Sporty Cars in the $15,000 - $18,000 Range - Suggestions?
 

Within the next month I'm planning on buying a new vehicle. I'm a nineteen year old college student, and have a fair amount of money to spend on a new vehicle, so of course I'm looking for a car which best fits me and does exceptional in the great scheme of things, attracting the opposite sex. :) I've nearly made up my mind on buying a 2000 Mr2 Spyder, because I love the way it looks. It's only a 140 horsepower vehicle, so not that strong though. Although, I'm only searching for the best looking car for about the 16,000 dollar range. I'm hoping to put a veilside bodykit on it and possibly 18's as well (eventually), so a car that can look exceptionally well after being modded are also suggestions that I'd like to hear from you all.

To give an idea, the car that I've found so far that I like the most is this:

http://galleries.wheels24.co.za/cars.../images/07.jpg


And the same car after being modded with the veilside kit and wheels:


http://urbanracer.com/gallery/galler...pyder/0002.jpg



If there are any known problems with this car or any suggestions on cars somewhat like this one, I'd love to hear them. I don't want to buy a car then decide this isn't what I reallly would like to have. Thanks in advance. :)

Scott

as far as problems with it, i would think it should be a decent car, my dads owned a bunch of toyotas from a tercel, celica, and up to a supra and the only down fall has been the body stayin rust free, other than that, they all ran forever.

i dunno bout that kit tho, looks kinda funky by the front of the doors but... to each his own. if you like it, go for it.

That's cool. I've been told pretty much the same by a lot of friends of mine about toyotas, they seem to be pretty reliable vehicles.

Thanks for the feedback.

Scott

If you can go up to $20K, I'd suggest a Dodge SRT-4.

http://www.canadiandriver.com/articl...neon_srt-4.jpg

Underrated at 215 HP, it is the benchmark on economy performance.

If you really are determined to stay in the $15-$18K range, I'd suggest a 97-01 Honda Prelude -

http://www.edmunds.com/media/roadtes...e.f3-4.500.jpg

You will love the 200 HP VTEC engine and the fit/finish is awesome.

Paul

Get a V6 Mustang. Around 200 horses and could pull one off for the price you are looking for. Mustangs are easily modified as well so you will not have trouble finding parts that fit.

That SRT-4 is definately a sweet looking car. I don't know that I've seen one actually before either, which is a good thing. On the other hand, not a fan of mustangs or preludes. I made myself promise one day that I'd never own a mustang. 4 different people in my graduating class had a mustang... I refuse. lol

Once again, appreciate the suggestions, especially the SRT-4, that really is a nice lookng car.

Scott

i dont like mustangs either. i dont think they are very pretty lookin.

we used to have a joke goin round. "sure we could race, but even if you win, your still drivin a mustang." i guess it was funny at the time, lol, now.. i dont care what you drive as long as it makes ya happy. just dont be a dick about it.

or is that something that people with slow cars say. ha.

you could get a used civic and blow the other 12 g's on performance parts, make one that actually runs strong and isnt just winged and NAWS stickered........

i'd like to see a stock lookin civic that could blow the doors off of anything in its path...

more so, i'd like to see a Mitsubishi Expo LRV do it.

sleepers fuckin kick ass!

;)

Sleeper -> Beware of the minivan

Heh heh heh.

Paul

I actually thought about the civic route, but my roommate drives one. Lol Ugh... such a hard decision.

Scott

i've had many wet dreams about a 9second caravan...


ok no i didnt. but that'd be the ULTIMATE.

hahah!

i used to have a 1979 honda civic 1200, i so wanted to drop in a newer civic motor in it, ok, its not DROP IN, but anyways... even a stock dx motor would have been sweet, shit the 79 had 52hp when it was new, imagine it with like 90. :lol:

I like the Tiburon Plus it has a 10 year 100k mile warranty.

http://www.hyundaiusa.com/images/sho...iburonBig1.jpg

http://www.hyundaiusa.com/images/sho...iburonBig4.jpg

Click me

I dunno. Fot that kind of money, you can get a really sweet deal on a used camaro.

http://www.afxracing.net/cars/cowl1.jpg



http://www.afxracing.net/cars/cowl2.jpg


1999 z28

This one is for sale right now (not by me) for $13,000. It has 47 K miles, practically new.

