Bargain Speed?

I have a DD. Coming soon, I'll be looking for a as-fast-as-I-can-get for $5,000 car. Reliability will be a plus, handling a big plus, but 1/4 mile time type of speed is what I'm looking for. Faster the better, any input?

Can a C4 Corvette be had for that money? Better handling than most things that excel at the quarter (at least in that price range).

LS1 FBody with Naaaaaaaaaaaws.

Something with a factory turbo charger and crank up the boost?

3rd gen Camaro/Firebird? 5.0 Mustang? Both can be had for way cheap, rather reliable for a performance car, handle better than you think and have affordable parts to get that quarter mile time real low.

VR6 rabbit? Turbo dodge? Turbo brick?

mistanfo wrote: Can a C4 Corvette be had for that money? Better handling than most things that excel at the quarter (at least in that price range).

I keep seeing earlier C4s (the pre-facelift ones with digital dash and all that) for that sort of money or less. Heck, I've seen those advertised for 3 grand...

$500 volvo + 5.0 + Turbo?

heck...these days you should be able to get in the high 10's for that much coin

5.0 Mustang in good shape for $3500, spend $1500 on fasty bits and live happy

Sport bike.

z31maniac wrote: Sport bike.

I can get you a ZX11 for under $2500.00 ;)

V8, RWD, domestic. C4s will handle better, but stock-to-stock, foxbody Mustangs were faster in the 1/4, and the Mustang is considerably easier to work on.

MR2 Turbo and a big nasty turbo setup.

DSM. You can go REALLY damn fast in a DSm for $5k.

B2200 Truck with the motor from an MX6 GT, plus a remaining $3k into huge turbo setup.

93celicaGT2 wrote: B2200 Truck with the motor from an MX6 GT, plus a remaining $3k into huge turbo setup.

Sounds like a recipe for a challenge car if ya ask me!

Anyway, Im gonna toss the Impreza and Lancer out there + homebrew turbo. What youll lack in horsepower over a V8 you gain in launch hookup with AWD.

$1K E36 + 5.0 w/T5 + Swap Kit =

ReverendDexter wrote: V8, RWD, domestic. C4s will handle better, but stock-to-stock, foxbody Mustangs were faster in the 1/4, and the Mustang is considerably easier to work on.

Re 1/4 mile times:

Incorrect.

http://www.carforums.net/showthread.php?t=10251

Thanks for all the great ideas fella's!

I'm gonna second the idea of an LS1 F-body. Get one that's a little ratty around the seams and you have a lot of cheap speed. Don't buy a swap, buy one that's an original LS1 car. I see them from time to time for $3000-$5000 in trailer park condition.

lawnmower with hayabusa motor?

V8 Chevy swapped into an XR4Ti with a welded diff.

Mercedes-Benz S600 with the full LeMons treatment. I wouldn't be too surprised if you could remove three quarters of a ton.

C4s will handle better, but stock-to-stock, foxbody Mustangs were faster in the 1/4,

uh... lol. Have you ridden in any?

$5k in a turbo dodge or dsm will have you in the elevens at least, 10s possibly. This is only accounting for parts, not anything you may break because you dont treat it right.

Yeah, even as a Mustang owner, I'll admit the foxbodies had to have some work to play with a Vette. But your wallet will be a lot happier modifying a fox instead of the plastic fantastic.