Second Car--Focus ZX3/SVT?

[tycoonbob]

So I plan to get a second car sometime within the next year, and I had a 5sp Focus ZX3 before I got my 4g GS, and I have to say I actually miss it. I have been looking on autotrader, and you can get a Focus SVT for under 5k...which isn't that bad in my opinion. 2.0 with ~170hp, ~145tq 6sp...lots of aftermarket support. Could be something to get cheap, build up the engine and be a nice second car. Or...I could spend a little more money. Find like a 2000-2004 Focus ZX3, and convert it to RWD and add a V8 351. They have kits that you can do this with minimal cutting/modification, for about 16k [including rear end and engine and transmission]. Of course, that is a lot of money. Think would be better just to go with the SVT? Or anyone know any other kind of tuner 4cyl under 5k other than Honda's? Not to crazy over tiburon's, and I can't think of much else right now.

[360jeepboy]

Are you wanting another project car? If you are then I could see a lot better then a Ford Focus. But if you must then I would get the SVT. All you need is a bottle and they are quick.

[tycoonbob]

Yeah, basically another project car. A more serious project car than my 4g gs DD. What others you got in mind that I can get the car around 5 grand or less and is somewhere around a 1999-2005 model.

[itsmatt]

try and get a hold of a 3000gt or vr4...theyre not 4cyl. but theyre fun cars to work on. Under 5k and 4cyl. theres not much. If you were looking for something a little older id say look for a 240sx or 300zx. I dunno check on craigslist, theres tons of cars.

[horse-eater]

1g or 2g DSM GST/GSX, 240sx, galant vr4, 3000gt vr4, conquest/starion, dodge omni, foxbody 5.0L, LT1 camaro.

the options are endless...

[ryanastyG4]

^^damn you named everything i was going to name.
there are endless options, i wouldnt waste time on a run of the mill domestic. it wont last you long. if you were to get a domestic, id look into a 5.0.

[tycoonbob]

Out of all those that are listed, only one's that really interest me in a project car would be 3000gt, 300zx [but my gf's mom has one so I dont want her to think im trying to show off to her], and of course the focus svt. Also, maybe a delorean =]

[Justin]

2g gsx or fail

[tycoonbob]

Honestly, I don't want another Eclipse...yeah yeah, flame me.

[horse-eater]

dude... its still a focus...

if you wanna go more unique, look into a 300zx, rx7, OR a second gen supra.

maybe even a porsche 944. now those are some beautiful fast cars. the 944 turbo is hands down my favorite porsche of all time. and one of the cars that I will own some day no matter what the circumstance.

[07satinGS]

focuses are great cars...but unless you plan on turboing it, your a lot better off going with something else if you want raw power. now if you where going to build an autoX car then i would say SVT FTW.

[tycoonbob]

I like the older Porsche 944's, but Insurance is my main worry. Remember, I am 19 years old...maybe 20 when I get it. Insurance can't be outrageous. And I was planning to Turbo the SVT Focus. They can be Turboed and get 294 hp and about 278tq, which is pretty good for a 4 banger IMO.

RX7, to expensive to find one in decent shape...but I do like them, for the record. It's probably going to come down to finding a nice 6MT Focus SVT to Turbo, or if I can find a 300zx fair lady z that is already twin turbo. Anything else come to mind anyone?

[DarkSidEclipse]

Originally Posted by horse-eater

1g or 2g DSM GST/GSX, 240sx, galant vr4, 3000gt vr4, conquest/starion, dodge omni, foxbody 5.0L, LT1 camaro.

the options are endless...

