Fastest 2002 car for under $30,000?

[Paintballer86]

Originally posted by ShooterJM


I'd go with quick, but not fast. The biggest engine you can get as an option is 180 hp. Nowhere near a real sports car.

w/ LXE engine, the horse power tops off at 220.

[ShooterJM]

Originally posted by Paintballer86
w/ LXE engine, the horse power tops off at 220.

Really? Where can I get more information on that model? All I've been able to find is more or less this:

"The 2003 Toyota Matrix is available in five trims: 2WD, XR 2WD, 4WD, XR 4WD and XRS. Safety features include dual front airbags; optional side airbags; an anti-lock braking system (ABS), standard on 4WD trims and XRS, optional on remaining trims; and daytime running lights. Powering the 2WD and XR 2WD is a 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 130 horsepower. The same engine with a 123 horsepower output powers the 4WD trims, while the top-level XRS gets a 1.8-liter 180-horsepower engine. "

[Paintballer86]

Originally posted by ShooterJM


Really? Where can I get more information on that model? All I've been able to find is more or less this:

"The 2003 Toyota Matrix is available in five trims: 2WD, XR 2WD, 4WD, XR 4WD and XRS. Safety features include dual front airbags; optional side airbags; an anti-lock braking system (ABS), standard on 4WD trims and XRS, optional on remaining trims; and daytime running lights. Powering the 2WD and XR 2WD is a 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 130 horsepower. The same engine with a 123 horsepower output powers the 4WD trims, while the top-level XRS gets a 1.8-liter 180-horsepower engine. "

I had never heard of it until my friend and I went to the dealer, and the guy there told us about it. He said "It's a limited edition engine for the matrix" (sounds kinda fake, but okkkk...) Apparentley, they put the enging of a celica in it, I will ask my friend tomorrow when I see him, I am not exactley shure of all the specs.

[obsolete898]

yea. i have a transam. they rock and i bet they can out run a vette. my trans am has the LT1 motor in it. (which is they same as a vette)

If it's stock then no it won't. Also The vette's stopped using the LT1 in '97 when it switched to the C5, it's now an LS1. The Z06's have an LS6. Also the new camaro's and firebird's have the LS1, I forget what year they switched.

[Zumina]

F bodies made the switch in 98'. The top of the line Celica motor only puts out 180hp. Sounds like was blowing some sunshine in order to get you to sign on the dotted line.

[Zumina]

And who wants some little japanese 1/2 minivan 1/2 ghetto sports car anyway? I saw a Matrix the other day, and my initial reaction was "damn, that's on ugly car!!". Japenese cars seems to be losing their "flair" these days in favor of cheesy carbon fiber, brushed aluminum, and "body kits." Damn ricers......

[krafty]

Just remember that HP does not necessarily equal speed. There's an 800 hp Jeep sitting in my friend's shop right now, but it can't go over about 110mph. :) It's a fun ride, however. (And no, it's nowhere close to stock. I think the body is about all that's left of the stock equipment).

[ShooterJM]

Originally posted by krafty
Just remember that HP does not necessarily equal speed. There's an 800 hp Jeep sitting in my friend's shop right now, but it can't go over about 110mph. :) It's a fun ride, however. (And no, it's nowhere close to stock. I think the body is about all that's left of the stock equipment).

Really? Straight 6? Wow, that's pretty good tuning. I'd like to put that in my old accord that I had. Have to change my gearing like crazy though.

[gizmolax13]

if u can....hold off on gettin a car
the new mitsubishi evo 7 is comin over in january 2003
276 hp stock, looks good, awd turbo....
very nice
and they say it will be priced at about 28k loaded

look into that

[Zumina]

That jeep has 1/4 mile gearing. It'll get to it's top speed of 110 mph in a flash, but it'll be at redline and out of breath.

[Shaft]

Have a Holden SS UTE shipped over here. Then you can be fast AND original... kinda. I just had to be different.
Most of the choices mentioned are good ones. Mustang, F-body and the WRX.
If you want fast and only fast for under 30large then get the F-body and be done with it. It's even upgradeable. And its cool. Same goes for the Mustang, but the GM stuff will be hotter outta' the box.
If you really want to be daring - do kinda what Zumi suggested - spend your dough on an older rod and make it your own.

[zbody]

Motortrend says the evo 7 will cost $35,000.

[giblit]

lol my friends civic has 102 hp

[krafty]

Originally posted by ShooterJM



Really? Straight 6? Wow, that's pretty good tuning. I'd like to put that in my old accord that I had. Have to change my gearing like crazy though.

Nope. Like I said, it's not anywhere near stock. :) I think it's got a V8 custom-built racing engine in it. The gearing keeps it under 110 but you could squeel the tires until there's nothing but rims left. And it can wake up about 6 square blocks when it's revving!

[krafty]

Originally posted by giblit
lol my friends civic has 102 hp

My MGB puts out a whopping 70 hp at the rear wheel! The only plus when you're talking low horsepower is when I put in K&N filters and stub stacks (about a $150 investment), I gained 4hp (or about 6%). I know people who spend THOUSANDS of dollars on their Civic/Focus/Accord/Prelude/Mustang/whatever to get a 6% horsepower gain.