nobbie needs help

k So to start off a lil background story. I have recently turned 17 and basically i want a car. Now my dad is a mechanic who knows everything about everything. He can rebuild an engine no problem. Reason im saying is because i dont want opinions to incorporate cost of mechanic work. Basically me and my dad want a project car. Buy something capable of becoming something to be feared =D Now budget wise im looking at 3-4 thousand maximum. This will be just for car itself. Then over time ide add upgrades depending on money availability. I have no other expenses so i mean all money ide get every 2 weeks would go into the car. arouynd 500 Dollar every 2 weeks most likely. Now the cars im looking at are the MR2 cause ive read its rlly good. Something in the 90's range most liekly. Also thinking of a toyota supra also have read they are good. and the 240sx which is also apperently good =D so from more experienced tuners, ide like some advice. Basically what car would u say would fit what im aiming for? I dont want a super machine, but i want something for people to look at and be like "hey thats preety cool". Pros and Cons of the cars would be greatly appreciated . Thank you all ahead of time  

SUpra = Good Drag,Drift car, although MKIV's are unnaffordable for most
MR2 = Good Drag,Track,Autox, ok at drifting
240SX = Good drift,drag,autox,track platform.

The MR2 and 240sx should get better gasmileage since there lighter and have smaller engines.

The MR2 can easily run 12's with a gen 3 under the engine lid, since they run 13.3 stock, the same quartermile time as an 03 supercharged cobra, or late 90's C5 vette.  

So i mean what would u suggest at my outklined budget? Im open to other cars too anything 1992- just cause of my price. Figure in the fat that ide like to get it well running and tuned within a year considering i get around 200-400 dollars per 2 weeks to spend. Thx again  

all but the 240 would be out of your price which i happen to own, id say get one, turbo the K series motor preferably the dual camshaft model and youd prolly be alright. i drive a stock model which is enough for my driving style and you could probobly find one ranging from 1200-3000 for the s13 model 89-93 i think not to good on the specs, and posibly get the s14 whichi think is 94-98 but those are a little more pricey. and the turbo dreams might disapear, and if your in it for just the look of "hey thats a pretty cool car" get off this forum and go to horse riding class with the 4k  

Well thank you even though the last comment wasnt neccesary :\ But why would the turbo dream disappear. i mean a turbo costs 1000 b4 labour? And i figure all ide need to do is replace pistons and a few other things? Also i was taking a look at isuzu impulse what can u tell me about those year 1990?  

I dont know anything about the impulse, other than it sounds like a crap platform. Isuzu has never been known for making powerful cars that are easy to make fast, only a select few japanese manufacturers have done that, namely Mazda,Mitsubishi,Toyota,Subaru and Nissan. Honda's have a large enuff aftermarket to make there cars fast after doing a costly $5000 engine rebuild or a swap and an engine rebuild, but if your not one to throw 10-15k at a vehicle, than avoid them. I suspect the Impulse would be similar IF you can find anyone who makes parts for it, which I highly doubt.

As for the 240sx, although one of the better Naturally aspirated cars to turbocharge down the road on the cheap, they atleast come with a lot of displacement and although not built as well for boosting as the SR20DET, they can be utilized sure enough, especially the DOHC model.

But you can find other cars that are easy to make fast between 3-8k for nice examples of a stock turbo car, like a 1g or 2g eclipse gsx/talon tsi awd/plymouth laser awd. You could probably find a nice NA MR2 for $3-4000, and a pretty fast one for 7-8k. I bought one that ran 12's for $6500 myself.

Its easier to start off with a car that already has a turbo from the factory.  

how about a MK1 MR2 - the first gen MR2 came with an optional 4agze (supercharged) or if youre looking for a real project, you can swap the 3sgte in there, its been done before.  the MK1 MR2 will be cheap too.

if all else fails, go with the 240 (s13). lots of options, great project cars.  
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