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[hr]Originally posted by: rickinthescv
From your initial topic, you stated that you would pick the base models to conserve on price.

That would be a bad move. The upper models have some serious improvements in performance that not only allow you to have a higher horsepower/torque to start with, but allow more improvements without going so far as to destroy reliability.

The Nissan is a wonderful car. In twin turbo trim, it is capable of some serious numbers and has lots of room for improvement. The RX7 also has some great potential, but still do not try out the base model as you would end up spending more to reach the same level of performance.

Now, we all know the facts surrounding the Supra. And again, don't buy the base model as it would be a total waste of money. You have to start out with the Twin Turbo model or else you are replacing the motor and that does not save you money in the long run. With some proven modifications, Supras have reached massive amounts of horsepower. And the best of the best have already reached the level where they can give you a virtual roadmap to horsepower nirvana. Talk to the pros at Supra Store and you can see how easy it is to make some serious numbers. If you think that a properly done up Supra cannot beat even a Ferrari, then think again, people have 9 second time slips on cars they drove to the track. And if I remember correctly, a guy in Las Vegas had the record at over 800 horsepower at the wheels! This was on a car that could be driven daily and had the Toyota reliability to go along with it.

The Mitsubishi is a good car, but it was not designed for the serious modifications to reach this level. I am not saying it could not be done, but would it be worth it?

Based on the parts availability, the reliability, and the actual number achieved with a proven road map, I would only go with the Supra. Sure, you could find the 300ZX for cheaper and build it, but the Supra can be done with a stock block! In the end it only comes down to personel preference and the ability to spend money to go fast. Remember, cost, reliabilty, speed, PICK two and that is the fact of life.

Now, before we hear the Civic bashers. The Civic is a 15000 dollar car that has great reliability, cool style, and awesome fuel economy. The fact that they are so popular is only a testament to their greatness. I realize that any street driven Civic has a limitation. Most serious tuners will agree that 300 horsepower is the limit to what the car can actually use. I am not saying a Civic can not have more, but it will lack the drivetrain to use more. A Supra has a superior rear drive train that can handle such horsepower. A front wheel drive car makes sacrifices and as such you will see transmission issues along with drive shafts as well. But a 300 horsepower Civic would be fun, and folks, the prospect of a 7th generation Civic with that is coming up closer every day. Drop in a nice Type S motor with a Turbo and you are knocking at that door.

Just realize that a used Supra Twin Turbo will still cost you 30,000 dollars for a used car that was last built in 1999![hr]

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[hr]Originally posted by: Boilermaker1

There is a replacement for displacement... it's called technology. Unfortunately, when you combine displacement with technology, you can't beat it....

I'd go with the Supra or the Z... Either one should be good for 5 or 600 HP, but there's probably more Supra goodies.[hr]