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

[Agent00J]

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)

*sigh* ... Very valid points. But screw it, I'm still keeping my hopes up. An original manual IS300 is what tops my future project car list.

[northmiler89]

true, i forgot the is300. always loved those cars and can make crazy power. Im not locked in at that price, the IS300 with the motorwork, etc falling into the $15-16k range is good.

I mean acquiring the car for that price, I have a few $ to put towards modding it.

I had a speed 3 and blew it up.. twice
had an 08 sti and spun a bearing
have an e36 m3 and it is whatever.. its an auto... but still, ive driven plenty of them by now.. meh
have an e46 m3.. meh, needs HPF to really be fun

the is300 with boost could be interesting.



I am getting tempted to just put the $10k cash down and get something used in the 17-22k range. Maybe jump up a bit more and get my hands on a 335i... hmm.. Just needed some fresh eyes on the idea to see what I am forgetting

[jared1988]

1G M45 gets my vote



can be made to look like



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

i ***** glorias at first. never seen them stateside but theyve grown on to me now

[Petis]

^you have lost grasp of the concept. He is looking for a 'tuner car' not a vip/exe car.

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

What the SHIT?!!!!! A sportcross for 8k?! Why the hell can't I live near you? I searched high and low for a sportcross at a good price and came up short. Ughhhhh, I would much rather have that than my ls400.

[AstroVannin]

1G M45 gets my vote



can be made to look like



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

[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

[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.

[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

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.

[pitbulldrifter]

sc3/4
q45
ls400
is300
sc430
gs300
vip ftw

[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).

[Kielan]

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

[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

[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)

[jungledorifuto]

Is300