Well like many others on here i am a young 16 year old kid that has a love for cars. I would love to learn anything about them. Whenever i get my own car i was wondering 1. How much would it be to make a decent street racing type car and 2. what is the purpose of building a good street machine? I am only in high school therefore i do not get paid too much only aout $200 a week but would it be better just to hook up my car with an exaust and intake or should i go the whole nine and do the whole engine? Because honestly i don't want to be made fun of for being a ricer. One more thing is Modified Car Trader.com a legit site to buy from ? Because that looks like you can just pickup a modified car you know ?  Please help.  

Well for your first car and low budget, i would suggest lookin at a civic or a crx, they are good cars, cheap, insurance wont kill you, easy to work on, and can put out some decnt power.  Mainly you wanna look for one with a manual(theyre more fun and you get a better feel for the car.  Also, seeing as its your first car, dont go over the top on it, id suggest nothing more than an intake and exhaust.  Stay away from body kits, rediculous wings, pepboys chrome body parts, etc etc.  Basically use the car to get used to driving and get some experience behind the wheel, and as you do start saving for a "stage 2" car.  My first car was an 88 tbird i picked up for 500 bucks, but it ran.  Drove that for about a yr while saving and working my ass off, as well as learning how to work on cars and etc in general. Then i upgraded to an 88 camaro, which i poured my heart and soul into, only to total it after 6 months.  But as for a first car your main goal should be something you can easily afford, thats reliable as a daily driver.  

I'd say start of with something tame like a civic or a lancer both are pretty much good platforms to start with. Go with just headers and exhausts since you need to get used to the car and driving first before opting to tune the heck out of it.  

a first or second gen eclipse is a great starter car. the 4g63 can be a beast motor.  

how about a hyundai tibby? those are cool cars. Not fast but definitely cool enough.  

I'd look into a 90's civic si or golf gti. Both have huge aftermarkets, are reliable, easy to drive, and a lot of fun.

Several reasons for building a good street machine:
-If you build a track machine you can't drive it everyday.
-It's cheaper to own one car for daily driving and track racing then it is to have one for each
-It's just plain fun.

As for performance vs rice:

-Rice is what attracts cops, if you don't have a kit and wing they really can't tell a cars modified (unless you have an obnoxious exhaust)
-Dollar for dollar I think performance is often cheaper than show. If I place cheap rims, a cheap body kit, paint, a wing, and a basic sound system at 5 grand total (Which is probably pretty generous) for that same money I  could turbo-build a golf. (And have some money left over)  

go for performance not looks.