Best Base Car for a Project?

[RadioKnight]

Hi guys! I miss the times when I used to spend hours in the shop modifying a car. I'm interested to start a project. I've been out of the scene for a while so I would like to get inputs on selecting a GOOD BASE CAR.

A. Budget 500K
B. Reliable and can be daily driven (preferably '04 Up)
C. Easy to find bolt on parts (specifically turbo, clutch, big brakes)
D. Manual
E. No need to swap engines (good enough engine to build on)

Roughly speaking, my target for this car is to be able to run with an STI. At least keep up. :-) This probably takes anything less than 1.6L out of the options.

What do you guys think of cruze 1.8L MT (may performance parts ba for this? Does this have potential?)

Lancer -- and build towards evo?

Civic 2.0L?

Sorry for the long post. I would appreciate inputs! Especially those with experience. :-)

Thanks thanks!

[renzo_d10]

Hmm. A Civic 2.0L with a manual.

Syempre Honda, daming bihasa diyan.

Just watch this...



That's a 1.8L FI Civic. Imagine what power the 2.0L FI Civic can produce.

[niky]

Run with an STI? On track? No swaps?

WRX.

Possibly the only thing that fits the bill would be a Civic FD 2.0 MT. The motor can handle over 250 whp (possibly 300 whp) on stock internals. That's STI territory already.

The only other 2.0 MTs available are the Lancer 2.0 GLX/MX/GT or the Lynx RS. The RS will only handle around 200 whp on stock internals and there are few clutches available for the RS that can take the power. The Lancer might have more boost potential than the Lynx (it is, after all, a 4B11), but I don't know if clutch and drivetrain upgrade options for the FWD 4B11 are as easy to find as they are for the Civic and the Lynx (Lynx LSD is only $610 from the US).

[GTi]

For a tuner car, still nothing beats the Honda's. FD Civic fits your budget, assuming that you can find a 2.0M/T for sale that is, since they're pretty rare. Or you'd have to settle with the 1.8.

[vinj]

Hmm. A Civic 2.0L with a manual.

Syempre Honda, daming bihasa diyan.

Just watch this...



That's a 1.8L FI Civic. Imagine what power the 2.0L FI Civic can produce.

Just have to vent, this vid appears to be another sample of people putting others at risk with their penis-enlarging speed runs on a public road with other motorists just next to them. Easter weekend pa naman so there are other people on the road with their familes and you could see them pushing it even in traffic.

BTT: with 500k for a base car id probably look for 3series or 5 series bmw to modify. Parts and expertise would be more expensive in all chances. If not, then of course the Honda Civic would have the most choices and support.

[Egan101]

Check at Sulit. There are a few FD 2.0L MT posted for less than 500k. An officemate was also thinking of getting one as a project car.

[Sweetlucious]

Just have to vent, this vid appears to be another sample of people putting others at risk with their penis-enlarging speed runs on a public road with other motorists just next to them. Easter weekend pa naman so there are other people on the road with their familes and you could see them pushing it even in traffic.

BTT: with 500k for a base car id probably look for 3series or 5 series bmw to modify. Parts and expertise would be more expensive in all chances. If not, then of course the Honda Civic would have the most choices and support.

Hahaha you just burst the bubble of the TS. Its exactly what he wanted to do just like the stupid guys on the vid.

[basti08]

I'd say Lynx RS. Very good base car. Of course, modifying the Lynx isn't all about the oomph... There's an OEM kit good for another 30hp, used in USDM Mazdaspeed Protege. But if you want a much more powerful option, the Lancer GT (manual) might just be good too. Or how about converting a Mazda 3 2.0 to manual? Then slap some turbo! :D

[RadioKnight]

Thanks everyone for their inputs! :D I'vs decided to go with 2.0L MT Civic FD. Got it today. I actually just got back in from a drive to sta Rosa and back.

The car has decent pull at high revs. There is also a 'fast sensation' to driving this car, so even at 100 speed limit it already felt fast.

Steering is nicely weighted.

Cheers! Thanks again everyone for weighing in.

[collegescavenge]

Congrats Sir!
Can we look at some pictures on its improvement soon?

[RadioKnight]

Sure thing cs. :-) newbie question: how do I post pics and/or videos?

[GTi]

Sure thing cs. :-) newbie question: how do I post pics and/or videos?

Click reply. Look to the right of the font and smiley selectors and look for the icon that shows "insert image".

[RadioKnight]

Click reply. Look to the right of the font and smiley selectors and look for the icon that shows "insert image".

thanks GTi! I'm accessing the board through my phone, perhaps that's why I don't see the insert image icon. But will check when I get on my notebook.

------

Just an update on my experience with the fd 2.0 M/T. The car can make the tires squeal even in 2nd gear! Couldn't do it on 3rd. Was surprised it had TONS of grip too.

Still contemplating on next best mods.. currently fitted with short ram intake and mugen muffler. Anyone with first hand experience (not just theoretical knowledge) on the effect of installing new coilover on this particular car? Any discernable change?

TIA

[jhnkvn]

thanks GTi! I'm accessing the board through my phone, perhaps that's why I don't see the insert image icon. But will check when I get on my notebook.

Take account that to use the IMG icon, unless you're attaching images, you usually need to upload your image on a third-party website such as Photobucket and get the IMG url tag from there to link the image directly here.

[GTi]

thanks GTi! I'm accessing the board through my phone, perhaps that's why I don't see the insert image icon. But will check when I get on my notebook.

------

Just an update on my experience with the fd 2.0 M/T. The car can make the tires squeal even in 2nd gear! Couldn't do it on 3rd. Was surprised it had TONS of grip too.

Still contemplating on next best mods.. currently fitted with short ram intake and mugen muffler. Anyone with first hand experience (not just theoretical knowledge) on the effect of installing new coilover on this particular car? Any discernable change?

TIA

When you click the "insert image" button, a window will appear wherein you can select to upload the image "from computer" or "from URL" the URL would be the one for images uploaded in 3rd party sites. Hit "from computer" and simply choose the image to upload.

Glad you're enjoying your car! If you like making your tires scream, make sure you have a good set, and try not to burn out your clutch! Maybe you can also invest in headers and probably a chip. If you want really professional opinion on mods, you can visit Speedlab's Facebook page. They'd be glad to help you out.

[the_wildthing]

Still contemplating on next best mods.. currently fitted with short ram intake and mugen muffler. Anyone with first hand experience (not just theoretical knowledge) on the effect of installing new coilover on this particular car? Any discernable change?

TIA

What would be the purpose of your project? You said to run with an STi. In a straight line? Around a track? I would save the coilovers for later if it wasn't for a track, but that's just me. Depends on what you want to do.

[RadioKnight]

I just wish to share some experience with the 2.0L m/t fd.

Be cautious when installing a short ram intake.. The dc sport in mine totally improved its sound, but took away some power!

After much deliberation, i went back to stock...i was afraid i would not get the power back, but it came back 100%!

I miss the sound..

This is an excellent car. The 215/17 re001 tires im running actually dont have enough grip to put down all the power in first gear (even early second!) 3rd gear feels too tall though. But overall very fun!

[greatauror28]

Nice! We hope to see pictures of your base car before it goes to modification, and the progess too!

Wanting to do that in long time but the time is not yet ripe for that.

Congrats bro.