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Hmm what to buy, complicated qualifications.


99StockGT

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I'm not sure why anything with a supercharged 3800 is even an option given his stipulations (must be manual). He could get a turd gen camaro in "decent" shape for that kind of money, but lets face it, every third gen camaro has been abused (especially if its a v8). A clean roller third gen with a ls drivetrain could be fun though.

 

Ultimately I'm with Ramsey, just tell him to get a bike.

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More or less started this thread exactly for this purpose, so he can see things through our eyes. Brand loyalty is a great thing, but don't let it be your ONLY qualifier. A camero is certainly in the picture, he has extensive experience on similar motors and it gets his bowtie fetish all tingly. Hadn't thought of the Durango R/T...that's not a bad idea. Gets him big rumbly and some decent performance but can still kinda be used as a truck..good thought!

 

Early 90s Dodge Shadow 2.5 Turbo anyone? lol

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More or less started this thread exactly for this purpose, so he can see things through our eyes. Brand loyalty is a great thing, but don't let it be your ONLY qualifier. A camero is certainly in the picture, he has extensive experience on similar motors and it gets his bowtie fetish all tingly. Hadn't thought of the Durango R/T...that's not a bad idea. Gets him big rumbly and some decent performance but can still kinda be used as a truck..good thought!

 

Early 90s Dodge Shadow 2.5 Turbo anyone? lol

 

Just walk. Both of you.

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Well, he can get something older:

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail.jsp?tracktype=usedcc&csDlId=&csDgId=&listingId=103440703

 

But since he's excluded 90% of the brands on the market, it's tough. He didn't say anything about Korean or Swedish cars?

 

Hyundai Elantra GT (not exactly fun to drive, but it's not the worst car I found)

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail.jsp?tracktype=usedcc&csDlId=&csDgId=&listingId=106195056

 

Saab 9-3:

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail.jsp?tracktype=usedcc&csDlId=&csDgId=&listingId=107127959

 

This may be one of the last fun-to-drive Saturns:

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail.jsp?tracktype=usedcc&csDlId=&csDgId=&listingId=108694640

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Unfortunately the SHO while one of MY favorite ideas is a Ford, same with the fox body. Which means its off his list. I have tried to open his mind to the miata. We will see if I have any luck. We did kick around an RX8 and doing an LS swap though that will take us above the $3 mark. The GM 3.8 s/c is a strong possibility but ...

 

even an rx7 roller will take you well above that mark. seriously, with a $3k budget why even bother?? better off buying a reliable daily driver---and even then, $3k is not a stellar budget.

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Chevy Cavalier z24/Beretta

Anything Dodge from the 90s with "Shelby" or "R/T" in the name

'80s-'90s F-Body

Saturn SL2/SC2

RWD Volvo

Lowered S10

 

I have a 3hr drive ahead of me...will let you know what else I think of :)

 

EDIT: LOL @ Greg...didn't see his post.

Edited by zeitgeist57
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Oddly the Saab 9-3 is exactly what started this search. So that is most certainly still in the running. Unfortunately I don't have a whole lot of exposure to people who have done much tuning with them. Browsing through the interwebz there are a few sites out there of people who have done builds for these but certainly no where near the following there is with other Euro boxes with turbos like Audi/VW. Anyone have personal experience on these beyond basic day to day stuff and standard bolt ons?
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ps- I had Saab 9-3 Viggen (the "fast"ish one) it was super fun but pretty much everything costs $$$$$ to fix. Sucks because it's a fun car and mine had 4 doors and a hatch so it was practical. Until all the litttle broken things add up....
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Oddly the Saab 9-3 is exactly what started this search. So that is most certainly still in the running. Unfortunately I don't have a whole lot of exposure to people who have done much tuning with them. Browsing through the interwebz there are a few sites out there of people who have done builds for these but certainly no where near the following there is with other Euro boxes with turbos like Audi/VW. Anyone have personal experience on these beyond basic day to day stuff and standard bolt ons?

 

GM owned Saab for a while, the 9-3 may have shared an engine with a more mod friendly car (i.e. you may be able to use parts designed for another car). He should look into it more if he decides he wants a Saab though.

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First gen 9-3 turbo is a Saab motor. GM used the Saab technology after that in a bunch of different cars. The later gen Saab 9-3 that's def not 3k used GM ish engines but not mod friendly. Just motors for daily use really. Everything CAN be modded for power but these just require more $$
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Since 2 people have already mentioned it... http://www.columbusracing.com/forums/showthread.php?t=108953

 

I've got a Saturn SL2 for sale in that range. They shockingly are a blast to drive. They are so light and nimble they will do whatever you want. It is a manual. Has more than enough room for him. Avg 35mpg with city and highway.

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