Need Help Choosing Out a First Tuner Car!

[johnk12845]

Hello guys,
I am going to be in the market of buying a first car in February to April of 2010. I am looking for one for under $15,000, used of course. I was looking for some feedback of some good tuner cars that I can find for under $15,000 either modified already, or partially modified, or really even stock. I am really looking for a car that will turn some heads in the school parking lots, and is quick also. But I also want one that won't burn a huge hole in my pocket for insurance. My favorite car is the 350z and am looking for a '03 models of it for under $15k, but thats without mods. I want some other suggestions also, and would greatly appreciate it.

I have been around cars all my life, and even since I was young was around them. I helped out my uncle at Thompson Toyota a lot in PA. I really want a car that turns heads, is a "show stopper", and is quick when it needs to be. Shoot me some ideas!

[CleanNeon98]

350Z...meh

I'd go for a 300zxTT instead, way more character IMO

[Kir Diesel]

You can get a S2000 for that kinda cash... Im really not sure if 04 STi's are that cheap yet.... maybe an EVO?

[Foolinaround]

04 sti's arent that cheap yet,ive been in the market.
240?

[johnk12845]

If I was going to go for a 300zx Twin Turbo, which year would be the best to go for? Its going to be my daily driver, so I don't want it to give me problems right after I drop some cash into it.

[Gregory]

It's tough to even find an EVO that cheap that doesn't have a over 100k on the clock and is in good condition. I agree that a 300zx is a good option, but I'm guessing you want something newer. I feel like if you wanted to extend yourself to 20k, a lot more options would open up for you, that is, if you're looking for a newer car.

[mcperson2k]

Its your first car and your looking at a 350 but don't want to burn a hole in your pocket with insurance? Lawl..

And you can find 04 Stis for 13-15k But they have like 80k+ miles. I have also seen Evos for 13k but they had R titles.

[johnk12845]

Actually the 350 would be about 3k for insurance which isn't too bad considering a 2004 GLI was gonna run me 2800/year. It all really depends on whether the car has a turbo in it already or not, cause the insurance company for some reason thinks that that makes a huge difference, even though the GLI runs about 180 hp and the 1.8 turbo in it doesn't do that much. The VR6 version of it would have ran me 2300, and that is much quicker than the 1.8 turbo version haha.

[johnk12845]

Sorry for the double post, but yes, I would like something relatively newer, preferably a car with under 60,000 miles on it, because I don't want it to get all messed up when I first buy it.

[mcperson2k]

What insurance company is that? Geez, my Civic costs me 2400 a year to insure, and that's after I scraped off all the good benefits.

[johnk12845]

Erie Insurance, my parents have been customers of the company since their 20s, and have all their other insurances with it, so its pretty damn cheap. I dont mind paying about 3 grand a year for insurance if the car is nice.

[TurboSi]

If i was you i wouldnt go for a 300zx, sick cars, have a decent potential but i work on them constantly at work and thier retartedly expensive to fix and its almost impossible to do anything in the driveway on them, you should look into the 240's with sr20's in em, thier fast, cheep, reliable and thiers so many diff things you can do to them to make them original and awsome, and on top if you ever wana get into the drift scene you can and still drive it daily.

[johnk12845]

240sx are pretty sick, but still looking a little newer. Been looking into the RSX Type S, any year. Was wondering if anyone knows the potential of these? I know someone that has a supercharged '04 that gives a lot of performance cars a run for their money. And they look sick also.

[Foolinaround]

trust me,go rwd. im in fwd spinning live. always pulling never pushing

[keff108]

Dont go for the whole head turner thing. Unless its a ferrari or lambo nothing will really turn many heads. Go for RWD and get 6spd. Thats a true sports car. Only problem being that its tough getting around when it snows. Go for a 350z you wont be disappointed they are solid cars and reliable.

[KustomZ03]

How old are you? If you are under the age of 21 and end up getting the Z stay away from my350z...they rip young kids to shreds over there.

I'd go for the 240 or the 300zx...you can get them pretty cheap and use the left over funds for plenty of mods.

[johnk12845]

Im 16, and it would be my first car. I wouldn't be beating the hell outta my car either and wouldn't be stupid with it. 350z would be a sick car for a first car, almost unrealistic, but when parents are picking up the first year of insurance anyway, Ill be able to throw my money into mods.

[MPowerKai]

00-02 Honda S2000
04 Mazda Rx8
03 Nissan 350z
02-05 Subaru wrx
04 Subaru WRX STi
03 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 8
91-96 Mitsubishi 3000gt vr4
95-98 BMW M3
91-04 mazda miata
91-99 Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX
a 240 with an RB swap
98-01 Subaru 2.5rs
98-01 Subaru 2.5rs with wrx swap
Dodge SRT-4
01-02 BMW M3 with ridiculous miles


There are a lot of cars for under 15k

[Foolinaround]

04 Subaru WRX STi

with how many miles son?

[mcperson2k]

Originally Posted by johnk12845

I wouldn't be beating the hell outta my car either and wouldn't be stupid with it.

You say they until you want to pass someone. Than its all down hill from there.