I've inherited my mom's 03 Dodge Stratus R/T. but I'm afraid to mod it because I don't know what the hell I'm doing.

I don't have money to waste on an expensive car. I just want a nice inexpensive (used) car that has potential.

Advice?  

People hate to hear it...but i say get a dsm. You can get the better built first gen. cars for about the price your looking for plus some money to dump into them. Honestly its about your personal style and what you want out of your car. If you just wanna look flashy to all your "friends" a dsm isn't a car you need. If you really wanna learn about mechanics and the basics of messin with a turbocharged car then its a great choice. Along with that...you have great potential to make big numbers in the power department and suspension soley relies on if you care about that or not. In my opinion, the suspension is what makes or breaks a car because anyone can make a car go fast in a straight line but like i said its up to you. Here is a question i have for you...what do you want out of a car besides it not to be expensive and have potential...cuz alot of cars have potential. What kind of set-up do you want? Whats important to you in a car? What do you need? What kind of mod budget are you on? What do you plan on doing with your car? You need to ask yourself these things....

$3000-$5000

1990-1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse GST or GSX
1990-1997 Eagle Talon TSI
1990-1994 Plymouth Laser (Not familiar with but i'm pretty sure that is the correct years)
1990-1997 Acura Integra LS/GSR (later models are little more expensive
1990-1999 Honda Civic (harder in my opinion to make into respectable cars because of motor swaps and being so common)


what you think?