6 Cars With 300-Plus Horsepower That You Can Still Buy for Under $30,000

theDreamer

Also, this list will be vastly different in the next 8 months.
Between the new Mustang coming out soon, an updated camaro frame (lighter with same power), and a line change at Nissan depending on what they end up doing (IDx and Z). 20k might buy you some nice power while 30k takes you into the 400+ range then.

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DEpointfive0

IDX won't be close to 300hp, I bet not more than 250, and I can't see the Z getting more power. I see lighter.

Again. 30k already gets you a 5.0 which is nicely over 400HP

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theDreamer

Well that is what I am getting at though, the real break down soon will be this.
20k will give you 250HP
30k will give you 400HP or more

Nissan needs to see this or they will lose, even with less weight. The 30k class is being split and you either drop down to a lower bracket or you have to pump up your power to compete. Not saying Nissan needs 500HP to compete but it really needs to be at 400HP starting in its current trim.

Also, thought Nissan dealers had to have a GT-R certified tech AND a sales rep who has been trained to sell the GT-R. I know a few of the Nissan dealers in Houston are not GT-R certified and they cannot sell a GT-R (because I asked).

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Arrvaxx

I'm starting to wonder if Nissan is going to pull a truly brilliant move...Use the IDX to compete with the BRZ and then use the GTR 3.8L with a Nismo turbo option for a 380Z.

LOOK I can dream damn it!

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Chuck33079

You're half right for sure.

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theDreamer

They could not build the engine fast enough, espeically if Infiniti is getting the engine in its sedan soon.

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DEpointfive0

AMG makes 50 times more handmade engines than Nissan does, so no excuse there. I just have a feeling Nissan won't be making them by hand anymore or maybe for the Infiniti they won't make them by hand.

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theDreamer

Nissan said they have added a 4th engine builder to the team who puts together the engine. I imagine it just has to do with they don't want to make a lot, they would rather build to order to limit cost.

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DEpointfive0

... You mean, raise price to the consumer?

You limit cost by making more/kicking out people. Granted AMG still has the people. But they are Germans, and Germans have a history of this oven thing if you don't work hard enough.

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Arrvaxx

It was the Infiniti that got me thinking about the idea. There is no reason you couldn't make a mass produced version of the 3.8. It is hand made because of the demand for a certain level of perfection, that's all.

The only thing that keeps me from being really excited about the idea is the direction designs by all makers are going. Really not a fan of the angular look. The IDX is growing on me but the look is going to get old really fast. Something tells me that the new Z is not going to have me rushing to sell my 40th based on its look.

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DEpointfive0

I never understood this... Perfection is the exact opposite of hand made. Machine made is always better. Not sometimes better, ALWAYS better.

Yeah, handmade coach work is nice, but have you ever been in an old Italian or English car? Did it still feel as right as it did when it came out of the factory?


They make "by hand" because people but into the BS of "it's better" so they can keep the price up.

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Chuck33079

Or it doesn't make economic sense to have a dedicated computerized assembly line for the quantity they turn out.

Then they sell being handmade as a feature. I'd rather have machine made. People fail all the time.

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cavemancan

Not sure I would consider this a brilliant move...Apologies for saying so.

IDX to compete with BRZ = Good Idea
GTR 3.8L Turbo for a 380Z = Bad idea

I am a big fan of more power but not if it makes the front end of the Z more of a boat anchor then it is presently. I dream of 50/50 weight distribution despite Nissans marketing that the current weight distribution is better.

If I were a dreamer they would shave off 100 lbs + of the block and stroke it out to 4.2L + (making up numbers) making North of 375 HP and focus the rest of the dollars on chassis weight savings. Imagine a 3000 lbs 375 HP Z with a 50/50 weight distribution. Oh yeah and they should also make the suspension on the Z fully adjustable from stock. Look at the Mazda Rx8 chassis...You don't need camber arms. Finally, a better LSD and lower driving position.

I know its blasphemy because I like the 3.7L but I think a whole new engine is in order. Lighter, smaller, and more powerful. I would prefer NOT to have a 4 cylinder Turbo but if it sounds good then I could be convinced. What if they make a super light version of the old inline 6 and turbo it...uuuuuuuuu yummy.

I wish Nissan would 1 up Chevy's LS and build a whole new v8 that is lighter/smaller with the same power levels then put that into the Z.

Just dreaming.

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speedfreek

All you have to do is look at F1 and their new sound with the engine change this year. I don't think you will get the sound out of the 4 cyl turbo that you are looking for. Another note to add is they have stated that the IPL badge will actually mean something on the next model. And it was rumored to be that it would get the 3.8 Turbo. I know how rumors go but they have to do something with the Nismo and IPL badges. It has to mean more than just a bodykit. They want to compete with the AMG, M series, and CTS-V with the IPL. So if they drop a better powerplant in the Infiniti I don't see why the Nismo can't receive the same treatment.

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cavemancan

No factory 4 cylinder will ever sound like a high revving F1 motor. Unless Nissan gets really cool and decides to employ cosworth to make the engines LOL!

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Mazda Rx8 MT Titanium - SOLD!
2009 370Z T-Sport MT Black - Takeda Intake, Swift springs, Rear Camber kit, SS B Lines, FI Exhaust, Z Speed CMAK Flywheel/Clutch Kit, Stillen Brake Cooling.