Basically, my friends and I are taking $5000 and building the best car we can. We're going to run it around a curvy track (so not much emphasis on speed), so it will be geared towards that. Basically, I don't know much about cars, and this is my way of finding out.
I was thinking of going in one of two directions:
1.) Cheap Civic ($1500 or less), rip out the interior, sticky tires, roll cage, upgrade basic performance (exhaust, intake, headers, etc.), and call it a day. Maybe supercharge since Civic superchargers are everywhere. For dirt cheap.
2.) Older 5.0 Mustang ($2500 or less), upgrade suspension and brakes. Engine is fine as is. Rip out interior again. Supercharger again if I have any money left over.
Anyone have any other suggestions? I was also thinking of Subaru Imprezas, but they're a little too much for me to do anything much with them and stay within my price range. I really want a cheap car that I can pour some money into, not a more expensive car that will sit as is.
Post subject: Re: Have $5000, doing a car challenge
Posted: Fri 10-17-2008 12:16AM
Brigadier General
Joined: Wed 08-17-2005 1:43PM Posts: 1611
Source: Fidelity
kjk437 wrote:
Basically, my friends and I are taking $5000 and building the best car we can. We're going to run it around a curvy track (so not much emphasis on speed), so it will be geared towards that. Basically, I don't know much about cars, and this is my way of finding out.
I was thinking of going in one of two directions:
1.) Cheap Civic ($1500 or less), rip out the interior, sticky tires, roll cage, upgrade basic performance (exhaust, intake, headers, etc.), and call it a day. Maybe supercharge since Civic superchargers are everywhere. For dirt cheap.
2.) Older 5.0 Mustang ($2500 or less), upgrade suspension and brakes. Engine is fine as is. Rip out interior again. Supercharger again if I have any money left over.
Anyone have any other suggestions? I was also thinking of Subaru Imprezas, but they're a little too much for me to do anything much with them and stay within my price range. I really want a cheap car that I can pour some money into, not a more expensive car that will sit as is.
Can you cheat and invest your 5k and then spend whatever you make off that?
_________________ I have now been banned twice. Do not mess with me. Also, you suck.
Post subject: Re: Have $5000, doing a car challenge
Posted: Fri 10-17-2008 7:02AM
Major General
Joined: Sun 08-14-2005 8:36PM Posts: 2174 Location: in a Google Fiberhood. Suck it bitches!
Source: Fidelity
if you're going on a curvy track, you'll probably want handling over raw power. I'd go with a civic or MkII Golf. Saw a good segment on the golf on 5th gear. Also realize that with a civic, you're probably going to have to rebuild the engine if your turbo or super charge it. They weren't built to withstand boost pressures, but it's not too much work to do. I think the b16a head might be able to stand up to it, which i think is the engine in the civic. Not sure about the bottom end.
Anyways, I'd pick a car and then research the success other's have had with turbo's and the like.
_________________ They let us play with markers, but i keep trying to draw infinity
Post subject: Re: Have $5000, doing a car challenge
Posted: Sun 10-19-2008 1:31AM
Colonel
Joined: Sun 08-20-2006 5:50PM Posts: 711 Location: the darkest pits of hell
Source: Somewhere On Campus
Honestly, you should be happy and feel accomplished about being in college and -having- five G's. Pretty sure the old bank account is raped for that and more each year by our lovely school.
_________________ "In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice. But, in practice, there is."
Post subject: Re: Have $5000, doing a car challenge
Posted: Sun 10-19-2008 1:54AM
Major General
Joined: Mon 09-05-2005 9:23PM Posts: 2128
Source: Fidelity
calculusninja wrote:
Honestly, you should be happy and feel accomplished about being in college and -having- five G's. Pretty sure the old bank account is raped for that and more each year by our lovely school.
Full ride, baby. School pays me $5000 a semester to be here.
To the rest:
1.) Not doing a bike challenge. Maybe in the future, but this is a car challenge. Thanks for the suggestion, though. 2.) I was looking at older Golfs and Z cars. May be a pretty great possibility, but a running one still isn't cheap.
Post subject: Re: Have $5000, doing a car challenge
Posted: Wed 10-22-2008 8:43AM
Major General
Joined: Sun 08-14-2005 8:36PM Posts: 2174 Location: in a Google Fiberhood. Suck it bitches!
Source: Somewhere On Campus
LostBoyz wrote:
i think you meant, in your dreams
I know you're used to the general crap the Focus is and it's inability to accomplish normal driving functions.. but the Integra is a decently handling car.. 91 is not a great year for this application, seeing as parts will probably be harder to come by and it's a 17 year old car... plus the ground clearance might be bit suspect if they do any dirt tracks?
Which I've been wondering, will you (kjk) be running on tarmac or dirt?
_________________ They let us play with markers, but i keep trying to draw infinity
Post subject: Re: Have $5000, doing a car challenge
Posted: Wed 10-22-2008 4:48PM
Corporal
Joined: Sat 09-06-2008 11:05AM Posts: 8
Source: Sigma Pi
I think your best bet will be the 5.0 mustang. Find yourself a decent like 90-92 notchback. If you look for a minute or two you can honestly find one for 1500-2k, it may not be a beauty queen, but you can find them. Keep an eye on stlmustangs.com, there is some good stuff on there. Those are really pretty good cars out of the box, because they are already light, make good power, and have a completely unlimited aftermarket.
In my opinion, yes, a civic or some other import would be cheaper to start with, but I just think that you will have to work much harder to make your goals. I just think it is easier to start with something that was built a sportscar, and not a family car.
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum