Fastest car, for cheapest $

[flohtingPoint]

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.

You dont know enough 1st gen owners that raced theirs then. Stress those cars and they topple like Jenga.

[Kenrik]

Cheapest would be a 2003 or so 350Z

Evo/WRX/STI

You want a G35 Coupe with 120k on it? I'll sell it for 10k :P

[tigersharkdude]

[sentrastace]

You didn't really state a price range, do you want handling to go with it?

If you want big horsepower, domestic cars are going to be the cheapest way to go. The C5 Z06 Vette should be at the top of the list. Looks, handling, performance. The base model C5 vette is a real performance bargain. Other choices include the last generation GTO (holden monaro), the current generation Mustang GT, the previous generation Camaro/firebird. Big powerful motors.

But since you're upgrading from a Sentra, you might seriously consider a 350z, Infiniti G35 (Torry is selling a nicely setup one hint hint), a Honda S2000, or perhaps a Subaru WRX/STi.

I wouldn't buy anything Torry drove----I know you see how he drives it on the track at the meets! that and i dont like the color. all my cars have to be black

Price range?
eh.
Under 30k
used or new, doesn't matter.

[Eikon]

Ok.. so under $30k gets you payments of about $600/month if you have good credit.. are you cool with that?

Also have you determined what you are going to do with the Sentra? Are you upside down in that car? Are you selling it private party or trading it in.. if so, you'll need to find a car at a dealer that takes trades and will give you a good value.

For under $30k... I could see you in a low mile, fully warrantied Evo X. http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/ ... 58851.html
http://baltimore.craigslist.org/ctd/2127542742.html

[sentrastace]

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

aw, you remember :p

[MinisterofDOOM]

tell me you dont want this

Alright. I don't want it. At all.

[Eikon]

I wish I could buy this car:

http://www.ecarlist.com/showroom/1423/photos/734399#8

[sentrastace]

ok lets narrow it down then:

i dont give a crap about winter driving, it never snows in MD anyway. I also think that people become p****** when it comes to snow driving, its called dont mash the gas and make your tires spin, and your car will go. Like i said, snow doesnt happen all that often in MD and even last year when we had the 3 foot snowpocalypse and i had summer tires with almost no tread, I made it around just fine. phooey.

price range: I'd rather not pay 30K for a car. but if its worth it, i might. so under 30k
no downgrades from the sentra. the sentra is still a considerably new car but i need something stick, and i need something fast.
i'm a sucker for two doors but still love 4 doors.
nothing stupidly old. the oldest i'd take is a nicely done, unmolested S14 with a few perks.

What i've narrowed it down to:

altima coupe
new camaro (only thing is, 30k wont get me the SS, and theres no point in getting a camaro if it isnt an SS)
new challenger (same problem with as the camaro, i want the SRT8, not the silly RT)
05 WRX sti
EVO 7
unmolested, mint condition S14
05 SRT-4 (yes still with the bf who has one, oh wait, he bought another one, so he has TWO and i cant drive either, lol)
infiniti G35 (used). don't think I can afford a nice g37, i feel like that would be my ideal car, honestly.
MAYBE a gto. i'm meh on that car. it looks ok, only thing im interested in is the power but frankly i dont like pontiac.
nothing european....their engines sound like crying robots and aren't the parts expensive?
no miatas. they make me feel tiny. i dont like to feel tiny. i want people to get out of my way when i am driving, not try to squish me.
350 z is a possibility, 370 not sure if i can afford. i'm not in love with 350s like I used to be, i think.
i need something that i can learn to fix/mod myself-thats why i like the sentra, a lot of DIY. don't want to always take it to the shop when i want to mod something.
abundance of not so expensive parts. I'm not talking honda-town (where parts are a dime a dozen), but a step up.
oh yeah, NO HONDAS. i live too close to a hispanic town and i dont want to be mistaken for one, cops love to pull over mexican-ish cars in the area. lol.
thinking about a dodge charger. imagine a chick stepping out of that one? beast.
oh yeah, and all my cars have to be black.

NO COBALTS--they look like poop to me.

