Hi, I just registered here and I'm looking for some advice. I'm a 16 year old, looking for a good starter car to tune up. I need to keep it under ten grand, and my parents will pay for insurance. I've come up with a list of ten, and I'd like you guys' input and advice on the best one. You can add cars to the list, but please keep them under 10000.

1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX
1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse GST
1999 Volkswagen GTI 1.8T
1999 Volkswagen GTI VR6
1999 Honda Civic Si
1998 Subaru Impreza 2.5 RS
2000 Subaru Impreza 2.5 RS
2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse GT
1999 Acura Integra GS-R
2000 Volkswagen Jetta 1.8T

Thanks.  

i would go with the 2000 subaru rs. that or the 98 GST. AWD and turbo. i think, maybe the RS is not turbo... but thats what motor swaps are for :-P  

The RS isn't a turbo, and it's the GSX that's all wheel drive, which is a huge plus for it since I live in Iowa. But I get your point.
I'm definitly leaning toward the GSX or the GTI 1.8T just because of the tuning and look options, but more towards the GTI because insurance is cheaper for my parents. I also like the look of the GTi better, and it's roomyness.
I don't think I could afford a motor swap, but I'm definitly going to get a chip and intake at least.  

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Hi, I just registered here and I'm looking for some advice. I'm a 16 year old, looking for a good starter car to tune up. I need to keep it under ten grand, and my parents will pay for insurance. I've come up with a list of ten, and I'd like you guys' input and advice on the best one. You can add cars to the list, but please keep them under 10000.

1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX
1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse GST
1999 Volkswagen GTI 1.8T
1999 Volkswagen GTI VR6
1999 Honda Civic Si
1998 Subaru Impreza 2.5 RS
2000 Subaru Impreza 2.5 RS
2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse GT
1999 Acura Integra GS-R
2000 Volkswagen Jetta 1.8T

Thanks.

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i meant the AWD one, stupid DSM's :-P  

I say Integra GSR because its very easy trust me and quick to plus and those other cars beside civics are hassels and expensive 2 fix but this is my opinion u do what u thinks right  

dont go integra unless type R cuz i have and LS and is not worth the money unless its Type R. but i say integra type R cuz huge list of tuning parts and look sick dont go GSR cuz the motor sucks compared with Type-R but if you want AWD I dont know and if you want drift cross out all of those and get RWD like nissan 300ZX 1989-1992 i think or nissan S13/14 (240sx/zx) also dont go hatchback if you dont like hatch cuz once u have a car its to late to go a different way  

ive got an eclipse gsx myself and personal love it! i wouldnt change it for anything, its fast, good acceleration, 0-60 in 6.4 seconds, 1/4 mile in 14.9 and allwheel drive is nice aswell, they have good engines, the block is a tank and theres plenty of room under the hood for adding on. the gst is the exact same except without all wheel drive but considerably lighter which is good aswell. Id say the only down side to the eclipse is the noticeable turbo lag and the cramped interior, but your gonna get that in any sports car.
and btw that dip *** bostontuner has it backwards, the integra's are more expensive to fix and mitsubishi has far just as many parts. integras are also slower, doing 0-60 in around 7 seconds. The impreza is nice and has alot of power but it still only does 0-60 in the 8 second range, and not as much room under the hood.
my personal opinion would be to go for a gsx or gst depending on if you like awd or not. it does take a little getting used to but once you've got the hang of it chances are you'll love it, delivers tonnes of power and no slip as you accelerate hard around a bend on dry concrete and provides a tone more traction in slippery conditions. if you do decide to go with the eclipse, id recommend keeping the stock T-25 turbo which runs at 18psi, because while beefing it up to a bigger turbo will increase horsepower, it will actually slow you down with an increase in turbo lag and plus the turbo wont kick in till higher rpm. the bucket seats are comfortable even tho theres a lack of footroom for passengers

hope ive helped  

Wrong. A different turbo will not "slow" you down, if anything eclipses with upgraded turbos past the t25 universally are faster. The t25 is the size of my fist and is junk for making your car fast.

My brother has a gst, his car ran a sad 14.6 with his t25.

More turbolag is not really a problem, since when you race you generally stay in the higher rpms anyways. A bigger turbo will also make more hp with less boost, which makes the engine run cooler and decreases chance of detonation.

Lots of advantages, Id say one of your first mods should be to get rid of the t25.  

i have an eclipse gst spyder and i love it. That would be a great choice but if the gsx is available go for that. The awd makes a huge difference off the line and is a really fun car to drive. if not available the gst isnt as quick to start but is still pretty quick and fun to drive and of course its an eclipse. IT LOOKS GREAT.  

personally i would go with the civic si but thats just me, and if you plan on drifting that will not work for whst you want.  besides that i would say either of the imprezas.  check the thread New Car Sticky.  the have some good advice for you.  

^an imprezza wont work either if he wants to get into drifting, unless he's willing to convert it from AWD to RWD.  

maybe a mitsubishi lancer?  

^horrible platform.  makes maybe 130 whp in stock form, and with intake exhaust and header you'll maybe see 150whp.  they're really nice cars and all but they're not worth modifying unless its either for aesthetics, or unless you've got about $15,000 to dump into the motor alone to pull power out of it.  

no, the lowest one starts with 152 horses
and if u add intake and exhaust u can get it up to 180-190
and they look sweet