Okay so here's the deal, I am looking to make moves on a second vehicle pretty soon, by fall at the latest. I want a sports car that can handle pretty decently, I am not looking for a drag car but I want it to have some serious horsepower (eventually, not necessarily at first) as well (500+). I have also gotten pretty tired of working on old cars with rust so I want it to be a bit newer.

The obvious choice to keep it simple is to build a 5.0 mustang and blow it as well as do suspension, but there is something holding me back, I.E. the fact that everyone has one. I have also wanted an sti forever but not sure if they can be reliable at that hp range without thousands of dollars in mods. I have thought about going to opposite route and LS swapped e36, miatas, corvettes, but I kinda really want something newer at first and then start a project like that a few years from now.

Any thoughts on what would be a good car, I am sure I am missing some. My budget is around 30k and only requirements are manual and red or awd.

Thanks for any input guys

 

Honestly, unless you're tracking the car I don't know that you need to go through all that, do you? Why not find a good C6 Vette for $30K? That car can go to a track, has pretty good HP.

 

S2k

 

Are you going to track the car? or go to drag strips?

Anything can be made to be a monster, but you gotta pay to play. There's no cheap reliable high modified car.

 

Yeah I mean I guess let me add that this is low pressure, I am just fishing around to see what my options are. This is fun for me. I guess I did contradict myself a bit, I want to modify it no matter if its street or track, just because its fun. but yeah c6's are high up on the list. I like them a lot, but z06 or base? Heard bad things about the zo6. I could see myself doing engine work to the base and being happy with the performance.

 

Well yeah, I guess second clarification. This isn't a "Cheap best car in the world ever" thread, this is a what are some of the best platforms at the 30k price range and go from there. I have the backing to make it a monster eventually, but I was kinda just fishing for ideas.

As far as track: yes. Drag: Yes. I want it to be a cool car that I can drive on the street and do some track and drag stuff

 

Get a Miata and boost it then.

 

I grew up learning how to drive on a 97 miata and I really want another one, so its pretty high on the list. Is it shallow to say I want something with a little more street appeal though?

 

get a used Pontiac GTO?

 

No, a lot of people say that. Everyone has different taste.

Good luck man!

When I pay off my BRZ in couple years, I'm gonna build this car as a track toy and get some turbo hatchback as a DD. Will be fun.

 

Previous gen M5 or M6. Stock V10 = 500hp. V10 + Supercharger from ESS = 700+. Stroker V10 from Dinan + Supercharger from ESS =

 

G8 GXP

 

If I were you OP, bugeye STi would literally be my only option.

Would never touch a 5.0 (Atleast the current gen., next gen. looks decent).
500hp for a 2200lb Miata seems pretty crazy.. Fun, but crazy.

Supercharged C6 is a very good option as well.. But would prefer the STi.
E60 M5 is also a good pick, but probably not as good as a track vehicle as the others.

 

Build a Terminator Cobra.

 

OP, I want you to do this.

 

Hahaha thanks for the responses guys, I have been looking at the c6's all day and damn I want one, would be an awesome first sports car. And for how cheap they are I could have a nice 240 or miata for cheap as a project

 

04 MB SL600. 500hp twin turbo and looks sexy in red

 

Vette

 

Just throwing all these out there just to get the mind thinking. I know most have already been said

STI, EVO, M3/5/6, SVT Cobra, LSx swap S2k, Genesis Coupe R-Spec, IS-F, CLK, RS4/S5/S6, CTS-V, Mazda Speed6, could twin turbo a G35/G37

 

buy my G8 buddy

 

That sounds cheap

I'd be willing to bet just off of the top of my head that the stroker + SC is gonna be over half of his budget right there. dat BMW tax.

 

Wait for the TLX. Best car ever!

My money would go towards a S2000 or C6 Z06

 

Buy IS F Sport. Not worth waiting for TLX. Lexus is different.

OP for your goals I would consider a C6 or Evo 9. Don't know the price difference between a base and Z06, but it may be cheaper to build a base car. Would certainly be more fun.

Whatever you get, keep us posted!

 

The CL will decimate all, after you put about 15 grand into it or more.

 

Used SL65 AMGs fall near that price range. That V12 is a monster, but probably questionable reliability wise.

 

Factory Five Cobra. Can be had for under 30k if you look around.

 

I would do a base c6 over a z06, as they unfortunately had engine problems. I would rather have a base and build it up anyways. I love the look of the Mercedes, but the reliability and added expense is not worth it at all.

I am hoping to get the car in september so its going to be a long 6 months of research and then the actual search for the car. But some great Ideas so far. I would love an ifs but no manual is a deal breaker

 

e46 with LSx you said earlier? That's what I'd do if I had the skills to do it.

What is so wrong with z06 engines? There is a shit tone of boosted ones local to me and none of those guys are complaining.

 

yeah, what did you find on the Z06's??
all searches come up with at least 4 year old threads made back in 2010 about valves and oil, but since then have been remedied

 

I was going to ask the same question. I have been researching Vette's for about a year now and I have not seen much complaining (if any at all) with the Z06's...

 

That's the best suggestion besides the Vette. It's closer to a Miata in size, someone's already spent the money/time to put it together and I'm sure it's an absolute blast to drive and probably relatively easy to work on. Great suggestion JB!

 

Yeah...not cheap. But, definitely hits the "monster" requirement.

 

Used CTS-V or the GXP.

 

Some of the vette guys I have talked to have said the zo6 had engine problems and electrical issues. Not all of them, but enough of them said this that I am weary that it could mean problems. Don't get me wrong I have wanted a z for years.

 

 

Get a cheap ass Miata and drop a LS on it.

Smoke all.

 

2jZ a Volvo stationwagon.

 

or 2jz a FRS and make a 10 second car.

 

The turnkey "Monster Miata" uses the small-block Ford, including a CARB-compliant 5.0.

IDK if there are any LS conversions that have as long a history.

 

2004 Z06 would be my choice. Easy to drive everyday & easy to mod cheaply to gain some more power & has tons of aftermarket. I would have been in 1 instead of the SRT8 but it was a little too small for me. And the few issues you heard were worked out by 04.
If you really want to mod...a Challenger RT with the manual for $18K then $10K for a supercharger/heads/cam/tune will net you 500+ range & run low 11's.