A car i need input on: hyundai genesis. everyone keeps hyping it up but frankly, i dont want to drive anything hyundai, even if it looks beast, is fast, and have improved their reliability and reputation. I could be swayed though. maybe i'll test drive it this weekend for fun.

as far as the sentra goes----
selling it isn't going to be easy, IMO.
i dont know whether to sell privately or to the dealer. here is why:
body damage: a front bumper that is ziptied on in one spot
a few dings and minor scratches
front grill was painted black, now chipped in a ton of places
taillights are nightshaded black. need a new pair of those.
no stock wheels---KONIGs are on with a few curb rashes and one is belt pretty s***. oh yeah, and they're painted matte black, and there are signs of wear on those too (chipping, needs touching up)
i should probably put the other crap back to stock? (take off stillen front lip, take off stillen full catback exhaust and replace with stock exhaust, which i DO still have, take out the stillen intake, and then take off the eibach springs and put the stocks back in) that being said, I've had springs for 3 years. im scared to look at the struts. should i take out the HIDs and put stock bulbs?
man it's killing me how much $$$ i put into this car. wondering if anyone will buy the aftermarket parts. prob not. silly b16.
54,000 miles on it for an 07.
owe about 6 or 7 k on it at the moment.

also thinking about getting a beater car for $1000. thinking b13 sentra, like kimberly! lol.

[frapjap]

For under $30k... I could see you in a low mile, fully warrantied Evo X. http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/ ... 58851.html
http://baltimore.craigslist.org/ctd/2127542742.html

Out of curosity, is the build quiality higher on these 'halo' cars than the Eclipse and whatever other craptastic models Mistu has been putting out?

I only ask because my co-workers 2010 Eclipse has some of the worst paint quality (chips easy, crappy clear coat, over spray) I have EVER seen on a car- new OR used. Does this poor engineering carry over to their higher end models?

[sentrastace]

the new evo's are starting to grow on me actually. i could imagine myself in those too.
28K though kind of turns me off for that car. do you think its worth the price?

[frapjap]

the new evo's are starting to grow on me actually. i could imagine myself in those too.
28K though kind of turns me off for that car. do you think its worth the price?

Depends. Whats it worth to YOU? After all, you're driving it more than anyone else ever will be. While its a very neat and advanced piece of machinery, it is still econo car sheetmetal and wheels, albeit with a badass drive train. Still, you've got plenty of pros and cons from storage space for trips (if this is a DD) to egrnomics, fit and finish, etc to consider. Personally, I wouldn't go that far into debt over an STI or Evo. A 15-20k C5 on the other hand...

But if two doors and a small trunk aren't enough to fulfill the need to haul some stuff on occasion, the MazdaSpeed 3 is a very good all around car- FAR SUPERIOR fit and finish to a WRX or Evo, handles better (IMO), and is plenty fast and modifiable to keep you happy- and the whole package can be had certified used on the cheap (8-20k, model year dependent). Another car you should look at is the Volvo C30. IMO, pretty cool machine- pretty quick, nice interior, handles well, and sure to bring plenty of these:
Newer AWD Saabs and Volvo S60R's are fun machines too.

[Kompresshun]

Have you thought about the Cadillac CTS-V's? 4 doors, 6spd manual, LS1, and can be had for well under your $30k price range. The GTO's are an awesome buy in my opinion, every one of them i've driven has been a blast to drive and they're stupidly cheap and easy to mod. I don't like Pontiac either but the GTO wasn't a typical Pontiac IMHO. The G8 is also another awesome buy as well, no bigger than a Charger either, and comes with a 6.2L V8.

Personally, i'm not a fan of anything Mitsubishi, even the EVOs. They're fun when they aren't broken but I wouldn't be willing to risk my money on that. I don't think you can go wrong with a WRX STi though, Subarus can take quite a beating from what i've seen and keep on going. The MazdaSpeed3 is also an amazing ride, or if you can find one, a MazdaSpeed6 is even better(AWD, 6spd, and has the same engine as the Speed3). I think the Hyundai Genesis isn't a bad choice either, from everything i've heard though, stay away from the 4cyl turbo model, go with the V6.

[VMPhil]

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.

No flame suit needed. It is a very fast car for very cheap. I will say though, the Neon SRT4 is better than the Caliber SRT4.

