What is the best budget car?

[PhyrraM]

I love the CRX also. B16 swap and minimal suspension work is all you need for an awesome street car.

It's not RWD though.

[gijonas]

it can be though.

[Lunatech]

Perhaps a mini truck would fit the bill. A good sized 4 cylinder with fuel injection yields good power and usually they get pretty good mileage, on the highway at least. Plenty of after market for dress up and other mods too.

[oldscoobyturbo]

ford focus with the 5L swap is the one of best, and maybe the cheapest and better balance than the monster miata.
The conversion parts, minus the engine, transmission and rear end. costs about $5,500.00.
That includes the: bolt on engine cradle, transmission mounts, modified suspension crossmember, front steer & hub kit, sway bars, steering rack, alternator w bracket, clutch kit, steering shaft kit, rack extension kit, transmission cover, fuel tank, headers, rear end crossmember, 4-Bar kit and shocks / springs.

You should be able to do the entire build for less than $20,000 total w the car and engine swap
used focus $5000
swap kit $5500
V8 engine $1000
V8 trans $1000
Rear Axle $500
misc/mods $2-5K
under $20K and you can get 500hp

FYI the swap kit comes from Kugel Komponents