Hunting for fast cars but with limited budget? $5k? $10k? $15k? Here is the list of top 18 cheap cars to build fast. Any car in the list here has an adequate amount of power which is impressive. There are also many ways to modify the engine under the hood to get at least 200 to 300 horsepower. In other words, these cars will not let you down. They can be project cars and they can be daily drive cars. Get your money ready and start to hunt for these cars in town.

1. Nissan Silvia (180SX / 200SX / 240SX / S13 / S14 / S15)

With less than $4000, you can get a 1990s Nissan Silvia 180SX, 200SX, or 240SX. Most of the S13 models paired with the SR20DET Single Turbo engine producing 205 horsepower and 274 Nm of torque. The Nissan Silvia S15 (1999-2002) features a ball-bearing turbocharger boosting 250 horsepower. There are many aftermarket parts where you can modify to the engine to make it at least 300 horsepower or more. It is an interesting car to drive straight or side way. This is also one reason why many people voted the Nissan Silvia as one of the all-time best drift cars.

2. Nissan Fairlady (300ZX / 350Z / 370Z)

The Nissan 300ZX Fairlady is a living legend. From KBB, you can get a decent one for $3,500 or lesser. Regular 300ZX features a 3.0-liter V6 engine that pumps 222 hp. However, you can go for the modified version which has a single turbo for each cylinder bank, it produces 300 hp and has a lot of potential to be modified. The ad in Australia once said “It drives like an aeroplane”. See also: Best used cars under $10,000.

3. Honda Civic

Have you ever drive a Honda Civic? No? You have to! Honda Civic is one of the coolest cars where you can build fast. Among all generations, fifth generation (1991-1995), sixth generation (1995-2000) and eight generation (2005-2011) are the most popular Honda Civics when it comes to modification. Many Honda tuners rebuild the legendary B16B engine (185 hp) and B18C engine (197 hp) into Civic models before 2000. As for eight generations, the best engine to be modified is the K20A which found in Honda Civic Type R. The original K20A produces 221 hp @ 8000RPM and 215 Nm of torque @ 6100RPM. It is very impressive for a Natural Aspirated engine.

4. Acura RSX (Honda Integra Type R)

You can definitely get a decent Acura RSX for less than $7,000. The 2006 Acura RSX Type-S features a 2.0-liter engine producing 201 hp and 140 lb-ft or torque. If this is not enough for you, you can go for its predecessor Acura Integra Type R. A 2001 Acura Integra Type R (features a 195 hp engine) costs about the same with a 2006 Acura RSX type S.

5. Toyota Corolla (AE86 / KE70 / AE70)

The latest Toyota Corolla E170 (2013-present) is featuring a 2-liter four cylinder engine pumping 145 PS @ 6200 RPM. It costs nearly $18,000 to get a brand new car but you can get this amount of power with some modification to a few earlier Corolla models such as the legendary Toyota AE86, KE70 or AE70. Most important, the earlier Corollas are FR (Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive) layout and you can drift them. Among these cars, the most popular engine Toyota fans put into them is the well-known 4A-GE. The fifth-generation 4A-GE “Black Top” engine produces 160 PS at 7,800 ROM and 162 Nm or torque at 5,600 RPM.

Continue to see 18 Cheap Cars to Build Fast (Part 2) and 18 Cheap Cars to Build Fast (Part 3)