5 Awesome Cars You Can Buy Now for $1-3k

I thought I would give you guys something different today. Are you looking for a new daily driver or project car? Well if you need a nice, quick car but you're on a budget, this is the list for you. You should be able to pick up any car on this list for less than $3,000 - most likely, $1-2,000. Car prices are at a low right now so now is the best time. Please realize that nice cars like this start to go up in value once they hit rock bottom so you're really making an investment.

I present to you five cars that are bad a**. Why get a beater when you can get one of these? Seriously, answer me!!

Got a little excited there.

Let me preface by saying that these five cars are what came to mind initially. There's other great cars that are cheap aswell. I will, however, continue these articles. In this one, I included fast cars. I might do something like a list of just luxury cars or just trucks or something like that.

I ranked these cars in order based on what I personally think is the best buy when you consider everything - power, the interior, RELIABILITY, and the general quality of the car. However, these cars are all very close in comparison. I would rock any one for sure.

1. 1997 Volvo T5R
2.3l 5-cylinder turbo engine
243hp @ 5600 rpm
300lb-ft torque

You guys know the base model was my first car but it's not my bias that puts this car at numero uno. First of all, it has a high compression engine that NEEDS premium fuel (it drives like crap if you put anything but) and produces a huge 300lb-ft of torque. For 1997, my friends, that is a lot.

I don't typically get into 0-60 because for old cars, it's just a guideline. They lose some power over time. But I will say that this car is truly fast. I don't know if it's the transmission that delivers power to the wheels very good or what but my 160hp base model was doing burnouts.

The car also has an economy and sports mode if it's automatic although I think most, if not all, T5Rs are manual. In an automatic car, sports mode makes the car shift closer to redline to allow you to get some extra RPMs out of the engine.

If you can't find a T5R, the other turbo 850 is good too. I think it's just called the T5? It makes less power but still plenty.

Another thing about this car is that if you get a turbo version and throw a straightpipe on it, it will sound like a BEAST! The 5 cylinders really make a unique noise especially through a straightpipe (not good for NA - these engines need backpressure if they aren't boosting).

2. 1998 (4th gen) Chevy Camaro
5.7l V8
320hp @ 5200 rpm

I've wanted this car for a long time. It might even be my next project. If you want bang for your buck, you got it. Just please don't buy a 6 cylinder! The weight of the car makes it slow even though it still has a decent 200hp (decent but not for that weight).

This is a perfect red light racer... That is, I mean, if you participate in such illegal activities!

With this car it's burnouts all day long baby. 300hp is a nice sweet spot. You don't feel like your car wants to kill you every time you floor it but it definitely puts a smile on your face.

If you're considering buying one, just do it. You're not gonna regret it - especially at $2,000.

3. 1995 (or same gen) Lexus SC400
4.0l V8
250hp @ 5600 rpm
3.0l V8
225hp @ 5600 rpm

I listed two engine options. I'm not familiar with the 3.0l engine in these cars but losing 25hp to gain mileage may appeal to some people. The 4.0l is the 1uz found in the LS400 so you know you're getting an indestructible engine if you go that route. 

The engine is beautiful to me. Especially how clean this one is.

You may have noticed that even though the cars share the same engine, the LS400 has a little more horsepower. This was done on purpose. I believe the one they put in the LS400 is more durable. Might have a stronger crankshaft? Somebody please comment if you know the difference.

Tip: If your SC400 engine blows (God forbid), consider taking an engine out of a 98-00 LS400. Those have 290hp.

4. 1990 (1st gen) Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX
2.0l I4
195hp @ 6000 rpm
203lb-ft torque @ 3000 rpm

This car would be higher up on the list if it wasn't so hard to work on the turbo system. My pops rallied one that was boosting 16 pounds on stock internals no problem but getting the car to run right took a long time. I'm sure that a more experienced mechanic could handle it better.

This car is great all around. There's something to be said about a car that will do just as good on dirt as it will on asphalt. It is AWD so it suits rally style driving really well.

This is also a car that I wouldn't mind stripping for weight savings and have a little rocket for $2-3k. My pops bought his running for $500. I highly recommend this car if you are a mechanic. It's not really unreliable but if the miles are high, you might start having turbo problems.

Tip: This car was also sold as an Eagle Talon and Plymouth Laser so search for those aswell. They're all the same except badging.

5. 1992 Ford Thunderbird
5.0l V8
210hp @ 4000rpm

Fox body mustang? No, screw that. Let's go with the Ford Thunderbird.

I can't put my finger on WHY but I'm coming to love these cars. They have a foxbody which is rare. And this is probably the cheapest car on the list. Go buy one for a grand and tear some Honda Civic a new a**hole!

Look at the interior on this thing! Why don't we see that anymore? I love the 90s blue interior.

Goodbye for now friends. I am fixing the ACV thing SOON - maybe today. Keep an eye out for that article.