an NA 5spd z32 can run high 14s with the easy stuff (intake, exhaust?).
In my experience n/a 240s arent remotely fast but they probably have more torque at low rpm relative to their weight.
Of these i would be sorely tempted to go for the Z, but only if it was in GOOD shape.
It looks like there are maybe 10 300zx's in your price range nation wide, and none nearby. Another option might be an E36 M3.
Purely based on your avatar, a GTV6, with a verde engine swap. 
heck a 164S swap. Or REALLY brave and 24V swap.
Other than that, got nothing for a 944, 'vette, or Z- just don' know enough about them..... hope you find one you like with all of the help!
wow i said 15s instead of 14s. Thats kind of an important thing to typo.
Oh yeah, have you driven any of these cars? They are each pretty different in terms of ergonomics, powertrain and chassis feel. Your answer could just as easily come from which car you feel most comfortable in instead of which posts the best numbers.
When making hard decisions like this, I would compromise. I would put a twin turbo corvette motor in a 944. 
Rusnak_322 wrote: When making hard decisions like this, I would compromise. I would put a twin turbo corvette motor in a 944.
This is clearly the correct answer.
Honestly, even if I'd had $7k to spend, I would have still bought this car. Another $3k would allow me to rebuild the engine, replace the trans from the DNash piece to a T-5 and misc crap.
Otto Maddox wrote: In reply to Luke: Lots of lag in the 944. Keep it on boost and it is wonderful. But pulling away from a stop light at low RPM can be a humbling experience when kids on bicycles blow by you.
when you drove it did you let off the clutch THEN give it gas? Seriously I've never thought the lag was that bad. I guess I need to go out in the garage and drive mine again. The hardest part for me was getting a good launch because it was hard to find the sweet spot between bog and blowing the tires away.
BTW I'd much rather work on a 951 as opposed to a 300zx tt and the vette is a dream compared to either. In fact I have been tempted to sell my 951 for a vette a few times because they are so easy to work on and parts are cheap, but I really really like the 951.
The hardest part for me was getting a good launch because it was hard to find the sweet spot between bog and blowing the tires away.
That sounds exactly like you have turbo lag. The NA 944 will pull away cleanly at low RPMs.
They are each pretty different in terms of ergonomics, powertrain and chassis feel. Your answer could just as easily come from which car you feel most comfortable in instead of which posts the best numbers.
I totally agree with this. my earlier comment about only wanting a 300zx in good shape was vague but it falls under this, in that id vastly prefer the 300zx interior to live with but if i had to pick cars with all trashed interiors id pick the vetter for its mechanicals.
So i 2nd this notion of trying out each car to see how it feels.
Otto Maddox wrote: The hardest part for me was getting a good launch because it was hard to find the sweet spot between bog and blowing the tires away. That sounds exactly like you have turbo lag. The NA 944 will pull away cleanly at low RPMs.
Yes, of course, I never said it didn't have turbo lag. I said it wasn't that bad. I never got passed by a bicycle for instance.....
When I said launch i meant "drag style launch" for best acceleration....not leisurely pulling away from a stoplight etc. The 951 actually makes a great DD and will pull away cleanly at low RPMs as well. (I just got rid of my 87 NA)
The Vette is the simplest choice. It is faster than the other two. Easier and Cheaper to make even faster. And you don't have to find a specialist to get work done. You'll find plenty of OEM and aftermarket parts for however you want to spec it. The only downside is others looking down on you for buying American. They think you should pay twice as much for half as much performance.
jrg77 wrote: The Vette is the simplest choice. It is faster than the other two. Easier and Cheaper to make even faster. And you don't have to find a specialist to get work done. You'll find plenty of OEM and aftermarket parts for however you want to spec it. The only downside is others looking down on you for buying American. They think you should pay twice as much for half as much performance.
This has been my thoughts as well. The amount of Performance per dollar is redonkulous. This SHOULD be the Miata of the real car world. First response: Miata. Too slow? C4. Period. All you need to know. Oh, interior is too old/chintzy/dated? Get over it, you're going fast for cheap.
jrg77 wrote: The Vette is the simplest choice. It is faster than the other two. Easier and Cheaper to make even faster. And you don't have to find a specialist to get work done. You'll find plenty of OEM and aftermarket parts for however you want to spec it. The only downside is others looking down on you for buying American. They think you should pay twice as much for half as much performance.
I don't think a C4 vette is faster than a Z32 TT stock for stock under pretty much any circumstances.
Let the bench racing begin! 
In reply to Bobzilla:
I want to want a C4. I just don't think I could get over the interior. It is truly hideous. The 944 is light years ahead. And the 300ZX is far better than the 944. The 944 gets bonus points for having a rear seat.
Has anybody mention how tiny the footwells in a C4 are? I have trouble driving them because of this.
In reply to 92CelicaHalfTrac:
Depends on which C4. A same year C4 is a tad faster than a 300ZX TT.
Otto Maddox wrote: In reply to Bobzilla: I want to want a C4. I just don't think I could get over the interior. It is truly hideous. The 944 is light years ahead. And the 300ZX is far better than the 944. The 944 gets bonus points for having a rear seat. Has anybody mention how tiny the footwells in a C4 are? I have trouble driving them because of this.
I agree... the footwells are small and they do determine which shoes I wear that day. But the flat out grunt, the grip, the amount of tire I can stuff under the body work, the power upgrades available are second to none etc....
Maybe growing up int the 80's and being around that style of interior makes it easier for me....I don't find it offensive at all. I do find the nissan and toyota interiors of the time absolutely appalling.
Otto Maddox wrote: In reply to Bobzilla: I want to want a C4. I just don't think I could get over the interior. It is truly hideous. The 944 is light years ahead. And the 300ZX is far better than the 944. The 944 gets bonus points for having a rear seat. Has anybody mention how tiny the footwells in a C4 are? I have trouble driving them because of this.
Last one I drove was an 88 and I didn't notice the footwells bothering me, but this car was an automatic and it has been a few years since I drove it. For reference I'm 6'2" and wear an 11.5 shoe.
BTW all this vette talk has me trolling for C4s now. I love how the headlights flip on those.
Otto Maddox wrote: In reply to 92CelicaHalfTrac: Depends on which C4. A same year C4 is a tad faster than a 300ZX TT.
I'll be damned... i think i'm stuck on the fact that they're all as fast as Bob's. Learn something every day. 
Mine's old and neglected and still faster than anything you've brought to an event.....
I still have a Car & Driver testing these cars (more or less) in the early 90s. My recollections -
Winner: Supra - TT perfect
2nd: 300ZX TT - nearly perfect, Supra better on track
3rd: RX7 - fun but fragile and not so good as a driver
4th: Corvette - great V8, chassis outclassed and outdated
5th: 968 - good handler but creaky old chassis and weak cobby engine
6th: 3000GT VR4 - Big fat pig that nobody liked driving
If you get a C4 find the newest one you can find. They made constant significant improvements throughout the car's lifespan.
Getting in and out of a C4 is a PITA due to the massive sills.
IIRC the 86 and later 944s had a much improved interior.
The naturally aspirated 300zx and 944 are not in the same league performance-wise to a 85-newer C4. The turbo cars are pretty darn close. ( low 14 sec 1/4 mile, high 5 secs to 60)
All three are very different cars. As was said, see which one you like best.
For your budget you may be able to find a E36 M3 which is also worth a look.
Bobzilla wrote: Mine's old and neglected and still faster than anything you've brought to an event.....
An AutoX event, yes....
It's not close to my one and only drag time with my current cars, though. OOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!
Wouldn't know, it's never been to a drag strip to run. Keep talkin' smack!
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