Mini Cooper...

Doesn't look sporty, and the engine isn't incredible, but the handling is superb and it's made by BMW.

Sentra SE-R Spec V
Dodge SRT-4
Used Z28 (unreliable but WAY fast)
99-00 Civic Si

any of those would be fine, but please, I beg of you, don't slap an ugly ass body kit on it. All they are is excess weight designed to make slow cars look fast. If you wanna mod, go find yourself a Fox body 5.0 Mustang and go nuts.

Super Street has an awesome body kit for the SRT-4 (not in production, but maybe in a while)

http://www.projectviper.com/srt4/ss/myversion.jpg

if i was you, and i was going to buy an impractical 2 seater, i would save up an extra $4k and get a '97 vette. remember when attracting chicks that your car can look as fast as it wants, but they will know, when they sit down and you take them for a spin, whether or not your car is as fast as their Eclipse or Civic or whatever they drive.

and then you'd have a vette, that'll just attract EVERYBODY *droool*

If you like the MR2 have you looked at the miata?

Not sure if are aware or not but the MR2 has only slightly more storage space than a motorcycle. I know that practicality isn't really an issue with sports cars but at least the miata can store an overnight bag.

Plus they are just better :) (if you can't tell I own one)

http://www.paradise.raleigh.nc.us/al.../aat.sized.jpg

http://www.paradise.raleigh.nc.us/al.../aau.sized.jpg


However, that said, I really wouldn't recommend a really nice car on a college campus. Unless you are prepared for numerous door dings, possible vandalism, and what not. Sure you see nice cars parked on campuses... but it just doesn't seem like that wise of an idea to me, especially if you really care about it and have put a lot of effort into it.

This what I drive on campus:

http://www.paradise.raleigh.nc.us/al.../aac.sized.jpg

Consider something a little older that you wouldn't mind getting a little banged up but that you still enjoy. I love my GTI. If you like civics maybe consider a CRX or or an early 90's civic, something that is still fun to drive but not worth so much in monetary and personal value.

Christ I just realized I sound like my father :( :p

i agree on the Miata too... you might want to look at it, they can be quick little cars.

Don't really care for the Miata or the Camaro as much as the MR2, but the Tiburon and that bodykit on the SRT-4 are badass. I'm never going to decide... think I'll do some reading on the Tiburon and look into bodykits for it and the SRT-4 too. What's so great about the bodykits and them making the car look better is I don't absolutely have to buy it now, but I can get it later down the road after I have the car and have the money to spend again. :)

Thanks so much for all the great responses!

Scott

I've ridden in one of those MR2's. I don't know if you've driven them, but here's my review:

The friend who was driving had me time a bunch of 0-60 runs. It felt a lot faster than the 8-9 seconds we were getting (no clutch drops or anything), but the main reason was that the car is geared really high to make it feel powerful. Those gears run out around 50 mph though. After that, its a slug. And the engine starting ticking for a bit after the abuse.

Handling was good. There's no visibility with the top up. The interior is really cheap. Fun car though.

At that price, you could probably find a nice 92-96 6 speed vette though, which I think is much better.

as with most convertibles
the insurance companies would really go for that one. lol my 30 yr old boss tried to get one... they told him basically to come back when your married and have kids and they'd give him insurance that he could afford... maybe.

Good point on not having to spend the money now when it comes to body kits. Like I said before, it would be a shame to pour a lot of money into a car only to have some jackass on campus slam his door into or worse slam his whole car into it.


