I'm tossing around the idea of getting a cheap 2nd car for fun next year. My gs will continue to be my daily driver for the next 2 yrs before I upgrade and this 2nd ride would keep me car happy until then. Here's my list of wants/requirements, any ideas?

1) budget will be approx 15-17k when done.... not including rims/tires, but including all go fast bits. Possibly 7-12 for base car, the rest for go fast bits, or something like that?
2) car must be lighter and handle significantly better than ltuned gs on staggered 19s.
3) goal would be low 13sec 1/4mile with 93 octane and interior, etc. intact
4) car does not need to be coupe or manual, but must be awd or rwd
5) car doesn't need to be complete sleeper, but must put out significantly more power than when stock.
6) major mod's (FI, etc.) must be pretty easy install or pretty troublefree shop install and tune. I'm not a mechanic or tuner, but am willing to go to them as long as it's not all of the time.
7) I'm not opposed to a domestic car, but probably prefer import, but not a honda.
8) must stay together well enough to last 3 yrs+ without being a money pit.

That's my short, OTTOMH list for now. I've been tossing around the idea of a eagle talon/dsm car, turbo miata, etc. Keep in mind I'm in Central Illinois, where modded dsm's, etc. are not common. ONe thing we do seem to have are modded gti's around here, so I might avoid them.

Any ideas?

 

SC300

 

I forgot about the older sc's. I should spend some time in the sc forums. How quick can an sc300 be made within my budget? I'm guessing turbo sc300 5spd? Still pretty heavy though right?

 

One of my other cars is a 98 Eclipse GSX. Bought it a couple years ago for $8500 and have put just under $3k into it. Currently running 11.97@118 in the 1/4. Handles like a dream. Not sure what type of car you are looking for..but I love my DSMs. Have 2 other besides that one, so I may be biased.

 

Yeah, I had a friend with an unmodded talon tsi a few years back. The eclipse gsx is very similar right? I know I can get pretty far below my 1/.4 mile goal with dsm's, I'm just unsure how easy it will be to find a cheap used one that has not been flogged to death. I'm also unsure as to how reliable they are when modded. What's your experience with those things? Also, do you have a favorite dsm forum for me to start my research?

 

Try here..

http://www.dsmtuners.com/
http://www.dsm.org

 

There is a 2JZ-GTE swapped SC300 in the classifieds for 12k right now. I think that meets your needs.

 

Used WRX five-speed. Would be best to find one only driven to church and shopping by a little old lady.

 

What the? What did you put under the hood? The stock ones are like in 14s and 15s. I know a kid who has one of those but it's green and it smoked a 97 Vette, but I don't know what he's got under his hood. Sounds real bad though.

 

Turbo Mialta sounds like fun to me.

 

A used WRX would probably be your best bet.....just look for one that hasn't been ragged out or abused by the caps-on-backwards crowd. The AWD will help get you though any normal Illinois winter...but you may have to put on winter tires from November-March. Stock WRX tires are designed for dry performance, not traction in rain or snow.

 

Thx, I've started reading both.

I'm not a big fan of the wrx styling, but *if* I could find one that's been gently used, I'd consider it.

I should have mentioned that if given the choice, I'd rather do the mods/have them done, rather than buy already modded.

I just got back from spending a few hours talking to a friend of mine who's more into the tuning crowd (he's got a turbo gti, and mkIV modded supra). He's done a few dsm car builds as well. His advice is to find a 97-98 GSX/GST shell in good shape with as low miles as possible. I can get leather interior this way as well. Then he suggested having a 6 bolt turbo engine built and dropped into it. Along with upgraded clutch and suspension, this can be done within my budget, will give me a 12 second and potentially faster car, and be pretty reliable.

For now, I'm going to concentrate my research on this possible route as I have friends/shop owner's with experience that can help with the work at low cost and it allows me to have a basically new engine with no known issues. My plan would be to find a good shell over the winter and go from there.

thx for the replies.

 

SC300 would be nice... but i think a miata would be nicer... only because the miata is a better drive... handles better, more of a sports car. boosted, it should be super fun. but.. if u want a car to drag... the swapped SC will be better. but IMO people are too much into straightline speed... the miata would be more fun overall

 

I've heard good things about some of the miata turbo conversions. I'm not much for their looks or convertables in general though. Granted, the idea of taking a car known for great handling, but being underpowered and making it really quick has obvious appeal.

I'm leaning dsm or possibly sc for now. I can't think of a better alternative than 2nd gen eclipse gsx w/ first gen built motor in terms of low cost, speed, handling, and reliability. An sc300 conversion would be behind on the dsm on everything but reliability and looks (imo), but I'm considering it just to stay with my love for Lexus.

 

i felt the same about the styling at first until i saw this and i've been a fan ever since