funkdaddysmack

Bang for buck = (Price / Performance). I think there are different classes of bang for your buck my choices being:

Around $20k - Neon SRT4, pretty much hands down.

Around $30k - My choice is the WRX Sti, but I can give credit to the Lancer EVO VIII and the 350Z when it's due, they're both great cars.

Over $40k - I'll have to go with a Z06 here, although the BMW M3s are awesome cars, too... Not necessarily bang for your buck material though. Oh yea, if they sold new skyline's over here directly from the dealer, they would definately be a contender.

carguycw

Here's my hint for sileighty21: find a 98-02 LS1 Camaro. Test drive it, and take it to a really big, open parking lot and really wring it out. Here's what you'll find...

1) Power that no Jap import can touch, except maybe a 3.2L NSX or mkIV Supra. The really nice thing about the LS1 is the power delivery... massive power EVERYWHERE in the rev range. No waiting for the VTEC or turbo to kick in. Downshifting often not necessary. Gobs of silly, stupid power at any time. It will make your vaunted 350Z feel slow. Trust me.
2) Handling that is pretty damn good, and FAR better than many import fans realize. The car displays some annoying solid-axle, torque-arm handling traits (rear end skip on bumpy pavement, rear axle hop under hard braking) but the car handles really well. Also, the above-mentioned massive power allows you to steer with your right foot at will. Even in 3rd and 4th gear.
3) Brakes that are also pretty damn good. Just ignore the rear axle hop.
4) Really poor visibility, offensively cheap interior, heaviest doors in the auto industry, etc., but this is about bang for the buck.

Go drive one before you reply to this topic again.

sileighty21

ok, to clear things up, are we going strictly new cars or older cars as well?

ZoomZoomH

I'd say new STOCK cars only, used car market is too big for this debate, plus the depreciation game makes it even more complicated

for new STOCK cars, i remain my stance that SRT-4 is the biggest bang for the buck, 350Z be damned

funkdaddysmack

Man, I wish I could own or just drive an LS1 camaro/firebird. My neighbor has a firebird, possibly an LT1, I'm not sure what year differentiates the LS1 from the LT1 (Probably '98 or so). ANYWAY, it's about the sweetest sounding car. V8s sound so pretty

BTW, even though we're now talking about new unmodded cars, you can get just shy of 500whp with a $4000 supercharger kit for the LS1. Rediculous!!!!!!!!

redrims

a D.C. hoe...

UCSBgeek

no, L.A. hoes, you get two genders for the price of one!

redrims

LOL...yuck

leungwingkei

I would have to say Lancer Evolution or WRX. The WRX STi has alot of crap you don't really need unless you go racing or autocross or something. The STi just can't use all its potential on the road. Sure it will kick *** on the track, but for the street and everyday use give me a Evo or WRX anyday.

And we ought to consider long term costs too. More **** on the car means greater likelihood of repairs and things screwing up. It's not always the case, but it's true is many cases.

And maintenace and replacements? Wait till you have to replace the high performance "sticky" brake pads on the STi, which work in conjuction with the Brembo rotors, and getting the tires replacement with better or at least OEM equipment, all of which are $$$$$.

And the fuel costs and such, these altogether tend to decrease the bang to buck factor alot over the time you own the car.

Dermen

How about a Saleen S351. Has 500hp and a 3year/36k mile warrenty for 50,000 dollars. I'm not sure if they still make them though.

pr5owner

for price (nothing else such as reliability) i would say Neon SRT-4, its got 220HP claimed, 250FWHP, hmm...?

carguycw

If you actually believe a Saleen horsepower claim, you obviously haven't hung around many serious Mustang fans very much. Saleens are just Mustangs with some commonly available bolt-on parts, big pimpy wheels, bodykits, flamboyant stick-on graphics and wildly inflated horsepower figures. Seriously, no Saleen is worth the cost- the performance of any given Saleen can be duplicated in your driveway for thousands (often tens of thousands) of dollars less.

C&D tested a "450 hp" $45,000 supercharged Saleen S281 a few years ago. If I remember right, it ran about a 13.4 at 104 mph. Fast, yes; 450 hp, I think not. A C5 Vette runs just as fast but handles MUCH better.