Unless your boss has a horrible record I'd tell him to look for a different insurance company. I know guys who are 25 and own and insure corvettes :)

I agree. I've owned a vette since I was 17. Its an old one, but probably worth more than most 92-96's. Sure insurance is expensive, but its not impossible. If he has money for major body kits etc, I don't think there's a problem (w/o past tickets at least).

Mini Coopers are cheap, agile and they are CHICK MAGNETS. My dad also says they are 'status cars' though I dont agree with him, he still insists that they are.

If you really want fun with a Cooper, save money for 6 more months and buy the Cooper S.

Considered the RX7?

http://members.aol.com/s3tpwr/images/anna%20rx7-02.jpg

http://www.mediawars.ne.jp/~rxseven/rx7-5-2.jpg

All the Rotary goodness a boy could want. And they're something unusual too.

http://www.rx7.com.au/pics/specs-rx7-page.jpg

Rx7....looks good but they are way unrelaible I hear. I guess anything after 40 k miles and your are due for an engine faliure (some seal problem or somehting)..


Hey you want something with a body kit.... Give ya three guess what this car origonally was...






http://www.k1-styling.sk/evo1/exterior/strecha5.jpg



http://www.k1-styling.sk/evo1/exterior/strecha2.jpg
http://www.k1-styling.sk/evo1/exterior/hisi.jpg



The kit runs around 7 K.



and a few links of video

http://www.k1-styling.sk/evo1/video/v3.jpg

http://www.k1-styling.sk/video/video1.avihttp://www.k1-styling.sk/evo2/evospeed0.jpg

New Eclipse^

I agree with the Tiburon, a 170 horse V6, plus you can get it new with the great warrantee.

Miatas are nice as well, and have one of the most reliable engines on the planet. They are not as practical as the Tiburon however, and insurance on a 2-seat RWD convertable is gonna hurt more than on a 2+2 FWD coupe.

nope

I thought it was an accord, and then I checked the link you gave... I can't see any of the original car left in that. Impressive.

yeah you can. the windshield/roof/side windows give it away.. .

Mini coopers aren't that cheap, at least not around Boston. My friend is probably getting one, and it's going to run him about 25K.

SRT-4's are deffinetly the way to go. They are very fast 0-60 5.6 sec. top speed 153, beats a 350Z in accel and has great handling and brakingg, im 18 and i drove one at a dealer, rad car man, deffinetly. 215 turbo. when i drove you can feel the turbo kick in at about 3k rpms, which is early, the stock kit on it is awesome, i love it in black look in to them

get a sick r32/r33 gtr. Check out the Japan Auctions.

That car with the body kit is a Supra. You could look at a Mazdaspeed Protege, they are turbocharged with 170HP, not exactly a rocketship, but the handling is incredible.

if it's a Supra, it looks much better without the kit !

Its not a supra

He is absolutely dead on.

i know for certain you can pick up a r32 or even a r33 gtr between 8000-20000, however try getting that damn car legalized and titled and everything, gonna cost you atleast 17k, not to mention shipping, taxes, bonds and what not. i would know because i have a black 1995 r33 gtr in hong kong right now, but only have about 10k saved up to bring that beast state side.

i'd go and look for a e36 bmw for about 3-4 grand, m3 engine and tranny swapped would run you about 5 grand parts and labor, and that leaves you about 9grand for reiger kits, new racing seats, 18 inch rims, suspension mods and engine performance mods. there's a guy selling his 325 shell with full m3 interior upgrades, suspension and brake upgrades for 4grand , just needs a engine and tranny

not a supra..

if anyone would have gone to the website and looked around a little bit and seen the donor cars required. they'd see those are based off of older camaro/firebirds and one is based off a honda accord .


mazdaspeed protoge would be cool. :cool:

I think the overall consesus is.....

Dont buy a new car, you can afford a much better vehicle no matter what you buy if it is slightly used.

Get a 97-01 Prelude. Practical with enough speed and handling, can be had for less than 15K.

