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View Full Version : Budget Commuter Hot Rod suggestions needed.


svuba
09-23-2005, 05:47 PM
I'm Hankerin for a hot rod! Shooting for 0-60 in 6.5 or less..... preferrably under 6.0

I have two main problems:
1. $10,000 is about all that I can swing
2. said Hot Rod must be reliable & efficient enough to commute 100 miles round trip 3 days per week.



Candidates:
93 Mazda RX-7 Twin Turbo - 0-60 in around 5.7 seconds
92 Nissan 300 ZX turbo
Early Model WRX
2000 VW GTI VR6
91 Audi s4
1986 944 turbo
1985 Porsche 928 s 0-60 5.9s
1980 Renault LeCar with Big Block Swap :thumb:

I am not sure how reliable those turbos are with 100-150K on them probably not too good.
Any other suggestions?

Tribesman
09-23-2005, 06:03 PM
I'm Hankerin for a hot rod! Shooting for 0-60 in 6.5 or less..... preferrably under 6.0

I have two main problems:
1. $10,000 is about all that I can swing
2. said Hot Rod must be reliable & efficient enough to commute 100 miles round trip 3 days per week.



Candidates:
93 Mazda RX-7 Twin Turbo - 0-60 in around 5.7 seconds
92 Nissan 300 ZX turbo
Early Model WRX
2000 VW GTI VR6
91 Audi s4
1986 944 turbo
1985 Porsche 928 s 0-60 5.9s
1980 Renault LeCar with Big Block Swap :thumb:

I am not sure how reliable those turbos are with 100-150K on them probably not too good.
Any other suggestions?
How 'bout a v8 Mustang? The early 90s models or the '99 and later ones are your best bet (avoid the 96-98 years, unless its modified, Since in stock form they're rather slow IMO). The '99 and later models do 60mph in under 6 seconds. Whereas the late 80s/early 90s get there in a little over 6 sec. Obviously the newer ones used will be right at or just over your $10k limit though.

The best part about these cars is the plethora of hop up parts available.

Just my 2 cents.

Pants
09-23-2005, 06:08 PM
'95 RX-7.
'98 240SX
90's 300ZX
MR2's

Come to mind.

Braincase
09-23-2005, 06:40 PM
As a fan of the Hot Rod art form, I have to interject. By my recollection, Hot Rod describes a type of automobile, typically antique (i.e. at least 25 years old).

I think there is a term to describe the class of auto you mention, but Hot Rod ain't it.

May Billy Gibbons have mercy on your soul.

:Poke:

:thumb:

KC Jones
09-23-2005, 06:45 PM
Camaro's having been recently discontinued and always packing a lot of power for the $$$ might be a good deal.

You could probably get a 2000 model for under $10K

Oops - guess I missed requirement #2

Brock
09-23-2005, 07:01 PM
I don't think any of those are going to be very reliable.

ArrowheadHawk
09-23-2005, 07:04 PM
how about a transam?

Oxford
09-23-2005, 07:09 PM
Any GM 3800-V6 with the Supercharger. That would be GrandPrix, Impala, Buick Regal/Century. The motor is bulletproof, change to a 4.00 GM ring gear and with the 4speed slushbox (overdrive) fuel mileage should be in the low 20's highway.

Bwana
09-23-2005, 07:15 PM
Honda Accord.

onescrewleftuntwisted
09-23-2005, 07:47 PM
when all else fails geo tracker will get you there

svuba
09-23-2005, 07:56 PM
How 'bout a v8 Mustang? The early 90s models or the '99 and later ones are your best bet (avoid the 96-98 years, unless its modified, Since in stock form they're rather slow IMO). The '99 and later models do 60mph in under 6 seconds. Whereas the late 80s/early 90s get there in a little over 6 sec. Obviously the newer ones used will be right at or just over your $10k limit though.

The best part about these cars is the plethora of hop up parts available.

Just my 2 cents.

Does it have to be a GT?
What kind of highway milage will I get?

check this one out for $8000:
99 GT ebay (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ford-Mustang-GT-99-Mustang-GT-35th-Ann-MUST-SELL-NO-RESERVE_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ6236QQitemZ4577156557QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW)

KCFANinNC
09-23-2005, 08:08 PM
Maxima, and you get some nice features too.

Ther are cheap upgrade parts on eBay to squeeze out a few more ponies. It will be much more reliable than the turbos you mention.

dtebbe
09-23-2005, 08:19 PM
The Mazdas are nice, but you pretty much have to replace the rotary at 80k miles on the turbo cars.

The only one on your list that I would suggest is the VW. The rest of them are all going to be garage queens, eating you up with maintenance.

