[RobRich]

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Real Bingo

I pay attention to the 2005+ Mustang community, and the guys who drag race are hardcore. They run low-11s and drive back home, and they probably didn't spend $50k on their car and mods. Some of these guys put on 20k miles per year.]

^This. Pretty much the same with F-bodies, Corvettes, and even lots of various econosport imports. For the red light racers out there, watch out for those primered second-generation Camaros and Firebirds. A $1.5k shell with flaking paint, half an interior, tubbed rear, and a race-built 454 under the the hood.

Given I own a Talon, I used to keep tabs on the DSM community, which practically dominated the I4 aftermarket performance scene in the United States for numerous years. The big reason? Cost. The cars were affordable, AWD was available, there was a dedicated enthusiast community, and the aftermarket industry embraced the 4G63 engine.

Mitsubishi wasn't really supporting the early DSM performance enthusiasts. Similarly, good luck with Chrysler, despite it being a joint partner in the DSM venture. However, the aftermarket industry responded, with many of the best parts providers and builders working closely with the enthusiast community.

The result is DSMs being streeted at 600+ HP as daily drivers. There are purpose built DSMs at 1000+ HP running in the 7s, and even at least one highly modified DSM running in the 6s. DSMs even occasionally popup on various autocross circuits. It is essentially the "poor man's" EVO, and in some ways, a well-built aftermarket DSM can even be quite superior to the EVO.

Don't think I have ever seen a $75k DSM*.

*There was a guy working on a dual-charged 4G63 with both a supercharger and turbocharger, which he figured would cost around $35k to build, but (IIRC) he was building it for an EVO.