[VMPhil]

I am going to Honestly pick this apart here: see my responses in red.

ok lets narrow it down then:



What i've narrowed it down to:

altima coupe - Poor mans G35. Not a bad car but I wouldnt do it as a hobby modder car

new camaro ( theres no point in getting a camaro if it isnt an SS) agreed

new challenger (same problem with as the camaro, i want the SRT8, not the silly RT) agreed

05 WRX sti - mmm....glass trannies

EVO 7 Excellent choice, you will have to hunt hard for one that isnt beat to s***
mint condition S14 Finding one mint and unmolested is also a challenge

05 SRT-4 If the BF has 2, then skip

infiniti G35 Nice for a show car but a touch heavy for a track car. better of with a (cheaper)350z

MAYBE a gto. i'm meh on that car. it looks ok, only thing im interested in is the power but frankly i dont like pontiac. WHOAAA there. The GTO, Solstice and G8 are not typical Pontiac Products. The GTO and G8 came from Australia (Holden) and the Solstice came from Europe. Those were the last 3 cars that Pontiac made that were any good. (actually they were the last cars that Pontiac sold in general, heh) Test drive a GTO. At least do your self that favor. It is awesome to drive.

nothing european....their engines sound like crying robots and aren't the parts expensive? How the car sounds? depends on what you are driving. an R32 V6 has a nice deep burble. with an after market exhaust it sounds down right good. My 2 liter turbo with a down pipe and Exhaust sounds pretty decent http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=517Q_0aq ... re=related (not mine but its exactly how my car sounds). The Audi S4 exhaust note is muted until you put an exhaust on it. then it sounds sinister....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ixPaxvqBCY as for parts being expensive, yeah kinda. I aint gonna lie. Its more expensive than Honda for sure but its not outrageous. Id say VW parts are on par in price with Infiniti or Lexus.

no miatas. they make me feel tiny. i dont like to feel tiny. i want people to get out of my way when i am driving, not try to squish me. True they are small but they are proper sports cars.


350 z is a possibility, 370 not sure if i can afford. i'm not in love with 350s like I used to be, i think. It sounds like this may be the most viable option for you though.


oh yeah, and all my cars have to be black.

NO COBALTS--they look like poop to me. Agreed but they are one of the cheapest fast cars around

A car i need input on: hyundai genesis. everyone keeps hyping it up but frankly, i dont want to drive anything hyundai, even if it looks beast, is fast, and have improved their reliability and reputation. I could be swayed though. maybe i'll test drive it this weekend for fun. Test drive one for sure. My friend had one and LOVED it.


also thinking about getting a beater car for $1000. thinking b13 sentra, like kimberly! lol. DO IT

[Eikon]

Stacey, Do you have a place to park two cars? Can you afford insurance on two cars?

If the answers to the above are both YES.. Then I would recommend keeping the Sentra as a daily driver and getting a RWD sports car as a fun/party/track car. A C5 vette, a 350z (perhaps with a supercharger), etc.. would be great cars.. You could have them for $15k or less (Hell.. a 350z can be had for under $10k and then you'll have room to modify it.

This way you get the practicality of a solid daily driver in your Sentra. It'll handle snow, ice, etc.. It'll get you great gas milage this summer when gas is $4+ a gallon, you have the room to transport more people and things, and it'll always be running and reliable. Then you can get a great sports car to play with. You won't have to worry about reliability as much so you can mod it as much as you want. You don't have to worry about weather issues and how it will handle the winter mess. You don't have to worry about space, back seats, how big the trunk is etc...

Sure a b13 sentra would get you from here to there (and fun for a little car old car), but I don't think you'll be comfortable in one.. i don't think you'll feel like it will always be reliable as it is old, etc... But I think you'd be better off keeping the sentra..

Plus, you won't have to worry about trying to part out the sentra, fix the bumper and paint it, etc... By the time you are done with that whole process, you're going to get killed on the value. You might as well keep it and use it.

Check out this one: http://baltimore.craigslist.org/cto/2114881161.html

[Urabus GodofTraction]

The STi does NOT have a "glass transmission." The WRX ones are a little weak, but the STi uses a totally different, totally overbuilt (internal oil pump, anyone?) transmission.

This thread is turning into a bit of a joke. Altima Coupes? Wanting people to "get out of the way when I'm driving, not try to squish me"?

Fastest car for cheapest... should have been titled "I want a shiny new car that I can pretend to take to the track."

[Dittoz7]

G8 with Commodore face lift.

[VMPhil]

The STi does NOT have a "glass transmission." The WRX ones are a little weak, but the STi uses a totally different, totally overbuilt (internal oil pump, anyone?) transmission.

That's how they have been described to me by former STI owners. I have heard that the current Gen does not have nearly the same issue.

[Kompresshun]

G8 with Commodore face lift.

^WIN

Or even better:

[S13_love]

Meh, I just skimmed through this thread, but I'm gonna throw this out there just for the hell of it...