Look for a 1990-92 Porsche 944 S2 Turbo - they are fast as hell and turn more heads than the cheap trashy jap cars out there.

imo of course...

is a used wrx totally out of the question? i'm surprised it hasn't been mentioned yet, 'cause that car with factory specs is a quick car.

not likely that you'll be able to get a decent used wrx for that limit of 18k

89transam what kind of car is it?

I'd definitely go with the SRT-4. They're fast as hell, and they go for about 20k, and the only option is side curtain airbags, everything else is standard, so there's not a whole lot of crap to jack up the price. This car is an amazing deal.

ARe you looking at both used and new cars or just one or the other???

Stvdman, really either. Still haven't made a firm decision. I've kinda ran into a bit of bills I need to pay that I wasn't expecting, so my new car has been postponed a bit. :( Still looking, though :) Hard to beat that Mr2, I'm really in love with that car. :)

used wrx. I got my '02 for less than 18k w/ 5000 miles on it....w00t.:cool:

Here is a pic.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/...4/fceb64d2.jpg

I'm surprise you didn't suggest the Attack...

http://www.k1-styling.sk/attack/yellow/02a.jpg

Dodge Stealth R/T twin turbo AWD

I've seen them go for 15k on ebay. Spend the extra 3k on a boost controller.

If you havent bought it yet, get a 90-94 Eclipse/talon/laser That is turbo charged w/ AWD, can be had for under 5k, easy, then plunk about 7g's into mods, and run 10's daily. The 4g63 is one bulletproof engine, and its the same one thats in the EVO. I think you'd be impressed with them. Plus, w/ the left over 5k or so, either save for possible repairs, or go get REALLY drunk, and get lots of puntang.

Tee He he

93-95 RX-7 Generation 3

They're way cool looking (stock), fairly rare.

I've had one for ten years. If you leave it stock it last a real long time. If you mod it and do the research it will also last. The reason people say that they're unreliable is they didn't do their homework. Stuck a loud exhaust on it etc and the engine will pop.

Tiburon V6's have extremely weak blocks. Very poor for performance upgrading.

For your money, you can get a cheap Turbo Eclipse (the 1990-94's are built better, not as cool looking) and spend wads of dough on parts.

For new, I'm also partial to the Neon. The Mopar performance upgrades are great. Stage 1 is like $399 and puts the Neon at 250hp.

<img src="http://www.thestardock.com/imgs/personal/semaias/images/IM001243.jpg">
<img src="http://www.thestardock.com/imgs/personal/semaias/images/IM001133.jpg">

A Neon will always be a Neon. I don't really mean to be ripping on that car, but, years of production have led that car to be bought buy people who really can't get anything better and is also a car that is considered "cheap" Interior on the new Neon is shabby too. If this is going to be your first car, then don't buy a new one. Try and find yourself a nice Mark 3 Volkswagen GTI VR6, you can get them anywhere from 7 to 13 thousand with less than 50 or 60K miles. Excellent cars, and engines that will last you for a LONG time. My .02

All you need to do is throw the goonie-bird back on the hood or put the IROC stickers back on the doors.

That much power in a neon will only serve to crack the block faster, and wind-blast even more paint off sooner.

Oh yeah, don't get the toyota: perverts drive those 'cause they can still convince 17 year old girls it's a porche.

Hmmm....
Sleepers:
Ford SVT Contour (Friend has one and it kicks ass)
Lincoln Mark VIII (Basically a cobra engine and tuning in lincoln tails :D)

