I am looking to buy a tuner car. I was wondering what some good cars for under 5k are. I have a friend who gave me some good ideas, and those are:

Late 80's RX-7
Mazda MX-6
Ford Focus Hatchback
Honda Accord
Honda Civic Hatchback
VW Jetta
VW Golf

But i need more ideas. Anyone know what some good ones are? And reletivly cheap? And some good spots to look for tuners?  

Also I want a reliable car too, I dont want a lot of maitenance on it.  

if you want reliable and low maitenance....Go civic  

240sx's and integras are nice cars as well with good performance. are you lookin for fwd or rwd?  

You can probably get a decent 98-2000 civic SI for 5k from a private seller, good luck.  

well at the moment it doesnt matter wether its FWD or RWD or even AWD, I am just searching for something good. I would prefer RWD or AWD, but it doesnt matter. Thanks for the replys so far, but the 240sx would not be around me, but if i could find one that would be nice.

I am still looking for just a general idea on whats good. Please keep replying  

Dont get the mx-6,the jetta is something you might consider,its a tough car.  

It may be tough but it only lasts for a short time. VW has looks, albeit, but I have to say that they lack in quality. In the past 8 months I've worked on roughly 13 VWs and all have issues with electronics that are annoying and unwarranted. One thing goes and then another and then... you get the point. My boy has had his VR6 for 2 years and all he's ever had is issues with it. The dealer he got it from is useless. To think he traded his Accord for that wonderful German product. I don't dislike VW, I just think that they could improve on the electronics to keep it running on the road longer between issues. Stick with Honda, Toyota or Nissan or even Subaru and Mitsubishi if you want less headaches and more drive time.
Here's an old school saying from my old neighborhood: Lookin' good is right nice but you can't look good if you ain't drivin'.
I felt that to be "appropriate". I think I spelled that last word wrong but you get the point. lol!  

lets see the only hondas ive seen pulled over on the side of the road were blown tire (not hondas fault) and guys get in speeding tickets (again not hondas fault)

if you havent notice im a honda guy.  i think you should go honda just because there all around good fun,(even though i engine swaped my civic i was still un able to blow the engine.trust me i tired!never spent somany days at the track!)  

well you should take another look at 240s. i have found lots, not near though as they were all 6-12 hours away but if you hunt enough you should be able find one. in the grand scheme of things a couple hours to get somewhere is worth it. However watch out for rust as 240s had problems with the quarters rusting away  

AMEN!  

come on 9 replies arent good enough, i need more ideas!!!!  

my choice for you is.. better to go for VW's passet. it is very good in style and milage. and it has low maintenance.
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saintjoseph
Alcoholism Treatment  

pre 2000 accord, good looking, good price, lots of mods. but ya i would still say a 240  

lol go suzuki swift lol s12rapido3 you know what im takin about lol