Starter car?

[bwau187]

Hey, I'm 16 and I'm looking around for tuner cars that would be good for me in the 4k price range. Don't be a dick and say "oh you're only 16 and cars are too much for you"

I already have a car and I have been around cars my whole life. My dad owns a car dealership and I personally wrench on cars. I also race motocross and do all of the work on my bike so I know most of the ins and outs of mechanics. I'm pretty new to the tuner scene, but i do know just a bit more than the average guy about engines and such.

I just really don't know all the different engine names or anything like that. I do know litres and sizes, I just don't know the names.

I'm looking for some insight from people that have been around tuner cars for awhile and I'm wondering what a good car would be.

My dad and I bought a 1995 Mazda Miata 5-Spd to just mess around with as it only has 23k original miles. I thought about using that to mod but I'm wondering what else is out there.

I have a really close friend in street racing and he recommended that I don't get a Honda if I want speed, and that I go with something RWD, or if it is FWD, then go with a Turbo Eclipse or something of that sort.

Cars I have been interested in are just some of the following:
1985-1990 Mazda RX7
1992-1995 Honda Prelude
Late 90's Nissan Sentra Spec-V
Late 80's Toyota Supra
1991-1996 Nissan 300ZX TT(highly un-likely, I've seen the engines and how much of a bi*** they are to work on, but are cool cars)
Even CRX's interest me.

Right now, I'm driving a 1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse GS Automatic with 126xxx on it. I hate it because it is auto and it is very slow. But, I got it for just $2200 and I wouldn't mind making it better. I don't know if it would be possible to do a transmission swap or a 4G63 swap altogether. This is just my little project car.

My daily driver is a 2000 Honda Accord Coupe EXL-V6 VTEC. Which is fast as shit. Acceleration out the ass and I love it. It's got 230k on it though, but you couldn't tell by the condition of the car at all. I would keep this and do stuff to it, but it's just not worth it if the engine takes a shit on me. Plus it's a heavy bi***. Oh and I don't like the automatic.

Throw me some options and don't flame me, if I wanted to be flamed I wouldn't waste my time here. I'm just looking at cars, I'm not saying I'm going to go out and drift every day I can...

 

[delta448]

Well, seeing as how this is a DSM site, I'm going to have to go ahead and recommend the obvious.

Seriously, an AWD DSM is tough to beat. There's only a few cars that can be made quicker more cheaply, especially when you're talking about the typical tuner cars.

It's really your preference. If you choose something with good aftermarket support you can't really go wrong, except maybe if you choose a FWD honduh. I personally burn the candle for 5.0 notchback stangs (very cheap to make quick) ...but the tent really gets pitched for late model Supras. Pure sex on wheels.

 

[noonan98turbo]

. but the tent really gets pitched for late model Supras. Pure sex on wheels.

I hear you on that one, I absolutely love supra's

 

[housegsx]

Cars I have been interested in are just some of the following:
1985-1990 Mazda RX7 - NO
1992-1995 Honda Prelude - Great car, not sure it's what you're looking for
Late 90's Nissan Sentra Spec-V - Absolutely not
Late 80's Toyota Supra - NO
1991-1996 Nissan 300ZX TT - If it has low miles, maybe
Even CRX's interest me. - If you are going to autoX and not STREET RACE

My dad and I bought a 1995 Mazda Miata 5-Spd to just mess around with as it only has 23k original miles. I thought about using that to mod but I'm wondering what else is out there.

This sounds better than all of the above.

I have a really close friend in street racing

I wouldn't listen to anything he says.

 

[4g63t]

1991-1996 Nissan 300ZX TT(highly un-likely, I've seen the engines and how much of a bi*** they are to work on, but are cool cars)

yes, The engine work "puling engine to put turbos on or to do any big mods" is only hard the first time. I have lots of experience with the Z32TT. And good luck finding one with under 110k in nice shape for under 8k. These are not starter cars as the Nissan aftermarket is VARy expensive. Whats it like 3k-4k for 16g sized JWT sport 650 turbos...

 

[bwau187]

I don't know the text book definition of "DSM" but I'm guessing it's Eclipses, Talons? I've always REALLY REALLY liked Talons. More than Eclipses for some reason.

Housegsx - Any reasons why none of the cars I like won't work? I was leaning towards a 'Lude or the RX7 more than anything.

And yeah delta - I like Supras, but I like the Mark III's more than the Mark IV's just because I think the late models are way too, overrated almost. I know they are incredible but I just don't like them. They remind me of the Patriots last year, just being too good.

 

[knochgoon24]

I like the 2gb (97-98) Eagle Talon Tsi AWD. The high wing, black top, and wide-mouth bumper are just sexy. If you look around, you can find them in pretty good shape. I got mine (bone stock) for $4500.

It's pretty easy to work on too. Not a ton of engine space but enough to get by. I'd only done minor work on cars before this. This site has more than enough information to get your car up and running down the strip.

My car is a real head turner and I haven't really done much to it. There just aren't many Talons in my area. My girlfriend wanted to take my Talon to prom instead of riding in a limo because she thinks it's that sexy (so we did).

 

[purewake07]

after looking around for quite some time i just recently stumbled upon a talon tsi near my area, i thought it was pretty cool, needed some paint and new upholstery and i was kind of turned off by it, but my buddy had one that he said he really liked it. so i went ahead and bought it... must say i made an amazing decision. i highly underestimated the WIDE variety of paths i could take with this car and after just a month of having it i already know im going to build it up to a drag car.

long story short... get a dsm. 2g is more accepted by society if your going to drive it daily but if it doesnt matter to you, find yourself anything with a 4g63t. youll be glad you did

 

[housegsx]

Housegsx - Any reasons why none of the cars I like won't work? I was leaning towards a 'Lude or the RX7 more than anything.