If you are looking at a kit car potentially, check out www.factoryfive.com they will send you free info (got mine in a week) The kits are built off of the 5.0 Mustang into Shelby replicas. They perform like none other and are sexy as hell

hmmm gonna have to give the nod to the MR2 :thumbsup:. I own the 2nd generation, and I've driven several of the 1st and 3rd Gen Spyders (including a turbo charged one rated around 210 HP in a car that barely breaks the 2000lb mark, talk about extreme grin factor). I'd actually suggest getting a 2nd Gen ('90-'95) Turbo MR2. You can get a nice one for about $7-8K, 180hp stock. They can be brought into the 200+ range easily. Mid engine, rear wheel drive configuration means it handles like it's on rails, once you get used to a few quirks inherent in all MR setups. (Flooring the gas when the rear end breaks loose just defies all logic at first). They aren't the quickest cars on the block. By this I mean the 1/4 mile times aren't spectacular but the it wasn't designed to do the 1/4 quickly. It's designed to go through a turn faster than anybody else so you don't waste time accelerating back up to speed, which it does very well. I don't know if all out speed is your thing but I'll tell you my NA got up to 122 before I ran out of room. It didn't have much left but I probably could've squeezed out another 5 mph. The Turbo owners have reported speeds of up to 140 on a stock setup. Again not the fastest out there, but fast enough to get you killed if you aren't careful.

For more info, here is the MR2 message board: http://www.board.mr2faq.com I'm a mod over there. The board has a few problems because of a mangled, bloated database that we are fixing when the new software is released, but it's full of friendly, helpful people.

I also have to give a nod to the Miata. That's a good, fun car.

Very surprised no one mentioned it, but for gods sake...

1991+ Nissan 300zx Twin Turbo.

They run around 8-14k with low miles. Stock 300HP. Awesome awesome car. For next to nothing you can have them running 450+HP.

http://www.expocarsusa.com/silversta...K/MVC-003S.JPG

http://www.expocarsusa.com/silversta...K/MVC-004S.JPG

http://www.expocarsusa.com/silversta...K/MVC-026S.JPG

http://www.expocarsusa.com/silversta...K/MVC-022S.JPG

SRT-4 is also an awesome car.

My input.

for something new, Saturn is releasing a supercharged 200hp version of the quad coupe this fall called "redline" I think. Cool design, no door dings, and warranty.

I can't believe someone actually recommended a V6 Mustang. What are you, a dental hygienist?

Anyway, the Miata gets a ton of flack, something about being a "chick car" or whatever, but it's hard to beat for the money. Considering the other cars in the class/price range, I'd take a RWD roadster with an optional 6-speed and the handling of much more expensive cars any day.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by VirFighter
[B]If you like the MR2 have you looked at the miata?

Not sure if are aware or not but the MR2 has only slightly more storage space than a motorcycle. I know that practicality isn't really an issue with sports cars but at least the miata can store an overnight bag.
[QUOTE]

Miata however costs 23k+ and I think the MR2 looks better.

Finding a decent, low mileage 300zx TT that hasn't been beaten to death can be hard. But if you do find one, grab it!

i agree with newman...also the tiburon looks pretty nice and the aftermarket seems to be supporting it quite well....dont get the mr2...looks like a poor man's wannabe porsche

Tiburons really aren't bad looking, and they perform better than you'd think, but it's a Hyundai :|

I have nothing against the MR2, I like the looks of them.

Just throwing out ideas really. 3rd gen Mazda Rx-7's look awesome and can be had for 14k or less, you'd just have to get a factory rebuild on them for ~$1,500 at around ~80,000 miles and they're good to go for another 100k miles if you treat it right.

http://imagehost.vendio.com/preview/...mitt/m3016.jpg

http://imagehost.vendio.com/preview/...mitt/m3017.jpg

http://imagehost.vendio.com/preview/...mitt/m3021.jpg

That is a nice amount of cash.

Are you buying it straight up?

Or are you making a down payment then finacing it?

Regardless, I'm not sure what kinda car you want.

But I gurantee a Camero will get you the pussay!

However, If i were you i would go with your first instinct and get the MR2 140 hp isn't much, but it won't break either. really small block engines like that one generally hold together forever and ever. Toyotas also have excelent reputations. I don't think i'd put the body kit on it. Use that spare money to add some nice speakers and an amp in there. Cars are kinda like you IF you look good on the outside they don't mind getting it, but if its trick on the inside they'll love it and it will reflect on you.

