Hi, I am new to the tuner scene yet I have watch drift racing for years now.  Recently, I have decided to buy a tuner car, yet, I know many cars can be tuned and tuner is too general but a little input would be great. My restrictions are, well $12,000 max Ill pay.  I've looked into cars such as:

-Ford Focus SVT
-Mazda Protege5
-VW Rabbit
-Plymouth Laser


Im liking the Mazda Protege5 So far, but do you think that would be decent say if i wanted to run?

Thanks.  

there's a few more options you have.

for me personally any one of these cars (in black, of course) is a good starter tuner for under 12,000.(im looking for cars in the same price range)
Mazda RX7 (gen 3)
Mkiv Golf Gti
Mkiv Jetta Vr6
Acura RSX type s
Lexus is300

those are just a few im interested in    

for under $12,000? does that include suping it up or just all stock car?

for all stock here's a couple good ones that you can probably find close to home so you don't have to worry about importing one

*Nissan 300ZX* (totally awesome! i recomend this car :P )
Toyota Supra (its really hard to find one of these cars that haven't been suped up)
Toyota Celica (the older version of course, will probably need alot work done but will give your car a cool retro sorta look)
Honda Civic (this is the ultimate beginner car, it's a very easy car to supe up, you might find an older model for under 12g's but it'll need some work done on it.)  

If you like the protege 5 you will love the Mazdaspeed Protege.  Bettter handling and stock witha  turbo.  I got mine for 12,000 but that was with 30,000 miles, you can get one with higher miles for less.  They are great tuner cars and come with handling that is unmatched, plus there is a lot of aftermarket support for them  

Im gonna pretend that u did not just suggest a civic. You were doing pretty good till then  

Personally i recommend the 95-99 Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX. It MUST be a GSX! Its got good power, stock with a turbo, its all wheel drive and handles very nicely. Dont go for the GST, its turbo but not all wheel drive, only GSX! Find one thats well maintained and taken care of, and manual of course. I guess i am a little biased here because thats what i drive, but ive loved it. I love smoking those supped up civics in my totally stock eclipse. Plus the car looks awesome too.
Ideally id say youd want a Skyline, but they can prove to be quite hard to find and usually cost, at least in my area, $13,000 so if you could find a good deal or barter the price down some, or even import one from Japan; its dirt cheap but is a huge hassle.  

svt all the way out of thoes recomendations.  my friend has one and he beats people left and right in that car