Desperate need for some rwd suggestions
Discussion
Oz83 said:
Corvette C6?
Cayman?
Or just sack off the rear drive thing and buy a Megane RS.
I have to admit to looking at 2008-ish Fiesta ST's as a kind of cheap fun bench mark FWD, because £4k gets a good one this makes me stall on more pricey RWD's...Cayman?
Or just sack off the rear drive thing and buy a Megane RS.
Edited by Oz83 on Wednesday 25th May 00:23
LankyLegoHead said:
Another vote for the GT86 here. Love mine, despite being 6ft 4 I find it easy to get in/out and comfortable. You will NOT have more fun for the money, I seriously doubt it anyway. On most bumpty/twisty stuff in the UK the "lack of power" isnt an issue at all, I didn't hold up my friends too much at the weekend anyway...
Plus, for that price you'll probably still have a couple of years left on the Warranty. If you wanted to stretch, you could PCP a new one (Facelift on its way!)
Thanks for this! Its interesting isn't that the GT86/BRZ is really the main RWD around now, Im definitely going to drive one V soon. They have come down in price quite well this year it seems which also helps.Plus, for that price you'll probably still have a couple of years left on the Warranty. If you wanted to stretch, you could PCP a new one (Facelift on its way!)
HughG said:
What about a BMW 130i with some money spent on suspension, polybushes, a cam and exhaust to make it less wafty?
Theres a 135i with an after market exhaust I regularly see & hear local to me, it sounds awesome!Being a bit older and hopefully wiser I tend to avoid newer BM's now its the £150+ an hour to plug it into a diagnostic flux capacitor that puts me off.
I had a E46 330ci coupe 2 years ago dash light came up turned out to be a master cylinder low pressure sensor approx £650 bill, apparently they often go faulty when the weather changes...
This from a friend who owns and independent BMW garage, having fitted bias pedal boxes myself in the past and carried out various braking system mods. BMW's fell in to the 'additional useless fitment' category of cars to me, especially as one of my key search criteria is to be able to self service/rectify as much as poss myself.
Thanks for your suggestion tho but!
ChrisTW said:
There's only been one mention so far which wasn't a particular strong sell.
Nissan S15 Silvia Spec R (turbo)
I've had one since December 2014. Imported it from Japan so I got to choose colour, spec, mileage and a budget. Had it undersealed as soon as it hit the UK, and the import company did all the annoying paperwork etc.
Not a sign of rust on mine and I have used it in Scottish winters, many garages I've taken to it have proclaimed it's the cleanest car of that age they've seen in a long time.
I use it daily, use it on track - I call it my TrackWeapon. Lots of bits available on the web despite not being a UK car. Lots of English manuals as it was available in Australia.
It's fantastic to drive, mine came with various upgrades from the Japanese owner. Big power possible, very easy to tailor to your own style with engine fettling.
Has a helical LSD as standard making it a bit more predictable than the S14 with its viscous LSD, better for track use.
Thanks! Ive a call to make to a local importer today regarding availability of these and Supras in Japan, I think the import route might be the best way to get a lowish miles example.Nissan S15 Silvia Spec R (turbo)
I've had one since December 2014. Imported it from Japan so I got to choose colour, spec, mileage and a budget. Had it undersealed as soon as it hit the UK, and the import company did all the annoying paperwork etc.
Not a sign of rust on mine and I have used it in Scottish winters, many garages I've taken to it have proclaimed it's the cleanest car of that age they've seen in a long time.
I use it daily, use it on track - I call it my TrackWeapon. Lots of bits available on the web despite not being a UK car. Lots of English manuals as it was available in Australia.
It's fantastic to drive, mine came with various upgrades from the Japanese owner. Big power possible, very easy to tailor to your own style with engine fettling.
Has a helical LSD as standard making it a bit more predictable than the S14 with its viscous LSD, better for track use.
TheAngryDog said:
The B10 V8 S has ruinous brake disc costs. They're unique to the car and are around a grand to replace.
Thank you!James Junior said:
Missed this yesterday.
I can only add praise for the Nissan 370Z. I bought mine as a stop-gap but have totally fallen for it and plan to keep it a while now.
They aren't as thirsty as the journos make out considering they are a 3.7 V6. Mine has the auto box iwth paddles, making it really versatile. Easy to rumble around in city traffic or on the motorway, but a blast to di=rive in manual mode on a good road. You rarely see another and people often compliment it.
