something I can turbo..... CHEAP!

[Dddaviso7]

I'd like to get a car this summer. I'd like something small that I can turbo, or that has a turbo already. Just a quick little, fuel efficient car. I was thinking an Impreza, WRX, 240sx, Possibly a civic but only if it has a V-tech already turbo'd, something along the lines of that.

I know, most of you probably hate imports, and HEY i'm a muscle guy too, but i'm not a fan of GAS PRICES!!

What do you guys suggest?

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I loved my 1990 Plymouth Laser RS Turbo. It was only FWD but the later Lasers and all of its sister cars (Eagle Talon and Mitsubishi Eclipse) had optional AWD from the start. It was just shy of 200hp and got a reliable 27mpg highway no matter how I drove it, a tough combo to beat. Mine was pretty reliable too, it had 167k miles when I sold it (I wish I still had it)

The only downsides are that the 2.0 is a interferance engine, and if the timing belt breaks the engine is almost always trashed, and while it has 4 seats it only seats two. I never found anybody that was remotely comfortable back there.

Here is what the old girl looked like when I got it, the flame decals didn't last long but I don't have any pictures scanned without them.

 

[Dddaviso7]

Yeah, I was thinking of a talon as well. I'd prefer AWD or RWD but I'm up for FWD as long as its got some power. Thanks for the suggestion, I'll definitely keep it in mind. I do like how those years look, especially white with black wheels! Thanks!

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Yeah, I was thinking of a talon as well. I'd prefer AWD or RWD but I'm up for FWD as long as its got some power. Thanks for the suggestion, I'll definitely keep it in mind. I do like how those years look, especially white with black wheels! Thanks!

If I was to get another one I would look into a AWD Talon/Eclipse that was the same style as mine (90-91) with the retractable headlights and put the Laser grille insert and tail light treatment on it. Personally I like the cleaner look of the Laser compared to the others, but they didn't offer it in AWD until later, and then it was sort of rare. Since they were sold at the same dealerships they pushed to sell the Talon's more as they were more expensive. I had mine for milage (although I probably spent more than the difference on insurance) when I was in college, so I didn't do any real racing with it.

Mine had pretty good torque steer from a start if you got on it really hard, if you are looking to drag race it AWD would probably be the way to go (I have never been around one though) From a 10-15 mph roll look out with a FWD, they really motivate.

 

[Dddaviso7]

I'm looking for something that I can eventually upgrade, but for now, just a fun summer car that i can drive around and not worry to much about when i'll need to fill up again haha

Something Fast but it doesnt have to be a 10 second car hahah

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Then a FWD would be fine, with the added powertrain drag and weight an AWD car probably wouldn't get as good of milage.

 

[Crashtest84]

man to bad you don't live closer to oklahoma I have a 92 AWD eclipse that i have been wanting to sell... its already modded. The funny thing about these cars is im putting out about 350hp and still make around 25mpg

 

[Dddaviso7]

man to bad you don't live closer to oklahoma I have a 92 AWD eclipse that i have been wanting to sell... its already modded. The funny thing about these cars is im putting out about 350hp and still make around 25mpg

Willing to deliver? haha just kidding. So you have experience with them? Anything special I look for or look out for?

 

[CJREX]

I'd go 4 cylinder Ranger.

The TurboCoupe stuff bolts in, it'll get great mileage, and there are several guys in here who've done it.

Heavy duty drivetrain components are everywhere if you decide to get really serious with it.

And most of all, 4 cyl Rangers are as common as WalMarts so there is no problem finding one. You won't have to "settle" for one. You can keep looking until you find the one you really want.

 

[mhughes165]

if u can find one, get a dodge omni/plymouth horizon with a 5spd, and drop in the motor and wiring harnes from a turbo lebaron(2.5 turbo), wiuth very little work on thsoe motors 250hp and 30+ mpg is VERY possible, i had one, i got 28 mpg with little over 300 fwhp, ran a high 10 in the 1/4mi, cars weigh pretty much zilch, you can pick up the front of the car by yourself

 

[Mark_88]

I bought my Zuki Sidekick for better gas mileage...it's got 4 wheel drive if I need it and it handles pretty good on the highway...best I've ever gotten though was 450 Km per 40 liters...whatever that is in MPG...typically, though, I get about 400 km per tank...but when I bought it my insurance went up 300%...was paying around $400 a year for insurance...it's come down a bit in three years but it's still more than I'd pay for the 88 Ranger...

My Ranger was costing me way too much to drive and with the gas prices rising all the time I was getting concerned...65 liters for about 400 Km also...so I was saving about 33% on gas...and I was spending about $8,000 a year on gas...so a considerable savings gas-wise...

Oh, yes, and you can put an aftermarket turbo on them...but they go pretty good even with the 8 valve heads...the 16 valve heads have a few more ponies...most people just lift them and add bigger tires for mudding...not really into that but it has crossed my mind after reading the zuwharrie website and a few others...

It's Japanese too...but I don't think of it as a 'ricer' type...and the GEO versions were made in NA as far as I know...

 

[Shotokan1509]

thunderbird turbocoupe if you can find one

 

[Dddaviso7]

I'd go 4 cylinder Ranger.

The TurboCoupe stuff bolts in, it'll get great mileage, and there are several guys in here who've done it.

Heavy duty drivetrain components are everywhere if you decide to get really serious with it.

And most of all, 4 cyl Rangers are as common as WalMarts so there is no problem finding one. You won't have to "settle" for one. You can keep looking until you find the one you really want.

I currently have a 4cyl. 1994 ranger. I just use it as my daily driver so i can't start a project with it. I want a car too. I'm thinking a Subaru Impreza. Preferably a 1993-1999.