Just saying that Miata sounds like a nice ride. A supercharger and some sticky tires and it's one awesome car.

Preludes are nice. I had a 92 with the 160hp H23A and automatic. It was a great daily driver, but I simply didn't recommend it because it doesn't seem like that much of a step up from an Eclipse GS. It was just as fast as my friends 01 Prelude 5 speed for some reason. Both nice cars.

RX7's just don't seem that special to me until you get in an FD3. 93+

What are you going to be using the car for? What are your intentions? It's hard to recommend a platform without knowing...

 

[bwau187]

Street racing reference removed.



Anyways:

My dad has had several RX7's, including the EXACT same car Vin Diesel had in Fast and the Furious, turbo, the works. He said the older RX7 he had (87 i believe) was one of the cars that he liked the most out of any car he's ever had. (He's owned over 3000 different vehicles, technically) Plus I really like the looks of those 80's tuners cars, even the Z31 300zx is pretty neat.

 

[Locke]

Based on that post ^^ I'm going to recommend a Honda.

 

[bwau187]

Because of reliability?

 

[delta448]

Yeah, get a Civic.
Get a really big shiny aluminum wing and cut the muffler off.
Oh, and don't forget the naaawwsss.

Serious? Unfortunately yes.

 

[bwau187]

I'm not looking for a rice burner guys I'm looking for performance.

 

[MrBoxx]

Let's get a few things out of the water first.

DSMTuners doesn't condone street racing. If you've done it, keep it to yourself, or better yet: do everyone a favor, grow up, and STOP doing it.

If you wanted a car with a 4g63, you should have gotten a car with one that came with one from the factory. I'm not going to say that it isn't possible to swap your car's 420a with a 4g63, but I will tell you that it's not going to happen. If you want more power out of your GS, then I suggest a reputable turbo kit. There are plenty out there, and they've produced reputable results. If you only want more performance so you can street race, I suggest finding another source of information.

Maybe the best thing for you to do is to sell your Eclipse and get something else. A Prelude, like you said, or a MkIII Supra. If you're truly not satisfied with your car now, I doubt you'll want to put in the effort, time, and money that it'll take for you to be completely satisfied with it.

 

[bwau187]

I'm so sorry I'm not trying to seem like all I want to do is street race. Like I said before I just want a quick car.

 

[Locke]

DSM's can be stupid quick, even the NT's given enough love.

The Miata weighs a shitton less - I've always wanted to build one of those.

It's your money, man.

 

[rstare]

I see alot of turbo'd miatas too. Pretty quick.

 

[Lofty]

DSM's can be stupid quick, even the NT's given enough love.

The Miata weighs a shitton less - I've always wanted to build one of those.

It's your money, man.

I agree, my NT is quite zippy.
It's faster then my friends civic with VTAK .

 

[bwau187]

would I need to rebuild the engine just so it wouldn't blow up if I turboed it?

 

[Locke]

Yes, and no.

The 420a factory bottom end has been in the low 12's, high 11's, (see awddynamite) given a proper tune.
If you're looking for ~300+ whp, it'd be in your best interest to build the bottom end, after-which, the sky is the limit.

The 4g63 has seen nearer to 500whp on the factory bottom end, given a good tune.

edit: Concerning you first post, 5spd swaps are both common, and relatively straight-forward.

 

[Sp1kE]

I say keep the miata.
Be different, I never see a done up miata running around.
And they can be quick, and great road race cars.

And check this out:
MegaSquirtPNP Plug-and-Play MegaSquirt Engine Management Systems by DIYAutoTune - DIYAutoTune.com


Those guys put alot of focus on the miata's and created a nice plug and play tuning device, that alot of people are happy with.

Keep the miata, ^^^ get familiar with tuning it, boost it, tune some more, have fun.

 

[Aphix]

There is a blue miata running around here thats all done up. Everybody tells him he has a cute car when he pulls up but theyre just jokin. I dont think alot of those people would wanna race him at the same time . The power to weight ratio in a car like that would be crazy.

 

[bwau187]

I actually wouldn't mind making the Miata into a race machine. It needs a couple things right away to make it perfect.
- It needs a new front bumper(was in a 3 mph front end ding so the bumper is a bit warped.)
- Needs a tailight module
- Needs a new top. (Window is gone. When we got the car, the plastic rear window was brown and cracked and finally I just took it out)
- Needs a new timing belt just to be safe. Last time it was licensed was in 2000 and I have driven it about 600 miles since we have had it.

ALOT of people make fun of me when I drive it.. They always say "wow you're g*y" "nice girl car" and all that stuff. But honestly, I don't care. These cars are definitely going to be classics in 10 years and people will realize it.

Locke - I meant rebuilding the Miata's motor.

 

[BoredDSM]

Cars I have been interested in are just some of the following:
1985-1990 Mazda RX7-Most people ive seen buy rx7's to swap in ls1's and other motors
1992-1995 Honda Prelude-mmm front wheel drive
Late 90's Nissan Sentra Spec-V-good car comes with an sr20 series motor but still fwd, you would be better off geting a 240 and swapping in a sr20det
Late 80's Toyota Supra-a bit hard to find?
1991-1996 Nissan 300ZX TT-very heavy from what i know, there are a few locals that have them and i cant say i like working on them
Even CRX's-lots of people have them but its boring to see the same thing over and over again

You're very fortunate to live in a state where you can drive at 16. I still have my permit and awaiting to turn 17 to get my license.

I would consider getting a gsx or a 240 and thats about it. In the right hands anything is fast but what would be easier is what your looking for. I've been into DSM's for a long time and honestly I jumped to all different kinds of cars and I always came back to the DSM's because of there slight advantages over other cars. A few guys at my highschool own miata's and from what they tell me parts are very scarce for there cars.