Some help?

Okay, sorry if you guys are tired of reading these types of posts, but I'd seriously like some advice...

As of right now, I drive an automatic 1988 Honda Prelude 2.0 SI. The whole thing is stock, I've never raced it at all (though my sister said she's raced it a few times and it's beat a couple stock Integras). I have a friend who is interested in buying it, and he offered me $1300 for it (which is around bluebook value). Personally, I'm tired of driving it and ready to move on. I told my friend I'd sell it to him, so he said he'd need a little while to gather the money.

So I'm needing some help on picking a new car.

I'm not looking for anything REAL fast. I'm only a senior in high school, and I don't have much money to spend at all. I have around $1000 bucks in my bank account, plus the $1300 that he will give to me, will put me at $2300. I'm thinking my mom MIGHT help me out with buying a car, but she doesn't want me to waste my money/buy anything stupid.

I'm looking for something moderately quick, and not too cheap. I like how my Prelude drives now, so I've been thinking about getting a newer version, or maybe a Probe or something like that. I also really like the Dodge Stealths, but my mom says the insurance would kill her (since I make her pay for it).

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. :) Thanks.

Wait... a dodge stealth for 2300? If you actually find one, buy it and sell it for 3 times that.
Perhaps a older dsm? You can find one for 2300. Or maybe an older mr2. Not too fast stock, but you can make them go pretty well. A turbo z31 or a mkII supra would do well as well. If you wanna go the v8 route, you can probably find an older 5.0 mustang or camero for that price.

Alright, excuse my ignorance, but what is a dsm? And also, who makes the turbo z31? Thanks for the help, btw.

DSM is any Turbo Eclipse/Laser/Talon made from 1989-1999 (I think those are the years). It also includes the rare Galant VR-4, but ignore that for now. The best eclipse for the money would be a 1g (1989-1994) awd. These respond very well to simple bolt-ons, and can run low 13s/high 12s without too much money into them.

The z31 is the early (84-89?) Nissan 300zx. The turbo models can run 14s without much money into them, and the initial investment is cheap as hell.

DSM is any Turbo Eclipse/Laser/Talon made from 1989-1999 (I think those are the years). It also includes the rare Galant VR-4, but ignore that for now. The best eclipse for the money would be a 1g (1989-1994) awd. These respond very well to simple bolt-ons, and can run low 13s/high 12s without too much money into them.

The z31 is the early (84-89?) Nissan 300zx. The turbo models can run 14s without much money into them, and the initial investment is cheap as hell.
DSM (Diamond-Star Motors) cars are the product of a collaboration between Chrysler Motors, Mitsubishi Motors. The collaboration called themselves Diamond Star Motors, because of Mitsu's diamond logo, and Chrysler's star logo.

The collaboration bought an automotive factory out of Normal, Illinois, where they built Mitsubishi Eclipses, Eagle Talons and Plymouth Lasers.

Galants, though the basis for the DSM cars (shortened FWD Galant frame), and is the source for the the DSM drivetrain, are NOT DSM's. Galants are purely Mitsubishi Motors, and VR4's were all assembled in Japan, and none in the DSM plant.

Also, DSMs aren't just the turbo-cars.

Oh... right. About the turbo part, anyway.

As for the Galant vr-4, I was just going by SCC's definition:

"A DSM... is any car built under joint venture between Mitsubishi and Chrysler between 1989 and 1999, plus the rare 1991 and 1992 Galant VR-4."

I agree about getting a 1st gen gsx or another AWD dsm-they are fairly cheap and can be made fast by simply turbo and fuel upgrades. If you want to take the honda route since you have experience with a late 80's prelude, you could get a 89-91 CRX. You can find then butt cheap and if done right, they can run 13's naturally aspirated (im taking engine swap, adjustable shocks, coilovers, brakes, basic engine mods).

Okay guys, I've found six cars that I like, and I'm wondering now if any of you can give me some insight, pros & cons, or any useful information that would make me want/not want to get either of these cars. Thanks!

97 Cavalier RS - $2350
92 240SX - $2700
90 240SX SE - $2900
97 Eclipse - $3800
93 Prelude S - $3900
95 Civic DX - $3999

There they are, any stuff you could tell me would be appreciated. Thanks again.

One car not on your list that you may want to test is a Dodge Neon. Sure no matter how you look at it it's a Neon. But insurance is cheap along with parts. Just make sure you try the 5 speed not the automatic. The main thing to think about here IMO is cost of repairs.

From those cars I would get one of the 240s

I'd go with the 92 240. It has 15 more hp than the later one, and 240s can make massive hp with either a turbo or engine swap. I still say 1g eclipse gsx, though.

Go with the RWD-240sx...you have so many choices for engine swaps...sr20det, rb20/25det...or you can make up to 300 horses on stock internals on the stock ka24de

240sx

get a porsche 944