I did my budget and I realized that I probably won't be able to afford the RSX or WRX wagon I was looking at (and the Mazda3 got sold), so I'm looking into les-expensive alternatives. One car I sawe that caught my eye was a 2003 Tiburon GTV6 6-speed. I don't know much about the car and I don't know anyone who's owned one, but I know MadMachine is a moderator at a site for older Tibbys. Right now, I really only need a daily driver, but I'd like something with some room for modification and I admit that I like its looks. I know some of the 2003's had clutch issues, they're kinda heavy, and are not as athletic as the RSX on the limit. How do you guys feel about the car and if I get it, what kinds of mods are available in general?  

Well I searched SCC and found an article on the tib and it says that the Limited slip differential of the The SE-R Spec-V's will fit the 6spd. Theres a lot of bolt-ons already available. Superchargers are available at http://www.alamomotorsports.com/alpine/alpine_hyundai.html#HT27S-0000 I hope that would helps.

(Don't forget R-compound rubber!)  

http://www.injectedperformance.com/ViewCat.aspx?FTopCatID=6&VID=103
Your modification options aren't as limited as you think, there are plenty of high end performance parts that are available for the late tiburon
I think tein makes a coilover kit for the tibby, you can also get a GReddy evo2 exhaust, or DCsports sells ceramic 3-1 headers and a catback setup for the tiburon, AEM makes both a CAI and an SRI for it, if you decide to go the forced induction route, walbro has a 255 lph fuel pump available for it, and if not, NX makes a 10 lb spray kit for it. Oh and unorthodox racing makes a lightweight flywheel, and i'm sure there's more out there, because this all just came off of one site. And i think Volk TE37's or CE28N's would make the tiburon look more expensive, and possibly help with unsprung weight issues. And i think you can fit up to an 8 inch wide wheel under those front fenders.  

The iron block on those cars is solid.  Great for boost! XD  

not too shabby my friend had the non gt and it was new. It looked good inside and outside and it drove well.  

Never mind. It's too pricey. However, I did see something that I can afford and that has my medulla badidea working...

I found a black 2000 Suzuki Esteem GLX 5-speed sedan (I never heard of it either) for $3,300. It was in good condition with some very nice 5-spoke Speedline rims on it and the few reviews I found for it were positive. However, I did some research on it and found out it uses the same 1.8L BP engine as the 1994-1997 Miata. Tein just came out with a custom valving service for oddball cars they don't make suspensions for, but they and other companies may make parts for it anyways since it was sold in Japan as the Suzuki Cultus Crescent...

I'm thinking sleeper!  

you made me do all that research for nothing
just kidding, sleeper sounds good, though there are still lots of cars in your price range, i would see if you could find an 80's 300ZX for cheap, or an S13 or S14 240, or a supercharged MK1 MR2, older miatas and VW GTI's go for under 3000 bucks sometimes, and maybe you could even find a Talon TSI. or 88-92 supra turbo. every once in a while i even see dodge stealth RT turbos in the 5k-7k price range.
otherwise, the sleeper idea sounds good, only thing is that for a car like that there aren't many partsd out there, and the only way i can think of making any serious power would be swapping in a DSM powerplant, and getting a fart can, and that would be pretty expensive. not the fart can, the engine swap.  

I have two problems stopping me form those cars:

1) My father is highly involved in the car buying process. I don't really want him to be, but as of right now he is my only transportation to and from dealerships, plus I'm on his insurance. He wants me to get a boring family sedan. I mentioned the Esteem only because I'm trying to make lemonades out of lemons here (the situation, not the car).

2) I have to get financed for a car. I can't outright buy one because I have too many other bills to pay. I can afford paying over time, but not all at once. So unless I'm really *** lucky and find something like a '98 240SX a dealer is willing to finance, I'm resigned to my fate for now.  

if i were you, i'd wait 'til something good comes along. I woulda jumped right on that mazda3, but i guess that's not a choice now. i guess wait a bit, and if you getv the suzuki, at least you'll have something to drive, and if you do make it a sleeper, that would be sweet.  

That's what the plan is. I just need some wheels for now to get me to and from work. When my financials are in order, I'll go car shopping again. Plus I can go without my dad who's really pushing me to finance a family car. I don't want to be paying off a Taurus till I'm 25!  

cool eah, just keep resisting, till you find a good deal, and get a cheap 35 dollar bicycle r something to get you to work until then. build up your legs, so you'll be faster on the clutch  

in case you do get that suzuki, here ya go, this site sells DSM's B16's, SR20's 1JZ's etc. http://www.jazzproparts.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=1  

sorry you could not afford the tib.. even the new ones are really good cars. If you are interested in boost though, I would suggest picking up a 4 cylinder version, not the 6. The aluminum block on the "delta" engine is really sensitive to mistuning and can pull the studs right out of the casting  

I had a tib for a little over 6 months, it was my second car, and i gotta say, for the price you really cant beat it, Id keep an eye on Craigslist.com you can usually find some really good deals on there, I got my Porsche 944 from a mechanic for 2250, he coulda got 2600 easy, but he had 4 other cars for sale and wanted the money for his 240sx project.  

I had a tib for a little over 6 months, it was my second car, and i gotta say, for the price you really cant beat it, Id keep an eye on Craigslist.com you can usually find some really good deals on there, I got my Porsche 944 from a mechanic for 2250, he coulda got 2600 easy, but he had 4 other cars for sale and wanted the money for his 240sx project. Plus all dealerships want is to move their product, go to a credit union and get a loan then start hitting auto trader or craigslist