Nissan Pulsar/GTi-R. Is this the best performance bargain?

[carter711]

I'm currently thinking about a few ideas to replace my Corrado VR6 with.

I've had a look at a few of the Pulsars for sale on here and read some articles/info on Pulsar forums and it's seem these cars pack a serious punch for their money!

I'd be looking to spend about £4k and this is alot of money in the Pulsar market and it looks as if you can get a really good one for that, running 300bhp+

If I got one I'd have to turn it into a sleeper as big vents etc aren't my style. I'd have the intercooler relocated and fit a standard Sunny bonnet, standard Sunny tailgate, standard wheels (or the smallest OE looking ones that fited over the brakes) and generally make it look like a stty little old banger!

The advantages of this plan are huge, I wouldn't care about where it was parked, if it got shopping trolley dinged etc but underneathe I'd have a seriously quick little beast. I love the idea of a 'Q' car.


Ive also seen that high poser Imprezas an be had for £4k but they can't really be made to look subtle. I do wonder if they would be more reliable than a tuned Pulsar though?

[Marf]

The impreza would probably be more reliable than the Pulsar. They often need bits doing to them(my sister and brother in law had three of them over the space of 4 years or so)

The gearboxes arent that strong, and the clutch pedal seperates from the bulk head, which is fixable, but if you buy a car that hasnt had it repaired, its something to bear in mind as its pretty costly to sort.

[sparkyhx]

200sx? This will be in budget, fairly anonymous and easilly tunable and reliable

Edited by sparkyhx on Friday 23 October 13:53

[Marf]

sparkyhx said:

200sx

Where?!

[sparkyhx]

Marf said:

sparkyhx said:

200sx

Where?!

I believe there is a very good website covering the 200
http://www.sxoc.com/vbb/index.php

If you want a sleeper there are a few Almera GTi's around with turbo conversions - 0.6bar and about 240 bhp, 0.9 bar 320ish

this one on pistonheads looks a bargain - done properly by K-Kustom in Leigh
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1239556.htm

K-Kustom also do scary micra turbo conversions

Edited by sparkyhx on Friday 23 October 13:50

Edited by sparkyhx on Friday 23 October 13:51

[markCSC]

If you wanted the Q car image, an Impreza can be made to look quite understated.

Put a front mounted intercooler on and a bonnet from a non-turbo Sport and it will look like this

[Wadeski]

Pulsars arent really known for reliability. I think the gearbox is the weak point?

Another one to consider for a stealth machine is a Celica GT4 - again you can go front mount (many already are) and fit a standard bonnet, remove the spoiler and rally mudflaps etc.

Or from leffield, try a Mazda 323 GTX...

[markCSC]

Other potential Q-cars

Sierra Cosworth? http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1302461.htm

E36 M3 http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1302709.htm

Or just buy a Forester!!!

Edited by markCSC on Friday 23 October 14:09

[bales]

markCSC said:

Other potential Q-cars

Sierra Cosworth? http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1302461.htm

E36 M3 http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1302709.htm

Or just buy a Forester!!!

Edited by markCSC on Friday 23 October 14:09

How can a cossie or a M3 be a Q-car!!

Isn't that the exact opposite of what they are i.e a q car is fast but stealthy - every boy racer under the sun wants either one of those!!

Now a Forester is a Q-car.

[markCSC]

Sorry, didn't make myself clear.
They can both be de-badged to look like the normal versions pretty easily

[bales]

markCSC said:

Sorry, didn't make myself clear.
They can both be de-badged to look like the normal versions pretty easily

Ha ha but you have to have a bit of an inferiority complex to want to drive a standard looking Sierra just so that you can feel good by having a faster car than someone else!

Why not just have a cossie? Don't get the whole concept really but each to their own.

[carter711]

I have thought about getting an E36 M3 and de'M'ing the styling.

I'd like my next car to be able to keep with E46 M3s etc which I think a tuned Pulsar could manage, and so could £4ks worth of Impreza I'd imagine.

Any other ideas?