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1.) The Miata is a 'best known secret'. Don't let the cat out of the bag..... Seriously, you can pick up a 1.8 Liter 1994-95 with moderate miles in nice shape for $3-5K, trim the weight to just over 2100 lbs., do the spec racer mods (roll cage, suspension, tires/rims, etc...) for a few more grand. You have a killer on a short track for 7 grand if you do the labor. Now, add a VERY reliable fly'in Miata Turbo and goodies for about $5,000 and put down 300 RWHP (15 psi). That's about the same power-to-weight ratio of a new SRT10. To the best of my knowledge, this combination is unbeatable for anything even close to the bucks. The ultimate sleeper...SylvanSRT said:
(Ooops - you said 2000 or newer.... So add $7,000 to this price)
2.) The EVO. OK, nice bang for the buck here as well. Although, to get it into the mid-low 12's (reliable - done right) on street gas, you're looking at $6,000 in mods. How do I know this? I spoke to the World Record holder (with stock turbo's - Kurt Brown) who lives a few miles from my house. I met this guy at a Lotus dealership, where he is the salesman (I test drove the Elise). We got to BS'ing and he told me about the EVO he owns. He turned 11.75 (give or take) with stock turbo's and race fuel (put $6,000 into different intercooler, exhaust, gears, modified stock turbo housing, etc.... - Does not include labor) from Bushar racing. Figure low-mid 12's on pump gas (93-94 octane). This car was featured in a magazine, and Kurt also holds some old DSM records with 9 second 1/4 mile times. This guy knew his shit when it came to the 4G63 (?) 2.0 Liter Turbo motor... Can't remember all the details, but he said it takes about $6,000 to get an EVO into the mid-low 12's RELIABLE on street fuel with very little Turbo lag (less than stock). You might be able to do it cheaper with a big turbo and having it run like an on/off switch, but that's not streetable IMO. Stock the handeling/braking are already pretty good, so these engine mods are all that's really needed for an good street/track car. Kurt did additional suspension work, where he said it handles UNREAL. But, you feel every pebble in the road (more track set up than street). For street/track use he recommended the stock set up. Not sure about the stock brakes when it comes to track use, but on the street I hear the work well. Figure another $1,000 to make them track worthy. Bottom line: I wouldn't trust an EVO on the used market, seems to be a car kids mainly own and beat the snot out of... So that leaves us with a new EVO +/-$29,000 out the door and $7,000 in mods. $36,000, not exactly cheap, and you lose the warrantee, but would make a fun car. Problem is, for $4,000 more you should be able to buy a new C6 once the hoopla wears off, have a car with a full warrantee, probably more comfortable to drive, looks way better, etc... Given, no back seat...
