Your favorite fast yet inexpensive car
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Originally Posted By: SAJEFFC
My 2008 Mustang GT! My daily commute is 30 miles each way, mostly highway. The MPG never drops below 23-24 and the car is a blast to drive. I have not run it at the track yet but it's pretty common for the new Mustangs to run 13.5 to 13.7 in the quarter. Great bang for the buck!
by experienced drivers. You'll still find a majority of New Mustang GTs running low 14s in the 1/4 mile to very very high 13s.
I'd vote for a c5 vette or a Newer Subaru WRX
My 2008 Mustang GT! My daily commute is 30 miles each way, mostly highway. The MPG never drops below 23-24 and the car is a blast to drive. I have not run it at the track yet but it's pretty common for the new Mustangs to run 13.5 to 13.7 in the quarter. Great bang for the buck!
by experienced drivers. You'll still find a majority of New Mustang GTs running low 14s in the 1/4 mile to very very high 13s.
I'd vote for a c5 vette or a Newer Subaru WRX
Originally Posted By: addyguy
Chevrolet Cobalt SS Turbo...possibly the best bang-for-buck car EVER built!
I was just gonna' say that.....
Get the Sedan version and you have a stealth-fighter in addition to fast and fun.
Chevrolet Cobalt SS Turbo...possibly the best bang-for-buck car EVER built!
I was just gonna' say that.....
Get the Sedan version and you have a stealth-fighter in addition to fast and fun.
I got my GN in the high 12s for $200 and 11s for under $1,500. The first $100 spent got me 13.20s. I put 60,000 miles on it with it running 11s or faster.
There's not much better bang for the buck.
Running 10.60s, it has perfect street manners.
I think the '03-'04 Cobras deserve to be mentioned also. You can run 11s with a pulley, intake, and exhaust on a bottom end that will take over 800rwhp. I've run into a 10 second Cobra and couldn't tell the difference between it and a stock one.
I'm not one to drive a Civic with an engine swap. To me, a FWD economy car is not the place to start for performance.
There's not much better bang for the buck.
Running 10.60s, it has perfect street manners.
I think the '03-'04 Cobras deserve to be mentioned also. You can run 11s with a pulley, intake, and exhaust on a bottom end that will take over 800rwhp. I've run into a 10 second Cobra and couldn't tell the difference between it and a stock one.
I'm not one to drive a Civic with an engine swap. To me, a FWD economy car is not the place to start for performance.
IMO, a Vette, EVO, STI, etc are not inexpensive.
The best Bang-for-the-Buck would be a Neon SRT-4 (already mentioned), and Cobalt SS. A Mustang GT is a great starting point, but the price is starting to get up there.
The new WRX would also be great. Quoate below from C&D:
"with a clutch-abusing redline launch and the WRX will get to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds, 1.1 seconds quicker than previously and three-tenths swifter than the quickest STI we tested. What’s more, the WRX puts down its power more smoothly than the peaky STI, with ample grunt from 3000 rpm...Quicker than an STI, and it’s $10K less. That’s what we call a bargain."
The best Bang-for-the-Buck would be a Neon SRT-4 (already mentioned), and Cobalt SS. A Mustang GT is a great starting point, but the price is starting to get up there.
The new WRX would also be great. Quoate below from C&D:
"with a clutch-abusing redline launch and the WRX will get to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds, 1.1 seconds quicker than previously and three-tenths swifter than the quickest STI we tested. What’s more, the WRX puts down its power more smoothly than the peaky STI, with ample grunt from 3000 rpm...Quicker than an STI, and it’s $10K less. That’s what we call a bargain."
An 03/04 Cobra would be the best bang for your buck.
Or an LS1 f-body with a 6 speed. Just basic bolt ons and you're in the 12s, and with the 6 speed, you could probably get close to 30 mpg at 65 mph highway.
Or an LS1 f-body with a 6 speed. Just basic bolt ons and you're in the 12s, and with the 6 speed, you could probably get close to 30 mpg at 65 mph highway.
It really boils down to your definition of reliable and inexpensive.
Do you consider a DSM (Eclipse, Talon, etc) reliable? What about a GM with 3.8L V6? Or what about a Saab?
Do you consider a $30k Turbo 4WD cheap? What about a $15k used V8, or a brand new V8 for $30k? Or you want something cheap enough to join the 24 hour Lemon ($500 max)?
