Fast and family friendly

Im now in a predicament. For the longest time I have been talking about getting such cars as a 300zx and a eclipse and suddenly all sporty 2 doors are off limits for my first car.

What is a good car that I can get for 3-4K that is fast. I want something that can keep up with cars such as a G35 and 90's Mustang GT. I want to keep as close to them as possible speed wise. And yes. 3-4K is the entire budget. Mods and all for a while till next summer atleast.

I was thinking 4 door honda civic, but what is something that I can do to make it near the same realm as the others? I am not necessarily "mechanically gifted" but with some instruction I can do some things, but nothing that requires welding. Currently I can only do the following without instruction: thermostat (Iv had to do that before), bolt on pipes, and anything stereo. And I had trouble with the pipes. I think I might be able to handle putting on a turbo, but will my engine handle it with no mods? I need this car to last 2-3 years without major repair (engine or trans).

Basically, if you were me, what would you recommend I do, and no car is not an option. I need transportation to and from school and such.  

hmmm a evo or impreza. the are nice if you can find them 4door-cheaper insurance-space=and...SPEED!
or accords are nice 89s are my favorite they are nice for daily drivers and dont put mods unless turboed  

What about an SR-20 sentra. Mid 90's. Can be turboed. Can be made to look nice. saw one whip the shiznit out of a s2000.  
Datsun Man!

You are asking for a lot with that budget, but it's not impossible. A Subaru Impreza Turbo is nice, if you can get one under 5Gs. It's a small list of cars, bro. The early to mid 90s Sentra or 200sx is good, too. Again, it's a small list considering what you want. It is going to be very hard to get one built up or close to built as you want. And if you plan on slapping on a turbo, eventually, you have to build the engine to handle even the modest of boosts. No engine will last long with a turbo if not built properly. My advice, get the car YOU like that is buildable, save your money and build it the way YOU want. Nothing is plug and play, so, you will need to tune it after installing all the goodies. There is a ton of stuff for Honda and Nissan, bro. Also, Subaru and Mitsubishi are not too far behind either of them. Shop around and see what it is YOU like.
   
How you drive is your buisness. Remember that you're not the only one on the road!

umm if you look hard enough you can find a FC RX-7 or 3000gt (non vr4) for around that and are pretty beast.  

I guess it would depend on what part of the country we are all in. Here in Ct. those cars are not cheap, even used.  
How you drive is your buisness. Remember that you're not the only one on the road!

Not sure about the RX7, but the 3kgt is far from family friendly  
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1994 3000gt VR4
nothin wrong with front-wheel drive, I just refuse to own one

I've been in one. LOL! How do you fit a car seat in the back? LOL!  
How you drive is your buisness. Remember that you're not the only one on the road!

Dont need a car seat, but something that my parents will let me in. I like the 3kgt, but I was thinking a Dodge stealth R/T non turbo. Found one with some minor problems with the body, just cracked fenders. 1600. All good engine and trans. 5 speed. Nice. The body cracked gives me a reason to get a body kit. But on the upside, my truck is almost sold. Got it inspected and failed first, but later passed. And should be on its way to a new owner soon. Took it over 50 miles and no problems and 2 tanks of gas later. All good. Going to be bye bye mopar hello well. maybe mopar again LOL  

It's all good, bro. LOL! The Stealth is cool, too. Just like the 3KGT, the Stealth didn't have a really strong aftermarket, but it has major potential. Have fun with it.  
How you drive is your buisness. Remember that you're not the only one on the road!

Yeah, just called the person up at like 8:30 and turns out it sold yesterday. I was too late *sigh* oh well, always more out there to look at. Thinking maybe civic. Iv lowered my standards now. Just want something to beat a stock celica with a 1.6 litre I4. Think I could get something comparable for 3G's? I know that the G35 is a little over my head present moment. But my goal: Senior year in high school to have something to blow it out of the water. Acomplishable. Maybe. Am I going to let the probobly indefinite fear of losing stop me. Hell no!

But how fast is a stock celica with the 1.6L I4? What is out there that compares?  

That's the spirit! Just keep it on the track. LOL! A honda is not lowering standards, though. Expanding maybe, but not lowering. It's all good as long as you like it. Right? LOL!  
How you drive is your buisness. Remember that you're not the only one on the road!

3gen Acura INTEGRA GSR.( stock form can take on celica/ turbocharged, should take the g35)

TURBO IT.

should keep up, should be around the budget, the engine is setup nice enough to take boost.

and there's a 4-door...wait( is there? )  
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"AzulTuning.webs.com" Join and have Fun

I wouldnt get 4 door even if there was. Im looking into it, so far I found one, but he wants 4K. Still looking and I agree s12. I am kinda lowering it, because it is afterall, not trying to compete with the g35 as much as the celica. Im nost saying honda's are lowering it, theyre not. I like hondas. Theyre fun and I dont know an american car out there that can easily hit 8K RPM's safely.!!!  

GM Ecoboost engine! Properly built it can handle an impressive 8 to 9k rpm, boosted. Again, it's the build that makes it so. Stock engines in any car are not capable of lasting long with upgrades and no mods to them. I've been there. It gets expensive when you don't build the engine up for all the goodies.  
How you drive is your buisness. Remember that you're not the only one on the road!