if i were you i would wait a few more months and get the Neon SRT-4. Its fast, it looks sweet, and its around 20k. Thats what i would get if i were in your situation. Otherwise i would get the mazdaspeed protege, it looks really nice and good quality parts. Whatever floats your boat, but def. take a look at the SRT-4

 

if u want a nice cheap and fast ride, get a 240sx i know u all dont think its that great of a car but let me finish... u can pick one up for like 4gs in good shape then go and buy a silvia engine for 2gs and drop that in there and u can smoke the hell out of half the **** out there or if u really want to go fast and want to drop some major cash... u could always drop a gtr engine in it emmm twin turbo but thats like 10gs+ for that engine but god u would fly... i would of done this... but not to practicle cuz i like the twisty roads not the straight lines

 

Geez people, he already said a NEW car so he can have the warranties. For the same price as an OZ rally, why not go with a Nissan SE-R? Hell, spend a grand more and get the Spec-V model, it's fast, handles superb, and it's got 6 speed

 

but as far as Lancer OZ vs. Mustang GT, go with Lancer OZ, cheaper insurance, less on your dad's wallet so the chance of him cashing for aftermarket parts are better, and you'd get more stares from people. I have a silver OZ, and this kid has a black mustang GT, and in the parking lot, more people look at my car than his. And my car doesn't even have an aftermarket body kit. Just stock body kit with a few aftermarket parts.

 

hey man, im 16 and i got the oz. its a great first car, you should go for it, its makes u smile when u get behind the wheel

 

You can pick up a Civic Si pretty cheaply as well. Some lots can't move em and they're going for as low as 15g's.

 

There're several reasons why Honda dealers can't sell those, one of the reason being that...

 

i'd say your OZ gets more looks because no one knows what the **** it is yet.

 

www.sharkracing.com

 

I say get a GT!!!! stick!!!!!

 

Finally some one knows about this car besides me. If I were you that is the car i would buy (if I would have known I would have waited and bought it myself), it is by far the best bang for the buck, well as far as new cars go. If you went with this car your dad would not have to void the warranty by adding the turbo to the lancer, plus it is a much more practical car than the mustang.

http://www.edmunds.com/new/2003/mits...tml?id=lin0018

http://www.edmunds.com/new/2003/ford...tml?id=lin0018

here is the neon just for fun

http://www.edmunds.com/future/2003/d...tml?id=lin0830

but....
If its between the pony and the lancer then just look at the numbers. it will lead you to see that for performance the gt wins stock and with mods it opens up much more than the lancer will with the same amount of $ for mods. (You would need a turbo to keep up with, best case scenario slightly beet the stock gt)