Best US "Tuner Car" for $9-13k?

[besthaticouldo]

volvo s60r
mk4 r32
b5 audi s4
audi tt
pontiac gto
pontiac g8 gt
porsche boxster - gay car, but fun to drive

[Petis]

FD RX-7 is Downside to an NA or NB Miata is that you have 0 storage space. Trunk is a joke, and there's no room for things inside if you have a passenger and the top down. I wouldn't recommend it as an only car.

Only reason I even mentioned the miata is because the s2k was in play. Miatas have more storage and interior space than an s2k and can be had for 1/4 the price.

[jungledorifuto]

is300, on all counts

[kartikeya]

I overestimated the S2K's trunk size. It's about the same as a Miata's. (S2K 5cu.ft., Miata 5.1cu.ft.) Neither car has any interior storage space at all. But at least the S2K has more creature comforts.

I withdraw my suggestion of S2K as a sole vehicle, if you forsee the need to carry more than a backpack and a passenger.

[jungledorifuto]

Is300

[Petis]

is300s are still somewhat pricey, and a factory 5-speed is damn near impossible to come by at a decent price, if at all. So, a 5-speed swap has to be calculated into initial cost of purchase. So,to have a fun, somewhat modded is300 with a manual trans, it will most likely exceed the 13k budget. (not by a large amount, but still exceed it none the less)

[fivefourzero]

i can weigh in on the m5 having bought one a few months ago. i spent under 11k and have already put a decent chunk of cash into it with still about 1k left to go before i even get it registered. its an awesome car but if you're on a budget and are going to be driving it all the time it will leave you constantly broke.

for that much money i would try for a b5 s4 avant

[Kielan]

B5 S4's are horribly unreliable (at least in my experience with them).

[exexpat]

Couple ideas - since you want to optimize for handling and can live with compact and two-seated...

Porsche Boxster S (<13k)
Lotus Elan (10k) or Elise (ok a little over budget - 18k or so).

[pitbulldrifter]

sc3/4
q45
ls400
is300
sc430
gs300
vip ftw

[kartikeya]

SC430 is definitely not sub-13k, nor is it a sports car.

Older LS, GS, and Q45s can be had under 13k but are also definitely not sporty, or remotely performance oriented.

[jungledorifuto]

is300's go for sub 10k dealer prices, in every state I don't want to hear it. I have a good friend selling a white 02 with less than 60k and she'll take 10k. Seen a sport cross version go for 8k from a hyundai dealership. Search your somewhat local auto trader. They're getting cheap just like old g35s/z's

[Jersh]

my Corrado




but on a serious note, my choice would be the M3 because they look and sound great and it's one of my favorite cars. or the S2k, also because i just flat out like them. but the down side is that a lot of people seem to choose these.

have you thought about choosing a car that doesn't get that much love, but still has a solid aftermarket? i'm only saying this cuz i want to see someone give an MKIII Scirocco some serious love. there's only one on here i think and it's a rat car.

[jared1988]

s2ks, is300, mazdaspeed3 arent the best for low offset aggressive wheels

i vote g35

im thinking about selling my speed3 when i get back to the states (altho it would be a year from being paid off) and getting a g35. never again will i get such a crazy stupid loan. or ill keep it and get a g35 also

[AstroVannin]

1G M45 gets my vote



can be made to look like



for what they are, they seem to be way undervalued too