6 Cars With 300-Plus Horsepower That You Can Still Buy for Under $30,000

DjSquall

I actually have driven both old & new. The old one is 1000x the fun

__________________

My Z did p0rn

theDreamer

I think the Mercedes thing is for the low end, like 4 cylinder engines and what what, maybe even diesel tech since Nissan needs to get into that quickly to compete with the euro TDI offerings and more American diesel cars FINALLY coming to America after being in Europe forever!

They just need to upgrade the GT-R engine to something newer, give the new Z the old engine as tried a true, 380z TT and sell it for 50k starting price with a singe clutch auto and around 500HP (so clearly detuned).

__________________
theDreamer's Z // Fast Intentions // Uprev // GTM // HKS // TEIN
theDreamer's Silvia // URAS // GREDDY
Houston Zs // Facebook // Twitter // Instagram

Chuck33079

The old one is a hoot. It's primitive as hell, but far more capable than people give it credit for. You can get a pretty good one for $40k and there isn't much I'd rather have for a dedicated "fun" car. That was one of the cars I seriously considered before coming home with the Z, but I wanted something I could daily drive and a Viper is not it.

__________________
2011 MB Touring-Sport-6sp-Nav/GTM TT/FI TT TDX/JTran/Kosmic/Eibach/Hotchkis/SPC/CSF/RPS/SoThatsWhereAllMyMoneyWent

DjSquall

Apparently maintaining them ain't cheap either. But nothing I've ever driven scared me more than fish tailing that beast in a corner..

__________________

My Z did p0rn

Chuck33079

The maintenance cost of a car is always tied to its original msrp, not what you buy it for used.

__________________
2011 MB Touring-Sport-6sp-Nav/GTM TT/FI TT TDX/JTran/Kosmic/Eibach/Hotchkis/SPC/CSF/RPS/SoThatsWhereAllMyMoneyWent

theDreamer

But...but...I only bought it for 30k, why is it so expensive, I did not buy it new at 100k.

__________________
theDreamer's Z // Fast Intentions // Uprev // GTM // HKS // TEIN
theDreamer's Silvia // URAS // GREDDY
Houston Zs // Facebook // Twitter // Instagram

Chuck33079

It's the reason (well, the reason that's not "automatic transmission") why I was unwilling to consider a used GTR.

__________________
2011 MB Touring-Sport-6sp-Nav/GTM TT/FI TT TDX/JTran/Kosmic/Eibach/Hotchkis/SPC/CSF/RPS/SoThatsWhereAllMyMoneyWent

cavemancan

Not sure I would consider this a brilliant move...Apologies for saying so.

IDX to compete with BRZ = Good Idea
GTR 3.8L Turbo for a 380Z = Bad idea

I am a big fan of more power but not if it makes the front end of the Z more of a boat anchor then it is presently. I dream of 50/50 weight distribution despite Nissans marketing that the current weight distribution is better.

If I were a dreamer they would shave off 100 lbs + of the block and stroke it out to 4.2L + (making up numbers) making North of 375 HP and focus the rest of the dollars on chassis weight savings. Imagine a 3000 lbs 375 HP Z with a 50/50 weight distribution. Oh yeah and they should also make the suspension on the Z fully adjustable from stock. Look at the Mazda Rx8 chassis...You don't need camber arms. Finally, a better LSD and lower driving position.

I know its blasphemy because I like the 3.7L but I think a whole new engine is in order. Lighter, smaller, and more powerful. I would prefer NOT to have a 4 cylinder Turbo but if it sounds good then I could be convinced. What if they make a super light version of the old inline 6 and turbo it...uuuuuuuuu yummy.

I wish Nissan would 1 up Chevy's LS and build a whole new v8 that is lighter/smaller with the same power levels then put that into the Z.

Just dreaming.

__________________
Mazda Rx8 MT Titanium - SOLD!
2009 370Z T-Sport MT Black - Takeda Intake, Swift springs, Rear Camber kit, SS B Lines, FI Exhaust, Z Speed CMAK Flywheel/Clutch Kit, Stillen Brake Cooling.

speedfreek

All you have to do is look at F1 and their new sound with the engine change this year. I don't think you will get the sound out of the 4 cyl turbo that you are looking for. Another note to add is they have stated that the IPL badge will actually mean something on the next model. And it was rumored to be that it would get the 3.8 Turbo. I know how rumors go but they have to do something with the Nismo and IPL badges. It has to mean more than just a bodykit. They want to compete with the AMG, M series, and CTS-V with the IPL. So if they drop a better powerplant in the Infiniti I don't see why the Nismo can't receive the same treatment.

__________________

DEpointfive0

Yep, YOU, are stoned

__________________
Do YOU want to know what/where I got my username from?

cavemancan

No factory 4 cylinder will ever sound like a high revving F1 motor. Unless Nissan gets really cool and decides to employ cosworth to make the engines LOL!

__________________
Mazda Rx8 MT Titanium - SOLD!
2009 370Z T-Sport MT Black - Takeda Intake, Swift springs, Rear Camber kit, SS B Lines, FI Exhaust, Z Speed CMAK Flywheel/Clutch Kit, Stillen Brake Cooling.

Chuck33079

Fixed.

__________________
2011 MB Touring-Sport-6sp-Nav/GTM TT/FI TT TDX/JTran/Kosmic/Eibach/Hotchkis/SPC/CSF/RPS/SoThatsWhereAllMyMoneyWent

ohohoh123456

You lucky. Nissan dealers need to be certified by Nissan to sell/maintain GTRs. I have only 2-3 out of 7-8 dealers here carry GTRs.

__________________
13 NISMO|Magma Red|F.I. TDX 12''+NRHFC|

cavemancan

I like to dream. Honestly its not hard to make the chassis lighter. Mazda is doing it with all there vehicles aka Skyactive. It will drastically improve fuel economy and performance.

What Nissan should do is look into making the front end lighter an over all weight loss of an optimistic 200 lbs. Then just increase NA power on the 3.7L to 375HP on the none Nismo models and 400 HP on the Nismo.

P.S. I take back what I said about the IDx that thing is uglier then Jay Leno's chin! O_o

__________________
Mazda Rx8 MT Titanium - SOLD!
2009 370Z T-Sport MT Black - Takeda Intake, Swift springs, Rear Camber kit, SS B Lines, FI Exhaust, Z Speed CMAK Flywheel/Clutch Kit, Stillen Brake Cooling.