Been looking at getting a performance car for a while now, but haven't been able to upgrade because I’m waiting until I turn 21 to get "cheaper" insurance (if there is such a thing).

I had always planned to get a Focus RS as coming from a focus I’ve always thought they handled great. And liked the look of them. But joining up to this site and having too much spare time had got me looking at other options. As for the focus I’ve only ever planned on spending 13k tops!

But looking around there are allot of Japanese performance cars for sale around that kind of money which are very similar to the focus.

For Instance:

Mitsubishi Evo 5.6.7 GSR
Nissan Silvia S15 (Always liked to look of them since I first saw one)
Honda Civic Type R (EP3)
Subaru Impreza WRX
Mazda RX7 (If it's possible to get a 99 still abit weary of engines)
Nissan Skyline R32/3 GTR (If insurance will allow)


The reason I’ve put all this up is just to see what your options are as I’ve never really owned a performance car. And most people on here very knowledgeable when it comes to performance cars. And I’m not really sure whether to stick to original plan of the focus. Bearing in mind what ever I get it will be a big step up from my focus zetec. And I don't want to get something that might be a bit too hot for me to handle!

Cheers Drunken Master

 

Personaly, just as they so rare, id get an S15.

Absolutley awesome cars, and see, well none, ever.

Get a TypeR Aero, then you got the cool standard bodykit as well as a big power 2litre engine, rollerbearing turbo, 6spd box, and so on.

 

s15 too for exsact same reasons as stavros stated

 

focus rs definitely! please re apply your ford blinkers!

its up to you at the end of the day. i'd choose the focus but thats me.

 

Yeah they are really nice seem some for about 10k spec r's as well. Theres one down by me in car imports direct, not sure if i'd want it though as it doesn't look in that great condition.

Does anyone know any good places to look for jap imports?

Been browsing autotrader but don't really know anything about the reputations of these import places.

 

For me a Evo 6 by far the best/most dynamic car
I did do a S15 Drift car and this was Focus ST Orange

Mark

 

civic type-r gets my vote

Get out and do some test driving see which one you like, what sort of miles are you doing a year?

 

Drive them all, then make a decision! Guarentee it won't be the focus!

 

Doing about 10k miles a year maybe less. Got a motor for work, this is just for evenings and weekends really.

Yeah sounds like a good idea mate.


Does anyone know of a good import centre though?

 

ahh weekend toy a bit different then something mad and rwd

 

Nobody ever mentions the Pulsar/Sunny GTi-R

If you can bare the looks (although I think they look great), they're great fun cars and cheap too You could buy several for 13k!!

James

 

S15 S15 S15 S15 S15 rah rah rah

 

if you want a car that breaks all the time.ive had one and it was a good car,quick,good handling but boring to drive(no effort required)and expensive when go wrong,most of the time




hard choice as to which out of them,i like the s15 but always have like the range,evos??love em,skylines? love em to. too hard to say once ive driven an evo i'lll let you know.

 

why cant u post a pic that actually makes the car look good?

S15 IMO



Just dont chav/jap it.

 

I am with mr SteveN here S15 all the way.

 

I'm hoping to get an evo 4 or 5 next year... i think they are wicked cars!

So i'm biased towards them!!

 

Surely all the cars on that list will cost you loads to insure? 21 doesnt really make any difference it's 25 that does.

I'd go for an s15 as well simply because the rest are alot higher on insurance.

 

focus rs all the way

 

I use my RX7 every day, and apart from 200 miles to Ł60 fuel (on a standard car being driven faily sensibly) it is great

I would go for an Evo 6 or an R33 GTR though next time

 

Evo 6 for me,


My 3 dr was aewsome, but handling in this is just..............

 

Thanks for all the response. It looks like the S15 is most peoples choice, and as for the insurance everything i've listed is reasonable to insure. Although the GTR's are pretty dear on that side of things.

As for the S15 does anyone know what they handle like, I know they're used as drift cars. Do they easily lose traction? As I want something that handles pretty well to be honest.

If anyones got any other suggestions I'd consider them as well.

