Suggestions for a "faster" car < $5000

[Canucks3322]

So I finally sold my "car" and just have a Pathfinder to drive. I've decided I'm done wasting money on "nice" cars and have set a $5000 (well maybe stretch up to $7000) budget...I'd prefer it be manual but it must have a lot of power as it is going to be my fun daily driver. It must also be newer than 2000...

At the top of my list is the Nissan 350Z, only because I know these cars well and that's all I can think of right now so I'm here for more suggestions since finding one in my budget is pretty damn hard to come by though I have seen a couple but missed out on them...obviously for this kind of a budget I'm looking for something that isn't going to be the prettiest or in the best shape, I really just want a fun fast car to hold me over until I'm done paying off my wedding next year...I'm not a mechanic but can fix about anything that only requires removing bolts and what not.

No RSX Type S's or Mustang V8s, don't really like the look of them...LOVE GTIs but only really like the 2010-up so out of my price range as well. I also hate G35s.

[rage2]

Can you define high powered? 150hp? 200hp? 500hp?

[sr20s14zenki]

Srt4? (=

[Canucks3322]

Lol... Good question.. I'll leave that up to suggestions, but I like the 350z...

Never really been a big fan of SRT4s..

[6Speeder]

If I was looking for cheap power I'd get a 1999 Saab 9-3 with a B204R. A 3" downpipe, catback, intake and stage 3 tune by Brew City Boost bumps it to 285ftlbs and 270hp. You should be able to do all that for under $5000.

[jacky4566]

Turbo 4cyl will probably be your best bang for buck under 5k.

If you dont mind a little more weight you could probably get an 03-04 G35 6spd. same drive train as 350Z

Here is a good list i found on the google machine. https://ca.answers.yahoo.com/questio...5130113AAOAOYw

[Canucks3322]

That link didn't help but I just thought of something I like... 2004-2008 Maximas... Always liked the look of those.

[03ozwhip]

Originally posted by Canucks3322
That link didn't help but I just thought of something I like... 2004-2008 Maximas... Always liked the look of those.

So you want a grandpa car...not exactly what your OP was looking for.

I'd say if you want a decent looking car with decent power, get an 04+ Acura tl type S 6 speed. For 5k you won't get shit. For 7k you might be able to get in that territory. Or get an Aristo or something similar with a 2jz.

[Canucks3322]

Hmm I'll look into that but Type S is pretty rare.

[Darkane]

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/c...ationFlag=true

240HP, 6SP, Low Km's and Honda reliability.

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/c...ationFlag=true

Not super high powered, but fun anyway. 232hp, 6sp

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/r...ationFlag=true

Higher Kms, but V8.

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/c...ationFlag=true

This is what I would probably go for personally. It'll be the fastest and you can tune it for over 300 whp pretty easily.

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/s...ationFlag=true

V8, 300+ hp. Won't be as fun as other cars, but fast.

[Canucks3322]

Nice suggestions.... Thanks...

Just missed out on another good deal...2003 FX35 with 200,000km, they had it for $6,700 obo

Looks like for my price range I'd want to stick with anything with VQ engine, thanks for all the suggestions!

[revelations]

Gosh, could you be more vague? "High power" but mostly Japanese? What about a 90s pony car? Many good vehicles around. Even a Ford Taurus SHO might fit your bill if you dont specify criteria to rule out selections.

[soloracer]

Porsche Boxster
Late 80's Supra Turbo
Porsche 944 Turbo
300ZX
RX8
BMW Z3
MR2 Turbo
BMW 325
Mercedes W210 E55

[R154]

So, you were unhappy with your e92, sold it.

Now you're in the market for beater territory on a "high powered" semi sports car?

You might as well look for a rhd car. Most all of the ones here are moderately powered pieces of shit.

Save your money, buy nothing.

Juat wait another 6ish months. People will be selling their sports cars when their package runs out.

Seriously, your budget is not appropriate for your goals.

You're done with "expensive" cars you say? You clearly took a bath on your bimmer. Don't take a bath on your next car.

Anything you buy in this range will cost you ridiculous money in maintenance. Even Honda's in the 200k range require a host of suspension and engine maintenance. No one is selling a 5g car that has been maintained like clockwork. It's a lie. I have bought and sold several cars. Better then 70 percent of the time, owners think that oil changes constitute optimum maintenance. Never heard of an air cleaner filter or fuel filter. Don't even know how to check trans fluid. Had no idea that suspension parts like struts have a life cycle.

[black300]

R154 is correct, for the price and needs you are looking for you will only get a POS.

Anything that is "High Powered" was expensive at one point in time, there is a reason it is now selling for $5-$7k.

Your better off looking at something smaller that actually is worth its price. Example: Civic, Corolla, Cobalt, G5 etc.

RHD is probably the best bang your going to get for spending $5k. But we all know how much trouble those can be.

I have seen G35's and 350z's listed for $7k ish but those are probably abused and beat. A decent one would cost be $12-15k.

I owned a G35 6MT with Brembo's myself and let me tell you one thing, if it was not looked after by its previous owners your "High Powered" car will not make you very happy. Sure you can pick one up for $6k but what is the point of a car that is constantly at the repair shop.

[Canucks3322]

Good point about waiting a bit for people's packages to run out...

High powered probably isn't the right term for a forum full of car enthusiasts haha... I guess I mean just anything more sporty that's decently quick...I did specify newer than 2000 though and said I hated mustangs and rsx type s's... I know enough about cars to know what's out there, just wanted to see if anyone would mention something I never considered... $5000 is a pretty low budget but it can be done if patient, especially with so many people needing to unload cars in this city...lll probably end up waiting and paying more than my budget for the perfect 350z since it's always been my favorite car.

[Cos]

.

[blairtruck]

chevette with a 350

[Sentry]

I bought my Aristo for $4600 back in 2012. It already had a couple light mods. I threw it on the dyno the way I bought it and it made 350whp/320ftlbs. Don't think any car can match that for that price.

Plus it drives the correct wheels and has an LSD.

[roll_over]

Don't the bug eye Subaru become legal soon, that might fit your bill