Best car to mod?

[BlackTigers]

Originally posted by: Arkaign

Originally posted by: crazySOB297
Used C5 'Vette, no questions asked. After owning mine I'd recommend it to anyone in a heartbeat if you take care of it.

Like this heads/cam Z06

^^ This.

Nothing else remotely in the price range can touch it with a 100 foot pole. Handling, braking, fuel economy, massive power ceiling, reliable, easy to get parts for, etc, just one excellent package.

Not to mention, I'd bet large sums of money that the Vette's are going to be treated ten times better than any Civic/Mustang/VW you will ever find.

 

[JulesMaximus]

How much money you got?

 

[jlee]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
How much money you got?

Originally posted by: iAtticus
Sounds ricey.

Edit: Nothing over $25, preferablly around $20. Considering an '09 Cobalt Coupe SS, turbocharged, 260HP, fully loaded off the lot for $22,450 for me, since I've got a manufacturer discount because of the company I work for.

 

[joutlaw]

I'm a strong believer in GM's LSx motors that come in Camaros, TransAms, GTOs, CTS-Vs, full size trucks, etc...

These motors are bulletproof and the parts are cheap. They respond well to simple mods and give you the great V8 sound and are very fuel efficient for a V8... C5's and C6's get mid to upper 20s on the highway.

 

[Turin39789]

vw beetle

 

[AMCRambler]

GTO...of course I'm biased cuz I bought one. Gotta go for the 05-06 so you get the 6.0. 5.7 liters is for wussies!

 

[fbrdphreak]

LS1-based F-body
04-06 GTO
C5 Vette

On a bit of the other end of the spectrum, a Subaru Legacy GT.

 

[melchoir]

If you were interested the Black SS that I posted up is for sale, I know he's asking in the 20s for it. Here are some dyno sheets from it:

NA Dyno Sheet
Dyno Sheet on Spray
Engine Bay
Undercarriage
Side
Rear
Slicks & Skinnys

 

[fstime]

B5 Audi S4 if you want an AWD turbocharged small sedan.

Stock turbos are not the most reliable.

 

[mc866]

I still don't think you've posted your price range but there are plenty of mods out there for WRX/Legacy GT's if you are looking for AWD and don't want to spend a ton. These are by no means large displacement but can still be plenty fast and fun.


Edit: I'm an idiot missed the budget number, but my suggestion falls right in line with those numbers anyway.

 

[alkemyst]

best car to modify is like asking what's the best car for $10k.

Do you need 4 doors? Do you need trunk space? etc.

I have had a 1966 Mustang GT, 1988 Mustang GT w/ T-Tops, 1997 GTI VR6, 1996 Saturn SC2, and my current 1998 240SX SE...

I look for something you don't see everyday as well as easy to work on since I am always doing stuff.

The 240SX has been the nicest platform...it has an upscale look and simple to get to everything.

The only thing is stock they have no power...even well modified.

I am going to be doing a SR20DET swap more than likely (still debating the LSx, but it's looking like I can do the SR for $6-7k and the LSx is going to be $10k just to drop in).

Budget is a big part of this...Hondas have the cheapest parts and best bang for buck for a lot of things...but almost all are FWD which isn't terrible, but not a great track car except for drag IMHO.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: iAtticus
Sounds ricey.

Edit: Nothing over $25, preferablly around $20. Considering an '09 Cobalt Coupe SS, turbocharged, 260HP, fully loaded off the lot for $22,450 for me, since I've got a manufacturer discount because of the company I work for.

$20k vs $25k is a huge difference.

 

[Fenixgoon]

Originally posted by: BouZouki
B5 Audi S4 if you want an AWD turbocharged small sedan.

Stock turbos are not the most reliable.

great car, but it's almost guaranteed to be abused, sadly

 

[alkemyst]

Usually Audi guys are more refined...the buy in is high for those just looking for something to rag out.

 

[lokiju]

SRT4?

 

[fstime]

Whoops, forget, Volvo S60R's can be fun too, turbocharged 5 cylinder so a chip can help a lot. 300/300 from the factory, brembo brakes, excellent safety, great interior, AWD, 6 speed.

It even has adjustable suspension settings.

Not the most common car though. May not be the best to mod but it is a great all around car.

 

[zerocool84]

Originally posted by: BouZouki
Whoops, forget, Volvo S60R's can be fun too, turbocharged 5 cylinder so a chip can help a lot. 300/300 from the factory, brembo brakes, excellent safety, great interior, AWD, 6 speed.

It even has adjustable suspension settings.

Not the most common car though. May not be the best to mod but it is a great all around car.

Then why post it in here???

 

[zerocool84]

Originally posted by: lokiju
SRT4?

That car sucks. It's a freakin Neon that has rear roll-up windows. I mean WTF seriously??? Who wants to be seen in a Neon???

 

[fstime]

Originally posted by: zerocool84

Originally posted by: BouZouki
Whoops, forget, Volvo S60R's can be fun too, turbocharged 5 cylinder so a chip can help a lot. 300/300 from the factory, brembo brakes, excellent safety, great interior, AWD, 6 speed.

It even has adjustable suspension settings.

Not the most common car though. May not be the best to mod but it is a great all around car.

Then why post it in here???

Because the OP says he wants something which is nice inside and out and doesn't have too much money to spend anyways.