Thanks for you input

 

what does a 'standard' s15 look like??

thought they were 200sx. OOPS

also whats this turbo type-r?

carl

 

i have afocus rs at the momment that as had some mods and i love it

but also i have a subaru impreza sti ra which is a great fun car too have aswell

i was like you could not make my mind up so i got the focus rs for the mrs too use daily and for me too go too the shows in and local rs meet

and have the subaru just for fun and punishing

you have listed some nice cars

but i am biased and will tell you too get a focus rs but make sure its not standard

 

They are 200SXs, just ones that were never out in the UK. Great all round cars, inside and out, and rare over here too.

Type-Rs are the 6spd turbo ones. Turbos are all called Type-Rs.

Aero models have the nicer bodykit as standard, as below...



Hard to find a standard turbo one anywhere, type in S15 Silvia or S15 200SX on google images and youl see what i mean!

 

steve how tuneable are these..can they be got to decent power fairly easy?

 

ive had rs,s for 10 years then bought this



the real deal mate..

andy

 

250bhp standard and under 1300kg.

Meant to get a good 20bhp+ from just a full exhaust n filter.

Add at least another 15bhp on top of that with a decent intercooler it seems, even at low standard boost!

Can get well over 300bhp with all the above and raising the boost a lil bit. (a good 330bhp on std turbo it seems)

480cc injectors as standard too, which is nice.

As with all SR20 variants, 400bhp on standard internals isnt a problem

 

Watch out if you buy one of these, the Cossies will get you.

Clicky

 

what about when u go past 400hp?..is it mega money or is it easier to chuck a rb26 in?

 

sorry mate but i used to work for nissan and the bottom ends are chocolate on the sr20 engines,not to mention the timing chain tensioners etc etc

 

Not really, about the same as YB engines TBH mate.
Same sorta strengths and principles apply, plenty of 600bhp+ ones around, ones running 9sec quarters, allsorts.

Theres that S14 in Oz that runs 8.7sec quarters!

And this S15 runs 9.2s!

 

Crap. If set up properly the SR20DET in the Gtir at least can happily run over 400bhp. We have a few examples on the Gtir forum doing so.
I think some Yanks are also running 500bhp+ on standard internals.

 

Fazzanut, sorry, but your talking SHITE

Countless SR20s running well over 400bhp for a LOT of hard miles, Phil Morrisons S14 is a good example, current D1GB champ, has about 430bhp from his SR20 with a standard bottomend thats done about 70k IIRC and has about the hardest life any SR20 is likely to get!

And yes, in USA and Downunder theyve seen over 500bhp, and IIRC over 600bhp, on stock bottomend.

But 400bhp on std bottomend can take serious serious abuse and still last.

 

crap?dont think so matey as ive been there and got the t shirt covered in oil!im not saying they are shit im just saying what experiences ive had being a nissan technician.maybe they are running 500bhp on standard internals,but for how long

 

if youd read by post above ive gave you one of MANY examples of how long

maybe you should go on all the SX and Pulsar forums worldwide and tell the thousands of people running 400bhp+ on standard bottomends in drag, track, and drift cars, to stop, as they will break, even tho thye been fine for years, as you obv know better than all the countless owners and tuners.

 

cheers steve think ive found what i want

 

you are a proper wanker arent you,why do u get so upset about these things?is it a touchy subject to you?sorry but im not sad enough to go on a jap crap forum asking thousands of people how much power there bottom ends will take!but as u seem to be that sad and have the time why dont u ask all the people whos bottom ends have gone or are knocking or the timing chain tensioner rattling its bollocks off on there sr20det engines which are not uncommon as i have worked for NISSAN (yes the people who make the cars) and tell them not to worry as it will take over 400bhp on standard internals.oh and pulsars are shit ugly fucking things

 

Have you ever used the username Gartracs2 on the Gtir forum?

 

If you want a car that handles well, it has to be an Evo - wet or dry the things are great to drive, even sideways they are easily controlled.

Reliable too - not much goes wrong with them - make sure the clutch is not slipping, and for serious track work, invest in some good brakes.

 

if your asking me then no,i wouldnt sign up to a gtir forum as i drive a ford.