Best Factory Sleeper Import for $10k-$20k

gsxr750 · 04-17-2015, 02:16 PM

I'm interested in purchasing a Japanese import after getting rid of my Z last yr. just didn't drive it enough to justify letting it sit in a garage.

What I' looking for is a cheap economy based , high power to weight ratio import, that can be slightly modded and turned into fun to drive car.

Requirements are japanese, 2-4 doors, seats 4 and a 4 cylinder engine, price range $10-$20k .

RicerX · 04-17-2015, 02:41 PM

Mazdaspeed3. /thread.

kenchan · 04-17-2015, 03:07 PM

corolla-s

UNKNOWN_370 · 04-17-2015, 03:47 PM

Like Ricer X mentioned Mazdaspeed 3, or a used subaru wrx and to go a little more unpopular, a mitsubishi lancer ralliart. All are turbo econorides.

Chuck33079 · 04-17-2015, 03:54 PM

Subaru Legacy GT Spec B. All the fun of the STi without the flatbill Ken Block bro-tards.

Hotrodz · 04-17-2015, 04:53 PM

Why limit to Japanese...Dodge Neon RS, Mitsubishi engine can be boosted to over 500whp...cheap too

kenchan · 04-17-2015, 05:21 PM

my fit is japanese but 5 doors.. and MT.

pretty fun to drive as long as family dont ride along and temps are below 60F..

Z1NONLY · 04-17-2015, 08:53 PM

My first thought was one of the "twins" used. (FRS/BRZ)

I get to drive these at the track often, and they always make me smile.

It seems like you are looking for straight-line "fun" though and most of the fun with the twins comes from the steering wheel rather than the gas pedal. (Although the crappy Prius tires that come stock have such terrible grip that you might think you have 400hp the way the rears break loose so easily)

*edit* probably doesn't look like a sleeper either.

Jordo! · 04-17-2015, 09:51 PM

Any older WRX or, for a total sleeper, maybe an Outback. I believe those came with the same turbo engine as the WRX's.

Another option would be the Toyota Matrix XRS with the super fun, hi revving 2ZZ motor. N/A, but you can find relatively cheap blower or turbo kits for it.

DCNISMO · 04-17-2015, 10:35 PM

Why just Japanese? a gen 1 CTSV with the 6.0 liter motor and six speed. Parts are cheap and its easy to add a blower and other items, 4 doors too.

JC-Nismo · 04-17-2015, 10:51 PM

Volvo S40, trust me you'd never see it coming.

DavidZ370 · 04-17-2015, 11:07 PM

rx-7 FD3s

bvl · 04-18-2015, 07:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidZ370

rx-7 FD3s

He wants to drive it not push it.

Legacies with the 2.5T are sleepers compared to the rash of wrx out there. Then again a bugeye or 04-06 wrx is just a hoot regardless of who else has them.

- b

04-17-2015, 02:16 PM	#1 (permalink)
gsxr750 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: west Posts: 443 Drives: 2012 370z man. sport Rep Power: 13	Best Factory Sleeper Import for $10k-$20k I'm interested in purchasing a Japanese import after getting rid of my Z last yr. just didn't drive it enough to justify letting it sit in a garage. What I' looking for is a cheap economy based , high power to weight ratio import, that can be slightly modded and turned into fun to drive car. Requirements are japanese, 2-4 doors, seats 4 and a 4 cylinder engine, price range $10-$20k .

04-17-2015, 02:41 PM	#2 (permalink)
RicerX Track Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: TN Posts: 597 Drives: To the Pizza joint. Rep Power: 7720	Mazdaspeed3. /thread. BC416 likes this.

04-17-2015, 03:07 PM	#3 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141521	corolla-s RicerX likes this.