Is 1/4 miles your only concern? That would be simple, there is no replacement for displacement, for the same weight to be accelerated.
With these questions unanswered there is no good answer to your question.
Do you consider a DSM (Eclipse, Talon, etc) reliable? What about a GM with 3.8L V6? Or what about a Saab?
Do you consider a $30k Turbo 4WD cheap? What about a $15k used V8, or a brand new V8 for $30k? Or you want something cheap enough to join the 24 hour Lemon ($500 max)?
Is 1/4 miles your only concern? That would be simple, there is no replacement for displacement, for the same weight to be accelerated.
With these questions unanswered there is no good answer to your question.
My car. '94 Mazda 323 with a modified KL-ZE - 2.5L 24V V6. 240bhp in 2200lbs = lots of fun watching the jaws drop. Total cost was under 4K for car, engine swap, ancillaries...
new and stock I'd say Mazdaspeed3. Huge potential there.
new and stock I'd say Mazdaspeed3. Huge potential there.
I bought this for $5,200 in 1997. Aside from re-doing the interior, I haven't done much else with it.
Box stock (we're talking exhaust manifolds and Thermoquad carb) it runs 14.10s all day long.
As a bonus, the value seems to go up every year I've owned it!
Here's a Youtube vid of it in action, spanking a Corvette back in 1999 or so.....
Demon vs. Corvette
Love the old Mopars!!!
Box stock (we're talking exhaust manifolds and Thermoquad carb) it runs 14.10s all day long.
As a bonus, the value seems to go up every year I've owned it!
Here's a Youtube vid of it in action, spanking a Corvette back in 1999 or so.....
Demon vs. Corvette
Love the old Mopars!!!
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Then - 1967-9 Datsun 2000. Light, 5-speed, would pass about anything on the highway back then except a repair station. Fast, but not a real quick dragster.
Now - Got to go with the LS1. Got mine new (so it doesn't exactly fit the cheap category), but used ones can be had for around 5 grand in the F-body. Also, a low mileage babied C5 Vette may be the biggest bargin around right now.
Now - Got to go with the LS1. Got mine new (so it doesn't exactly fit the cheap category), but used ones can be had for around 5 grand in the F-body. Also, a low mileage babied C5 Vette may be the biggest bargin around right now.
Originally Posted By: PandaBear
It really boils down to your definition of reliable and inexpensive.
Do you consider a DSM (Eclipse, Talon, etc) reliable? What about a GM with 3.8L V6? Or what about a Saab?
Do you consider a $30k Turbo 4WD cheap? What about a $15k used V8, or a brand new V8 for $30k? Or you want something cheap enough to join the 24 hour Lemon ($500 max)?
Is 1/4 miles your only concern? That would be simple, there is no replacement for displacement, for the same weight to be accelerated.
With these questions unanswered there is no good answer to your question.
You can build up a lot of cars to run 12's, some are just a little easier. For example, there was one guy who built an 800 hp MR2 turbo. Crazy fast, but impractical, expensive, and probably not reliable. So I just wanted to see what other people thought would be a good candidate for such project. I agree, there's no replacement for displacement. On the other hand, when you get into 4-bangers, their light weight and high revving engines offset their lack of torque. Lots of good comments so far! Keep em coming.
It really boils down to your definition of reliable and inexpensive.
Do you consider a DSM (Eclipse, Talon, etc) reliable? What about a GM with 3.8L V6? Or what about a Saab?
Do you consider a $30k Turbo 4WD cheap? What about a $15k used V8, or a brand new V8 for $30k? Or you want something cheap enough to join the 24 hour Lemon ($500 max)?
Is 1/4 miles your only concern? That would be simple, there is no replacement for displacement, for the same weight to be accelerated.
With these questions unanswered there is no good answer to your question.
You can build up a lot of cars to run 12's, some are just a little easier. For example, there was one guy who built an 800 hp MR2 turbo. Crazy fast, but impractical, expensive, and probably not reliable. So I just wanted to see what other people thought would be a good candidate for such project. I agree, there's no replacement for displacement. On the other hand, when you get into 4-bangers, their light weight and high revving engines offset their lack of torque. Lots of good comments so far! Keep em coming.
Again I'll have to say there's not much out there that can beat my $3,600 purchase price, 13.90s bone stock, and mid 11s for an extra $1,500 for a total of $5,100. Eveyone in town was convinced I had $20,000 in my engine when in reality it was a 150,000 mile factory longblock.
