Alright well I'm selling my eclipse and I got a loan, I'm trying to decide what I want to get.

Requirements:
no older than 2004 (stipulation of the loan)
under $20,000
as close to stock as possible
great performance
gas mileage isn't really a concern

so far I really have my eye on an 04 cobra, pulley upgrade and tune puts it at ~430rwhp, but this is also the most expensive of my options right at 20,000, next I was looking at an 05 gto which is a lot cheaper 15,000 and still a respectable 340-350rwhp stock, i/h/e tune about 375rwhp. Then on the import side an 04 evo VIII, 4 doors, AWD, 15,000 but I'm really afraid to do anything to it, I've already got a bunch of exhaust tickets for my eclipse so I would want to keep the exhaust stock, which really limits upgrades, plus I still need it really reliable. And then an 04 sti, pretty much same as evo. If anyone else has any ideas of cars, or has insight on some of the cars I have listed let me know.

 

evo with an electric cutout
I'm only at 300 horse but at 85,000 I've never had a mechanical issue and I'm on stock clutch still, I've never tracked it though.

 

how about an srt4?

easily had for under $12k. you can easily push 350whp for under $20k total

 

Yea I was thinking about an srt4, but I'm trying to stay as stock as possible. I mean I could get an 04 civic drop in a built k20 and turbo it for under 20k but I don't want to do that much work, and I don't want to have to worry about something breaking. Plus it's a lot easier to resell a car that's stock.

 

How about a focus? They out handle evo's and sti's!

 

I didn't want to say it....................... DONT PUT A EVO WING ON THOUGH BECOUSE ITS TOO MUCH DOWNFORCE

 

lololol focuz ftw

 

Cobra, it might be more expensive but I bet it holds value better then the rest and you will be able to get more power out of it with basic bolt on stuff.

 

Very good point about holding value, something else to think about.

 

If you have no need for 4 doors and are trying to keep it under 20k, I'd go for an LS2 GTO.