for the job. I ain't putting a 5.0 in my miata, LS all the way.

[Jesda]

RWD is kind of stupid in MD for a DD car and no backup... With the random ice storms we get, you won't be able to use it at least a month's-worth of days in the winter!

I'm sure there are many that would be willing to give Stace a ride on bad weather days.

I would, but the top would be down and she might need ear plugs to block out the europop. She might be happier walking.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

FWD:
-Meh, I generally dont like Cobalts but I hear descent things. And the new ones are Turbo > Supercharger. that can always become bigger and better.
- I might get flamed for this but I like SRT-4s. They are reasonably quick from the factory. But with that risk... its a Chrysler product. Be warned.

I was thinking the same thing... Cobalt SS or SRT-4. You could also look into used Preludes.

Seriously though take a good hard look at Torry's G37... he's selling it for an amazingly good price.

[Urabus GodofTraction]

The C4s don't have a good "manual" transmission. The 4+3 is junk.You would have to buy an automatic. Also you have to think about the age. Much more will go bad on the C4 than the C5 and fixing vettes is not cheap.

To get to 400hp on a C4 will require a lot more than 3k...

Not all C4's came with the 4+3 manual, you're thinking of the models in the 80's. 90-96 came with 6spd manuals and the LT1, which the LT1's aren't too hard to make power with either, and they can be had for cheap.

Bingo. Or find an LT4 car...


I'm impressed with somepeople's definition of "cheap"... 370Z, cheap? Damn, Scrooge McDuck!

[AZ89two4Tsx]

Well, if we're just throwing cars out there.....

A modded Mini (turbo gen) would be cool. Don't see too many of those around.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

I'm impressed with somepeople's definition of "cheap"... 370Z, cheap? Damn, Scrooge McDuck!

I was thinking the same thing!

[s0m3th1ngAZ]

Well, if we're just throwing cars out there.....

A modded Mini (turbo gen) would be cool. Don't see too many of those around.

They have held their value extremely well so now they are too expensive for what they are, and an MS3 or Cobalt SS...hell even an srt-4 get's it done better. Teeny 1.6 too.

[GrilledCheese33]

I'm gonna put my flamesuit on, but seriously SRT-4. That is the fastest car for the money, period. Plus it can be made good for auto x and will go good in snow.

[EvoTyler]

FWD:
-Meh, I generally dont like Cobalts but I hear descent things. And the new ones are Turbo > Supercharger. that can always become bigger and better.
- I might get flamed for this but I like SRT-4s. They are reasonably quick from the factory. But with that risk... its a Chrysler product. Be warned.
-Downsides: Understeer. Front tires wear fast.

4WD:
- Evo vs STi. pick or choose. Tons of parts too
- Maybe and old late 90s eclipse??
- Quick off the line and tight around corners. Also, most fun in the snow.
- Downsides: Hard and expensive to work on. A bit heavier. I think I heard a clutch for an Evo was like 10hrs, ugh

SRT-4 keeps getting thrown around. For a few $ more you might as well go with the Evo. They based the SRT-4 motor off of it except mitsu has a lot more powerful and reliable drivetrain. And they're AWD.
AWD I would suggest Evo/wrx/STi. All fast, reliable and easy to mod. Mitsu books 7 hours on a clutch job but I've had 1 done in 4 before.
Audi A4's also a good bet, and more comfortable as a dd.

[Red coupe]

something new and shiny to race around in at SCCA events

Go to any SCCA/NASA event and what will you see more then anything else?

Miata.

It was funny to see the percentage of miatas in the field steadily increase through out the last 25 hours of thunder hill. Towards the end it almost looked like a spec miata race

[themadscientist]

Toyota Corolla


JATO bottle


You be careful with that.

[Koshin]

Built a modest 1g AWD Eclipse....you wouldnt have to finance it and they own

[dasoupdude]

ick. i'd doubt she would want an srt-4, especially since her bf (unless its ex now) has one.

A nice decent little fwd car would be a mkv gti, 1st gen mazdaspeed 3, or 2nd gen rsx-s

rwd - 05 and up 350z, G35 coupe, g35s sedan, 1st gen cts-v, e46 m3, E39 m5

[PEZi]

EVO... STi

if those are too expensive, older bug eye WRX

if i honestly need to explain these, stace, then i dunno what to do with myself

[Razi]

Two fowty wif SR swap!

[PEZi]

Two fowty wif SR swap!

thanks to your stupidity, your car now belongs to me. i will put it up for auction sincerely -pezi

[Razi]

wat!

[danshaz82]

Two fowty wif SR swap!

thanks to your stupidity, your car now belongs to me. sincerely -danshaz

[Razi]

Dude where's my car? -Razi

[numbnuts240]

where's your car, dude?

[themadscientist]

[danshaz82]

wheres his car, dude?

[IanS]

I'm impressed with somepeople's definition of "cheap"... 370Z, cheap? Damn, Scrooge McDuck!

Fine, 350Z

I have a feeling her idea of "cheap" is a far cry different from mine. When I think cheap, I think of a 1988 Honda civic DX sedan.

Stace on the other hand already has a pretty new car, and I doubt she is looking for a downgrade.

The sentra should fetch decent money. Used as a down payment a 30-35K car becomes at the least modestly affordable.

Oh and Dave. You sound more like a girl than Stace does. OH NOES, SNOW IS SCARRRRRRYYYY!!!!

Its snowy and icy for 4-5 months out of the year, I drove my Slammed turbo S14 followed by my S13 coupe for 4 winters collectively. I went places on days when people with AWD cars stayed home. Why, because of snow tires, and car control.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

^That and you had one hell of a beard.

[alms24sebring]

Two fowty wif SR swap!

thanks to your stupidity, your car now belongs to me. i will put it up for auction sincerely -pezi

OOOO, BURN!!

I hate Miats because they are too common. That and I am too tall to fit in one.

I think an older BMW is a great choice too..... Mmm, bugeyes.

It all depends on what you are looking for Stacey

[Koshin]

tell me you dont want this. And they never break I swear. These cars can be so much fun for less than 3500 bucks. Most bang for the buck ever.

[flohtingPoint]

tell me you dont want this. And they never break I swear. These cars can be so much fun for less than 3500 bucks. Most bang for the buck ever.

Crank walk and soft transmissions doesn't count as breaking? =P

[Gaijin]

EVO... STi

if those are too expensive, older bug eye WRX

if i honestly need to explain these, stace, then i dunno what to do with myself

99-00 2.5 RS coupe also

[Zydeco]

↓ This...

[Ace2cool]

http://www.picpile.net/ims/pic_265Q8RL/27262.jpg

tell me you dont want this. And they never break I swear. These cars can be so much fun for less than 3500 bucks. Most bang for the buck ever.

Crank walk and soft transmissions doesn't count as breaking? =P

Crank walk wasn't an issue on the 1st gens.

And I don't think I've ever heard about the transmissions being a major/ common problem with these. I agree with Rich.