[Hocky]

So, like the title says, I am thinking I want to pick up another car with back seats. Here are my criteria: it has to be fun to drive (ie handle decent), it has to have power potential to trap 120+ without too much work, $20-40k used market, and it has to have back seats. Not necessarily huge back seats, but seats none the less. I am having a damn hard time coming up with cars to look at. I've come up with:

1) CTS-V with a blower
2) Evo with a turbo
3) 996tt, stockish due to the cost of mods.

Surely I am overlooking something cool. Help me out.

 

[snake eyes]

wrx's
mazdaspeed's (6 and 3 i would bet)
srt-8 300 and jeep

just basic ideas off the top of my head

 

[Hocky]

None of those have real power potential...

Although I do like the srt8 jeep and trailblazer ss. They kind of fall out of my 'fun to drive' category, though.

 

[sleeperlove]

CTS-V is the best in the list you mentioned, everything else is going to be super high strung and crappy on the street in 120mph trap trim.

996 tt back seats do not count as back seats, there are leather covered things there but no person with legs could fit there.

you could also consider a GTO with a blower, c63 AMG, E46 M3 + FI, maybe some others?

 

[Hocky]

A turbo GTO might be cool.... good back seats, too. I like the E46 M3, but I don't like the cost and problems that go along with FI on that car.

 

[sleeperlove]

If you don't like cost and problems with a car, take anything German, especially a turbo Porsche, off your list immediately.

 

[BrownZX3Kona]

cobalt SS. I've driven quite a few sc ones, haven't gotten behind the wheel of a turbo one, but its gotta be good. Fun little things to zip around in and easy to bring near 300hp

 

[BOWERSdaAZIAN]

For a nimble well handled car, i'd go with a preowned 08-09 STI. High 20k price range, then throw on a few power adders. I'd also consider EVO, but the newer ones have the option for a dual clutch, and i dont know how much power they can properly handle.

Highway cruiser would be either GTO, G8 GXP, Challenger SRT8, or you could go Ford and get a blown Mustang. All have great potential.

 

[NA_built]

6.0 gto

g8 gxp

 

[Reedicus26]

Ford Mustang
Merecedes AMGs (E, C, CLK)
BMW 135/335
Audi RS4/RS6

Lots of those are autos, but couldn't come up with much else.

 

[icemanZX3]

Trailblazer SS .. 1 to 2K in mods will have you going mid to low 12's in the 1/4

M3 sedan with an HPF turbo kit

 

[Reedicus26]

VW R32 with FI

 

[247_racing_zx3]

ls1 camaro

cammed, turbo, supercharged

either way, they all have great potential. Just kinda sucks at turning i suppose.

 

[WildBill02]

03/04 Cobra
Pros:great power potential(with just a programmer and nothing else u can gain 40-50 horse at the wheels!), fun to drive, seats are gray suede with black leather, 6 spd M/T
Cons:IRS doesnt like to grab traction w/ high horse power
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87n8jhVO784

 

[azbobbybooshay_10]

I would say G8 or G8 GXP.

 

[Paladin]

svt zx5.....
hey its got 4 doors and back seats...... why not. and hits 120 plus in stock form.

 

[guitarseth]

svt zx5.....
hey its got 4 doors and back seats...... why not. and hits 120 plus in stock form.

Not in the 1/4 mile.

My initial thought is either a Mercedes Kompressor of some kind or a later model M5. But as Jeff pointed out, modding a high end German car is going to create a lot of problems.

 

[Johnny_P]

GTO or G8
Mustang GT

Maybe a used M3 or M5

 

[Ray]

Audi RS4.

 

[Hocky]

If you don't like cost and problems with a car, take anything German, especially a turbo Porsche, off your list immediately.

Well, the cost:benefit ratio is much lower with an m3 than it is with the 996. lol. I can stomach the money if I have to, but the m3 just isn't cool / serious enough to consider it worthy of that. It is hard to get away from lsx cars where I can make 6-700whp with a few dollars.

I thought about a Cobra, but they suck to drive. Floaty, boring, and imprecise. I also thought about a supra, but the same problems apply. Audi RS4 is a cool car... I might have to do some research there on what it takes to make some power out of one.