Rank: Top 10 Tuner Cars Under $2,500

Here are the parameters – under $2,500, under 25 years old, and tuner friendly. These cars can be picked up easily, and provide the owner with a unique and fun driving experience. If you are looking for a cheap way to get into racing, a mountain rat, or a commuter, any of these will put a smile on your face.

Here are our top cars, listed in alphabetical order:

The yuppie mobile lives.1985-1992 BMW 325i (E30)
The yuppy mobile from the 1980′s has become quite a favorite beater. With powerful inline 6 cylinder engines, smooth shifting manual transmissions, and just the right amount of built in oversteer, the E30 is one part daily driver one part canyon carver. Maybe that’s why it was so popular in the 1980′s. Check for head gasket leaks, worn suspension bushings, and electrical gremlins.
-Torquey and wonderful sounding engines
-Balanced chassis with crisp turn in
-Engine bay can swallow any engine BMW has made
-Robust drivetrains will survive an atomic blast

Big V8 power on the cheap

1993-1999 Pontiac Trans Am/Chevy Camaro Z28 (F-Body)
The car that typifies American muscle. LT1/LS1 engines are near bullet-proof and are insane torque monsters. The torque makes it more fun to drive than the Mustang, but it is generally not as reliable as the Mustang.
-Durable, abuse proof drivetrains
-Tall 6th gear means no highway fuel mileage penalty
-Lots of mechanical grip, and can be driven very hard in the right hands
-High RPM launch will produce more smoke than a volcano
-Once something fails, parts are easy to find

Cheap, RWD, and a covertible to boot.

1992-1998 Mazda Miata (NA)
This is the sports car that the British companies have been trying to make for years. A spiritual successor to the MGs, but patterned after the Lotus Elan. Be sure to get the 1.8 liter engine, as the 1.6 liter is too weak for the U.S. roads. The cloth tops can be high maintenance.
-Modern Japanese interpretation of the famed Lotus Elan
-Immense aftermarket support
-Nimble, durable RWD car is perfect for track days or autocrosses
-Numerous engine swaps, with a chassis to match the power

The sweet whine of a rotary.

1986-1992 Mazda RX-7 Turbo II (FC3S)
The poorman’s Porsche 928, it was probably the last vehicle that Mazda designed without Ford’s intervention. Lightweight chassis with a strong rotary engine. A very capable handler, the RX-7 makes a living in the mountain roads, and is a very underrated car. Only downers are the finicky engine, as it  tends to burn oil, and the apex seal can be a wallet opener.
-Lightweight
-Smooth and strong transmission
-Powerful turbocharged rotary engine
-Good aftermarket support
-Very nimble and tossable

Weld the diff, and drift into the sunset.

1989-1993 Nissan 240SX (S13)
Since the rise in popularity of drifting, the S13 and S14 240SX/Silvia/200SX models have been the king of drifting circuits. The car provides the driver with ultra-reliability, near-perfect balance, forgiving handling, and lightweight chassis. The timing chain guides are the weak point in these cars.
-Huge tuning community
-Easy engine swap candidate i.e. RB, SR, KA-T
-Reliable
-Easy to tune out the inherent understeer
-Prime drift vehicle

Exciting, nimble and reliable FWD fun.

1991-1994 Nissan Sentra SE-R (B13)
Heralded as the new BMW 2002, it made numerous publications’ ‘best of’ awards. Now a cult-classic, if you can find one in a good condition, it is simply a blast to drive. The SE-R is prone to rust and 5th gear grind problems.
-Indestructible SR20 motor
-Revs nicely to its high redline
-Independent rear suspension
-Lightweight
-Nimble and responsive steering
-Mods aplenty

Try hard, and you'll spin all four tires off a stoplight.

1990-1994 Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX/Eagle Talon TSi/Plymouth Laser Turbo AWD (1G)
The first affordable supercar. It handles great, looks good, and can be very fast. This is the predecessor to the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. Be wary of the horrible blindspot in the C-pillar, and modded/high mileage engines that can blow up (dreaded and debated crankwalk).
-All-wheel drive fun
-Easy to tune for high HP numbers
-AWD models make for brutal launches
-Can easily convert the non-AWD models to AWD via GSX parts

Best way to enjoy mid engine fun without buying a Lotus

1985-1994 Toyota MR2 (MkI & MkII)
In the early 80′s, Lotus contracted Toyota to develop a high performance engine for a lightweight mid-engined vehicle (does that sound familiar? – Lotus Elise). Lotus and Toyota soon broke off the contract and Toyota was stuck with the project. Hence, the MR2 was born – the father of Lotus Elise. First generation has leaky t-top seals, and second generation cars can have unpredictable handling.
-Cheap, fun way to get a mid-engined car
-Easy and plentiful Toyota motor swaps
-Insane lateral grip
-Aftermarket air intake snorkels that can catch dinner

Clean lines, great power.