Same List I was gonna give

Dude no matter what SVT or know its still a Ford and its still a Focus at the end of the day. You might as well get a Taruas SHO if your gonna do that or a 89-91 Probe GT at least that one was running the RX-7 Turbo engine. You can't fail with a DSM

[tycoonbob]

Well the focus SVT has great turbo potential. Turbo'd SVTF have been modded to get over 360hp and around 340tq. Thats pretty good to me, of course more than I would put into it. rx7, cost to much, I don't want another eclipse [no offense], and I have also been thinking about a Sentra SE-R Spec V. I have always admired them too, stock 175hp, seems like good potential to go F/I. I dont like the SHO Taurus, and dont really think much of the probe GT's. Guess the phrase, different strokes for different folks, come into play here.

I do thank you for listing other cars of the like, I am interested in something fun and unique to play with.

[360jeepboy]

300zx's TT's are going for under 5k on ebay all the time.

[horse-eater]

944 isnt goig to be bad on insurance. Its a very old car, and the value isn't very high.

[DarkSidEclipse]

Originally Posted by tycoonbob

Well the focus SVT has great turbo potential. Turbo'd SVTF have been modded to get over 360hp and around 340tq. Thats pretty good to me, of course more than I would put into it. rx7, cost to much, I don't want another eclipse [no offense], and I have also been thinking about a Sentra SE-R Spec V. I have always admired them too, stock 175hp, seems like good potential to go F/I. I dont like the SHO Taurus, and dont really think much of the probe GT's. Guess the phrase, different strokes for different folks, come into play here.

I do thank you for listing other cars of the like, I am interested in something fun and unique to play with.

I didn't say get an RX-7 I said the 89-91 Probe had the RX-7 Turbo platform for the GT model which is much cheaper than an RX-7

[DarkSidEclipse]

The first generation Probe appeared in 1988 and lasted until 1992 in the United States. In some markets the model years were from 1987 to 1991. It was based on a series of futuristic concept cars of the early 1980s, the likes of which have been seen in films like Judge Dredd, Back to the Future Part II and Total Recall. It was a coupe based on the Mazda GD platform, and was powered by a 2.2 L SOHC I4 cylinder Mazda F2 engine. 145 hp (108 kW) with 190 lb·ft (258 N·m) of torque with the turbocharged version.

Thats on 7lbs of boost which Ford did in moderation for the consumer market. The boost can be upped and being that they borrowed the RX-7 Platform you know there is plenty of support to turn this thing into a beast

[tycoonbob]

Well Focus SVT and 300zx TT are definitely on my list, but what kind of aftermarket support is there for a porshe 944?

[horse-eater]

Dude, it's one of the most popular AutoX cars I can think of next to the Miata.

If you google 944 performance parts you can browse for weeks and not put a dent in it.

[DarkSidEclipse]

Originally Posted by tycoonbob

Well Focus SVT and 300zx TT are definitely on my list, but what kind of aftermarket support is there for a porshe 944?

Go with the 300zTT or find a Datsun. With the focus I just couldn't bring myself to do it. An Escort is an Escort know matter what badge you put on it Pony/SVT/ZX#/Focus just like the Slobalt a Cavalier is Cavalier doesn't matter what you call it.

[Justin]

Def go 300zx TT looks better faster and has more potential.

Why dont you want a dsm?

[360jeepboy]

He is scared of crank walk...

[Justin]

[DarkSidEclipse]

Originally Posted by 360jeepboy

He is scared of crank walk...

You have to know what CrankWalk is to be scared of it lol Most Mechanics don't even know what it is.

[DarkSidEclipse]

Horse I assume you meant the Omni GLH Trim.

Tycoon if you could find one a Buick GNX would be a nice lil project car

[DarkSidEclipse]

Shelby Charger

[tycoonbob]

Thoughts on a 6g or 7g Celica? How about a 2g MR2?

I'm really wanting to get a 4cyl and maybe turbo it.

[Justin]

2g is a 4cyl that comes stock turboed

[tycoonbob]

Thick headed dsm lovers, eh? Seriously, grab a 2g MR2 and build it up+turbo...400hp+?

[DarkSidEclipse]

Originally Posted by tycoonbob

Thick headed dsm lovers, eh? Seriously, grab a 2g MR2 and build it up+turbo...400hp+?