Personally I would go with a 1999/2000 Mustang GT, with a 5 speed. They will put you right in the performace range, and still get 20-25mpg on the highway IF you can keep your foot out of it.

I just bought a clean 2000 GT with 78k miles on it for $8900. I've just about got it ready for the Kenne Bell supercharger, new clutch and rear suspension is going in next week. When I get finished I will have about $16k in the car, and it should be a sub 5 sec 0-60 car. The route I'm going will put me at about 430rwhp and 476ftlb torque. The great thing about the Kenne Bell is it makes that torque right off idle, See:
http://kennebell.net/superchargers/ford/gt96-03_2v/gt96-04.htm

My car is really a sleeper too, white with stock wheels and no spoiler. This is the best pic I have right now:
http://tko.cc/cam/pl_2/PL2_00681.jpg

With the Mustangs, you want to avoid the 96-98 cars, they had lousy heads and were only rated at 215hp. 99-up had the good PI heads / Intake which were 260hp, and respond very well to forced induction. Of coarse you can't miss with the 90-95 V8 cars, but it's pretty hard to find a clean one now days. If you keep the stock 2.73/3.08/3.27 gear, the V8 mustangs will get 16-18mpg around town and 22-28mpg on the highway. The only bad thing is that it's really hard to keep your foot out of them, especially once you put a nice sounding exhaust on em' :P

DT

Skip Towne
09-23-2005, 08:29 PM
The Mazdas are nice, but you pretty much have to replace the rotary at 80k miles on the turbo cars.

The only one on your list that I would suggest is the VW. The rest of them are all going to be garage queens, eating you up with maintenance.

Personally I would go with a 1999/2000 Mustang GT, with a 5 speed. They will put you right in the performace range, and still get 20-25mpg on the highway IF you can keep your foot out of it.

I just bought a clean 2000 GT with 78k miles on it for $8900. I've just about got it ready for the Kenne Bell supercharger, new clutch and rear suspension is going in next week. When I get finished I will have about $16k in the car, and it should be a sub 5 sec 0-60 car. The route I'm going will put me at about 430rwhp and 476ftlb torque. The great thing about the Kenne Bell is it makes that torque right off idle, See:
http://kennebell.net/superchargers/ford/gt96-03_2v/gt96-04.htm

My car is really a sleeper too, white with stock wheels and no spoiler. This is the best pic I have right now:
http://tko.cc/cam/pl_2/PL2_00681.jpg

With the Mustangs, you want to avoid the 96-98 cars, they had lousy heads and were only rated at 215hp. 99-up had the good PI heads / Intake which were 260hp, and respond very well to forced induction. Of coarse you can't miss with the 90-95 V8 cars, but it's pretty hard to find a clean one now days. If you keep the stock 2.73/3.08/3.27 gear, the V8 mustangs will get 16-18mpg around town and 22-28mpg on the highway. The only bad thing is that it's really hard to keep your foot out of them, especially once you put a nice sounding exhaust on em' :P

DT
That should turn in the 13's. Not good gas mileage.

svuba
09-23-2005, 09:18 PM
How much will the convertible bother me on the freeway?

It seems like you can get a convertible for about the same price.

Check out this sweet 2001 GT convertible for $11G

01 GT Convertible ebay (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ford-Mustang-GT-Conv-2001-Mustang-GT-Convertible-True-Blue_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ6236QQitemZ4577333471QQrdZ1#ebayphotohosting)

dtebbe
09-23-2005, 09:26 PM
How much will the convertible bother me on the freeway?

It seems like you can get a convertible for about the same price.

Check out this sweet 2001 GT convertible for $11G

01 GT Convertible ebay (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ford-Mustang-GT-Conv-2001-Mustang-GT-Convertible-True-Blue_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ6236QQitemZ4577333471QQrdZ1#ebayphotohosting)

I would stay away from the drop tops. They are heavier, not a structrally sound, and long-term don't hold up well. You also lose valuable rear seat and trunk space with them. The noise and cold winter drafts will also wear on you after a while. IMHO.

I also forgot to mention that if you plan to hot-rod the car at all, a 2001 is not the best year, because they have yet another different head that has about 1/2 point higher compresson ratio. This is good if you don't plan on a blower, turbo, or nitrous down the road, but will severely limit how much spray or boost you can run on pump gas if you ever go that direction. Most guys who buy V8 mustangs end up hot-rodding them. It's pretty hard to resist....

DT

KCJake
09-23-2005, 09:31 PM
That should turn in the 13's. Not good gas mileage.
With 430rwhp, mid 12's all day. As long as the car will hook.

Gas mileage? Generally, fast cars and good gas mileage don't belong in the same sentence.

