Which RWD car would you pick?

[ZEEROLLA]

Hey guys, just wondering which car would you get as your first RWD car.. to get to know what RWD is all about n stuff..

I was thinking Nissan's 200SX is the best option since its cheap, and many 2nd hand ones around.

I have been thinking of maybe selling up the Stivo one day and getting a stock S14 200sx for around $15grand and playing with it for a while.

What other RWDs would yous recommend for around $15grand? Can't get the Supra for that money, and its too heavy.. I want something rather light and nimble and not a grey import.

[xcess]

why are u so intent on a RWD?

lookin for sum easy fishtailin huh?

looking for a car for 15 grand and presumably a car thats in good nick, most of the time ur gonna be looking at small cars which are usually FWD... like a rolla!

200sx's look great but good luck findin one that hasnt been thrashed

[shaohaok]

What other RWDs would yous recommend for around $15grand?  Can't get the Supra for that money, and its too heavy.. I want something rather light and nimble and not a grey import.

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for that criteria, u're only really leaving yourself with a totally stripped out commodore.

[eddy_torrezz]

any RX7 mean machines.

VL turbo

you could get an old 88 supra for that money.

180sx

[CAP]

Older HSV Commodores go for dirt cheap, VS and early VT club sports go for that price range.

Given the performance they represent excellent bang for your buck.

Most are looked after because they are HSV's ( Look for one owned by a HDT/HSV owners club member ). Also other than the odd oil leak from the drive shaft or engine, they're quite reliable.

Remember also, a HSV will come with an LSD as standard, where as most cheaper variants wont have one unless the original owner optioned one.

[ZEEROLLA]

V8s and Supras are too heavy though.. i would rather get a 180/200sx to play with although most of them do get a thrashing but hey that's what they are made for and it wouldn't be too hard or expensive to find replacement parts for the car. I am even considering purchasing an auto and do a manual conversion. There is a 96' S14 going for $12grand automatic, non modified! Bloody good value and a manual coversion won't cost more than 2grand incl. the gearbox, might even get a spare engine or full front cut with the gearbox. If lucky i can even get the 6 speed from S15. If not for cheaper options and lower kms i have to go grey with a 180sx or S13. I just want one to thrash around a bit on the track and something light and nimble and easy to fix.

RX7s are great cars but the rotary engine's not known for reliability and there are fewer of them around compared to Silvias. SR20DETs are more reliable i think but as with all turbo cars, oil temp rises quickly and got to look out for old turbos.. they leak. Boost controllers are also a definite NO NO!

Hmm.. any other cars or recommendations guys? Maybe an AE86 or MX5??

Edited May 9, 2005 by ZEEROLLA

[CAP]

You could also find a really nice AE86 Levin with change :). Most will have been modified though.

Or a very nice BMW E30 325e ( The last of the compact 3 series )

[MR22ZZ]

The no grey import makes it hard as most newer RWD cars that aren't badged Holden or Ford are imports from Japan.

The older Skylines are very clean and relyable (I had an R28 style '83) but the 3.0L R31 model is OK and you'll have $$ spare, or you could get lucky and find an Aussie plated R32 GTSt but they are classed as collectors items so will eat up most of your cash.

Gen4 RX7's are great cars, the issues with rotaries only come when people start tinkering with them, that are actually quite reliable stock but do guzzle the juice!!! Something to think about these days...

S14 200SX would be perfect but hard to find one that is stock and not trashed, but they are out there, my old neighbour in Adelaide had one and it is sweet... you just have to be paitient when looking and inspect the car well... S13s (180sx and silvia) are all imports...

There are a few well modified old Celicas and Supras that would be great for you to play with too, visit toymods and chat to a few of those boys for some ideas (or talk to Dave ). The old Supras (pre '93) are not actually that heavy as they did not have as much in the way of electronics and mod cons...

But my personal choice would be to stick with the Stivo as your daily driver and grab yourself an old Datsan!!! It may sound stupid but an old 180B/stanza/sunny SSS is a brilliant light RWD car and easy to work with and modify. Or a Datto 1600, Escort or something of that ilk will give you much more enjoyment as they were designed as Rally winners and buily to drive sideways in...

Check out the Trading Post and see what is available and be open minded about it... It all depends on your intended purpose...

Edited May 9, 2005 by Blue_Stivo

[MR22ZZ]

Was just thinking about this a bit more... an old Lexus maybe like a soarer??

[Cooley]

Was just thinking about this a bit more... an old Lexus maybe like a soarer??

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If you are after a soarer, why not get the Jap spec Chaser ~!?

