how about something that GRM HASN'T done before....something that isn't a sport-compact but can beat alot of them from a stoplight.
how about the first true performance mid-size sedan out of Japan, back when the Accord and Camry were boring slugs.
how about the car that was self-badged "4DSC" for "4-door sportscar"
something that is less cliche than a bmw or miata or subaru and would truly be "grassroots motorsports"
something with a virtually bulletproof drivetrain where your biggest issue is likely to be a blown MAF or a bad coilpack. Something that cruises comfortably on the highway and can get around 30mpg there (low 20s in the city). But with a few suspension tweaks can handle the track just fine.
MAXIMA. And btw, maximas have excellent A/C.
3rd gen: fairly light, strong and bulletproof V6 (~190hp in later 3rd gens), room to seat 5, big trunk, good M/T, IRS. Can be found in your price range
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4th gen: stronger V6, stronger tranny, more room, a bit heavier. Downside is beam rear axle (like B15 Sentra). Surprisingly good aftermarket. Low resale value means they can be found cheap.
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5th gen: even stronger v6 (222hp 00-01, 265hp and 6MT 02-03), great transmission, heavier but faster, still has a beam axle, brakes need upgrade.
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of course, I'm kind of partial to the 5th gen.
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and switch your street wheels back on, take the magnets off, and it looks sexy driving back from the track too
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Any of these you can probably find in your price range these days, aside from maybe the 02+ would be a bit higher.
You'd be surprised at the aftermarket available to all three generations if you look in the right places.
and of course, I am here to consult on your mods (former maxima.org moderator) :D
mine had 180k miles on it and a few dozen autocrosses and a track day or two and the only things that ever went bad were my MAF, 2 coilpacks, and a rear brake caliper.