I've been pretty much set on selling my TL-S next year for the new BMW 335i. Unfortunately, with all this talk of the 335 not being the tuner dream I had hoped for, I'm on the verge of being back to the drawing board. Last year I looked at the 350Z which I found lacked refinement, the G35 which lacked passion, the S2000 which lacked size, the RX-8 which lacked modability and power, the M3 which also lacked real affordable modability, and used Supra's, TT ZX's, and RX-7s that were going to cost me as much as a new car, but with 50+ thousand miles on them. So maybe, just maybe it would be a better idea for me to fulfill my 12second or better tuner fantasies by keeping my TL and buying a "lesser" vehichle to do this. Am I nuts? Have my Civic/'Lude/'Teg/240 days passed me by? The RSX and new SI are not, but i'm just not confident in what people are doing with that K series engine. I'm yet to see a K series engine doing things that the old B18 and H could do. But its time to realize that my TL will never be a sub 14 second car, but that its function as a daily driver is limitless. So should I hold on to my high hopes for the BiTurbo 335i? or should I go old school and find a used late 90's Pocket Rocket to give me that fix.

 

STI, EVO

And isn't the bi-turbo confirmed for the 335?

 

Im in the same boat as you... looking for a beater to mod out and have fun with. I have been looking at the tegs since the B18 is so easily modded... plus, working on the cars that you are going to race is more fun than just going out and buying a car....

 

even though the K series racks in higher hp numbers stock compared to the B18's.

I'd still take a B18 over a K series engine anyday.

 

I think old school is a 60's muscle car and new school is making an import fast...I liked working on the late 90's integras, lots of fun and easy to make fast.

 

The new Golf GTI would be alright I guess. I think it had turbocharged 4 cylinder, so it should be easy and cheap to modify.

 

Would get a new Supra in a year or two

 

Well, you said
1) 350Z -- lacked refinement
2) G35 -- lacked passion
3) S2000 -- lacked size
4) RX8 -- lacked modability
5) M3 -- lacked real affordable modability
6) used Supra's, TT ZX's, and RX-7s -- lacked reason to buy

Truth is, there is no car out there that is ever going to be perfect for anyone. You'll find something in a car you'll really like and find flaws in it. For an example, 2004~2006 Acura TL has everything, I mean everything I can possibly want. But it lacked torque, even with the supercharger. But I am willing to live with that because speed is there and torque isn't something I value as #1 priority. You'll just need to get realize what it is that you want in a car.

A) Durability, reliability
B) Speed, torque / power
C) Gadges
D) Style
E) Value, comfortable, and Relaxation

I'm sure the following vehicles I list ifor you, you'll find some flaws in there, but you should consider some of these

1) WRX STi and EVO
2) SRT8 Charger
3) Magnum/300c Hemi
4) Corvette Z06
5) Saleen Mustang GT, Mustang Cobra
6) Audi S4
7) BMW 545i
8) Mercedes AMG class
9) Dodge Caliber
10) Nissan Maxima / Infiniti G35 coupe
11) Honda Accord V6
12) Pontiac Solstice / Saturn SKY (comparible to S2000)
13) Subaru Legacy GT AWD


Good luck

 

10 seconds for $7000...

http://john-perry.com/pinto/joehr3.jpg

 

The 1995-1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse GST/GSX (and Eagle Talon TSi) is one of my favs as they do not cost a fortune to acquire.....unlike the MKIV TT, Z32 TT and FD3S. And I need not mention, the mod potential of the 4G63t.