Fastest car, for cheapest $

[sentrastace]

Serious query here guys----
what is the fastest car, for the cheapest dollar?
Something reasonable that I can finance and afford. (Otherwise I would've bought a GTR and called it a day)
I want the sentra gone by the spring so I can have something new and shiny to race around in at SCCA events and bring to meets.
Oh, and please justify your answer...dont just tell me the car and then expect me to buy it. I want to know why it's so damn good.
Oh, and nothing automatic. Stick please.

ok?.............
go!

[AZhitman]

C5 base model. They're cheaper than a new Sentra by far, reliable, 6-speed, and make stupid power all day long.

Oh, and you can visit the 400whp club with about $3K in mods.

If you want to stay in the Nissan family, I'd recommend an early 350Z or G35 (base) - I'm seeing them cheap as well.

[snwbrdr435]

^ Yep

[Kompresshun]

^X2

'04-'06 Pontiac GTO's can be had for a fairly reasonable price too, they're fun cars as well. '05+ Mustang GT's can be found a good deals too, at least in my area. I've seen '05-'06's for as cheap as $6,000 and seems like you can pick them up for less than $15,000 if you shop around. Honestly though, I would go with a C5 Vette, GTO, or a 350Z if it were me.

[tigersharkdude]

1998-2002 Z28/SS Camaro or Trans Am/WS6/Formula
Late model GTO with an LS1 or LS2
97-04 C5

All 3 have an LS motor and can make good numbers for little money. My buddy had a goat. Dumped $3k in it and put down ~429whp
A cam and tune alone are a great bang for your buck on these motors

[VMPhil]

Fairly new.....Turbo Cobalt SS.
Pros:
- 260hp out of the box
- Factory tuning options
- Great suspension setup
- used to about be 23k when new

Cons:
-Rental Grade interior

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/car ... ive_review

Or

A used as F&*%, a Fox body Mustang with some engine work.
Pros:
-Plentiful
-Lots of after market support
-Cheap as hell

Cons:
-probably beat to S*%^

Sick of the Sentra Stace? A used MKV GTI can be had for about 15k. Tuning options are plentiful and easy. You can squeeze about 280ish hp out of the stock turbo before a new setup has to be bought.

[Jesda]

Primary transportation, SCCA, snows in Maryland...

I'm going to have to go with Cobalt SS as well.

[Urabus GodofTraction]

C5 base model. They're cheaper than a new Sentra by far, reliable, 6-speed, and make stupid power all day long.

Oh, and you can visit the 400whp club with about $3K in mods.

Why stop there? C4! They're at the bottom of their depreciation curve, actually look great with modern wheels, and can still make stupid-big power.

Also they'll be appreciating over the next few years, a nice thing to have.

Also LOL at "finance and afford."

[Jesda]

Most banks will be unwilling to finance a C4. Insurance on a C5 might be a bit high for her age.

[CSLAVE]

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...

[VMPhil]

audi s4 and then mod with chip and more. will get you easy 400 hp for cheap

are you talking about a B8? cause that aint cheap (its also the car im looking at next ). If you are talking about the B5 Biturbo I wouldnt do it. Lots of problems.....

[flohtingPoint]

S2000 B-stock build (shocks, spare set of stock sized wheels, tires, catback, air filter, front sway, that's it). Competitive car in a competitive class. This is what I'd go with. If you can find a S2000 CR (club racer) model, that'd be the most optimal one.

[krash]

S2000 B-stock build (shocks, spare set of stock sized wheels, tires, catback, air filter, front sway, that's it). Competitive car in a competitive class. This is what I'd go with. If you can find a S2000 CR (club racer) model, that'd be the most optimal one.

[IanS]

370Z

They look great, are way faster then the sentra, and will be tons of fun to drive.

[Bubba1]

Serious query here guys----
what is the fastest car, for the cheapest dollar?
Something reasonable that I can finance and afford. (Otherwise I would've bought a GTR and called it a day)
I want the sentra gone by the spring so I can have something new and shiny to race around in at SCCA events and bring to meets.
Oh, and please justify your answer...dont just tell me the car and then expect me to buy it. I want to know why it's so damn good.
Oh, and nothing automatic. Stick please.

ok?.............
go!

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.

[VMPhil]

S2000 B-stock build (shocks, spare set of stock sized wheels, tires, catback, air filter, front sway, that's it). Competitive car in a competitive class. This is what I'd go with. If you can find a S2000 CR (club racer) model, that'd be the most optimal one.

