Late model muscle....?

Daniel Koster

Daniel Koster

www.kosterknives.com
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
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Oct 18, 2001
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What foreign cars would you categorize as muscle cars (or at least, sports cars) - and which are the best bang-for-the-buck?

At least 5-10 yrs old....



Reasons I'm bringing this up:

1 - my 71 Chevy Nova just died on the side of the road and it's been "making me think" a bit...poor suspension, sloppy steering, drum brakes, crappy safety options, decent HP though (and plenty of potential).

2 - I just wanted and episode of Horsepower TV that showed them installing a supercharger into a 97 mustang that took it from 245 HP to 425 HP on the dyno...and while not as "classic" as my Nova...definitely was a cool car and nicer all around.

3 - I like American cars...and have had several for a long time. For this next one, though...I'm looking foreign.

So...I'm considering selling it (and a truck, and some performance parts I have) to finance a more modern sports car.

Got any suggestions?

(pics and/or links appreciated)
 
BMW M3 and M5 set the mark for import muscle:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_M3
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_M5

But some like the Audi RS4 instead:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audi_RS4

The other way you could lean would be to get a Subaru Impreza WRX STi:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subaru_Impreza_WRX_STI

or a Nissan Skyline (if you can find one):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nissan_skyline

There are less spendy options, but these set the mark, and when you see something you seem to like, you can always find something in the same genre, but less dear.
 
i would steer clear from the audi if your gonna get an old one because they are notorious for there electrical problems but they are otherwise good cars. You wont find a skyline especially in Arkansas. You might try looking for a Lexus sc300 or 400 the 300 is a inline 6 and the 400 is a v8 there not the strongest but they have great handling, great breaks, and very nice interiors my only problem with them is that the 400 only comes in automatic and the are very few manual 300s but i dont know if thats an issue for you. they were made from 92-00
 
I would like to add some cars to the "nice performance for the money" list (based on whar I read not what I drive):

Nissan 350Z
Honda S2000

For the 5-10 years old cars you can definitely find decently a priced Porche.
 
lotsa neat cars from '95 or so, corvettes, toyota supra, 300ZX, RX7, camaros, and even mustangs i suppose.

they make adding a blower on HP TV look pretty easy, one of my buds has a '96 impala SS w/a paxton blower and he never got the thing to work right with no blower lag, its not always as easy as it looks. he eventually sold it.

one thing which seems to bolt on and work well is N20.
 
the_mac said:
or a Nissan Skyline (if you can find one):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nissan_skyline
Click to expand...


The Skyline is amazing, nothing else drives like it. I used to own a R-32 coupe until a few years ago.

Best car I'll ever own.

edited to add: here's mine from years ago:



And the interior (yeah, sadly mine was an automatic, I would have preferred a stick, but it was still great)

 
Had the S2000 and the NSX...Get the NSX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

But bang for the buck? a 2003 or 4 Mustang Cobra. A little work and easily 500 reliable, dependable HP at the wheels....
 
Mitsubishi VR-4, any EVO series, Subaru WRX, Grand National...any interest in trucks? Cyclone is a quick one....
 
For pure fun it'd be hard to beat a Subaru WRX STi or one of the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo models. Both are wicked fast, AWD, handle great and are practical for daily use. You can't beat 4 doors and a sedan trunk for daily driving. The only drawback is they might be a little to new and pricey for what you are looking for.

Here's a review of older Subaru WRX STi's & Evo's ('04 models):
http://www.roadandtrack.com/article.asp?section_id=31&article_id=592

Here's a review of newer Subaru WRX STi's and Evo's ('06 models):
http://www.roadandtrack.com/article.asp?section_id=31&article_id=2908

I prefer Subaru over Mitsubishi for a number of reasons so I'd go with the Subaru WRX STi. They are a lot of car for the money. If they are a little more then you want to spend you can always go for a Subaru WRX. It's still plenty fun (fun = fast). Both models have a huge aftermarket supporting them so it's easy to improve on any aspect of the car (power, handling, brakes, etc.)

Subaru WRX STi:
http://www.roadandtrack.com/article.asp?section_id=39&article_id=1465

Suabru WRX:
http://www.roadandtrack.com/article.asp?section_id=6&article_id=2806

I sure enjoy driving my '05 2.5L turbocharged flat-four Subaru Forester. The detuned WRX STi engine is a good match for the 4.44 gear ratio. A nice "sleeper" for sure.
 
Its a shame you dont get 'european american' cars over there

I just bought my dream day to day car Ford Mondeo ST TDCI only a second slower 0 - 60 than the 3.0l V6 petrol AND 40mpg! stunning stunning road holding and it cost about 1/3 of the cost of the equivalent BMW...

Word on the street is the impretza WRX STI are ****ed after a few years because they are tuned so highly ... all that power out of a 2l petrol engine somethings got to give.


Ive always wondered what sort of 0 - 60 time do you get out of typical american muscle cars? are cars that got 0 - 60 in 6 - 9 seconds considered fast out there? I guess road holding isnt as important as power with your amazing roads (yes im jealous!)
 
Had the S2000 and the NSX...Get the NSX!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Click to expand...
I haven't driven the NSX, but the S2000 is a helluva car for the money. Easy to find a used one for under $20k. 240HP, super-lightweight, and handles like a sportscar should (not like a musclecar).

The Nissan 350Z is more of a "muscle car" than the S2000. It handles well and has good Horsepower and torque.

The BMW Z3 and Z4 would be worth considering as well, but only with the "M" package.

There is also a souped-up version of the Pontiac Solstice, the Solstice GX or something like that.

The '05 Miata was available in a turbocharged Mazdasport edition. I can't think of anything that would be more fun to drive.

Ever heard of the Ariel Atom? It's about $40k (never seen a used one), but it'll outrace exotic sportscars that cost ten times more.

-Bob
 
MKI or MKII Toyota MR2 turbo. Don't bother with the NA unless you'd like to swap in a 3SGTE.

Nissan 240SX (original KA or an SR20 swap can both make good power.)

Mazda Miata (light light light, a little power goes a long way here. but it's a tiny little shit)
 
Bob W said:
Ever heard of the Ariel Atom? It's about $40k (never seen a used one), but it'll outrace exotic sportscars that cost ten times more.

-Bob
Click to expand...

Are those even available in the USA? They are one hot ride but, they might not be practical enough for a daily driver.
 
the BMW Z3 is very very small inside..
Click to expand...
It didn't seem any smaller than the S2000 or Miata. I think the MR2 would be about the same also. The Solstice isn't much bigger, but it was more confortable than any of the other small roadsters.

Are those even available in the USA?
Click to expand...
Yep. They're being produced in the US now. Jay Leno bought the first one off the line from the American plant.
http://www.arielatom.com/

Practical??? Look, you want "practical" or "cool"? Can't have both. :D
Seriously, they'd be on par with a motorcycle. And millions of Americans commute, shop, and travel on motorcycles.

-Bob
 
One more car for the list:

If I were interested in "upgrading" from the S2000, it would be the Porsche Boxster. More torque, more horsepower, nicer interior, and equal/better handling than the Honda. I've seen used Boxsters selling in the $20-$25k range. The Boxster S is a small bit more expensive, but has 295HP.

-Bob
 
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