my first project/commute car

I am going to get my first used car and i will be using it for daily commuting and at the same time i will try to improve its performance. Since it's my first one, i want to start it off with something like civic and etc. I will be driving it to school/work daily. Here's what i have in mind (budget: ~$8000 [for the car]):

Sedan

-honda civic
-impreza 2.5RS (have to love the AWD)
-240sx

i ruled out integras because of insurance (high theft rate) and eclipse (dont like the way they look).

Currently i still cant decide between sedan or coupe. But right now im favoring more towards sedan just because the coupes are really too small for me.

I know for civic and RS, their max hp at stock isnt that much. But if i were to properly modify it, how high can it go?

the 240SX has less stock power than the 2.5 RS

I would go with the 2.5RS, it is by far the fastest stock and is just as fun to drive as the 240SX.

that was what im thinking as well. however, the reason im getting a 2.5rs is because i cannot afford the wrx. is it wise to buy a 2.5rs now and later invest in a wrx? or get something other than subbies so i will have 2 different models later on.

the 240SX has less stock power than the 2.5 RS

I would go with the 2.5RS, it is by far the fastest stock and is just as fun to drive as the 240SX.
i'd hardly say it's "by far" the fastest. a 240sx makes 155 hp 160 tq, an RS impreza makes 165hp 165 tq but puts way less of it to the ground since it's AWD. since both cars weigh the about same(the impreza's actually about 85 lbs heavier) i'd be willing to bet a 240's faster, especially from a roll. i've seen 0-60 times of 8 seconds or more for an RS, not to mention my sister has one, a 2002, that i've driven many times, it's definitely slow.

I know it's not going to be as fast, but im wondering if it's possible to make it fast through swaps, modifications, etc. and if so, how fast can it go?

240sx is indeed a nice car to drive, but it just doesnt have the room i need in a car.

then you may be better of in an RS, the fact that it has a 2.5L while the WRX has a 2.0L means that if you decide to go the turbo route you've got the advantage of extra displacement.

any of the cars listed can be made to run very fast times, it's just a matter of how much $$$ and work you're willing to put into it. the 240 and the subaru are probably the 2 better platforms to start off with since they're not FWD. i just didn't want you to think the 240 wasn't a good platform to start with, because it is.

without a doubt the 240sx makes a really great car. but its just too small for me. it seems RS is the way to go, since it has AWD compared to civic's FWD. i put civic in there because it seemed to be one of the most common car that people start out with. it seems the RS is weak in acceleration. where would i have to start to improve it? crank up on the hp? also, which year is recommended with my budget? thanks

I'd look for an '00 or '01