Mine is my daily hack slogging into Manchester city centre every day. It also pounds the motorways going to meetings. I have also had it on track at Oulton Park and done quite a lot of hard driving in it across Europe and in Wales.
It has plenty of grip and handles nicely, with tonnes of mid-range torque. I find it really satisfying to get it flowing down a good road leaning on the tyres. Highly recommended as a brilliant all-rounder, that can still thrill when you want a proper drive. It can stay with significantly more expensive metal when driven hard and shrugs off hard use with casual ease to slip back into daily duties.
Thanks for this I will go and drive one, a dealer near me imports Skyline 350GT's which are similar....ishI can only add praise for the Nissan 370Z. I bought mine as a stop-gap but have totally fallen for it and plan to keep it a while now.
They aren't as thirsty as the journos make out considering they are a 3.7 V6. Mine has the auto box iwth paddles, making it really versatile. Easy to rumble around in city traffic or on the motorway, but a blast to di=rive in manual mode on a good road. You rarely see another and people often compliment it.
Mine is my daily hack slogging into Manchester city centre every day. It also pounds the motorways going to meetings. I have also had it on track at Oulton Park and done quite a lot of hard driving in it across Europe and in Wales.
It has plenty of grip and handles nicely, with tonnes of mid-range torque. I find it really satisfying to get it flowing down a good road leaning on the tyres. Highly recommended as a brilliant all-rounder, that can still thrill when you want a proper drive. It can stay with significantly more expensive metal when driven hard and shrugs off hard use with casual ease to slip back into daily duties.
V8RX7 said:
We seem to have similar thoughts - I'm willing to pay for a later / better car but I find the ones I want are the older, cheaper ones as they are lighter, simpler and more fun.
I know you said no MX5s but I've owned supercharged Mk1s for 20+years now and have never kept another car for more than 6 months.
I'm building myself a 1UZ V8 RX7 because I want a nice 2+2 and no one seems to make one (I have a Turbo RX7 and it is very good)
The S14a / S15 200SX are pretty good as standard and great when tweeked.
If you don't mind a larger saloon a Toyota Chaser has quite a following - some good stuff comes up on Driftworks if you sort though all the track cars.
Your RX7 V8 sounds very interesting!I know you said no MX5s but I've owned supercharged Mk1s for 20+years now and have never kept another car for more than 6 months.
I'm building myself a 1UZ V8 RX7 because I want a nice 2+2 and no one seems to make one (I have a Turbo RX7 and it is very good)
The S14a / S15 200SX are pretty good as standard and great when tweeked.
If you don't mind a larger saloon a Toyota Chaser has quite a following - some good stuff comes up on Driftworks if you sort though all the track cars.
Thanks for the Chaser thought as well I do quite like them, Ive grown quite fond of Toyotas recently; my wife has a Rav 4,
I have a 2.7 Hiace Regius for lugging stuff, I had a 2006 MR2 last year and also rate Land Cruiser Colorado's as prob the best propa 4x4 by miles! I like Supras also. Its the bullet proof straight six in those that intrigues...
Helical said:
I've got an S2000 with a different seat/seat mount. If you were to (re)consider one, you're welcome to come and try folding your lengthy frame into the cabin (West Sussex) if you fancy.
Admittedly I'm only 5'7", but I understand taller people have used said mount to gain valuable inches.
Of room.
Thank you! I have some experience of a friends and as you say the seat doesn't quite go back far enough for me, good thought on modifying the seat thanks very much!Admittedly I'm only 5'7", but I understand taller people have used said mount to gain valuable inches.
Of room.
NITO said:
Here's your car!
Nissan Skyline R33 GTS-T (proper RWD Skyline) 450bhp/415Lbs/ft, Factory LSD, Short ratio gearing (still 155mph top end), no abs, no Hicas steering, no traction control nonsense, no excuses, just a pure and direct drivers machine with legendary Japanese reliability and amazing turbo torque, built for track use with all the correct safety gear with reliability and response in mind.
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/motorsport/...
I like it a lot! Good suggestion thanks!Nissan Skyline R33 GTS-T (proper RWD Skyline) 450bhp/415Lbs/ft, Factory LSD, Short ratio gearing (still 155mph top end), no abs, no Hicas steering, no traction control nonsense, no excuses, just a pure and direct drivers machine with legendary Japanese reliability and amazing turbo torque, built for track use with all the correct safety gear with reliability and response in mind.
