Used turbo cars

[Pat W]

looking for a pretty new turbo car 20k limit....need some ideas...i was thinking of a wrx...ideas/your opinions would be great....thanks

[Rob]

'turbo' isnt really a category, you need to be more specific.

WRX, Mazdaspeed Protege and Miata, 1.8 Audis and VW, Duramax and other big trucks, Volvos, Saab, Neon SRT/4

Those are all vehicles with turbos, yet are drastically different.

Narrow your criteria down a little bit, and we can help you more.

[Pat W]

sport compact turbo cars...something that would be a good daliy that i could do a few mods to.....if im gonna do what i want to the e30 its gonna have to move to a project and sit in the garage rather than be the daily driver

[Rob]

2000+?

I'd say, any WRX, 04+ SRT4, MS Protege, something along those lines. All have good (great) things about them stock, terrific aftermarket, plenty of good power potential for cheap, huge power potential if you want to spend. The neon and protege are unique in that they are some of the only FWD cars in the market to come with LSD, which is crucial to any fwd'er. I looked seriously into both of them, as i dont really like the wrx. both can be made really fast, and handle very well. even with fwd, i think they are a great compliment to an E30

[Jarvis]

Still too vague. You have $20K and your only criteria for spending all of it, is that the car is a sport compact that comes from the factory with a turbo-charged engine? FWD, RWD or AWD?
FWD - Dodge Neon SRT-4. I hate the styling, quality isn't that great, but you can't buy a faster new car that's so easy to make even faster for only $21K.
AWD - low mileage WRX.
RWD - low mileage Miata, turbo it yourself. Or wait a year for used MX-5's with the factory turbo option to start popping up.

Edit: Damn it Rob. Beat me to it.

[Rob]

I dont think the miatas would make a good daily, they are tiny. 4doors own for daily duty.

[Jarvis]

I dont think the miatas would make a good daily, they are tiny. 4doors own for daily duty.

I agree. But it's not like this guy was specific with what he wanted.

Using my Audi 90 as a daily for the last couple months has been a positive experience. Having 4 doors was a blessing at times, especially when loading it full of shit. I've only owned/own 2-dr E30s. Folding forward front seats and squeezing big items past the b-pillar is a pain.

[Rob]

yeah no shit. girlfriend with a station wagon=blessing.

[Pat W]

drive train is important...4 doors because its gonna be a daily driver its probably gonna come down to the srt-4 and the wrx...any imput on these i know there all balls fast...

also im talking about 97 and up cars something thats not gonna have 100k+

[royalflush313]

A4s?

[Rob]

ah, but the SRT4 can be really fast with a warranty, where as subaru dealerships are notorious for denying warranty claims on cars with mods and/or autocrossed/tracked/whatever.

That alone seals the deal for. FWD+LSD can be fine in the snow with proper tires, and I'd rather have 2wd and big power than deal with the problems of awd with power, plus awd dynos aren't exactly common. SRT4 minus stupid spoiler and plus a black intercooler, nasty sleeper. Mopar Stage 2, something like 270whp using factory parts and keeping the warranty. I can dig it.


audi's are overweight VWs with questionable reliability and tiny motors.

[Jarvis]

drive train is important...4 doors because its gonna be a daily driver its probably gonna come down to the srt-4 and the wrx...any imput on these i know there all balls fast...

also im talking about 97 and up cars something thats not gonna have 100k+

if you went for the SRT-4, you can pick up a new one with your budget. I think they start at like $20,995. Mopar already has lots of upgrades ready. For the WRX, you'd probably have to look at 1-3 year old used models.
SRT-4 is quicker than the WRX stock. Keep in mind that Dodge power ratings are extremely conservative. Like their crank hp/tq ratings are usually what people get to the wheels, stock. But the WRX would be a better choice if you plan on driving in snow a lot. Looks 10x better too. Also, you will probably get tired of the SRT-4's exhaust very quickly if you plan on driving it everyday.

[Jarvis]

audi's are overweight VWs with questionable reliability and tiny motors.

Why is it that people get always get a chubby over the 1.8T? I don't care if a chip = 25hp. They're rough, dinky little motors with lag. Completely flat torque curve (once the turbo kicks in) throughout most of the rev range + peak hp @ ~5000rpm = boring acceleration. Same problem the BMW 323i's had. Their 2.5 was tuned for more low end, at the cost of top end hp. You don't get a sense of acceleration, like you would in a car that screams at the top end.

[Pat W]

not bad keep the ideas coming

[Rob]

jarvis- dont forget they're heavy too :P


JDM- I cant really think of any other newish cars, why dont you give us your thoughts on the suggestions we've made so far?