What Are Some Fun Cars For $15K, WRX?

Z

zhorner

Looking to Buy
Joined
Jun 17, 2010
I've got a need for speed and about $15,000 cash...trying to come up with ideas on what to buy. Right now I am thinking about a WRX STI but not dead set on it...Just always liked them and they seem like a fun street car. I have also been looking at some turbo LS swapped cars locally but its really hard for me to trust something like that. A turbo regal would really fit what I'm after but I had an '87 GN that I sold last year and looking for something different...that car was a nightmare (not that they all are...I just don't want another one right now). And I'm not looking to go "fast", a 12 second street car would be plenty quick for what I'm after.

- Looking more for something that came from the factory decently fast or that can be reliably made that way with some bolt ons. Something that will drive to the track, run 12's or better, and drive home with the AC blowin cold.
- No big projects, I'm wanting to drive today, not 2 years from now. I'd love to take an old Biscayne or Riviera or even a G-body and do an LS swap but not wanting to invest that kind of time or money right now.

suggestions?
 
You can't go wrong with a WRX. I've had my 2004 wrx wagon since new and it's only been to the dealer for the airbag recall. It's got 198k. Otherwise, it's been plenty quick, reliable, fun and surprisingly useful (I've transported 3 large dogs, a half pallet of sod, a set of 4 large tires, etc...

Just be sure to find one that's adult owned or maintained.
 
C5 z06. Buddy of mine with a cold air intake , drag radials, and a tune went 11.89

03 - 04 cobra
 
thanks for the suggestions guys. Im not really into vettes or trailblazers but I can see why people are. what makes the 03-04 cobras better than other years?
 
03/04 Cobras are factory supercharged. CAI, cat back, tune is easy high 11's
 
I've owned 2 WRX's ('05 and '14). My opinion is to stay away. Quality is not all that....especially in fit and finish. My interiors had lots of rattles. The paint sucked and would chip easily. They are fun, but the transmissions are weak, the clutches can't handle much power, and the pistons have weak ringlands. The current culture of WRX folks is very young. Not sure your age, so maybe this does not apply to you, but I just don't fit in with the current Subaru crowd. If I had $15k to blow on a fun car, I would go with something like an '03-'04 Cobra, '06 GTO 6 speed, G8 GT, or a Corvette. You could also score a Mercedes E55 AMG cheap and tune it. That would be a fun car, but it will rob you blind when something breaks. Older BMW M3 would be in that price range too.
 
IrvJr said:
Not sure why you dont like the Trailblazer SS, love mine.
Click to expand...

If he's looking at a WRX, then a TBSS is going to be apples to oranges. I doubt he cares for an SUV. I also had a TBSS. '06, black, fully loaded with every option, was tuned, e fans, exhaust, intake, Baer brakes, and a few other goodies. It felt fast with the 4:10 gears and handled amazing for an SUV, but after a couple years the poor fuel economy and lack of interior room (for an SUV) got to me. Losing to a Ford Flex with nothing but a tune at the track triggered me to eventually sell mine and buy an Ecoboost Flex. I ran 13.8's to his 13.2's. Ok, so the Flex handled and braked poorly, but was much quicker, much better fuel economy, and much more comfortable. Nowhere near as fun and badass though. I do sometimes miss the TBSS, but my CTS-V Wagon totally takes its place.
 
BuickMike said:
. Nowhere near as fun and badass though. I do sometimes miss the TBSS, but my CTS-V Wagon totally takes its place.
Click to expand...

Now those are cool assed wagons. :)

The '06 GTO's can be had for a decent price and can be made to run like a scalded dog...........
 
TurboTGuy said:
Now those are cool assed wagons. :)

The '06 GTO's can be had for a decent price and can be made to run like a scalded dog...........
Click to expand...

Thanks!

My $15k vote would be on the GTO...unless you need trunk space. I'm not a fan of the outside looks, but the interior is so much better than lots of other cars. Also, good room to work around the engine.
 
2000-2001 Audi B5 S4, REALLY nice ones with all the Stage 3 (450+HP) upgrades can be purchased for $15k. I have owned three of them and now have one with a ton of mods low miles KW3 suspension, Brembos, FMIC KO4 turbos, trans clutch upgrades etc. I have about $13k into the entire car You wouldn't believe how cheap a nice one will sell for. The car is an absolute blast to drive and I drive it everywhere while my Buick sits. Down side is they are finicky and can be a real PIA to work on. They also have a huge aftermarket following though.

Check out audizine site and classifieds.
VF9Vzeg.jpg
 
You might have liked the 2009 Pontiac G8 GT sedan I sold. Simple bolt ons, 370 to the wheels, ran 12.7s on street tires, had plenty of space inside and trunk, handled well for a big car and surprised many other cars on the road. Or look for the GXP version, auto or manual, with the LS3. Easy to mod. Will run mid 12s or better all day.

Good example G8 GTs will cost right in your range. GXPs will cost more because of how rare they were.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk
 
My wife has a GXP that has a PCM upgrade 320 HP 2400lbs .its a fun car .Bought it 5000 miles on it manual shift and it scoots paid 17 for it
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BuickMike said:
If he's looking at a WRX, then a TBSS is going to be apples to oranges. I doubt he cares for an SUV. I also had a TBSS. '06, black, fully loaded with every option, was tuned, e fans, exhaust, intake, Baer brakes, and a few other goodies. It felt fast with the 4:10 gears and handled amazing for an SUV, but after a couple years the poor fuel economy and lack of interior room (for an SUV) got to me. Losing to a Ford Flex with nothing but a tune at the track triggered me to eventually sell mine and buy an Ecoboost Flex. I ran 13.8's to his 13.2's. Ok, so the Flex handled and braked poorly, but was much quicker, much better fuel economy, and much more comfortable. Nowhere near as fun and badass though. I do sometimes miss the TBSS, but my CTS-V Wagon totally takes its place.
Click to expand...


I was just curious as to why he didnt like them. Wasnt comparing any one vehicle to the other, just making conversation.
 
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