What Car Will Be Best Suited For Me?

I'm going to be getting a car in about 8 months and am interested in upgrading it (becoming a tuner, not a ricer). Anyways I'm looking to spend $6,000 on it and was wondering what would be the best for tuning in a sense of easiest to begin on, cheapest parts, most reliable and what not. I would like the car to last me a good five years (though university). This is my list but other suggestion are welcome.

- Acura Integra
- Acura RSX
- Honda Prelude
- Mazda Miata
- Mazda RX7 or RX8
- Mitsubishi 3000GT
- Mitsubishi Eclipse (Older)
- Mitsubishi Lancer
- Subaru WRX

Mazda Miata RX7

Once you start modifying, reliability goes downhill. Any cars equipped with turbos from the 90s are also unreliable. The only cars on your list that are cheap to modify are Honda or Acura. Mazda rotary cars are a pain to deal with if the rotary engine fails. Miatas are one of the most popular drift and track cars out there with an extensive aftermarket. Out of the Mitsubishi cars on your list, the Lancer is the only reasonably reliable one. WRXs are unreliable, but a base Impreza isn't.

If you don't have to move things besides one other person and a suit case. You can't go wrong with the Miata. Its reliable, decent gas mileage, simple to maintain, reasonable after market prices to upgrade. Its the perfect single person or couples car at a young age bar none. Mazda 3 is a very good car and will last you better than five years however, if you have already purchased a car that has five years on it and you are expecting another five years, any car then best go to car fax. Mazda 3 is good on gas, clever compartments, spacious trunk, handles well, it is a four seasons car. Its inexpensive to insure.

Of the one's listed Mazda would be best suited for you. Unlike Mitsubishi who is limited in the USA in terms of dealerships and most likely parts, they are not in play here. I don't even know if they are still building cars. Subaru WRX is a performance machine that is not best suited for a college budget to maintain and add performance parts. Its nice. Thats for sure.
You don't want to get into Mazda rotary anything. Mazda no longer builds a rotary engine, if something goes wrong, good luck on finding an mechanic that has the tools and the know how to work on it, muchless parts.

Acura is a premium brand that requires premium gas, dollars and premium money to upgrade, its like BMW. Just because it is an older car doesn't mean the brand gives the end user a break. It is for this reason Acura will cost more to insure. The more complicated the car the more insurance charges a premium, thats why I go back to Mazda brand being ideal.

And then Honda. You can't go wrong with Honda. If not the top of your list it should be near the top. I would recommend Mazda first because of first hand experience driving a Mazda product since 05 to the present then Honda because this brand is known even legendary for building a sound car.

Warm regards