Cheap, good, fast car under 5k? ;)

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I won't let my wife sell hers. If you're definition of fast is 1/4 mile times, the car does not qualify (the eighties weren't big horsepower years.) If your definition of fast is not slowing down much for corners, well, it's my favorite car. With a front engine and rear transaxle the large polar moment helps keep you out of trouble, but once you're over the edge it is more difficult to recover (I've spun it a couple of times pushing too hard on a track.) 2600lb, near 50-50 weight distribution, independent suspension, good geometry and great steering feel. The later turbo cars are the best bet for tracking, but I haven't had the pleasure.


From wiki:
In 1984, Car and Driver named the 944 the "Best Handling Production Car in America."

Think momentum. (And change the camshaft belt.)

 

For some cars, this may not be true but as the saying goes:

Cheap Fast Reliable

Choose two.

Maybe a Mustang 5.0? it might take a little work and after market to make it go really fast.

 

As someone already mentioned, an Alfa Spider. You could get a good condition on for that price. Maybe not the most reliable, but certainly a head turner.

Would be my pick.

 

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Cheers,
Aaron
'82 GTSi

 

Wow, you really don't understand cars... If you CRX is an Si, get someone that knows turbo kits to piece together a turbo kit for you... The D16A6 can support 180-200whp stock and in a 1900lb car that is more than enough. Get $700 K-sport coilovers and a camber kit, followed by an alignment and you essentially have a race car.

 

He is 15, relax.

 

Oh please please get the 240sx and allow me to relive my first car. BTW, what state are you in. It was a pain in the ass having a sr20det in California because it is illegal.

 

LOL, funny stuff. You were looking to drop a bomb.

 

Ok that makes a difference... If it was 88-91 I would buy it from you as they are becoming rare and they weigh next to nothing...

I honestly think a Porsche 944/951 would be a lot of car for you... Maintnance is expensive, and these older cars need it frequently.

 

Zup's

Can I make a suggestion?

you have a Honda CRX, this is a solid car that is reliable. I think you would be best served to not worry about a quick blablabla instead take that CRX and start to teach yourself about cars.

You have shown yourself to be an enthusiastic young guy who yearns to learn... well start learning. There is more to driving that going fast and there is more to cars than buying something else or aspiring to buy something when you don't NEED it.

Go to B&N and buy this book
http://www.amazon.com/Auto-Repair-Dummies-Deanna-Sclar/dp/0764550896
Grab a screw Driver and a socket set and learn. I am sure there is a program at your local school that also teaches basic auto. Keep what you have and build a foundation of understanding on it.

This understanding will benefit you immensely in the future, you will never be stuck for something stupid.... I have seen guys sitting waiting for OnStar for 3 hours because they didn't know how to change a tire.

It will also exercise your brain. Understanding how something works you can learn to diagnose simple to complex things. This will save you down the road when you are rich and famous and someone tries to tell you there is a $50 surcharge for Italian air in the tires...

Jim

 

Judging by the fact that you have 5k to spend and dont know much about cars, I would stick with something cheap like a honda or nissian. 240sx and civics have tons of potential, are cheap to fix and mod aswell. The other car I would suggest has already been mentioned as well, 944/951. If you take care of it, it will be reliable. But there is nothing more expensive than a cheap Porsche.

 

Anyways, at the $5k range maybe a Porsche 944 as said above. Just look in to how much keeping up with it will cost. I don't know a lot about that one specifically. Or, maybe a Nissan 300zx if you can find a good one for that price. That's all I have to suggest. I am not even at the point to get my first car yet. Need to wait a bit to apply for a drivers license first. Good luck in your search, find something that you'll enjoy and be sure to drive safe.

 

Dunno about that - my '83 euro 928 S cost me something like $5500 a few years back. Other than a couple $20 relays and oil changes, it hasn't needed a dime in repairs and runs me about $300/yr to insure. Starts every time & runs like a banshee. Thinking of selling it for $4k only because I'm dangerously low on garage space. Couldn't quite say the same for my previous 928 S4, but that's a whole lot more complex beasty!

Heck...if you're in the Chicagoland area, drop me a line Zupra - I'll set you up with something fun for quite a bit under budget.

 

How about a Mondial-8? (not 5k, , but close)
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or a 360 Spyder..?
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Cheap, ugly, in '73 this was the fastest combi in the world Reliant Scimitar V6
http://mobile.de/SID3OdeAiGlb4Ov9QwM.xYDKA-t-vaNexlCsAsCsK%F3P%F3R~BmSB11LsearchPublicJ1177849272A1LsearchPublicD1100CCar%5B-t-vctpLtt~BmPA1C321B20C337%81Q-t-vCaMkPRQuSeUnVb_X_Y_x_ysO~BSRA6D1100D1400H40000000BGNCPKWA0HinPublicA2A0A0A0A0/cgi-bin/da.pl?bereich=pkw&sr_qual=GN&top=335&id=11111111234582051&

 

dodge Omni

PIMPMOBILE!!!

 

I'd look for either an older BMW 325is or an AE86 Corolla. Both reliable and fun to drive.