Open to all suggestions

[revenga444]

I'm looking to buy a car for under 10k. It doesn't really bother me whether its domestic or import as long as it is decent on gas. I'm looking for a fast car thats not too old, most likely 1990 or newer. If there aren't really any good, fast cars in my price range then I'm looking to buy a car that is good for upgrading. Also, around 60k miles is okay, nothing thats tooo much over that.

Thanks for any help.

[Andydg]

98+ Camaro or TransAm are fast and get in the mid-20's for gas mileage if you have the 6-speed.

What do you consider fast and decent on gas?

[revenga444]

I was actually looking at both of those cars.

Are there any good alternative cars I could buy that would be cheaper like around 5000 dollars that would be good for upgrading so I can spend extra money on putting things in the car? I don't actually no too much about cars but I have a friend that knows a good amount so he would help teach me how to install parts and everything.

Thanks

[doberman_52]

i am looking for a nissan 240sx which run 2k - 15k depending on wether or not theyve ben moded allready, the stock ka24de (dohc) or ka24e (sohc) 4 cyl motor gets 24 - 30mpg, they were made 89 - 98, or u can get a 300zx for 2k - 15k depending on the same thing, they have a v6 and get just over 20mpg

[revenga444]

Do you recommend any specific year? Does the year make a big difference in the price? Is there any specific models or years that I should be more inclined to look at?

thanks

[doberman_52]

i am looking at the s13's, (89 - 93), the ka24de is in the later years of the s13 and has about 20 mor horse or so, plus they are easy to modify, u can drop in a sr20det or rb20det motor for more power, the 5 speed and rear wheel drive is what i like, stock they have about 155 hp http://motors.listings.ebay.com/Niss...istingItemList
the s14 and s15 are nice but are generally more expensive
http://auto.consumerguide.com/Auto/U...arreviewspecs/
for specs

[revenga444]

Looks like a pretty good car, I'm going to definitely keep my eyes open for any good deals around her. The only thing though is the majority seem to have very high milage...

[doberman_52]

high milage shouldnt be to big of a problem whith the ka24de because they will last forever, 200+ - 300+k miles, so i wouldnt let that slow ya down to much

[S13Driftfiend]

Originally Posted by doberman_52

i am looking at the s13's, (89 - 93), the ka24de is in the later years of the s13 and has about 20 mor horse or so, plus they are easy to modify, u can drop in a sr20det or rb20det motor for more power, the 5 speed and rear wheel drive is what i like, stock they have about 155 hp http://motors.listings.ebay.com/Niss...istingItemList
the s14 and s15 are nice but are generally more expensive
http://auto.consumerguide.com/Auto/U...arreviewspecs/
for specs

a) what makes you think the later models of the s13 have 20 more horsepower? because they are dohc?
b) you cant just "drop in" and sr20 unless you have experience in motor swaps, and even then it isnt a "direct" swap. sure it fits right into the mounts with no fitment issues, but the wiring is another story. and you definitly cant "drop" in an rb20. this takes alot of fab, new motor mounts, and a skyline k - frame i believe. a six cyl isnt just going to "drop into" a 4 cyl engine bay, not the s13 at least.
c) the s14's are harder to find depending on location, and the s15 was never brought here, so thats pretty far out of reach. judging by your post, im guessing youve seen an s15 front end conversion and assumed it was an s15.

to the thread starter, these are great cars. im on my third s13 (all 91's) and i get decent power without sacrificing gas mileage. not to mention these cars are fun as hell. pm me if you have more questions.

[G-man422]

Mazda miata perhaps?

[doberman_52]

Originally Posted by S13Driftfiend

a) what makes you think the later models of the s13 have 20 more horsepower? because they are dohc?
b) you cant just "drop in" and sr20 unless you have experience in motor swaps, and even then it isnt a "direct" swap. sure it fits right into the mounts with no fitment issues, but the wiring is another story. and you definitly cant "drop" in an rb20. this takes alot of fab, new motor mounts, and a skyline k - frame i believe. a six cyl isnt just going to "drop into" a 4 cyl engine bay, not the s13 at least.
c) the s14's are harder to find depending on location, and the s15 was never brought here, so thats pretty far out of reach. judging by your post, im guessing youve seen an s15 front end conversion and assumed it was an s15.

to the thread starter, these are great cars. im on my third s13 (all 91's) and i get decent power without sacrificing gas mileage. not to mention these cars are fun as hell. pm me if you have more questions.

A)from what i understan and have seen, the dohc motor has 155 hp and the sohc has 140 hp, so its 15 hp more,
B)You have to have the knowledg to do a swap, yes you can not do a straight drop, but it is changable if you want more power, it will take a bit of time and understanding and money,thae wiring is the biggest thing yes, i am researching all that soon when i get done with my 58 gmc pickup
C)I hav found that out because there are few if any around my area, i am looking for an s13 myself and plan on swaping the sr20dett motor in it
I agree they are great cars

[doberman_52]

S13Driftfiend: this website tells you the horse power and torque specs for the 240, this is why i said that the dohc has more hp than the sohc, i posted this earlier
http://auto.consumerguide.com/Auto/U...arreviewspecs/

[S13Driftfiend]

Originally Posted by doberman_52

A)from what i understan and have seen, the dohc motor has 155 hp and the sohc has 140 hp, so its 15 hp more,
B)You have to have the knowledg to do a swap, yes you can not do a straight drop, but it is changable if you want more power, it will take a bit of time and understanding and money,thae wiring is the biggest thing yes, i am researching all that soon when i get done with my 58 gmc pickup
C)I hav found that out because there are few if any around my area, i am looking for an s13 myself and plan on swaping the sr20dett motor in it
I agree they are great cars

keep doing your research if you are really serious about buying a 240. for one thing, youre calling your buick a "drifter/drager". im guessing youre saying that you use your buick to "drift" and "drag race". tell me how you have "drifted" your buick, because id love to know. also, if its a "drager", what does it run in the 1/4 mile?

you obviously have alot of catching up to do on your motor research if you plan on getting a sr20dett motor for your soon to have s13. sr20dett would imply the sr20 motor with a twin turbo setup. the sr20 was never released with a twin turbo setup. sure you can go buy a website on what power the motors put out, but ive sat in alot of 240's and even the sohc's are ballsy given their size. Jordan from ka-t.org is currently putting down 340 rwhp out of his turbo'd sohc: http://www.ka-t.org/jordan.php

if you dont do so already, browse around the 240sx section sometime and dig up some info. feel free to pm me also.

[revenga444]

Do any of you know how many miles Trans Am's generally last for?

[Andydg]

Originally Posted by revenga444

Do any of you know how many miles Trans Am's generally last for?

On the F-body sites I've seen many with 150,000 miles on the motor and trans still going strong with LOTS of mods. That's for the LS1's (98-02) I'm not sure about the LT1's (93-97) but those car be bought for around $5k pretty easily.

If you bought an LS1 you really wouldn't have to do much to it...stock they run mid to low 13's which is damn quick for a car that price.