How much does a used Lotus Elise or Exige (around mid 2000's) usually go for again?

[VMPhil]

Meh, I just skimmed through this thread, but I'm gonna throw this out there just for the hell of it...

How much does a used Lotus Elise or Exige (around mid 2000's) usually go for again?

well considering that they didnt sell them in the United States until 2004.....?

about 25k for a decent condition 2004 model.

[S13_love]

Meh, I just skimmed through this thread, but I'm gonna throw this out there just for the hell of it...

How much does a used Lotus Elise or Exige (around mid 2000's) usually go for again?

well considering that they didnt sell them in the United States until 2004.....?

about 25k for a decent condition 2004 model.

Ah...Well, I did not know that.

[skydragoness]

Some good ones already mentioned...
but seriously, winter driving on summer tires in a FWD car vs a RWD car is a whooole 'nother story. I love my snow tires.

[numbnuts240]

altima coupe hahahahahahahahahaha
new camaro (only thing is, 30k wont get me the SS, and theres no point in getting a camaro if it isnt an SS) v6 camaro would be a formidable vehicle for the majority of drivers in the country. let's hop right into the v8 with 400+ hp. lmk when it crashes, i call dibs on the engine and trans.
new challenger (same problem with as the camaro, i want the SRT8, not the silly RT) that silly r/t will rape you with a cactus and then come back for 8ths. see my comment on the camaro.
05 WRX sti meh, goof luck finding one that isn't beat. again, can you handle this?
EVO 7 see sti comment
unmolested, mint condition S14 probably your best bet, except finding a clean, untouched one is difficult
05 SRT-4 (yes still with the bf who has one, oh wait, he bought another one, so he has TWO and i cant drive either, lol) you know how i know you're gay?
infiniti G35 (used). don't think I can afford a nice g37, i feel like that would be my ideal car, honestly. i got nothing
MAYBE a gto. i'm meh on that car. it looks ok, only thing im interested in is the power but frankly i dont like pontiac. oh misinformed child
nothing european....their engines sound like crying robots and aren't the parts expensive? i don't agree, but i got nothing
no miatas. they make me feel tiny. i dont like to feel tiny. i want people to get out of my way when i am driving, not try to squish me.
350 z is a possibility, 370 not sure if i can afford. i'm not in love with 350s like I used to be, i think....
i need something that i can learn to fix/mod myself-thats why i like the sentra, a lot of DIY. don't want to always take it to the shop when i want to mod something. you're looking at cars with v-engines and turbos, it's going to take a long time before you learn your way around the engine bay, never mind start fixing stuff.
abundance of not so expensive parts. I'm not talking honda-town (where parts are a dime a dozen), but a step up. get a 240
oh yeah, NO HONDAS. i live too close to a hispanic town and i dont want to be mistaken for one, cops love to pull over mexican-ish cars in the area. lol. i did not realize md was over-ridden with low riders and pintos...
thinking about a dodge charger. imagine a chick stepping out of that one? beast. because everyone else's view of you and what you drive is oh so important when choosing a car
oh yeah, and all my cars have to be black. maybe this is why you and your white bf have so many issues. he feels inadequate.

NO COBALTS--they look like poop to me. finally, we can agree

A car i need input on: hyundai genesis. everyone keeps hyping it up but frankly, i dont want to drive anything hyundai, even if it looks beast, is fast, and have improved their reliability and reputation. I could be swayed though. maybe i'll test drive it this weekend for fun. v6 or bust

imho, get an s-chassis and keep the sentra. learning rwd will be enough without adding huge power.

[RicerX]

Surprise a Mazdaspeed 3 or 6 haven't been brought up. MS6 would probably be perfect. AWD, 260(ish)hp stock, and can be found in the low 20s used. Sounds like a good bang for the buck and could be thrown into the mix with the Evos and STis. Only reservation about the MS3 is, for some reason, my insurance quote on it was atrocious. A G37S coupe was cheaper.

I've been finding 08 model G37s coupes used around $26,000 around the 30,000mi mark. While we could speculate all day, your definition of cheap is important. Someone was throwing around a 370Z as an idea, and that car isn't considered cheap by like 98% of drivers.

