Cheap cars that like boost?

Was looking for something fun and RWD/AWD, from the 90s-2000s. Something somewhat on par with the 2JZ, B-series, etc. Preferably automatic, but manual can be made an exception. Budget was around $3500 max for the car (would also like IRS).

Plan is to be just a daily driver, not intending to be a track/dragstrip car. Open to turbo or supercharging it.

I can't fit in Miatas...

DSMs. Factory turbocharged and make mad power with a few tweaks. The automatics are supposedly pretty stout and popular with drag racers. I know that they have become slightly rarer but they are still available out there for cheap if you look.

That sounds like nicest 99 or newer GM truck you can find with a V8 to me. Ignoring your IRS requirement.

Lexus SC300 was my other thought.

Daylan C said:

That sounds like nicest 99 or newer GM truck you can find with a V8 to me. Ignoring your IRS requirement.

My first thought too.

Dootz said:

Was looking for something fun and RWD/AWD, from the 90s-2000s. Something somewhat on par with the 2JZ, B-series, etc. Preferably automatic, but manual can be made an exception. Budget was around $3500 max for the car (would also like IRS).

Plan is to be just a daily driver, not intending to be a track/dragstrip car. Open to turbo or supercharging it.

A Z32.  You can find them all day long under $3500 but they will need work, esp. a TT.  A NA auto with a popped motor with a blown motor should be worth around $0.  Drop a TT motor in.

gs300. or sc300. or is300. Basically any of the "fat supras" 

Auto awd 1g DSM's are cheap fun. 

adding a turbo or using an existing turbo? I would think the the E36 4 cylinder models with the 1.8 M42 engine would be best. They use forged internals from the factory and have all the room for a 6 cylinder with only a tiny 4 in it's place

yupididit said:

Auto awd 1g DSM's are cheap fun. 

^ that's a second Gen..  I have not seen DSM that wasn't modded in a LONG time.

what about the Starion and Conquest? Those are RWD and turbo

B5 or even B6 A4 1.8T?  They're certainly within that price range

AnthonyGS said:

Dootz said:

I can't fit in Miatas...

Don’t want to?  I had a friend that was 6’5” and 280ish and raced them.  So unless your Shaq, big show or Andre the Giant, I’m not buying it.  My son is 6’4” but much thinner and he fits.  Taller guys usually prefer a lower seat but solutions are readily available.  

True. I'm 6'3", 240lbs and fit in one with the stock seats and my helmet on. And my 245whp Rotrex-supercharged 1.8L swap is an absolute animal at wide open and tame enough that I daily drive mine.

Id say E55/CL55/S55 or CL600/S600 (2003+)  I've seen examples of each in the $3500 range.

I heard a rumor that the Jeep 4.0L loves boost...

Stanger2000 said:

B5 or even B6 A4 1.8T?  They're certainly within that price range

I like that answer. I've always wondered how overblown chain issue is.

Any Nissan with a VQ?

mad_machine said:

^ that's a second Gen..  I have not seen DSM that wasn't modded in a LONG time.

 

what about the Starion and Conquest? Those are RWD and turbo

Yeah, I thought the 1gs suffered from it too? 

That said, I haven't seen a DSM period in probably 7-8 years.

Does this DD have to pass some kind of smog test or visual inspection? I 2nd the jeep six and silverado nominations.

AnthonyGS said:

Dootz said:

I can't fit in Miatas...

Don’t want to?  I had a friend that was 6’5” and 280ish and raced them.  So unless your Shaq, big show or Andre the Giant, I’m not buying it.  My son is 6’4” but much thinner and he fits.  Taller guys usually prefer a lower seat but solutions are readily available.  

6'4 280lbs and I drive miatas all the time and have owned and daily driven many. 

GM B-body with a Weiand 177 blower through the hood?  

z31maniac said:

mad_machine said:

^ that's a second Gen..  I have not seen DSM that wasn't modded in a LONG time.

 

what about the Starion and Conquest? Those are RWD and turbo

Yeah, I thought the 1gs suffered from it too? 

That said, I haven't seen a DSM period in probably 7-8 years.

Nope. 1st-gens had the stronger bottom end. Plus better turbos from the factory. 

In reply to Daylan C :

How od SC300s drive? Are they boaty and numb, or decent?

In reply to AnthonyGS :

I've been in an NA, I have longer legs and a shorter torso than the other way around. I'd feel cramped anyway with the way I sit

In reply to ProDarwin :

I thought about them, but the cramped engine bay was a turn-off