buying a used car. By bro-in law totally F$CKED up my car when he took without my permission when I was in CAli. So now I am looking for a new car in the $4,000 Range. My only request is that I want to beable to modify it some way, dont want it to be ghetto (I.E. a 86 Grandpriz with more audio than the cars worth. :iceslolan ) and that it be reliable. Any suggestion on what would be some good cars?

Buying a car with the intention of modifying it is a bad idea. Get a car that matches what you can need/afford and then consider ways to improve it afterwards.

4K is going to keep you in the used economy car class (Civics, Gulfs, Neons etc.) Or a well used vehicle (any early 90s muscle car, sedans). If you want any reliability, stay with a Civic.