Best performance car for 26k?

"IloveToyotaCenturies" (toyotacenturyfanatic) 03/26/2015 at 08:39 • Filed to: None

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So my 18 year old friend is looking to sell his 2013 Chevrolet Silverado LT with a 5.3 liter v8 (tuned to 450 horsepower). He expects to get roughly 26k from selling it and wants something cool and performance oriented as a replacement. Right now he wants a 2014 mustang v6 (which I think is the world's worst idea) . His plan is to mod the crap out of it so it has performance similar to more expensive cars.I only mention that because insurance cost on any car you recommend should not be too far above that for him to actually consider it. He wants a manual, but it is not a deal breaker for him. Here are some cars i have suggested

06 e63 amg

08 pontiac g8

2008 c63

2008Lexus IS f

Any ideas?

Brian Silvestro > IloveToyotaCenturies 03/26/2015 at 08:44

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you can probably find an E9x M3 for that right now for a little more milage.

Also, Cayman.

fdafd > IloveToyotaCenturies 03/26/2015 at 08:44

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Modding is a lot more expensive than buying a more expensive car.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > IloveToyotaCenturies 03/26/2015 at 08:45

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Maybe a slightly older v8? The V6 Stang doesnt seem like an awful idea to me though.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > IloveToyotaCenturies 03/26/2015 at 08:46

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BRZ, though I get the feeling that he's confusing performance and power.

e30dork > IloveToyotaCenturies 03/26/2015 at 08:47

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e46 m3 with a few grand left over to fix it when it breaks

OPPOsaurus WRX > IloveToyotaCenturies 03/26/2015 at 08:47

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AutoSavant > IloveToyotaCenturies 03/26/2015 at 08:48

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Why not Coyote powered mustang or LS3 Camaro? Seem to be the go to cars for 18-24 year olds if they want a manual and big power. You can buy either one of those and apply forced induction (in kit form no less) to easily get you in the 500+ RWHP range.

JGrabowMSt > IloveToyotaCenturies 03/26/2015 at 08:49

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Challenger RT

Charger RT

Magnum RT

Mustang GT

Supra

Fiesta ST (here's to Matt Farah's)

The things he could do with that kind of budget, just buy something super cheap and mod the ever living crap out of it.

I'd love to see a RWD, 2JZ swapped classic Toyota Celica wagon.

MultiplaOrgasms > IloveToyotaCenturies 03/26/2015 at 08:52

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Ask him: Why exactly does he need a 400+hp car at this age?

Your boy, BJR > IloveToyotaCenturies 03/26/2015 at 08:54

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STS-v

1st gen CTS-v

2nd gen CTS 3.6 manual

C5 Z06

C4 ZR1

Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 > IloveToyotaCenturies 03/26/2015 at 08:55

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I would say no to all those suggestions. He's 18. I know I sound radical, but in cars like that, you're just asking for trouble. e63 AMG is a joke, right?

citizennick > IloveToyotaCenturies 03/26/2015 at 08:58

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I've seen some G8 GXP's go for around that price, but for some reason its hard to find them in a manual. I wouldn't worry about higher mileage with those or the IS F, proven dependable.

When I was seriously looking for an IS F I kept on reading about year-by-year changes they made. Started out looking for a 2008 and ended up being dead set on a 2011 because I felt like the changes that were made would justify the high price tag, but in the end just couldn't get myself to pull the trigger.

If he plans on modding it I would go the G8 route, GXP if possible, by far cheaper to build with better results than anything else on that list.

yamahog > IloveToyotaCenturies 03/26/2015 at 09:00

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G8 or GTO are a solid idea. Can probably get into a first gen CTS-V or C5 Z06 too.