KCJake
09-23-2005, 09:36 PM
I just bought a clean 2000 GT with 78k miles on it for $8900. I've just about got it ready for the Kenne Bell supercharger, new clutch and rear suspension is going in next week. When I get finished I will have about $16k in the car, and it should be a sub 5 sec 0-60 car. The route I'm going will put me at about 430rwhp and 476ftlb torque. The great thing about the Kenne Bell is it makes that torque right off idle, See:
DT
Sounds like you've got things figured out. Just don't go crazy with the boost level. It's so easy to do a pulley swap. Boost can be really addictive!

dtebbe
09-23-2005, 09:40 PM
With 430rwhp, mid 12's all day. As long as the car will hook.

Gas mileage? Generally, fast cars and good gas mileage don't belong in the same sentence.

I'm shooting for mid-high 12's on street tires and low 12's high 11's on drag radials. I'm doing a full UPR pro-street rear suspension setup, with QA1 adjustable shocks. The only worry I have right now is that when I bought the car, it already had a 3.73 gear in it, and I think that may be a little much for a car that is going to make 350+ ftlbs at 2500 rpm.... A 3.55 would probably be much better.

I had a 93' coupe that was NA with TFS heads and most of the bolt ons, and it ran 12.90's at 125mph on hard street tires. BUT, it weighed about 500# less than this car does.

As far as gas milage, my car has a 3.73 gear and a driver who likes the sound of his exhaust more than the stereo, so I only get about 16mpg around town. But to me it's cheap entertianment....

DT

dtebbe
09-23-2005, 09:42 PM
Sounds like you've got things figured out. Just don't go crazy with the boost level. It's so easy to do a pulley swap. Boost can be really addictive!

Yes, I'm sticking with 9psi, the kit is intercooled. The kit will do 14-17psi with no problem, but on the 4.6 the rods & pistons are really no t up to much over 450hp. I figure once the motor needs freshening I will put a cobra crank, good rods and 8.5-1 pistons in there and then put that little pulley on there :)

DT

SpitLightning
09-23-2005, 10:53 PM
I have a 00 GT Modded, no boost yet, when shes ready to be rebuilt then I will add a Single 94mm Turbo.

and I do agree with you, they sound great when your going threw 2nd and 3rd gear( magnaflow catback system) its hard to keep your foot outa them as well, plus its fun to eat the Rice.

Tribesman
09-23-2005, 11:02 PM
I also forgot to mention that if you plan to hot-rod the car at all, a 2001 is not the best year, because they have yet another different head that has about 1/2 point higher compresson ratio. This is good if you don't plan on a blower, turbo, or nitrous down the road, but will severely limit how much spray or boost you can run on pump gas if you ever go that direction. Most guys who buy V8 mustangs end up hot-rodding them. It's pretty hard to resist....

DT
Ah, that would explain why the 02 GT I just bought seems as though it's not as powerful as the 01 GT I use to own. Both were/are relatively stock (less a few mild bolt-ons). I still love these cars though.

KCJake
09-23-2005, 11:18 PM
Yes, I'm sticking with 9psi, the kit is intercooled. The kit will do 14-17psi with no problem, but on the 4.6 the rods & pistons are really no t up to much over 450hp. I figure once the motor needs freshening I will put a cobra crank, good rods and 8.5-1 pistons in there and then put that little pulley on there :)

DT
Gotta love that boost! I have a 02 Lightning right now. Hopefully, i'll be trading it in on a 03 Cobra real soon. :drool:

dtebbe
09-24-2005, 08:05 AM
Ah, that would explain why the 02 GT I just bought seems as though it's not as powerful as the 01 GT I use to own. Both were/are relatively stock (less a few mild bolt-ons). I still love these cars though.

Both of those look really nince. That LX looks really clean. I finally gave up trying to find a clean 93' car. I kick myself for selling my 93 coupe. I bought it brand new, and it was soooo clean. I checked the carfax the other day, and it's been in 4 accidents, one a total loss, and then a salvage title was issued. :deevee: A sad day!

DT

Eleazar
09-24-2005, 08:42 AM
I know little about cars but It's weird to hear people talking about beefing up cars with turbos to turn under 15 when some bikes will do 10's out of the box. 0-60 in the 3's, 0-100 in 5's. You're only eating 4-wheeled rice :evil:

Skip Towne
09-24-2005, 08:46 AM
With 430rwhp, mid 12's all day. As long as the car will hook.

Gas mileage? Generally, fast cars and good gas mileage don't belong in the same sentence.
Neither do "budget" and "hot rod".

dtebbe
09-24-2005, 08:57 AM
I know little about cars but It's weird to hear people talking about beefing up cars with turbos to turn under 15 when some bikes will do 10's out of the box. 0-60 in the 3's, 0-100 in 5's. You're only eating 4-wheeled rice :evil:

That's because we would rather not eat pavement :)

DT

StcChief
09-24-2005, 10:12 AM
Maxima, and you get some nice features too.

