I'm new here, don't really know too much yet. I don't care if it is import, just don't make it a honda... I don't want anything new either. I have about 4,000 to spend right off the bat though.

chevette

HMMM,

with $4000 to spend, you need to do one thing and one thing only. be patient. NEVER EVER EVER see a car and think that deal isn't going to happen again . that is hands down the easiest way to overpay for a car. 'ooooh ooooh ooooh, i found a '64 tempest for $1000 bucks, good body, good interior, this ain't ever going to come around again, i have to do it!' then you miss the fact that it needs all new brakes and suspension.

just be patient and comb the internet, the auto trader and the newspapers and you'll come across something sweet.

jason

Thanks for the info, but hey I did see a 79 T/A for sale for 2000, but I was discuraged by the large puddle of oil under it. I'm about to be temped to do work on my old truck. It has a 351C.

Cheap, decent, small, a lot of power just dont go together. Figure out what you really want to do then find a car. Modifying the cheap, decent car may end up costing you more than the car is worth.
My bets would be a '87-'88 Mustang 5.0 with about 100,000 on it. I'll bet you can find one under $4,000 and even in decent shape. Easy to make faster with minimul expense.

actually 90 with 40,000k miles on em in excellent condition is only worth 2k

Thats a great deal for a base car to build from, plenty left over to make it fast.

yeah not only that u can buy some cheap 500 buck beater car while u build the other one. ive seen 331 strokers making 1040hp. so the sky is the limit well the size of your wallet rather. simply a stroker is the cheapest easiest way to go to make major power