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/motorsport/...
Edited by NITO on Tuesday 24th May 20:31
huwdm said:
I was in a very similar position recently. Was taking too long to decide what to get next so decided something simple and fun for the summer. I have had alot of cars and still own a few and after a test drive I looked through the classifieds and found a nice local(ish) grey one and went out and bought it on a whim.
Unless you want to go fast in a straight line (which can easily be achieved via tuning and turbo) this is one of the best cars I have owned for outright handling. Handles even better than my EP3 race car. New tyres will make it corner better but I didnt want that. So with stock tyres it will slide on command and under control. Only downside perhaps is you need to be cautious in heavy rain. But lets end on a high - go test one - dont expect SPEED, expect tyre sliding FUN and you will buy one.
Thanks for the info I have a lot of cars to test drive now! Very kindUnless you want to go fast in a straight line (which can easily be achieved via tuning and turbo) this is one of the best cars I have owned for outright handling. Handles even better than my EP3 race car. New tyres will make it corner better but I didnt want that. So with stock tyres it will slide on command and under control. Only downside perhaps is you need to be cautious in heavy rain. But lets end on a high - go test one - dont expect SPEED, expect tyre sliding FUN and you will buy one.
ash73 said:
£15K, RWD, and something a bit different? Brabus!
I have looked at the earlier version of these thank you!V8RX7 said:
Having recently bought a much modified V6 MR2 (road legal, track car in my case) I'd have to ask what is better up to 15k ?
As a drivers car (rather than perceived quality) because whilst I'll agree a Noble is - I don't think a Cayman is, I got out of my mate's Boxster Spyder and into my MR2 and whilst his is the nicer car, it certainly wasn't the better driver's car.
This is all good info thank you, my only MR2 issue was a very achey unsupported right knee after 20mins driving although Im sure a better race seat could be found, hmmm lots of choices now.....Thanks!As a drivers car (rather than perceived quality) because whilst I'll agree a Noble is - I don't think a Cayman is, I got out of my mate's Boxster Spyder and into my MR2 and whilst his is the nicer car, it certainly wasn't the better driver's car.
MRobbins1987 said:
Noble M12 but you may have to sell a b
k, or in budget Jaguar xkr.
Thanks I like the Noble idea and quite regularly look at them and wish they were cheaper not so much the Jag though a good friend has one and loves it, but I don't get it, overly complex and not DIY friendly may be...k, or in budget Jaguar xkr.barriec said:
how about a nice v8 mustang? i know the steering wheel is on the wrong side, but you don't see them everywhere and a great sound.
Yeah american stuff just leaves me cold, Ive recently been servicing a 1964 Ford Falcon 5.0 V8 manual for a friend I get why he likes it but it isn't my cup of tea. Thanks for the suggestion!Varn said:
Another vote from me for the G40r - it also ticks the top 3 boxes for driving enjoyment; RWD, Manual, NA.
Thanks I like them a lot just wish they weren't so expensive as the spec is near perfect, need to save up!wackydo said:
I bought a 2006 Z4M with 35k miles a couple of weeks ago for £16k.
Great for early Sunday morning drives and track days, a bit hard on the suspension though for taking the mrs to a nice pub lunch in the country on the sunday lunchtime.
Thats a good price at those miles, the Z4M on paper has the right ingredients, RWD LSD, great straight six engine, manual, Im going to seem even fussier now but theres something about the Roadster that doesn't quite look right that the Coupe has but then I think I would have missed a trick not going roofless so I stall...The hardtop on a Roadster helps the appearance I think. Thank you!Great for early Sunday morning drives and track days, a bit hard on the suspension though for taking the mrs to a nice pub lunch in the country on the sunday lunchtime.
LankyLegoHead said:
Dont be afraid to thrash it on your test drive, and make sure you get some twisty routes... It's a grower. A lot of people comment they didn't really enjoy their first test drive, but the longer they've owned it the more they've loved it!
A friend drove one when they 1st came out and said he was very underwhelmed which probably wrongly influenced me. Thanks for this its a very valid point!cerb4.5lee said:
They were similar thoughts for me when I went for the Z4M Roadster thinking it would be a bonus getting the roof off but I just didn't like the way it looked whereas the Coupe is gorgeous, if I ever get a convertible again it will definitely have a folding metal roof even though I appreciate they really add weight.