A simple ECU will do enough for this car for most people. A riced out neon (Srt4?) will probably be less to mod in total but you're still driving a neon.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: BouZouki

Originally posted by: zerocool84

Originally posted by: BouZouki
Whoops, forget, Volvo S60R's can be fun too, turbocharged 5 cylinder so a chip can help a lot. 300/300 from the factory, brembo brakes, excellent safety, great interior, AWD, 6 speed.

It even has adjustable suspension settings.

Not the most common car though. May not be the best to mod but it is a great all around car.

Then why post it in here???

Because the OP says he wants something which is nice inside and out and doesn't have too much money to spend anyways.

A simple ECU will do enough for this car for most people. A riced out neon (Srt4?) will probably be less to mod in total but you're still driving a neon.

If you want mod potential and Volvo, then an 850 T5 or S70 T5 is the way to go. The community around these cars is ridiculous. However, it would not be my first choice unless the stipulation were that the car had to have 4 doors.

The Corvettes are great options, as are old (like, 1960's) Mustangs and Camaros. The older cars are great because they are simpler and easier to mod, as well as having more room to work under the hood and huge aftermarket resources. The downside, of course, is that they are old and often won't have things like power windows/locks/etc.

ZV

 

[Quixfire]

iAtticus,

Since I make a living off helping others build and repair their ?special cars? I have a few questions about your needs and wants before I could recommend a car.

Is this car going to be a primary or secondary car?
Is initial mileage important?
Do you prefer a FWD or RWD car and why?
Are you going to do most of the mods yourself or paid to have them done?
Is body style important? (i.e. 2 or 4 doors, fastback, coupe, or sedan)
Do you want new or used, if used how old to too old?
Is base color important? (Some paint jobs can run into the tens of thousands of dollars.)

I personally like older cars from the 1960?s to mid 70?s. But I understand not everyone wants a project. The real trick is finding a base car you like so you don?t get disappointed if the project takes too long to complete.

Quixfire

 

[SoundTheSurrender]

Pontiac GTO

 

[Atty]

Originally posted by: Quixfire
iAtticus,

Since I make a living off helping others build and repair their ?special cars? I have a few questions about your needs and wants before I could recommend a car.

Is this car going to be a primary or secondary car?
Is initial mileage important?
Do you prefer a FWD or RWD car and why?
Are you going to do most of the mods yourself or paid to have them done?
Is body style important? (i.e. 2 or 4 doors, fastback, coupe, or sedan)
Do you want new or used, if used how old to too old?
Is base color important? (Some paint jobs can run into the tens of thousands of dollars.)

I personally like older cars from the 1960?s to mid 70?s. But I understand not everyone wants a project. The real trick is finding a base car you like so you don?t get disappointed if the project takes too long to complete.

Quixfire

Primary.

Yes, it is. I'd prefer something low.

Really, I'm not sure.

Some of them myself, yes, the first few, like intake, exhaust, putting new wheels/tires on, installing a sound system, and then some of the minor engine upgrades I'll do, but the more extensive ones I'll have someone else do.

Yes, it is. I'd prefer a coupe or a small body four door, a sedan would be alright but I'm really looking for something smaller and sporty vs a family type car.

New or used, as long as there is no problems with the used, of course.

Base color is, yes, I'd prefer something I can live with, I doubt I'll paint it, at least for a while.

Really, my whole point in this is to help me learn about cars as much as possible, I know a little bit, enough to get by, but I want to have experience modifying internals and really customizing my own car, I know that you have to be careful and any job I can't do myself (with the help of my friends, obviously, who have a lot of experience with modifying cars) I will have taken to someone to do. I don't mind it being a long and extensive project, I don't plan to do a lot straight off the bat, but I do plan on doing a few minor things, then working from there.

 

[Quixfire]

Well based on your prefernces I would recommend either a 2008 Mitsubishi Eclipse GT or Pontiac G5 GT. Both are 2.4L 4 cyl engine with a 5 spd manual transmission. Both cars have performance parts available, both simple and complex. And since they are newer cars you can choose the base color you would want. Now if a 4 cyl engine isn't what you wanted then get a larger engine first. It would be too expensive to install a larger engine later. (I.E. Spending 20K on a V6 Mustang now and then adding a 8K 4.6L V8 engine later than buying a Mustang GT with the V8 for 26K up front.) Also if you plan on installing a turbo charger in you car down the road a 4 cyl is easier than a V6 or V8. But blowers are easier on Vee engine in general since most 4 cylinders require a custom intake.

 

[Arkaign]

Atticus, because you are willing to consider used, I heavily recommend the Corvette route.

Here's a 2001 Corvette with 6Spd Manual and only 28k miles for $23k. http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/...ice=24000&cardist=1356

Stock they're 350hp and 350tq, on a very light platform that's wide and stable, only 3100lbs. Stock, the upgraded for 2001 C5 Vette busted out 0-60 runs of 4.5s, and blisters on to a 1/4 time in the low 13s on stock runflats. They're ridiculously easy to work on and upgrade, and the tuner market for Vettes is a LARGE one.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/ <--- plenty of info.

You won't find a better all-around performer than the Vette in that price range. If you really want to get crazy, you could go for a slightly higher-mileage C5 Z06, but they're more likely to have been driven hard for their miles. Regular Vettes are rarely abused or neglected.

$5k worth of parts and sweat on a C5 and you're talking sub-4-second 0-60 runs, and at the very least, 11s in the 1/4.