Well, well. The time has come for me to make my decision. I thought I WAS going to go for a brand new '07 Mustang GT. I really enjoyed its power delivery and brutish nature, and despite not being the most adept canyon carver, I know it can handle fairly well if given the correct modifications (adjustable dampers, lowering springs, adj. panhard bar, adj. rear sway) it can be made to dance.

Of course, there's another possibility. What about picking up a used (duh!) S14 Silvia, aka 1995-1998 Nissan 240SX for not too much scratch, and then popping in and building up the almighty JDM SR20DET? I mean, if I spent as much on modding/building the 240 as I would for a brand new GT, I would end up with a freshly painted, beautifully reconstructed, and insanely powerful coupe.

Keep in mind, this would be my only car, and therefore my DD (winter beater doesn't count, but yes... I will have one of these as well). On one hand, because I do tend to gravitate towards imports and that car culture, the 240 is an enticing pick. On the other hand, even though I would be essentially ending up with a new car, is it wrong to spend that much on building up a used car regardless?

As for the 'stang... new car = new warranty, but how long THAT will last rests solely on how well the dealership/service station copes with subtle handling modifications as listed above. And even if I get it to handle where I want it to, it will still be a 3350-3400 lb (a lot of bolt-on mods also take off a lot of weight on this car) car that might not be the greatest at tackling, say.... route 73 in the Adirondacks (my own personal "Mt. Akina").

I'm going to have to come to a consensus on my own, of course, but hearing opinions about this from others, whether its from experience with spending $$$ on a used car to turn it into a beast, or on perhaps about the new stang GT as a platform, would be most helpful.

07 + http://www.hellionpowersystems.com

I drove the 05 Hellion car from Albuqueruqe to St Louis and back... had 500hp and 26mpg

get a STI.

Thank you for your input, but that was not what I was asking.

FYI, STIs cost $55k in Ontario (after taxes) and as such, it is WAY out of consideration.

As much as I don't like Mustangs, I'd have to say to go with that. Not only for the warrenty, but, for reliability. The engine swap can be done perfectly, but, there always may be something breaking since it's not all original parts.

Well the sti is an import, same power as the GT and it will work in the winter ... the perfect solution.

Of the two choices, get the GT

So you're using this as a daily driver. Just for that reason alone, i'd go for the 07 Mustang. Getting a SR20DET powered S14 may sound like fun, but since you're dealing with turbos, and an engine that isn't factory, you will run into problems, no matter what. a leak here, rough idle there, misfire here.. plus, there's absolutely no guarantee how reliable the engine is upon delivery, which is why most companies only offer a startup warranty, if they offer anything. There's also no long term reliability with performance parts. I had a friend who owned an S14 with the front end converted to an S15 front end, with an SR20DET motor swap. He spent about 10k USD or more for the mods alone, not including the cost of the car. Although the work was done flawlessly, and the car ran great, he kept on having too many little problems, and he used his car as a daily driver. The car needed constant attention whether it was something little breaking down, or just tuning.


If you're up for the work, I'd go for it. You sound like a guy who's into this spectrum of tuning. Otherwise, if you don't have the time or the money to constantly maintain your car, then the 07 mustang would be the better choice.

IF it were me, I'd go for the 07. I don't have the time, knowledge, or resources to keep a car like a silvia maintained.

I would recommend the 07 Mustang GT as well because the car will be relied upon everyday. lol, this thread goes along really well with your name "import vs domestic".

Excellent points made in your post, and although I AM into this spectrum of tuning... the issue is time. I have none. I'm in my last year of medical school and will be starting residency as of next July 1st. So, despite wanting to build up a car myself, I've decided to go with the 'stang! GIT HER DONE!!! Heh heh...


LOL, thanks!

Go with the 'Stang, it'll be more reliable everyday, plus I like it better anyway. Get it in black, ditch the fog lights, replace the stock grille with the Shelby GT grille, and get a set of nice American Racing wheels.

get the stang, and get some new suspension first of all.

Dude, you been reading my thoughs?! I have been planning on getting the Shelby GT grille right away!

Although I think I want white. Black is so bloody hard to keep clean.


Also what I was intending to do. You guys are good!