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

[Stike]

those could also be cars he likes and is interested in. to me anyways idgaf who else owns one or what theirs looks like. when i do a car its cause i want to and i like it. lol

i'm not going to mod a chevy aveo cause its different. but, just my opinion.

[exexpat]

"every douche has one" applies to all of the cars below. Do something different, completely different. I'd rather see just about any American or Korean car than another played [model edited to protect the innocent].

Suby WRX- Pros- fun motor, sounds good, good aftermarket, awesome community
con- weak ass trans, tends to spin bearings and eat piston rings

e36 m3- Pros- fun, nimble, stanceworks coils, great sound, looks great from the factory
con- mod options suck, expensive repairs, every douche has one

350z/g35- pro- sound amazing, rear end kicks out on demand, pretty good looking, tons for sale and "cheap"...stanceworks coils
cons- tons of them on the road, little underpowered (early models), expensive n/a parts and FI

honda s2k (latest car that i think could be worthy) pros- fun, agile, great trans, cheap parts, lots of FI options, reliable, decent gas milage, tons of after market options
cons- tons of great looking modded ones around, not that original, weak differential

[Stike]

s2k, 350, g35, mazdaspeed3 my top choices from your list.

[northmiler89]

Alright, I know this will bring a lot of bickering, BS and fanboi's but if you had $9-13k (give or take) to spend on a car to modify and stance in the US, what would it be?

I want to pick up another car soon and figure I will have about that much cash around. I figure Id see what guys who have actually owned these cars think and what people in the market are looking at for a new ride.

I want something that can be made pretty quick (low 12second range and able to go faster with a bit more $ invested) , get decent gas milage (22city/25 or more highway), look good and not crazy to repair/maintain.

My thoughts...

Suby WRX- Pros- fun motor, sounds good, good aftermarket, awesome community
con- weak ass trans, tends to spin bearings and eat piston rings

Mazdaspeed 3- Pros- super fun, makes power with little mods, fun interior
con- HPFP issues and weak rods

e36 m3- Pros- fun, nimble, stanceworks coils, great sound, looks great from the factory
con- mod options suck, expensive repairs, every douche has one

e39 m5- Pros - classic body, comfy interior, badass, sick sound
cons- crazy expensive repairs, higher milage

350z/g35- pro- sound amazing, rear end kicks out on demand, pretty good looking, tons for sale and "cheap"...stanceworks coils
cons- tons of them on the road, little underpowered (early models), expensive n/a parts and FI

honda s2k (latest car that i think could be worthy) pros- fun, agile, great trans, cheap parts, lots of FI options, reliable, decent gas milage, tons of after market options
cons- tons of great looking modded ones around, not that original, weak differential


Just my thoughts, looking for some ideas and to toss around opinions/experiences!

Thanks

-Brandon