1986.5-1992 Toyota Supra Turbo (JZA70)
It was once touted as Japan’s Corvette fighter, but it’s actually a rival to the Nissan 300ZX. The Supra sports clean lines, a great presence on the road, smooth powerful turbocharged inline-6 engine. However, it is a heavy car, and t-top seals can leak.
-Excellent engine
-Nice interior
-Very high HP capability
-Great high speed stability
-Smooth shifting transmission
-Phenomenal cruising car

Favorite for cheap tuning, and autocross finesse.

1986-1992 Volkswagen GTI (A2)
The original hot-hatch, the car that started the genre. After this car, came a explosion of affordable hatchbacks with high performance capabilities, especially in Europe. Based on the Golf platform, parts are easy to obtain, and the GTI is very tossable for a front-wheel drive vehicle. Some electronic gremlins might come into play.
-Lightweight, very nimble
-Autocross monster with basic mods
-Brisk acceleration with a 2.0L 16V
-Popular chassis means major mods have a proven path

Honorable Mentions:

1985-1987 Toyota Corolla (AE86)
Would have been in the top 10, but it is too old and the average one is well above our price cap thanks to Takumi and his tofu delivering fans.
-Short wheelbase, RWD fun
-Legendary handling
-4A-GE can be swapped easily for a more potent unit
-Ability to drift while delivering tofu
-Can flip for a profit if you find someone selling one who doesn’t understand the drifting craze

1987-1993 Ford Mustang (Fox Body)
5.0! Need we say more?
-Dirt cheap
-Reliable, and resistant to abuse
-Super cheap to make it fast

1988-1991 Honda CRX Si (ED9)
Economical, quick, fun, and reliable.
-Design ancestor to both Honda Insight and Toyota Prius
-Very reliable
-Auto-Cross worthy, fun front-wheel drive chassis

-KF

May 28, 2009 | Staff | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments »

R.I.P. Pontiac

JudgeKarFarm recently showcased some of the ways GM is planning to survive these tough times, but now the writing has been set in stone. GM has amended and updated their original Viability Plan, which was released back in February. With this update, they have narrowed their focus, and have a swift plan of attack to keep their ailing company afloat in the rough seas they found themselves in. While their future is uncertain still, one can only hope this is the keystone to keep their empire from crumbling.

Building off their previous releases, their updated viability plan cements the brands that will continue. Chevy, Caddy, Buick and GMC will soldier on as mentioned in the past, but the news here is the confirmed death of Pontiac. By the end of 2010, Pontiac is dead in the water.

To mourn the future passing of a great American brand, let’s take a look at some of the highlights of Pontiac throughout the years. Since 1926, they have had many noteworthy models, and here are the best.

1958 Bonneville Coupe: With options weaned down from the launch year 1957, the Bonneville was a fairly affordable, stylish car, with a Tri Power V8 engine. Used as a Pace Car for the 1958 Indianapolis 500 race, it was a radical and needed change to their lineup.

1961 Tempest: From the innovative torque tube drivetrain (seen used again on the C5 Corvette), to fully independent suspension, the Tempest was a technical marvel brought to the light by John DeLorean. It went on to win Motor Trends “Car of the Year” award that year. It’s optional and very rare 215 C.I. (3.5L) Aluminum Alloy V8 went on to live a long successful life throughout GM, and later in various forms throughout British Leyland/Rover products. Finding a Tempest with the 3.5L will stop most car collectors hearts.

1969 GTO “The Judge:” The ultimate GTO offering from Pontiac. It took the first true muscle car, and upped the ante. With a Ram Air III engine, Hurst “T” shifter, wide tires and a slightly functional rear spoiler, it was the best of the breed. Pontiac’s clever marketing team had a lot of fun with this name, making clever ads to help ensure successful sales in a saturated market.

1988 Fiero GT: While not fondly remembered, the Fiero was a fantastic car. Pontiac broke the mold with it’s mid engine drivetrain, responsive handling, but best of all, low price. In 1988, the Fiero GT offered great straight line performance, accurate handling, better brakes, but sadly marked the end of America’s foray into high volume, mid engine production.

2002 Firehawk: Pontiac gave a Firebird to SLP, and this monster was the result. With up to 345 under-rated horsepower on tap, this was the quickest modern Firebird produced. Bald faced kids can get one of these to run a low 13 sec 1/4 mile, and the pros can trip the lights in the 12′s.

2008 G8: Swiftly replacing three models at once, this RWD beast from Down Under is recommended for it’s high performance to dollar ratio. As a slightly reworked Holden Commodore, a car that has done battle with BMW’s sublime 5-series for years, you get gobs of horsepower, optional manual transmission, power going to the correct wheels, and a low entry price.

It’s been a fun ride Pontiac. May you rest in peace in the big drive in up in the sky, with nothing but “Smokey and the Bandit” and “Knight Rider” playing on the big screen. We’ll miss you.

-KF

April 28, 2009 | Brendan Dolan | No Comments »