Good luck finding an S2000CR for cheap. those were a touch expensive last year. I dont think they have depreciated much.

[Dattebayo]

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!

[IanS]

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!

Snow tires, or buy a beater.

[Bubba1]

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.

[TurboSauce]

monster miata.
small.
V8
parts everywhere.
is beastly

[Dattebayo]

That's true, bubba! But who likes to wait on others?

But I really don't think "snow tires" are the answer either. You can argue that its no different, but you won't convince me ever. Maybe you're just too great of a driver or you have force powers on frozen water somehow.

[Kompresshun]

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.

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!

Yeah that is one thing you have to consider, since it will be your primary vehicle. Even here in KY, as much as i'd love to have a CTS-V, G8, GTO, Mustang, or ect, they just don't work out the best in any kind of snowy or icy conditions. My friend has a 350Z and whenever it snows, he can't drive it to work, he has to get a ride. I love the Audi S4's though, nothing like a 4.2L V8 stuffed in a mid-sized 4dr car with AWD

[Bubba1]

That's true, bubba! But who likes to wait on others?

But I really don't think "snow tires" are the answer either. You can argue that its no different, but you won't convince me ever. Maybe you're just too great of a driver or you have force powers on frozen water somehow.

3 words: Winter driving school.

I just got home last night from one. RWD actually does work on snow/ice, but good snow tires certainly make it easier.

[Dattebayo]

3 words: Winter driving school.

I just got home last night from one.

I still say that you can't compare them for winter reliability. FWD is always going to be better in a light vehicle for frozen weather.

[VMPhil]

I love the Audi S4's though, nothing like a 4.2L V8 stuffed in a mid-sized 4dr car with AWD

The last Gen had the 4.2 V8. The current Supercharged V6 actually makes more power than the V8 S4 implementation of the B7. They rate it at 333hp but actually makes about 400.

[krash]

3 words: Winter driving school.

I just got home last night from one.

I still say that you can't compare them for winter reliability. FWD is always going to be better in a light vehicle for frozen weather.

I haven't had any problems.

[AZ89two4Tsx]

LOL at "finance and afford."

If you don't want answers all over the spectrum, be more specific.

[alms24sebring]

C5 base model. They're cheaper than a new Sentra by far, reliable, 6-speed, and make stupid power all day long.

Oh, and you can visit the 400whp club with about $3K in mods.

If you want to stay in the Nissan family, I'd recommend an early 350Z or G35 (base) - I'm seeing them cheap as well.

I agree with this all day.

Well, first what is your price range or cap? Are we talking $8k or $25k. On top of that do you prefer RWD/FWD/4WD?

RWD:
-I think the best choice would be the C5, even base model. Intake + exhaust + alittle tuning = a great start with cheap and easy hp. I think C4s are ugly and to heavy. Plus they're a b**** to work on
-You could always buy a modded S14 or something But the downside to that is that you dont know exactly what you are getting
- 350Z
- Miata. Cheap, easy, light, tons of parts
-GTO is an option
-Downsides: Although fun when less than an inch, its not very reliable in snow. I recommend a $1000, FWD, 25mpg beater

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

Please Christ all mighty, DO NOT get a Mustang, especially a Foxbody. You will lose hot points for that and don't expect any more votes from me!!

[flohtingPoint]

S2000 B-stock build (shocks, spare set of stock sized wheels, tires, catback, air filter, front sway, that's it). Competitive car in a competitive class. This is what I'd go with. If you can find a S2000 CR (club racer) model, that'd be the most optimal one.

Good luck finding an S2000CR for cheap. those were a touch expensive last year. I dont think they have depreciated much.

No, they havent. It'd be the optimal one, but not necessary.

[Bubba1]

3 words: Winter driving school.

I just got home last night from one.

I still say that you can't compare them for winter reliability. FWD is always going to be better in a light vehicle for frozen weather.

To be fair AWD is the best and easiest set up for ice. As for FWD vs RWD, as you become more proficient at car control, (ie practice) the drivetrain configuration becomes more of a personal preference. I personlly think RWD is more fun on ice, though goosing the handbrake to induce the rear to slide a FWDer on ice is fun too.


But the tire (and how much tread is on them) actually do make a big difference on ice. I think Pirelli has a good video out on the differences using a car in an ice hockey rink. Snow tires are considerably better on ice than all seasons which, in turn, are considerably better than performance tires. Problem is, many people in our area of the country are unwilling to spend the money for a second set of tires as most days of the winter the roads are fine.