Jessie 
1998 Nissan 200SX Coupe SE 2dr Coupe
Engine issues: double your budget.
 My new-to-me '98 200SX SE is typical, according to local mechanics: it boasts 171,000 miles, and has needed a timing chain replacement, oil temp pressure switch, motor mounts, control arms and ball joints, and replacement of hoses etc cracked rubber bits, for a few years/couple owners before me. That timing chain SNAFU disregard nearly killed the car. I can't find anyone willing to attempt it, even for the 10hr estimate that works out to more than I paid for the car, which (at $1500) was too dear. So I've found an intact engine at a wrecking yard, and am paying a mechanic to fit it to the car.I've driven it several times, with the bad timing and oil pressure switch, and as is the car goes from 0-60 in about a minute and a half, and that sucks a lot of fuel: ~19mi/gal. When the new engine is in play, and esp when I've got intact control arms and ball joints on the car, and matched wheels and tires, I expect 40mph, and precision awesome performance. It will be well worth the $4K I expect ultimately to have invested in the car. I'm a petite blonde, accustomed to DIY modified sports cars like Miatas and my beloved Mazda3. This car may be perfect for me, when repairs are complete. The turning radius is 34.1', which even on dead suspension makes for neat u-turns. The low stance allows for aggressive handling on freeway onramps, even with less than certain footing on bad tires and torn open ball joint boots.  This tiny sexy little coupe is a hero. I hope to give it another 171K of happy motoring.