Reliable 12-13s 1/4 mile: about the power to weight ratio of something in the 300hp V8 and less than 3500lb, or 200hp I4 and less than 2500lb.
If you can find a stock DSM (Eclipse, Talon), improve the internal and fix the crank walk (basically rebuild the engine), crank up the boost, you can probably do better than 12 seconds (I saw 7 to 8 seconds before). Not sure how reliable or the cost though.
MR2 Turbo is not that cheap, they stop dropping in price lower than 7-8k regardless of miles or years, and are expensive to fix due to the clearance in the engine bay (mid engine). Those 4 banger mid engine, like the Pontiac Fiero, are for handling, not straight line power.
G35 and M3 is fast, and I've a friend who used to race a mid 90s M3 he got for 20k. He bought the M3 instead of a Supra Twin Turbo because the Supra was slower (turbo lag). Those cars used probably run you 12-13 seconds easily, but for about $20k.
For something way extreme I've seen people put a 5.0 Mustang V8 into a Miata, now that may not be cheap, but for sure reliable and fast. Imagine a 5.0 with only 2300lb.
If you can find a stock DSM (Eclipse, Talon), improve the internal and fix the crank walk (basically rebuild the engine), crank up the boost, you can probably do better than 12 seconds (I saw 7 to 8 seconds before). Not sure how reliable or the cost though.
MR2 Turbo is not that cheap, they stop dropping in price lower than 7-8k regardless of miles or years, and are expensive to fix due to the clearance in the engine bay (mid engine). Those 4 banger mid engine, like the Pontiac Fiero, are for handling, not straight line power.
G35 and M3 is fast, and I've a friend who used to race a mid 90s M3 he got for 20k. He bought the M3 instead of a Supra Twin Turbo because the Supra was slower (turbo lag). Those cars used probably run you 12-13 seconds easily, but for about $20k.
For something way extreme I've seen people put a 5.0 Mustang V8 into a Miata, now that may not be cheap, but for sure reliable and fast. Imagine a 5.0 with only 2300lb.
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Originally Posted By: BuickGN
Again I'll have to say there's not much out there that can beat my $3,600 purchase price, 13.90s bone stock, and mid 11s for an extra $1,500 for a total of $5,100. Eveyone in town was convinced I had $20,000 in my engine when in reality it was a 150,000 mile factory longblock.
Sounds like a sweet ride. Are you boosting? You're going to have to school me on those GN's. How much horsepower did they come with from the factory?
Again I'll have to say there's not much out there that can beat my $3,600 purchase price, 13.90s bone stock, and mid 11s for an extra $1,500 for a total of $5,100. Eveyone in town was convinced I had $20,000 in my engine when in reality it was a 150,000 mile factory longblock.
Sounds like a sweet ride. Are you boosting? You're going to have to school me on those GN's. How much horsepower did they come with from the factory?
What do you consider to be "inexpensive?"
An used 2007 BMW 335i is pretty quick and is available in the mid-20s range. Plus, the reliability of the E90 generation is pretty good as well.
An used 2007 BMW 335i is pretty quick and is available in the mid-20s range. Plus, the reliability of the E90 generation is pretty good as well.
When Dodge made the SRT 4, you could pick one up at your dealer and one of the stage kits that Dodge made for the car at the same time. 355 horsepower and 365 ft lbs of torque all from your Chrysler dealer for less than $30k.
Here's an automobile mag review.
Here's an automobile mag review.
Originally Posted By: dirtydave
2010 Ford Taurus SHO ecoboost 365hp V6
too fat
2010 Ford Taurus SHO ecoboost 365hp V6
too fat
An LS1 Miata has to be up there on the bang for your buck list. They even still handle well as the LS1 engine isn't much heavier than the stock overbuilt iron engines.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fEoXA_r6yc
The stock engines in all the 90's miatas were built for turbo charging too. I'd rather have this car which probably doesn't run 11's than a solid rear axle car that can only go fast in a straight line. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4eiZAwgbCPA
Ian
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fEoXA_r6yc
The stock engines in all the 90's miatas were built for turbo charging too. I'd rather have this car which probably doesn't run 11's than a solid rear axle car that can only go fast in a straight line. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4eiZAwgbCPA
Ian
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