3000 lbs, 300 hp?

[peevish1]

I'm looking for something that can pass slow cars quickly on hilly curvy roads with limited passing opportunities.

Wants:
30 mpg highway or better
somewhat comfortable
somewhat safe
STEALTH...low profile so police won't follow everywhere
reliable...I don't want to forever be bringing back to the mechanic
affordable...less than 10K total
40 mph to 80 mph passing is what I want it to excel at

Handling is not a high priority as this is going to be a highway bruiser and not a race car

Cars I'm considering:
SAAB Viggen
SAAB 9-3 (late '90's to early 2000's) with mods
PT Cruiser Turbo (manual) with mods
Chevy HHR SS (turbo, manual) with mods

Are there any others I should consider?
Are there any reasons I should eliminate some from my list?

Looking for some wisdom from TCL sages.

[Aonarch]

Edit just read $10k max...

[MKVr32owner]

Not hp, but torque is what you need in this case in my opinion. You can buy a high millage Mazda speed 3 and chip it. You can find some of those for 10 grand.

[mariok2006]

Not hp, but torque is what you need in this case in my opinion. You can buy a high millage Mazda speed 3 and chip it. You can find some of those for 10 grand.

Depends if he is downshifting or not.

[This is my username]

PT Cruiser Turbo (manual) with mods
Chevy HHR SS (turbo, manual) with mods

Like the other guy said, Mazdaspeed 3s are fun cars. Really fun cars. If you can find a unmolested one, you'll be set.

[Aonarch]

^ Lol I thought the same thing.

OP your criteria are unreasonable.

$10k 300hp and 30mpg >

[peevish1]

STEALTH is important!!!!!

[peevish1]

^ Lol I thought the same thing.

OP your criteria are unreasonable.

$10k 300hp and 30mpg >

use some imagination, I'm not asking for a new car or a pristine Hemi Cuda for $10K

[Woodski]

camry

[Juiced6]

Mk3 gti/glx vr6 with a supercharger is good for 250whp-ish. Wont get 30mpg but you will have a solid 12second car
that will put you in c5 zo6 territory

[babarber]

chipped mazda speed 3 or a chipped gti turbo will give you your jollies

[tgodbout]

300 hp and 30 mpg are mutually exclusive.

[Juiced6]

C5/C6 Vettes can do it

but he wants "stealth"

Guess he needs to build a TDI

[mariok2006]

300 hp and 30 mpg are mutually exclusive.

[babarber]

300 hp and 30 mpg are mutually exclusive.

this isnt the 90s

[MXTHOR3]

C5/C6 Vettes can do it

but he wants "stealth"

Guess he needs to build a TDI

He's not getting 300hp out of a TDI anytime soon.

Although a 180whp/350ftlbs TDI will still get close to 50mpg and will never have to downshift in order to get up and go

[bustedbucket]

Wont hit your mpg and hp goal from the get-go, but maybe consider a pontiac gtp. Stealth, pretty cushy, reliable, and good response to mods with solid aftermarket support. Plus, roots blowers are nifty.

[bustedbucket]

this isnt the 90s

In the OPs price range it is.

[MXTHOR3]

Used C5?

[babarber]

audi tt225 and a chip will get you 275hp with no other mods all can be had for less then 10k and stil lget 30mpg another 1k in mods and 300+hp is a easy

[Cameron1152]

I would say a used well maintained 1.8t. Mine easily pulled from 40-80 a chip would make it better (mine was 13psi not the 20psi of a chip or the 8psi of stock. Mine got 30mpg and was reliable. Only thing it didn't have was 300hp (it had 201whp 194wtq)

[vwbobd]

My wifes turbo sonata limited will bust some passing ass, but itwas $30k :-)

[20aeman]

Cobalt SS tc with a tune. You may have to pay slightly more than 10k though.

[GiacGtiAgain]

Not hp, but torque is what you need in this case in my opinion. You can buy a high millage Mazda speed 3 and chip it. You can find some of those for 10 grand.

not really. anything related to acceleration, generally you want horsepower. assuming you're in the right gear, an rsx type-s will have much better midrange passing power than, say, a TDI. Where it might feel tired with the lack of torque is around town driving.

[GiacGtiAgain]

Also, any of the manual turbo cars listed (and many you didn't) will have more than enough passing power in the 40-80mph range even in stock form. Some other options to throw out there: S60 T5, S40 T5, MK1 TT, any turbo subaru.

[Armour]

E39 540i
You'll be a few mpg shy of 30hwy, way over 3klb, and a bit shy of 300hp.

[Aonarch]

Also, any of the manual turbo cars listed (and many you didn't) will have more than enough passing power in the 40-80mph range even in stock form. Some other options to throw out there: S60 T5, S40 T5, MK1 TT, any turbo subaru.

30mpg > was one of his criteria.

[norcal505]

SAAB Viggen doe....

[gti5dr06]

30mpg > was one of his criteria.

assuming handling isn't a priority any old V6 3.5 family sedan should be able to do that plus 30mpg hwy. 30city and 300hp is impossible.

These ($10k) will be more likely around 260-280hp but should provide good passing and "fly under the radar". Otherwise some older sports car with really high mileage. Assuming you must have MT, the last accord V6 sedan was quite the Q ship and should fit into your price range. In silver (or god forbid beige) it will blend in better than just about everything mentioned so far.

[Aonarch]

assuming handling isn't a priority any old V6 3.5 family sedan should be able to do that plus 30mpg hwy. 30city and 300hp is impossible.

These ($10k) will be more likely around 260-280hp but should provide good passing and "fly under the radar". Otherwise some older sports car with really high mileage. Assuming you must have MT, the last accord V6 sedan was quite the Q ship and should fit into your price range. In silver (or god forbid beige) it will blend in better than just about everything mentioned so far.

Agreed. The Accord would be a good pick.


Sent from my iPhone 7GS.

[cabzilla]

30 mpg highway or better

less than 10K total

300hp


3000lbs

[2112]

Buick Regal GS. It misses the mark on a couple points (3500 lbs and 240 hp), but it's damn-near invisible and will eat the highway miles in comfort.

[DamienR8]

I like the requirement of "stealth"

[Dieselstation]

DIY Turbo Miata is easily less then $10K, and 300hp. I don't know about 30mpg though.

[pontiac]

Another vote for the Regal GS, GTP or anything else with an L67, in your price range you could even get a newer GTP with the series iii motor which made a little more power but a series ii with a 3.4 pulley and supporting mods will make the same or more power.