Then again thats a very materialistc aproach, but hey i think you'd like that car.

why dont u grab a prelude or integra???
those r sporty cars that have so much u can do to them

I agree to this you would love an RX7, and if you get it used.

If its a car that depreciates a lot after you drive it off the lot, always buy it one year used. Then again this is what i said to my mom who bought a Toyota Highlander ther other day and used ones were only 1-4 thousand less than the dealer was going to give us. So she ovbiously went for the new one.

Toyotas just don't depreciate like american cars.

pinto wagon with a small block chevy

You're probably aware, but the 2nd gen MR2 turbo was an amazing car. If you can find one in your area in decent condition GET IT. There were very few produced, but the prices on them are reasonable. I've seen some killer body kits for them (not that the rakish body needs any more).

Im not too sure about 18s on any MR2 though. I dont think bigger than 16s would be a good idea. You'd really fuck your gearing, and probably rub the fender wall.

One car that I found in that price range (when I was doing my car shopping a couple of months ago) was the Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V.

This car is packed - I mean packed - with power. Very powerful and extremely torquey at only 170HP, with a 6-speed manual and a limited-slip differential that really cleans up your power distribution on slick surfaces. It looks like a baseline sedan, but it packs a major wallop for the money. It does have drawbacks: the shifter's hard to navigate without a flashlight and a map. I don't think it has a speed lockout, so you can theoretically find yourself heading for reverse when trying to grab high gears. And a lot of the extras aren't cheap. But even at baseline, this car impressed the hell out of me.

Caveat: I didn't buy it. I got the Acura RSX Type-S instead. But the Sentra's a great deal for the price.

i say you get a SRT-4... really wait it out and get the extra cash, it will be worth it in the end

I gotta second the SVT Contour or the SVT Focus (have to find a used one). SVT cars rock (I drive a Cobra). The Contour compared favorably to the 3-Series BMW and the Audi A4 in the last review that was done by Car and Driver. The SVT Focus is an awesome pocket rocket.

I suggest any of the following:

SRT-4 Neon:
http://www.edmunds.com/media/reviews...t4.f34.500.jpg
http://www.edmunds.com/media/reviews...t4.int.500.jpg

300ZX TT
http://www.auto.vl.ru/gtclub/picture...300zx-1024.jpg

Honda S2000
http://www.ghg.net/cmjfsl/s2000.gif
http://www.cs.stir.ac.uk/~cla/Honda/...ior%20copy.gif

Mini
http://money.cnn.com/best/best01/img/mini_cooper.jpg

1991 Acura NSX (check nsxprime.com for important info). If you look hard enough, you can find a 91 for $20-25k.
http://www.k1planning.com/japanese/s...images/nsx.jpg
http://adrik.bchs.uh.edu/~kwlee/favorite/nsx.jpg

camaro....i like the kit for the accord.
i think its called the attack

nsx for 20-25 :eek:, up here in canada those run bout 90'g's canadian.


I hate the new gen mr2's. Look for a 91-95 mr2(13-20 g's canadian)

http://images.cardomain.com/member_i...858_3_full.jpg

w/ bomex kit

http://images.cardomain.com/member_i...930_6_full.jpg
stock

That one actually has Tom's side skirts, rear bumper, and hood scoops, it does have a Bomex front lip, though. It also appears to be a Bomex rear spoiler, but it could be the stock 94+ one.

Thanks for all the suggestions guys, but I suppose I just fell in love with the 2000-2003 MR2 when I first saw it. Today, I have finally purcashed my 2001 Toyota MR2 Spyder, and I get a grin on my face every time I sit in the car. Today has been a wonderful day. :)

Scott

Congrats, Scott.

I would look for a 95-97 M3. They are very light and very quick with only 240 HP. You can find some good deals if you look enough.

Shutter, NEVER get a v6 mustang.

Yeah get a 302 or 351W engine...thats real power.

