A "modern" SE-R /G20?

^^^

I know what is about to happen in three seconds a certain member is going to come in threatening to turn anyone who did that into the Feds...

What kind of roadblocks would really be in the way of importing one of these Tsurus? If the chassis has already been crash tested, I cant really see any reason the car cant legally be brought here?!?

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EvanB wrote: I wonder if one could be imported like the newer Minis being brought in and registered as older ones.

that is brilliant

ST_ZX2 wrote:

ccrelan wrote: I have owned a 5 door SVT and a great 91 SE-R. The gearbox and engine in the SVT can't hold a candle to the SE-R. The shifting in the SVT was pretty bad even after installing a short shifter. The SVT engine is nowhere near as lusty as the SR20, too.

A first-gen Focus with a 2.3 and a MTX75 5 speed is a pretty cool choice as well...with a Steeda or similar shifter, they shift well. There is torque everywhere. ...and all the SVT suspension bits, or a whole myriad of aftermarket is in play too.

Having crewed for guys who raced both an SVT and a 2.3L Focus I would agree that the 2.3L is the better car.

Make sure you get a 2003-2004 car to avoid the suspension change in 2005. Lots more aftermarket suspension parts available for the early cars.

But you do want to swap in the transmission from a 2005-2007 Focus ST sedan. Much better gear ratios and final drive ratio.

4cylndrfury wrote: What kind of roadblocks would really be in the way of importing one of these Tsurus? If the chassis has already been crash tested, I cant really see any reason the car cant legally be brought here?!?

The VIN says 2012, and the safety system has only been tested to early 1990s standards.

Might depend on the state. I know here in NJ if I tried to build a lo-cost or 7 clone.. it would have to comply with all current safety and emissions regs... but PA does not care

Probably be fine for Michigan, I see dune buggys all the time on the road or sand rails. You just need seat belts, turn signals, headlamps and brake lamps it seems lol.

I think the turbocharged Cobalt SS from a few years back is another good comparison. Great motor, great chassis, great seats - econocar roots. In C&D's Lightning Lap, it put the hurt on many cars that were more "capable" on paper...

http://www.caranddriver.com/features/lightning-lap-2008-feature-ll1-2008-chevrolet-cobalt-ss-page-2

93EXCivic wrote: ^^^ I know what is about to happen in three seconds a certain member is going to come in threatening to turn anyone who did that into the Feds...

HAH! I forgot all about that! Is that in the GRM Meme Drinking Game? :)

How about 2nd gen V6 and 3rd gen I4 Z24 talk?

Eh.. the earlier v6 cars have myriad engine swaps or builds within that same engine family, with the meaner ones able to break 300hp n/a. Stock, they dont make power very high. Torquey..

The 4 cyl cars make power higher and can make a lot of hp on teh boost, but the downside is it's not ever going to get a LOT faster UNLESS you boost it.

If i was cherry picking z24s id have an 86 hatch with either a ~200hp quad four, or a cammed 3.5-3.9 VVT v6. My 2nd pick would be an 86-88 Cimarron with same setup.

I haven't been able to get back to this for a few days as I am in the process of moving from one side of Jacksonville to another. The Tsurus is an "interesting" idea, and the relaxed safety regs of Mexico (compared to the U.S.) issue doesn't really bother me. I managed to survive driving for quite some time without driver airbags or ABS, for instance (my current car still is minus ABS).

Thought of the Cobalt SS, and even found one locally a few months ago, but it had highish miles for the year.

As far as the Focus ST:

what was changed in the suspension that is different from the '03/'04 ? I ask, because I figured one of the first upgrades would be to the suspension using SVT / Ford Racing parts. Is there something about the '05 that makes using the earlier SVT springs and struts impossible?

Finally, after reading some of the suggestions on the 1st page, I did a search in my area on AutoTrader.com. I included G20s in the hopes that the one I saw (mentioned in O.P.) would be listed....and it was. Turns out, that G20 has decent miles AND is advertised as having a manual transmission, so I'm hoping I can check it out in the next few days. I have my fingers crossed that an '95 G20 DOESN'T have the dreaded 5th gear pop-out issue.

Hyundai Accent GT or SE.