Any motor swap is a project man, nothing "just pops in." I mean it can be accomplished in a weekend if you keep it totally stock, but then you have a car with a swap that's not really any faster than a stock WRX.

Supra insurance will probably rape you. 300ZX, I dunno...maybe. You can find one in decent shape for about $10-$15k, at least when I've looked for em casually. I think you'd like that the best.

 

on unmentioned cars. (how 'new' does it have to be?)

How about...

Sentra SE-R (old version) / 200sx-ser
Toyota Celica All-trac (good luck finding one, quite possibly one of the few cars harder to find than a FC/FD)
New Celica
a DSM?

 

I'd only drive a few nissans, and a sentra is definitely not one of them.
The new Celica is ok, not wonderful, but I think it's overpriced still.
DSM. I had that idea for a few minutes. Then I remembered that every shop that does repairs I've been to had at least one in the parking lot h:

I should really find out what's technically classified as a "sports car", so I'll know what to shy away from. The right sports car would be worth the insurance, but the wrong one would just be pointless for me. I actually think a supra would be very wrong for me. after reading some of 1337 dude's posts in the ITR forum, I'm thinking it won't be the best candidate for a daily driver.

so now I've got:
WRX
Audi A4 1.8T
RSX-S
maybe 300zx
Mazdaspeed Protege

maybe I'm just a sucker for turbos

 

my car is best. :naughty:

 

any Nissan 300ZX 2+2. 80's models only had 160hp, but '90-96 had 222hp (turbo was 2-seater only & has 300hp). the latter being more preferable, becuz of aftermarket support. if brand spanking new, can't beat the Dodge Neon SR-T 4, you'll get EVERY V8-owner revving on ya.

 

I think the silver ones are pretty sick.


more pics....
http://www.sounddomain.com/id/ajpsrt4

 

First off, whoops on that lame Mazda "fcuk-up"... yes, I meant RX- 8.... sheesh.

To address your ?s on the outgoing A4 1.8t ... the 2001 Edmunds guide put the AWD models at $18K, the FWD at $14.8K. No major issues that I know of, but I'm not sure how much additional hp the Haldex center coupling on a Quattro could handle.

Total Audi Performance would be good people to talk with; I consulted with them on the H&R coilovers for my father's A6 2.7T... talk about torque...:naughty:

 

I personally dont trust MAZDA. Get yourself a Nissan Maxima stick, or 6 gen Accord. For 20 you will get them barely used which is almost liek new. Also how about Acura TL.

 

The B5/B6 platform doesn't use the Haldex awd system, it has a Torsen center diff. The A4 platform cars (Jetta, Golf, TT, A3, etc) have the Haldex system.

The way to tell is that transverse-mounted engine uses Haldex and longitudinal-mounted engine uses Torsen.

I know, I know...more nitpicking.

 

well, added HP won't necessarily be a problem, since there won't really be any for me

Maxima, meh. not something I could see myself in, accords are a firm no for me. I was thinking about a TL. They're nice cars. I'm just not sure how I'd get a 3.2TL for within my price range.