I tell you what you show me one of these MR2, Celica's, or Focus thats pushing 800-1000 HP or being told they have to add weights, and a smaller turbo on there car before they can run in the NHRA. Or can run an 8 sec 1/4 mile. There is a reason we are DSM lover's.

[Justin]

and spend 3x as much as you would for the awd dsm

Yes im a dsmaholic dsm till i die!!!! lol

[DarkSidEclipse]

Originally Posted by tycoonbob

Thoughts on a 6g or 7g Celica? How about a 2g MR2?

I'm really wanting to get a 4cyl and maybe turbo it.

Ok dude
DSM
89-91 Probe GT
Shelby Charger GLH
Starion/Conquest
Omni GLH
SRT-4
Galant VR4
Jetta 1.8 T
Sunfire Turbo
Lebaron GTC
Shelby CSX
Spirit R/T
Daytona R/T

All have one thing in common they are all I4's with stock Turbo's at the end of the day your gonna get way more power for a lot less money spent out any of these platforms than an Escort or any of the other cars you mentioned.

[horse-eater]

oh damn man!

I totally forgot about the Lebaron turbo!

and you have the Celica AllTrac which is an AWD turbo, and the MR2 which came with the same 200 ish HP turbo 4 banger as the celica.

[the fuzz]

3rd gen supra buy one n\a then make it a single turbo and blow the shit out of TT supra's

thats my plan

[tycoonbob]

Well, here is the thing. I am not planning to make this car run anywhere near or over 600 hp. I have no reason, it's not going to be drag racing or anything. If anything, it would hang out at track day, maybe a little bit of AutoX or something. Not serious racing or street racing.

There is 2g MR2's running over 700hp, can't you get a MR2 with a factory turbo? SVTF s/c can run around 300 hp, SVTF t/c are hitting around 360hp, got celica gt-4's with 600 hp [i know, tq is what matters...but i dont have those numbers of the top of my head]. 300zx TT, if I could find one under 5 grand in decent shape, would be a fun project car.

But I'm not planning to buy it, then drop 15-30 grand in it...this is something fun I would put in my garage, play with a bit every day or so, and I would even like to install my own turbo or s/c. Something to learn as I go with cars.

[360jeepboy]

Originally Posted by lil`Wolf

:scared:

That is the funnest thing. I'm saving the pic!!


And I don't know about a celica or focus that is pushing 800+ hp but they're quite a few MR2 turbos that push that much. Come one now... you can't go wrong with mid engine RWD + turbo.

The only thing is that the MR2's are hard to work on and the sensors are expensive. But, you can get a AEM standalone and be able to use cheaper sensors.

[Special_K]

Originally Posted by itsmatt

try and get a hold of a 3000gt or vr4...theyre not 4cyl. but theyre fun cars to work on. Under 5k and 4cyl. theres not much. If you were looking for something a little older id say look for a 240sx or 300zx. I dunno check on craigslist, theres tons of cars.

Ah yes, a car that needs to be babied all the time. Yes the 3kGT VR4 is a nice car however unless you have serious money and time to routinely dump money into that thing it will piss and moan at you more than a Red Headed Slut on her never ending period.

Originally Posted by lil`Wolf

2g gsx or fail

Ah yes, crankwalk anyone?

[tycoonbob]

I never said anything about a focus or celica running 800hp...focus I have seen are up around 380, and you can good 600hp celica. But I am seriously considering a 1990-1998 MR2. Would be a little project car I would enjoy, and a unique car to drive in my town. There is a 2004 MR2 that lives next door to my gf [whose mom has a 300zx], and I do admire her's a lot.

[Special_K]

300ZX is a decent car, a late 80s Starion/Conquest and/or RX-7 would be a nice canidate for a LS1/5.0L swap. I have seen several gutted Conquests in my area for around 1k bucks ready for a swap.