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

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by svuba

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

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.

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tribesman

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

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/f...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:

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by dtebbe

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/f...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:

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

09-23-2005, 05:47 PM
svuba Starter Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Concord, California, USA Casino cash: $10004900	Budget Commuter Hot Rod suggestions needed. 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 I am not sure how reliable those turbos are with 100-150K on them probably not too good. Any other suggestions?
Posts: 442

09-23-2005, 06:08 PM	#3
Pants Time Keeps On Slipping Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Overland Park Casino cash: $5709900	'95 RX-7. '98 240SX 90's 300ZX MR2's Come to mind. __________________ "Turn the channel to 26!"
Posts: 27,294

09-23-2005, 06:40 PM	#4
Braincase Banned Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Pond> Me <Barn Casino cash: $11298284	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. Attached Thumbnails __________________ BrainCase
Posts: 15,429

09-23-2005, 06:45 PM	#5
KC Jones Genious Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Colorado Casino cash: $10012761	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
Posts: 5,366

09-23-2005, 07:01 PM	#6
Brock Say hello to my little friend Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Larryville Casino cash: $9598422	I don't think any of those are going to be very reliable.
Posts: 47,314

09-23-2005, 07:04 PM	#7
ArrowheadHawk Rock Chalk! Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Topeka, KS Casino cash: $7994961	how about a transam?
Posts: 15,672

09-23-2005, 07:09 PM	#8
Oxford Regular Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Springfield,MO Casino cash: $9625535	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. __________________ I summon the IRON , Cookin up a whoopin for YOU YOU YOU!
Posts: 1,416

09-23-2005, 07:15 PM	#9
Bwana It's Five O'Clock Somewhere Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Billings, Montana Casino cash: $2139553647	Honda Accord.
Posts: 69,740

09-23-2005, 07:47 PM	#10
onescrewleftuntwisted if only i had a hammer Join Date: May 2005 Location: your momma didn't say Casino cash: $10004900	when all else fails geo tracker will get you there __________________ quote lost in translation
Posts: 1,090

09-23-2005, 08:08 PM	#12
KCFANinNC Starter Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Charlotte, NC Casino cash: $10005137	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.
Posts: 166

09-23-2005, 08:19 PM	#13
dtebbe 3M TA3 Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: SoFlo Casino cash: $9993039	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/f...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: 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 Last edited by dtebbe; 09-23-2005 at 08:26 PM..
Posts: 4,305

09-23-2005, 09:18 PM	#15
svuba Starter Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Concord, California, USA Casino cash: $10004900	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
Posts: 442