Looking for a new car

[Scootin159]

I have been looking for a new (used) car to get the end of this summer. I'm looking for a fairly small car <3000lbs, that has a good amount of power. I would love to turn it into a semi-project car, so something that is easy to work on is favorable. The only mod I have planned for now would be a turbo upgrade (I would like to do it myself.....and for less than $3000 if possible). Anyways, give me some feedback on the two cars I have been looking at:

1995-1998 VW Golf GTI
1995-1998 Nissan 240SX
1989-1994 Nissan 240SX

Anything else I should consider?

Click here for some basic stats

As for two of the other contenders....the Mustang & Camaro/Firebird....They're nice & all...just too long & big for my tastes.

 

[gregshin]

get the 91 240sx or the 97-98 240sx

 

[vi edit]

My nod goes to the GTI w/ the VR6 engine. Slap a $3,000 supercharger on there and you are a sleeper waiting to dust some unsuspecting pony cars

 

[Scootin159]

<< My nod goes to the GTI w/ the VR6 engine. Slap a $3,000 supercharger on there and you are a sleeper waiting to dust some unsuspecting pony cars >>



I was looking & it seems like the supercarger doesn't do much (maybe 173hp -> 200hp), but the turbo can go to 400hp (using a $5000 kit - matrix or something like that?). Am I seeing correctly, or is there something I am missing?

 

[notfred]

<< 1995-1998 Nissan 240SX
1989-1994 Nissan 240SX
>>



why doesn't that say "1989-1998 Nissan 240SX"?

Anyway, have fun w/ your 4 cylinder import racer.

 

[vi edit]

Z-charger

 

[BCYL]

By project car, what do you mean? Are you into drag racing only? or are you into track racing or autocross?

if you are into track racing and autocross, definitely go with the 240sx since they are RWD... probably the 89-94 240sx cuz they are lighter in weight...

Otherwise, the GTI might be better since there are not a lot of parts for the 240sx (unless you get a SR20DET engine from japan and swap it in)...

 

[Scootin159]

<< Z-charger >>



Cool....looks like $4000 will take it to 222hp. If you look at the dyno it really discredits the Stage II option unless you stay from 5500 - 7000rpms (which I will hardly ever hit).

The Miata kit -> 218hp looks very promising as well ($3750). That would make the miata a whole new beast. I'll look around & see if I can find something for the right price.

I looked at ORZ Motorsport and they had a 285hp turbo kit for $9500....which is well out of my budget (for now at least).

EIP Tuning has a turbo system for $5000 that goes to $330+hp (which is enough for me....well for now at least , but I doubt it'll go past that).

Can anyone take a good guess at how hard it would be for me (I'm essentially a newbie at this) to install one of the above kits?



<< By project car, what do you mean? Are you into drag racing only? or are you into track racing or autocross? >>



I will be driving it 90% of the time on the road, but want something fun. I also want something that I did something to...myself...not bone stock.



<< why doesn't that say "1989-1998 Nissan 240SX"? >>


Because they are different cars....they redesigned it in 95...how much I do not know however.



<< Anyway, have fun w/ your 4 cylinder import racer. >>


Whatever goes fast & is light.

 

[vi edit]

<< Cool....looks like $4000 will take it to 222hp. If you look at the dyno it really discredits the Stage II option unless you stay from 5500 - 7000rpms (which I will hardly ever hit). >>



hehehehe....

It's hard NOT to keep a VR6 under 5000 RPMs. It pulls so strong from about 2500 all the way up to the Redline at 7500 you'll have to really try to NOT wind it up

I've got one other suggestion as well for a nice car - Check out the Contour SVT. Fairly light, one of the best handling FWD cars made, and pretty quick in a sleeper shell.

You *might* be able to chase one of those down for about 9k or so with a little bit higher milage.

 

[StageLeft]

<< I've got one other suggestion as well for a nice car - Check out the Contour SVT. Fairly light, one of the best handling FWD cars made, and pretty quick in a sleeper shell. >>

Yeah but...it's a ford!

 

[ElFenix]

i'm going with an MGB or TR-6... great project cars

 

[thedarkwolf]

I'd rather get something that was already turbod and save $3k for something else.

Late 80s nissan 300zx turbo/ mazda rx-7 turbo
Turbo dodge
Hell even a DSM although I don't trust their reliablity

I have pretty much decided to go with the 5.0 stang since I already have a turbo caravan to play with a turbo on .

 

[Scootin159]

<<

<< I've got one other suggestion as well for a nice car - Check out the Contour SVT. Fairly light, one of the best handling FWD cars made, and pretty quick in a sleeper shell. >>

Yeah but...it's a ford! >>



And look at them! eww.....

The RX-7 looks like a possibility if I can find something cheep enough....

Still though, anyone have any idea how hard the turbo/supercharger kit is to install for someone who hasn't done something like this before?