Ther are cheap upgrade parts on eBay to squeeze out a few more ponies. It will be much more reliable than the turbos you mention.2000-2001 Maxima 220hp 3.0L 24 hwy
~6.5 sec 0-60. Very reliable and easy mod. Comfortable for 100 mi trips.

I had a 98 Maxima now a 2002.

Darkwolfe
09-24-2005, 10:18 AM
Just remeber that turbos are notoriously touchy when the miles add up. I'd personally rather stick to a non-turbo engine.

My last "sports-car" was a mildly modified 91 T-Bird. The only thing I wished for on that car was a stick shift, but you can't get that on a T-Bird unless you have something pre-1970. I ran my T-Bird to 191,000 miles before I finally sold it.

I'll get my new Mustang yet!

Tribesman
09-24-2005, 03:21 PM
Both of those look really nince. That LX looks really clean. I finally gave up trying to find a clean 93' car. I kick myself for selling my 93 coupe. I bought it brand new, and it was soooo clean. I checked the carfax the other day, and it's been in 4 accidents, one a total loss, and then a salvage title was issued. :deevee: A sad day!

DT
Thanks. I wasn't able to post any pics of my current ('02 mineral gray GT) one, which I like and dislike in comparison to the black '01.

Dang, that sucks about your old 93.

Yeah, trying to find a pre '94 in very good condition is a tough task. But they are dang cheap to mod.

And I have to work with myself almost everyday to not go crazy and spend an exuberant amount of dough to mod my current one. The only things I've added are: diablo chip and cold air intake kit. I'd love to be able to afford a blower but they're way out of my price range. In checking eBay, they're selling (new & used) for nearly the same or more as it would cost brand new retail! :shake: Crazy.

CrazyHorse
09-24-2005, 03:41 PM
Uh....dont all cars at least get from 0-60 in 6.5 seconds?

CrazyHorse
09-24-2005, 03:52 PM
If you're going to think about a used Mustang, you might look at the Cobra models. They are usually lower mileage, better condition, and garage kept.

I just gave a 97 to my son with 46,000 miles on it. They were selling for 8-10 grand at the end of 2004.

Here's a good place to start if interested. You will find some nice cars here.

http://search.ebay.com/Cobra-Mustang_W0QQfromZR8QQfrtsZ50QQfsooZ2QQfsopZ3QQsatitleZCobraQ20MustangQ2e

dtebbe
09-24-2005, 07:00 PM
And I have to work with myself almost everyday to not go crazy and spend an exuberant amount of dough to mod my current one. The only things I've added are: diablo chip and cold air intake kit.

One of the reasons I bought the car I have is that it already had a few useful things done to it. It already had a 3.73 gear, Mach1 grill and chin spoiler, 94' headlights and good tires on it. It also had a UPR X pipe and single chamber flowmasters, which droned so bad in the car it would give you a headache. It also came with a superchips tuner, basically to correct the speedo. I've been getting it ready for the blower, so far I've replaced the single chamber flowmasters with a 3 chamber flowmaster 2.5" cat-back and installed autometer phantom boost & fuel pressure guages. Next week the new SFI billet flywheel and clutch are going in, along with the full UPR pro-street rear control arms and QA1 adjustable shocks. Once that's done, I will probably order the blower. I haven't done any other bolt-ons, because when I buy the blower I'm replacing the entire intake tract becuae Kenne Bell has a nice dyno-proven package that includes a cold air kit, 90mm MAF, big tube intake and 75mm throttle body. Then I'm also buying the "switch chip', which is basically a custom chip with 2 tunes, 1 with a rich 11:1 tune for street use on 93 octanne, and another 12.5:1 for 100 octane race gas. One thing I like about the KB kit is that it delivers as advertised, without the hassle of custom dyno tuning.

I also have subframe connectors, I'm just waiting on my buddy to get his new MIG welder and then we are going to weld those in. My car has the dreaded cricket-in-the-dash "cowl shake", so I hope the subframes take care of that. I will probably do the QA1 front suspension at some point, just the struts, caster/camber plates and coil-over kit. They make some really nice stuff for the money. If the motor ever comes out, the QA1 K-member kit will go in for sure.

That's what I love about Mustangs, they have the best aftermarket parts availability of anything out there. For those of us that just can't leave thier rides alone, there is nothing better! Best of all, they are pretty cheap.

DT

KCJake
09-24-2005, 07:26 PM
Uh....dont all cars at least get from 0-60 in 6.5 seconds?
:rolleyes: