whats the easiest car to go fast in under $3,000?

I liked the post for $30,000 so I wanted to do something more in my budget. Whats the easiest car to go fast in under $3,000. I've got some ideas but want to know what you guys have to say first.

First things that come into my head are E30, AW11, maybe SW20/22.
I'd be very tempted by the former two because they are lighter to begin with even if not as powerful.

Thoes SW20/22's are sexy cars. I like.

1st Gen DSM Turbo. (Talon/Laser/Eclipse)

I rather fancy the 89 daytona Turbo II and 89 Labaron coupe GTC Turbo II. What do you guys think of those?

I know I'll get something from Polygon from that one.

what are you going to do with the car? I like the E30 idea but cant go wrong with a 1st gen clips

Second daily driver but want a project car at the same time. Definely a sleeper.

The sw22 is fast out of the box but you'll need a newer model to get the fixed rear geometry and that will be very close to the $3000 limit (at least in UK prices).
On the other hand, if you get the older E30 or AW11, you will get a lighter car with just as good chassis (or even better depending on who you ask) and money left over to spend on the car.
With the E30, you also get the added bonus of it being virtually bomb proof even after 100,000 miles and 20 odd years and it will always be more discreet than an MR2 of any generation.

If you search hard enough, you can probably find a LT1 F-body for $3000, although as I'm searching through the local stuff, the 'decent' ones are going for $4000. It might be different where you are... out here they're still a bit 'popular'.

275-285hp (dependin on year), 325ft-lbs and a 6-speed transmission. Upwards of 25-26mpg highway if it's in good tune and you're real gentle with the throttle.



There's always 5.0 Mustangs as well.



Hey, you said fast, you didn't specify which direction. ;)

One of my neighbor's is selling his R6 for $3500. Just a bit over the budget, but only by five hundred bucks. I'd like to see any car you pick up for $3000 match that.

True. But he did ask specifically for a car.


Bikes are still the supreme holder of the Bang for the Buck category, a car that can match that of a new $9000(+/-) Sport Bike costs many many times that.

Buy an engine for your current car do a swap.

I rather fancy the 89 daytona Turbo II and 89 Labaron coupe GTC Turbo II. What do you guys think of those?

I know I'll get something from Polygon from that one.
DUHHHH! :lol:

Don't you remember, I found you an 86' TI GLH here in Utah for $1,500? It is low mileage and in good shape. Or would you rather have an 89' TII with a common block?

You can get these turbo Mopars in good running condition for $500-$1000. Upgrades and bolt-ons are cheap. You can have one in the high 11s for a couple of thousand. Also, if you break something parts are dirt cheap and these cars are so damn easy to work on. Not to mention that they have one of the most rock sold four bangers ever made and the Getrags they used will take anything you can throw at them. Hell, even the A-413 automatic is VERY strong. That 10 second K-car was sproting the stock A-413 auto.

I could go on all day. There is NO better bang for your buck than a turbo Mopar, but they aren't for everyone.

Drifting - Turbo FC
Autocrossing - Miata
Drag - 5.0 stang or the LT F-Body
Street - up to you

I could go on all day. There is NO better bang for your buck than a turbo Mopar, but they aren't for everyone.

Ya I remember the good old days when I had one. She had a nice body but she was all out of tune.

A rental.

they can be bounced off the redline each day, jump kerbs, fly over speedbumps. everything.

rentals are the fastest cars in the world.

haha lol thats great

A rental.

they can be bounced off the redline each day, jump kerbs, fly over speedbumps. everything.

rentals are the fastest cars in the world.

When was the last time you did that in a rental?

Your profile says your 18 and usually you cant rent a car until your like 25.

i didn't rent it personally, i just drove it. my friends rented it from hertz. we took it to the industrial estate where they work and we thrashed it all day. that was in march when the weather here was all sunny for like a week. it was a silver BMW 320i 4-door. (E46)

took it back with the rear tyres down to the wear bars.

Honestly I think an S130 Turbo is the way to go, you get a relatively large displacement motor, a turbo, light-ish overall weight and lots of aftermarket support as far as the engine goes not so much for the chasis though. Granted I'm a little biased but for less than $1000 you can have a decent running 280ZX and can spend another thousand stripping weight and emissions and would still be well under your budget and have a decent street car.