best new or used rwd for 5-25k

[klohiq]

I need something with decent headroom (I'm 6'2")...but I don't want the car to feel huge even if it does weigh a lot...any suggestions on the cars I list is very welcome...as is any suggested cars I should check out...price is definitely something I think about, but if the car is a great car then it's worth it to spend a lot on it...

most of these are just a guideline...but some are definitely more important than others...

$5000 - $25000 (preferably under 20k...)
coupe/hatchback (can be a sedan...but I really want a 2dr)
>200hp (slightly under is acceptable depending on vehicle weight)
>3500lb (preferably under 2750...)
RWD (must be rwd...maybe AWD, but not FWD)
must be offered in manual transmission (not even manumatic or someshit)
1990 or newer (can be older, but I'm trying to find 90's car mostly...)
compact (can be midsize, but probably not fullsize)

18-27mpg avg
0-60mph = <7.0 (can be slightly slower)
1/4mile = <14.0 (can be slightly slower)

[NISSANSPDR]

The only car that comes close to 2 doors, 200hp or more goal, and around the weight you want w/the performance you want out of the box is the MR2 Turbo and the RX7 (255HP)

The MR2 is the more reliable of the two...I would say but it's equally as hard to find good MR2's as it is to find good RX7's

[klohiq]

In terms of a daily driver do you think the rx7 would be able to hold up...I know adding an aftermarket radiator and a few other things you can add a lot of extra cooling to address any possible problems there along with a single turbo conversion...but other than that...

how reliable would it be? I know turbo rotaries can be delicate and require a bit more attention...and I'm prepared to do that...but I don't want to take it in for repairs and tune-ups all the time.

MR2 is the top choice currently
Lexus IS300 is my second choice...
and then probably the BMW 540i or the RX7

I'm planning on test driving an IS300 and MR2 this friday so hopefully I will be a bit more informed with my decision then...

I know some of these cars don't go together in the same comparo at all (mr2 turbo vs 540i...wtf is that?!) but I'm open to ideas currently and I'm at a point where I'm not exactly sure what I want in a car other than it to be relatively fast, fun, and easy to look at in my driveway...

[nbw]

depends on what you want really.. if you want to streetrace/drag race Iwould go supra(although you can get an ls1/lt1 for way less and put the money twords go fast stuff..but since its not on the list..
if you want handling/autox and roadracing then I would pic the mr2. im not sure how much the mr-s's go for used but if you can find one do an engineswap(2zz celica gts engine+ trd supercharger is always nice) your halfway there to having a supercar hehe.
You can also probly find a corvette in that price rang. though I wouldnt know what years atm

[youngvr4]

get a WS6 or SS, otherwise i'd get the supra

[mason_RsX]

Completely stock I favour the M3 for performance, handling, and regular drivability, and it fits what you need. As for mod worthy the rx-7 is a good fit, and well definately get you looks (at least in Canada)

[kman10587]

I'd say Camaro SS/Trans Am WS6.

[youngvr4]

This was the shocker of the day. This car just may be the quickest stock Firebird of all time. And when you consider its $26,000 price tag, the cheapest of all 13 cars, the Firebird easily wins "bang for the buck" title.

How do we explain this Formula's awesome performance? How can we explain its 13.15-second ET and 108.27 mph trap speed, which is more than two-tenths of a second and 2 mph better than the Camaro? Like we said before, we can't. However, we can guess. First: weight. This Firebird is a stripper, without heavy options like power windows, power seat, etc. Second: tolerances. Sometimes they stack up and you get a faster car. Sometimes they don't.

Whatever it was, this Ram Air Pontiac ran down the track like it was born to, spitting out the most wonderful V8 baritone tune from the tree to the traps. The LS1 engine has a wonderfully flat torque curve, but it lays down at 5500 rpm, 500 revs shy of its redline. Shifting there netted us our best time.

And what sweet shifts they are.

Flatfoot shift Second and this Formula has enough grunt to lay down two 10-ft. stripes on the asphalt. You can bark the dogs in Third as well. We did miss one shift, however, when our sweaty palm slipped off the Firebird's plastic baby-butt-smooth shift knob.

Test Summary:
Firebird Formula

Base price: $23,065, Price as tested: $26,800
Engine: 5.7-liter/346.0 cu.-in. OHV 16v V8
HP: 320 @ 5200 rpm, Torque: 345 ft.-lb. @ 4400 rpm
Trans: 6M, Drivetrain: front engine/rear drive
Rear axle: 3.42:1 limited-slip
Curb weight: 3341 lb, Weight/HP ratio: 10.4
Horsepower per liter: 56.1, Tires: 275/40ZR17
Acceleration: 0-30 mph: 2.08 sec. 0-60 mph: 4.94 sec.
1/4 mile: 13.15 sec. @ 108.27 mph

[klohiq]

Originally Posted by youngvr4

This was the shocker of the day. This car just may be the quickest stock Firebird of all time. And when you consider its $26,000 price tag, the cheapest of all 13 cars, the Firebird easily wins "bang for the buck" title.

How do we explain this Formula's awesome performance? How can we explain its 13.15-second ET and 108.27 mph trap speed, which is more than two-tenths of a second and 2 mph better than the Camaro? Like we said before, we can't. However, we can guess. First: weight. This Firebird is a stripper, without heavy options like power windows, power seat, etc. Second: tolerances. Sometimes they stack up and you get a faster car. Sometimes they don't.

Whatever it was, this Ram Air Pontiac ran down the track like it was born to, spitting out the most wonderful V8 baritone tune from the tree to the traps. The LS1 engine has a wonderfully flat torque curve, but it lays down at 5500 rpm, 500 revs shy of its redline. Shifting there netted us our best time.

And what sweet shifts they are.

Flatfoot shift Second and this Formula has enough grunt to lay down two 10-ft. stripes on the asphalt. You can bark the dogs in Third as well. We did miss one shift, however, when our sweaty palm slipped off the Firebird's plastic baby-butt-smooth shift knob.

Test Summary:
Firebird Formula

Base price: $23,065, Price as tested: $26,800
Engine: 5.7-liter/346.0 cu.-in. OHV 16v V8
HP: 320 @ 5200 rpm, Torque: 345 ft.-lb. @ 4400 rpm
Trans: 6M, Drivetrain: front engine/rear drive
Rear axle: 3.42:1 limited-slip
Curb weight: 3341 lb, Weight/HP ratio: 10.4
Horsepower per liter: 56.1, Tires: 275/40ZR17
Acceleration: 0-30 mph: 2.08 sec. 0-60 mph: 4.94 sec.
1/4 mile: 13.15 sec. @ 108.27 mph

I was leaning more towards imports for a reason...and that's style and handling. A WS6...SS...are cheap and have cheap looks and cheap interiors. No offense...that's all well and good if you want a car that's balls-to-the-walls and you don't care about anything else, but I like my car to be both comfortable and spirited...not one or the other. And it barely stands out...I don't want people to constantly follow and be amazed by my car...but an SS or WS6 is rarely noticed on the road...people just don't care and respect f-bodies...

I don't want to spend that much money for a car that my friends won't like...my opinion matters, but I would love to have a car that everyone I know loves rather than a car that gets laughs by half of my friends. If the car had a bit more styling and were lighter I would probably consider them...but as is...it's a v8 that gets pretty poor gas mpg...and get's you only noticed by the cops...quieter 4cylinder turbo engines will attract more of the attention I want while keeping cops away...

[lucki17]

used bmw m3, hands down the best ,if you drive one you will know, and if you havent then dont say anything about them.


p.s. you will never fit (comfortably) in a mr2, and they are grossly overpriced.

[freakonaleash1187]

yes, here i am suggesting this car again. but it's my duty! anyways, have you considered a Nissan 300ZX TT? low 14s high 13s if you want straight line performance. if you like the twisties, man is the z a performer at the track. the engine lasts 150k-200k miles if you take care of it. and with simple mods you can be running well into the low 13s. and plus, with all this, it is so great looking.

[kman10587]

freakonaleash beat me to it...

I'd say your three best bets are the three RWD twin turbo coupes of the 90's: the 1993-1998 Toyota Supra, the 1990-1996 Nissan 300ZX, and the 1993-1995 Mazda RX-7. Of the three, I'd go with the 300ZX. The Supra is the fastest of the bunch, but it's badly overpriced. The RX-7 is rare and costly, and the unconventional engine type can make maintenance a real hassle (unless you learn how to work on a rotary engine yourself).

[Oldengineer]

Suggest you go test drive a 2003 or newer Jag X-Type 3.0 with 5 speed. Its got 227 Hp, AWD, and is quite quick. Get a certified used one from a dealer and you've got a 100K factory warranty to boot. You should be able to find a nice, low mileage one for $25 K or less. With the current factory year -end incentives, $25K might score you a new one.

Regards:
Oldengineer

[youngvr4]

Originally Posted by klohiq

people just don't care and respect f-bodies......

are you serious?

though styling is opinionated, i wrather like they style of a trans am ram air.

if the poeple were your at don't respect a WS6 then it sould seem that they are some sort of ricers imo.

whats no to respect about a car that is faster than everything on your list?

i understand your opinion about the interior, but people don't respect them........... i own a japanese twinturbo, and i respect the WS6 to the fullest. and every car on your list would to once one got a hold of it

[freakonaleash1187]

my friend just bought a '96 ws6, and i respect it. it is cool, but it isn't just my taste. all i have on him is "lets go auto-crossing", of course, if i had a TT, that would be a different situation.