04-17-2015, 03:47 PM	#4 (permalink)
UNKNOWN_370 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: ny'r livn in tx Posts: 8,687 Drives: well over 130m.p.h. Rep Power: 14858	Like Ricer X mentioned Mazdaspeed 3, or a used subaru wrx and to go a little more unpopular, a mitsubishi lancer ralliart. All are turbo econorides. __________________ Favorite Quote. "I'm not gonna kill you... I'm just gonna Bash Your Face In" Jack Nicholson-"The Shining". 1980

04-17-2015, 03:54 PM	#5 (permalink)
Chuck33079 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Houston Posts: 12,265 Drives: 2011 370ztt Rep Power: 29539	Subaru Legacy GT Spec B. All the fun of the STi without the flatbill Ken Block bro-tards. UNKNOWN_370 and RicerX like this. __________________ 2011 MB Touring-Sport-6sp-Nav/GTM TT/FI TT TDX/JTran/Kosmic/Eibach/Hotchkis/SPC/CSF/RPS/SoThatsWhereAllMyMoneyWent

04-17-2015, 04:53 PM	#6 (permalink)
Hotrodz A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: NW, AZ Posts: 9,330 Drives: 10 Nissan 370z Nismo Rep Power: 2684385	Why limit to Japanese...Dodge Neon RS, Mitsubishi engine can be boosted to over 500whp...cheap too __________________ *Fast Intentions TT Installed and Tuned by Seb at SpecialtyZ 610whp 560tq:\|Fast Intentions 3" TT-TDX*\|SpecialtyZ/Fast Intentions 72 Row Oil Cooler\|SZ 6 Puck Clutch & Flywheel\|3GsCustoms\|Z1\|Wavetrac\|Hotchkis\|Whiteline \|Blitz\|Fortune Auto 500\|Fujimura\|SPL\|H&R\|TK\|TWM\|RPM Rollbar\|Sparco\|Next Level Performance\|TrackSpec\|AeroFlow Dynamics\|Pioneer\|

04-17-2015, 05:21 PM	#7 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141521	my fit is japanese but 5 doors.. and MT. pretty fun to drive as long as family dont ride along and temps are below 60F..

04-17-2015, 08:53 PM	#8 (permalink)
Z1NONLY Enthusiast Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: SW Florida Posts: 355 Drives: 16 FR-S Rep Power: 40	My first thought was one of the "twins" used. (FRS/BRZ) I get to drive these at the track often, and they always make me smile. It seems like you are looking for straight-line "fun" though and most of the fun with the twins comes from the steering wheel rather than the gas pedal. (Although the crappy Prius tires that come stock have such terrible grip that you might think you have 400hp the way the rears break loose so easily) edit probably doesn't look like a sleeper either. Last edited by Z1NONLY; 04-17-2015 at 08:56 PM.

04-17-2015, 09:51 PM	#9 (permalink)
Jordo! A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2010 Location: nirvana Posts: 6,394 Drives: 2023 NATM Rep Power: 418	Any older WRX or, for a total sleeper, maybe an Outback. I believe those came with the same turbo engine as the WRX's. Another option would be the Toyota Matrix XRS with the super fun, hi revving 2ZZ motor. N/A, but you can find relatively cheap blower or turbo kits for it. __________________ Enjoy it. Destroy it. Last edited by Jordo!; 04-17-2015 at 09:54 PM.

04-17-2015, 10:35 PM	#10 (permalink)
DCNISMO Track Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: washington dc Posts: 995 Drives: Nismo Z Rep Power: 179	Why just Japanese? a gen 1 CTSV with the 6.0 liter motor and six speed. Parts are cheap and its easy to add a blower and other items, 4 doors too.

04-17-2015, 10:51 PM	#11 (permalink)
JC-Nismo A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Atlanta Posts: 1,244 Drives: 2011 Nismo 370z Rep Power: 13	Volvo S40, trust me you'd never see it coming. UNKNOWN_370 likes this.

04-17-2015, 11:07 PM	#12 (permalink)
DavidZ370 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: [= Posts: 1,065 Drives: 17' CWP STI Rep Power: 23	rx-7 FD3s

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