[sentrastace]

The STi does NOT have a "glass transmission." The WRX ones are a little weak, but the STi uses a totally different, totally overbuilt (internal oil pump, anyone?) transmission. STi is one of my top 5 choices

This thread is turning into a bit of a joke. Altima Coupes? Wanting people to "get out of the way when I'm driving, not try to squish me"? sorry about the fact that i dont want to get smushed by a tractor trailer in a miata on 495 because they drive like ***holes out here and end up dead.

Fastest car for cheapest... should have been titled "I want a shiny new car that I can pretend to take to the track."

you don't have to be mean about it, you guys asked me to be specific after my initial post so thats what i'm doing--i'm also ensuring that I get the car that makes my heart go thud and doesn't make me regret spending the money--I made a mistake when I bought this sentra new from the dealer and i don't want to make the same mistake again, thats all.

i think altima coupes 3.5 v6 are decent after some mods aside from the fact that they are heavy. i also like the way they look. i also have a natural inclination to stay within the Nissan family because they have ALWAYS been my passion and I want to stay connected w/ the NICO community. problem?

shiny new car, yes, everyone likes things that are shiny and new.

"pretend to take to the track" <---no, ACTUALLY take to the track--but thanks for trying to belittle a girl for doing some shiz she actually likes.

anywhoo-----

yes I can afford to have two cars/have the space for them starting in the spring. Keeping the sentra seems like a smart thing so i dont beat my new car to hell. i'd also like to save for a house though so thats why selling is a priority. also going for my masters and grad school isnt cheap

[sentrastace]

I am going to Honestly pick this apart here: see my responses in red.

THAT was awesome. I appreciate you taking the time to do that <3 <3 <3
was a lot of help.

[sentrastace]

altima coupe hahahahahahahahahaha
new camaro (only thing is, 30k wont get me the SS, and theres no point in getting a camaro if it isnt an SS) v6 camaro would be a formidable vehicle for the majority of drivers in the country. let's hop right into the v8 with 400+ hp. lmk when it crashes, i call dibs on the engine and trans.
new challenger (same problem with as the camaro, i want the SRT8, not the silly RT) that silly r/t will rape you with a cactus and then come back for 8ths. see my comment on the camaro.
05 WRX sti meh, goof luck finding one that isn't beat. again, can you handle this?
EVO 7 see sti comment
unmolested, mint condition S14 probably your best bet, except finding a clean, untouched one is difficult
05 SRT-4 (yes still with the bf who has one, oh wait, he bought another one, so he has TWO and i cant drive either, lol) you know how i know you're gay?
infiniti G35 (used). don't think I can afford a nice g37, i feel like that would be my ideal car, honestly. i got nothing
MAYBE a gto. i'm meh on that car. it looks ok, only thing im interested in is the power but frankly i dont like pontiac. oh misinformed child
nothing european....their engines sound like crying robots and aren't the parts expensive? i don't agree, but i got nothing
no miatas. they make me feel tiny. i dont like to feel tiny. i want people to get out of my way when i am driving, not try to squish me.
350 z is a possibility, 370 not sure if i can afford. i'm not in love with 350s like I used to be, i think....
i need something that i can learn to fix/mod myself-thats why i like the sentra, a lot of DIY. don't want to always take it to the shop when i want to mod something. you're looking at cars with v-engines and turbos, it's going to take a long time before you learn your way around the engine bay, never mind start fixing stuff.
abundance of not so expensive parts. I'm not talking honda-town (where parts are a dime a dozen), but a step up. get a 240
oh yeah, NO HONDAS. i live too close to a hispanic town and i dont want to be mistaken for one, cops love to pull over mexican-ish cars in the area. lol. i did not realize md was over-ridden with low riders and pintos...
thinking about a dodge charger. imagine a chick stepping out of that one? beast. because everyone else's view of you and what you drive is oh so important when choosing a car
oh yeah, and all my cars have to be black. maybe this is why you and your white bf have so many issues. he feels inadequate.

NO COBALTS--they look like poop to me. finally, we can agree

A car i need input on: hyundai genesis. everyone keeps hyping it up but frankly, i dont want to drive anything hyundai, even if it looks beast, is fast, and have improved their reliability and reputation. I could be swayed though. maybe i'll test drive it this weekend for fun. v6 or bust

imho, get an s-chassis and keep the sentra. learning rwd will be enough without adding huge power.

OH tito, how I have missed thee and thy smart-a** answers

[VMPhil]

I am going to Honestly pick this apart here: see my responses in red.

THAT was awesome. I appreciate you taking the time to do that <3 <3 <3
was a lot of help.

Im always willing to help a fellow enthusiast.