No. The apex seal's do go bad but you have to do this thing called maintenance. People seem to think you can rag the piss out of a car then put it away wet and never have any problems.

z32 TT's from the many owners I know seems to be money pits. Fast, good looking cars, but money pits. Nothing on them is cheap and there is two of everything. My friend gets cost on factory parts and she has about $20k into hers including cost of car, going to put down about 450whp someday when we get around to putting the engine back together.

New neons are wickedly good deals for how quick they are if you get one check out my buddy's shop http://www.agpturbo.com/

Mini S is a good car as well at the WRX, just think about where gas prices are going, yes they are still going to go up and up and up; also check for prices on insurance I know thats what killed me on my 95 Talon TSi when I was 19.

OMG how would I forget to mention a DSM, 95-99 turbo awd dsm would easily fit into your pricing and still have $8k left over for mods :)

I have no idea what a new Miata costs these days, but I have an absolutely perfect, red 1999. The price was reasonable at the time, and it is absolutely the best car I have ever driven, and I have had some nice ones over the years. It's sporty, economical and a blast to drive. A little sluggish ut to about 3,000 rpm, then hang on; corners like it's on rails all the time delivering a little over 30 mpg.

Anitra and I took it on a two week trip last summer, and while the trunk isn't large, we managed to get all our clothes, plus a small cooler in with no problem at all.

http://www.cannillomotorsports.com/i...rv_profile.jpg

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...category=10156

Hyundai Tiburon for me.
or an Acura RSX

For 18K one could buy a car like mine with perhaps more miles on it.

http://www.techquarium.com/temp/P3111463s.jpg

I paid 20K for mine with 40,000 miles. I've seen them cheaper with higher mileage. Not as quick as some of the other cars in this thread but the retractable hardtop is sweet.

http://www.techquarium.com/temp/P3111472s.jpg

yea v6's suck. heck ill sell you my 2000 gt if your huntin a stang. but if your looking for an import i'd go with a 300zx.

I go with the civic, dude, I have one and I can't wait to spend the $$$ on performence parts. They're pricey but worth it!

am I wrong to be curious why people are still suggesting car choices for someone who bought a car a year ago? well, I guess he may be in the market for a new one sooner or later...

Look at American made cars....
Corvette
Camaro (LS1)
Mustang GT
Dodge Viper

All things considered buy an American made car, if not that disqualifies you from complaining about unemployment, outsourcing or our economy.

Does anybody know what brand car this is? it is my car and there are only a few in holland. And i have 1 of them:P

http://www.mijnalbum.nl/Foto=DPA3JTKT

The one that hasn't been suggested here is a Chevy Cobalt SS supercharged. At just shy of $22 000 MSRP new, it's a bit higher than you said you wanted to spend, but with all the dealer rebates going around right now you might be able to get one a bit cheaper. They look decent stock, you'll be able to improve on it easily enough and with 205 stock horses it oughta be quick enough. It also comes stock with 18" aluminum wheels and Z rated tires, so that's one less thing to worry about if you plan on making trips to the drag strip. The only possible downside is it only comes with a standard transmission, so if you'd rather let your left foot go to sleep you're out of luck.

Cobalt SS :
http://www.tuningnews.net/news/04040...balt-ss-08.jpg

The Saturn Ion Redline has been mentioned, they're pretty sporty looking and nice enough cars, but that gauge pod in the center of the dash would just drive me nuts personally. The Ion seems to be selling well enough, so I guess not too many people have a problem with it.

Ion Redline :
http://www.canadiandriver.com/articl...4redline_1.jpg

And finally, you could get a beater for a year and save up some cash for a Pontiac Solstice or Saturn Sky (same car, different nameplate). They're nice little sporty roadsters and while not as powerful as some of the other cars mentioned, 170hp is almost what I make and my car weighs a good 500 lbs more than these things. It'll get along. That and with an Ecotec under the hood getting more power out of it really isn't all that hard.

Who needs insurance?