[CAP]

He want's something light

[MR22ZZ]

He also said not a grey import!!!

[ZEEROLLA]

Yeh, the doctor advised me to go on a light diet :P .. but all nice cars pointed out.. i think with Toyotas i am really keen on either an AE86 (initial D influence), or Supra. Nissans will have to be S13/S14 Silvias or 180sx.. Then an MX5 as they are pretty well balanced..

will be taking my time on this one while do more research on parts and mods etc..

[CAP]

Ahh, you want something for the track...

Well IMO go for a first gen MR-2 or MX-5, (in the case of an MX-5 install a roll cage), remove anything that's unnecessary to make them even lighter, install a CAI and exhaust and you have lots of reliable fun !

[MR22ZZ]

ohhhh cr@p I forgot the MR2, yeah definately go the MR2!!!!! The 1st gen has the 4AGZE (if you are lucky enough to find a supercharged version), the 2nd generation looks nicer though :P should be able to find for around $15000 if you are lucky.

[BigBum]

ohhhh cr@p I forgot the MR2, yeah definately go the MR2!!!!! The 1st gen has the 4AGZE (if you are lucky enough to find a supercharged version), the 2nd generation looks nicer though :P should be able to find for around $15000 if you are lucky.

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totally agree... MR2! I once saw this chick with an mr2 race this dude in a rex at the lights, and she totally nailed him

[shaohaok]

i'd go MX5.

[Northy]

mx5's are nice but they are very small inside

[CHA54]

dont bother with an AE86, they're overpriced for a 20+yo car.

if you are inclined for one though, an AE71 is a good alternative option to the AE86 as you can use all the same suspension and drivetrain components. Also the AE71 body is stiffer, and a hell of a lot cheaper to buy one in good condition with minimal rust, the panels and lights are also dirt cheap for when you smash it.

Personally I'd go for a grey import, S13's are extremely cheap these days and there's an abundance of performance parts available locally for them now.

[ZEEROLLA]

The MR2s are nice but are mid-engined arn't they so can get a bit nervous i think.. i always have nightmares of the MR2 spining out of control at 200pluskm/h at Bathurst :( I would prefer a front engined rwd, easier to control at the limit.. The only MR car i wouldn't mind drining is the NSX :P

MX5s are good imo bcos they are really well balanced car and have many tune up parts available (eg. the turbo kits from AVO). But for the same money i can get S13/S14 Silvias with SR20DET engine which i think is a far better engine than the MX5's 1.8 but then again an MX5 will probably be better taken care of than the Silvias..

[MR22ZZ]

The only MR car i wouldn't mind drining is the NSX :P

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I'm sure you wouldn't pass up a drive in a Ferrari, Lambo or Pagani either :P

But let's face it Supercars are well beyond your $15,000 budget, but there is always hope (and e-bay)

[MR22ZZ]

MX5s are good imo bcos they are really well balanced car and have many tune up parts available (eg. the turbo kits from AVO).  But for the same money i can get S13/S14 Silvias with SR20DET engine which i think is a far better engine than the MX5's 1.8 but then again an MX5 will probably be better taken care of than the Silvias..

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it's also worthwhile thinking of RE-SALE VALUE!!!

MX-5 has much better resale value, have you thought about the MX-6, a great shape and hard-top for better security, plus very stable on the track???

[ZEEROLLA]

MX5s are good imo bcos they are really well balanced car and have many tune up parts available (eg. the turbo kits from AVO).  But for the same money i can get S13/S14 Silvias with SR20DET engine which i think is a far better engine than the MX5's 1.8 but then again an MX5 will probably be better taken care of than the Silvias..

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it's also worthwhile thinking of RE-SALE VALUE!!!

MX-5 has much better resale value, have you thought about the MX-6, a great shape and hard-top for better security, plus very stable on the track???

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Yeh i saw a 1990 MX5 with 150,000kms going for $12,000!!! Rather spend that on Silvias with half that amount of kms. I also thought MX6s are FWD?

The more i look at it now the more i am leaning towards Silvias because they fit into my budget and i get plenty to pick from. Heavily modded ones are actually cheaper than stock ones.. i saw a Rigolly full modded S14 with 600hp garret Turbo and all the works going for around $20K. The mods itself are probably worth close to that.

[xoom]

For $15K i would get myself a lexus SC250.... It is the the soarer body but with the v6 twin turbo engine.....

I was gona get one of these before i invested in the stivo... They are very hard to track down a manual in the sc250.

You also have the sc300 which is just a plain vanilla v6 or the sc400 which is a v8.... The sc400 is the most common of the family

[shaohaok]

V6? surely they are IL6