CK6Speed

iTrader: (1)

Like pvmike1 said, the price for forced induction for the NSX has come way down from years past. I remember when my friend got the Factor X 500 turbo kit, it was around a $40K investment. Today, you can buy a great Lovefab Turbo kit for under 10K with reliability. That kit should be good for the 400WHP. Angus Turbo kit is another good option. Even the tried and true simple Comptech SC for around 10K gets you around 340 WHP with reliability.

It is when you want to go north of 500WHP that it starts to get real expensive and involved.

92 SC400

993 turbo? They're still kind of pricey though and would require some mods to hit your targeted HP number.

STIG

Not only that, it doesn't meet criteria 2 or 5 either.

cmh

i would go for a zo6... as someone here said they already come with the HP u want and they are beautiful. i want to get one myself. NSX's are slow as hell. have u driven one? if not drive one and ull definetly scratch it off ur list. NSX=over priced and over rated even with 10k invested. IMO

GS3Tek

iTrader: (8)

If you're thinking of $25k modded to your liking, then you're looking for something in the $20s with room to spare.
Depending on how picky you are, NSX in the very $20s (from what I've seen) will have higher mileage, some small issues.....
If you're still interested in the NSX, just check on nsxprime and pm the owners.
There's a good one, '91 with 99k miles in the low $20s

However, I think you should cross the NSX off your list and stick to the vette like what a lot of people mentioned here.

ekc

iTrader: (6)

What about 370Z? But it definitely can't compete against the vette.

J.P.

By the time your ready to buy maybe snag a Porsche Cayman S, do a few mods to get it into the low to mid 300's and enjoy a much newer car...........

suislide

NSXs are slow. I have read that S2000s are better performance cars comprared to an NSX
-E46 M3
-996 911
-+06 350z
-2JZ-GTE powered BMWs, 240s, S2000

kumquatism

iTrader: (10)

M3's are quite heavy. Weight is one of his primary concerns...not speed from factory, seeing he's planning on boosting and tuning to get to 400hp.

The 911 would be pretty decent, although I don't really know much about its tuning capabilities. A quick look at my local Craigslist tells me it's a little over the price range, but it does come with a fantastic engine to start with.
S2000 or 350z would be pretty cool too. S2k is a great handling car, and it's lightweight to boot. I'm not too sure about a 240sx though...as it's far far under his price range for the actual vehicle. I think he's looking at starting with a nicer base and working from there.

But in the end, I do think the Z06 would be the best choice in this scenario. It's not too heavy, and it puts out plenty of performance without requiring any tuning. It looks great, and I presume it handles great, seeing as it's a sports car, although I've never been in one.

cmh

Zo6 drives awesome and feels light on its feet... put even a used nitrous kit on that thing and ull be at 4-something to the wheels for like $500... call it a day

BNR34

iTrader: (1)

993 Turbo worth wayyy more then 996 Turbo, it is way out of his price range.

996 don't worth much cause they are the least desireable 911 model ever.

RXGS

iTrader: (2)

I was about to say miata haha, maybe toyota supra? i didn;t read everything so sorry if it isnt with the criteria

RXGS

iTrader: (2)

One more thing, if you get a 91-95 911, get a 93-95, i heard the 91's and 92's had a few initial problems, but should have been fixed when they were still relatively new

92 SC400

I know. I love 993s... Everyone else was throwing out suggestions that don't meet the criteria either so I thought I would too!

suislide