And 2014 V6? Lol why?

yamahog > MultiplaOrgasms 03/26/2015 at 09:01

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What is the proper age for 400+ HP? I am but 24 and taking delivery of 400+ HP shortly. Is this acceptable plz advice

Chevyislife > MultiplaOrgasms 03/26/2015 at 09:03

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Cause horespower and torque is good for towing notice that he said it was in a truck

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > yamahog 03/26/2015 at 09:04

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More info on the 400+ hp automobile, please. =)

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > IloveToyotaCenturies 03/26/2015 at 09:06

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Is $26k the total budget, or the budget for the car only before mods?

Aaron M - MasoFiST > IloveToyotaCenturies 03/26/2015 at 09:09

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If he wants to mod something, he should really consider $26k his total budget, and only spend part of that on the car. If his plan is to mod a Mustang, it'd make more sense to get a mod motor GT and spend the difference on power adders.

Also, $26k seems to be KBB excellent condition for that truck...does he really expect to get that for one that's been modded?

yamahog > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 03/26/2015 at 09:11

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It is being built today or tomorrow and at my dealer by mid April latest :D

Also it's an obnoxious yellow because of course.

citizennick > IloveToyotaCenturies 03/26/2015 at 09:13

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I was just curious to see what you could find for GXP's, heres one .

I find you can find a better deal on a G8 forum than what you can on AutoTrader, etc.

E92M3 > IloveToyotaCenturies 03/26/2015 at 09:22

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C63 gets my vote.

kyngfish > IloveToyotaCenturies 03/26/2015 at 09:31

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I'd be suspicious of a C63 at 26k

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > yamahog 03/26/2015 at 09:32

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Put a big blue racing stripe up the center. You probably then couldn't drive it in Ohio though.

just say'n...

MultiplaOrgasms > Chevyislife 03/26/2015 at 09:36

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Would you use an AMG Merc for towing boats? You don't tow shit with performance cars.

ArmadaExpress drives a turbo outback > IloveToyotaCenturies 03/26/2015 at 09:37

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Go for an 09-10 BMW 535. Twin Turbo I-6 that has a ton of tuning options. Have him look at Cobb or JB4. Either option provides about an extra 75 HP just from a tune. Tons of performance bolt-ons and a lot of people pushing 500HP on stock transmissions and internals.

Does well with E85 after switching a few components, you can find them in manual transmission guise, with or without xDrive, sport suspensions and the whole nine yards.

It's very composed and a ton of fun to drive!

ArmadaExpress drives a turbo outback > IloveToyotaCenturies 03/26/2015 at 09:40

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Also if they want something fun but not outrageous performance a 06-08 Forester XT is awesome fun and much much cheaper than 26k. Lots of swappable parts from the STi's and very tunable.

AutoSavant > AutoSavant 03/26/2015 at 09:41

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I would say even a 4.6 powered '08 - '10 Mustang is a good choice. There are a few forced induction kits out there that will easily put it in the high 12 second quarter mile. You could get an '08 for around 16k, and spend another 5k on mods. Would make a very fast car.

DoYouEvenShift > IloveToyotaCenturies 03/26/2015 at 09:42

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I would suggest a nice clean LS Fbody or GTO, they are very affordable right now, can be had in manual, Sneeze at it and it will give you 400 hp. Only downside, the insurance may still be kinda expensive.

E. Julius > IloveToyotaCenturies 03/26/2015 at 09:44

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Spend $14k on the best V8 mustang he can find, then spend $6k on mods and $6k on some performance driving training so he doesn't kill himself (or anybody else).

yamahog > TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. 03/26/2015 at 09:49

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Tempting, as I am an obnoxious Michigan grad, but it won't work on this car. You'll see :)

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > yamahog 03/26/2015 at 09:50

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Exciting! But more, please.