Thats useful that we have the same opinions, I think if I could find a very good one with low miles as you have then it would help mitigate the 'Coupe effect', thank you!Honduh said:
For the maschocist in your life:
Saw one while I was working in the least glamourous Tesco carpark you could imagine (Did Sir order a full nappy in the trolley bay?) and it glowed like the people loading their shopping were in a cocoon in the south of france having shopped at a specialist deli.
I like it! Some cars just do that don't they, its like when I thought I'd seen Katy Perry in our local Co-Op it totally changed the experience for those fleeting few seconds....Saw one while I was working in the least glamourous Tesco carpark you could imagine (Did Sir order a full nappy in the trolley bay?) and it glowed like the people loading their shopping were in a cocoon in the south of france having shopped at a specialist deli.
VR6 Eug said:
I've been searching like you and came down to a Nissan 370z, Porsche Boxter 3.2s or Z4 coupe, after testing all 3 I'm treating myself to a 3.0 sport Z4 Coupe next year, it felt the nicest place to be and in the 10k price bracket, so with 15k you got more room to play with, but the Porsche is not to be over looked, I've tried 2 and they handle and feel excellent and out of the 3 make the best noise but dont have a hard top, the Z is last place for me, its just out the price range and the inside is a bit cheap for that money but it is fast but oddly feels heavy compared to the other two..I doubt this helps but happy hunting....
No its useful, I pendulum swing between a z4 3.0 Roadster (possibly even auto...shhh!) and then I read about the M's superior steering/everything which then adds at least another £10+k and then I get confused and go back to researching again. In an ideal world with £100k to spend I would now own a Z4M coupe an S2 Elise 111R another E46 M3 coupe a Caterham SV R260 a Ginetta G40 and probably some kind of over tuned Skyline, would there be change for a TVR Tuscan...? Thanks! 
Mr Tidy said:
Not sure which Z came last place (Nissan)? 
But weight-wise you may have a point - Z4C is 1380kg whereas 350Z started at 1446kg according to Wiki and just got heavier from there!
Lucky that as a Z4Coupe owner I am in no way biased!
In the OP's position I would go the extra mile and look for a Z4M (Coupe only for me)!
The only issues I have with the Z4M Coupe especially is the price, they are good but not £20k+ good to me. Also there's nothing to do to them really, an Eisenmann exhaust perhaps a few Powerflex bushes....quick shift....cup holders and then done...But weight-wise you may have a point - Z4C is 1380kg whereas 350Z started at 1446kg according to Wiki and just got heavier from there!
Lucky that as a Z4Coupe owner I am in no way biased!
In the OP's position I would go the extra mile and look for a Z4M (Coupe only for me)!
V8RX7 said:
Has anyone mentioned the E36 M3 Evo ?
Good car and plenty of bits to play with.
I sold a GT2 version with 44k miles on 7 years ago and regret it daily!!!Good car and plenty of bits to play with.
jontysafe said:
Z4mc will break your hips and shake out your fillings. I had one for 18m as a daily.
If you do buy one factor in a KW suspension swap to make it daily usable.
It's great fun and quite quick but a daily? Probably depends how old you are!
Thanks for the tip I watched a number of youtube vids last night of Z4M's being Plato'd etc... it really put me off, and I have driven one previously.If you do buy one factor in a KW suspension swap to make it daily usable.
It's great fun and quite quick but a daily? Probably depends how old you are!
FIREBIRDC9 said:
Lotus Elise S2 springs to mind :P
Bugger the getting in and out part , who cares if you look silly.
Thanks, Barry Ely Elise specialist is just down the road from me and I regularly pop in for a gander and a trial ingress and exit, if anything Im getting worse at it, 6'2" and 15 stone is not a good combination even with my natural balletic prowess Bugger the getting in and out part , who cares if you look silly.
sad61t said:
There's a Z4 coupé at my local BMW dealers:
http://usedcars.sytnermaidenheadbmw.co.uk/showroom...
Right on your 15K budget. Might be worth a look?
Thank you!http://usedcars.sytnermaidenheadbmw.co.uk/showroom...
Right on your 15K budget. Might be worth a look?
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