Right now I have a 96 Integra LS.

I have about 20k dollars to spend on a newer car. I have been saving this money for a while, so I want to spend it wisely.

I would like to buy a car, preferably 04 or newer. I would like this car to be fairly quick as mentioned above. By fairly quick I mean high 12's to low 13's stock (or some very minor mods).

I was thinking an 03-04 Cobra. They run about 13 flat stock, which is about what I wanted. Also I was thinking maybe getting an 02 (older than I really wanted) Trans Am.

I can't really think of anything else that would fit my budget, and my requirements.

What do you guys think of the 03-04 Cobra? Is there any known problem with these cars?

PLEASE reccomend any cars that you think would be good for me. As long as the price is around 20k dollars, and it can run 13's or lower (in almost stock form), and is fairy NEW. (I dont want a older car, I want a WARRANTY!)

Thanks!

 

The 03 Cobra is going to be a winner here. Its a really good car - not a whole lot of problems, but GOBS of power and it responds well to further modding. Really, in their price range, there isn't a whole lot that touches them, all things considered. And whatever does touch them gets left behind once you turn up the boost.

As for the Trans Am...Eh...do some wrenching on one before you actually buy it. Just so you know what you're getting yourself into.

 

Its going to be tough at $20k to get a good 03/04 Cobra unless you get some more cash. Mach 1 can be had for that much and are very nice cars. LSX fbodies are easty to find in that price range. You could acutally find an early c5 for that as well or a very nice C4 Vette.

On the import side there is always a WRX or acutally a Nissan Maxima/Altima with the 3.5v6/6 speed

 

Thanks for that reply. I have never actually riden in a Cobra but I've seen many, and they look/sound sick. Do you by any chance know what they run in the 1/4, and 0-60 mph?

As for the f-body, what exactly do you mean "getting yourself into"? Are there known/notorious problems with these models?


Thanks. I think I can maybe find a clean/low mileage cobra for around 22-24k. I figured if I wait until the 08's come out to get one, the price might be less?

As for the Mach ones, they are pretty nice; but it is basically a GT with dif wheels, and a few different exterior parts, correct? Do you know what they run in the 1/4 and 0-60 by any chance?

About imports.. I would honestly like to stay with imports, but I came to realize that there aren't many "fast" imports stock. I'll have to pass on the Maxima/Altima, I would like something a little bit more "sporty", if you know what I mean.




Any other suggestions guys? Keep them coming! (both Imports and Domestics)

 

Not so much the years you're looking for. Its just...well...they're bastards to work on. Only someone who has sat on the radiator core support while reaching back to the rear of the motor would understand. Goddamn thing is ahlfway under the dash...and everything about them makes them just a pain in the ass to work on. I mean there are always the "F-Body noises" (unexplainable noises that sound like something horibly, terribly wrong somewhere but never materialize into anything), the faulty GM wiring, cruise control, ABS hubs, etc. etc. and so forth...but nothing too bad. Every car has a little bit of bullshit, ya know.

 

A mach1 is more like a N/A Cobra. DOHC 4.6, same 13" brakes, shaker hood, retro styling cues.

 

There was an 02 z06 sitting at carmax for 22k.

 

I'd reccomend the stang. parts = lots cheaper. Huge amount of power for the money, rwd, fair reliability.


Only really negative thing i have to say about them is the fact that you see about 15 of them on your morning commute anywhere in tampa if you're driving over 5 miles.


Every morning on my way to work in downtown I see at least 10 mustangs. I just wish they didnt release shitty lower end cheap v6 models so all the idiots wouldn't buy them and whore them out on the street.

*EDIT*
I'll probably never own a post-70's mustang.


As far as imports...
if you want to finance:

WRX, Evo, MS6, MS3, LGT, I can't think of much else... Everything is turning into econo-cars.

 

I looked at their web site, its not listed.

 

04 Mach 1, mid 13's and money left over to play with...