Jayhawk Jake > IloveToyotaCenturies 03/26/2015 at 09:51

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Other than being 18, Id suggest a corvette. You can get a C6 for $26k

My advice to an 18 year old with $26k? Get something reasonable for half that and save the rest.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > yamahog 03/26/2015 at 09:58

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Such a tease! All I could find was this:

"I've never had a brand new car before (or even one less than 10 years old), so I'm crazy excited for the one I ordered getting built next week and will probably be borderline obnoxious about showing it off to basically everyone I know. Like Ricky Bobby "Kickstart My Heart" montage levels of excitement. I'm even planning on driving it back to NY for my little sister's high school graduation for maximal show-off saturation."

Hellcats don't come in yellow...

E. Julius > MultiplaOrgasms 03/26/2015 at 09:59

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More important than age is training. Sure there might not be as many 40 year olds dying in high powered cars, but fewer of them die no matter what car they're driving because they're usually safer drivers. If we're talking 400+ hp, a few extra decades of gauging traffic gaps for left turns isn't going to help you at the limit . I'd be more frightened of a middle aged person with only basic driver's ed than an 18 year old with a few HPDE sessions.

That being said, if this kid's got a 450hp car and his only training involved a bright yellow sticker on the bumper, he may be in for some trouble.

Wurrwulf > IloveToyotaCenturies 03/26/2015 at 10:00

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$6000 Civic

$20000 Hookers and blow

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > IloveToyotaCenturies 03/26/2015 at 10:01

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Ideal car list

G8

Trans Am WS6

Older V8 Mustang

Camaro's with V8s

Don't mod the V6 to that much horsepower it's just not worth the effort.

The MB and Lexus are not going to be FUN cars

yamahog > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 03/26/2015 at 10:02

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I'm trying to keep it a surprise until I can take pictures of it in person :) It might not be what everyone else would've done with my budget, but I got a screaming deal on it and that just means more money for track day stuff.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > yamahog 03/26/2015 at 10:02

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Did you spring for a Stingray...?

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > yamahog 03/26/2015 at 10:04

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Ha! Alright, alright...

Can't wait for "the reveal".

yamahog > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 03/26/2015 at 10:06

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My boss was trying to talk me into one, but I didn't want to go over my budget for a base model and eat up my mod/track day money, if that makes sense.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > yamahog 03/26/2015 at 10:10

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Absolutely. According to my calculations/assumptions, there are only two other cars it could be... Ha!

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > yamahog 03/26/2015 at 10:16

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V8 + 400+ hp + yellow + manual(?) + new + not insanely expensive + not Corvette =

Mustang GT Track Pack or Camaro SS 1LE

I can't help trying to figure it out... Sorry!

yamahog > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 03/26/2015 at 10:20

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You'll seEeEeE!

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > IloveToyotaCenturies 03/26/2015 at 10:39

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If he is really into getting the most power for the least amount of price and is not afraid of doing the legwork, I think going the extreme sleeper route would be best. Maybe spending like in the $5k-$10k range at most on a car and then putting every other bit of money into POWER. And this case, the more of a sleeper it is the better. You could pick up a fox body mustang with a rust-free body but blown/crappy engine for easily under $5k. Then just drop a new motor/trans in there, supercharge the hell out of it, and get the suspension in order, and still be under budget. With that amount of cash, oh the things I would do lol.

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > yamahog 03/26/2015 at 11:08

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Bah, I think it will work. Then again I'm just biased.

feather-throttle-not-hair > IloveToyotaCenturies 03/26/2015 at 11:24

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370z starts at 30K. He could easily afford a 1 year old one or possibly buy one brand new if he stretches and talks the dealership down (i'm pretty sure at this point the 370Z is NOT selling like hotcakes)

It would probably be faster and handle better than a V6 mustang.

Chevyislife > Aaron M - MasoFiST 03/26/2015 at 11:56

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KBB puts it at 30k with 18k miles it all depends on what condition the truck is in

Aaron M - MasoFiST > Chevyislife 03/26/2015 at 12:02

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I think even if the truck is worth 30k (KBB told me only $22k with 20k miles but I assumed I wasn't getting the options right) 26k is really optimistic for a modified vehicle unless he returns it to stock and lies about the modifications.