Wife-friendly rally-type hooligan motor
Discussion
Hi,
I have a sensible Jag S Type Diesel for the family runabout, a Range Rover for carting stuff to and from the kid's pony and junk to the tip, etc., but neither really blow the hair back in terms of driving enjoyment.
I'm of the age where I can recall the Delta Integrales, Celicas, Cossies, Scoobies and Evos rorting, farting and banging through the woods on the RAC Rally and was addicted to Sega Rally, so naturally some sort of rally beast is at the forefront of my list of things to enjoy on a B Road.
Given the aforementioned wife, kid, dog, pony and other money-drains, I'm thinking about £5k is reasonable, with scope for more to be spent over time on modifications/servicing, etc.
So, the short list I have is:
Celica GT4 ST185 Sainz
Nissan Pulsar GTi-R
Subaru Impreza (maybe stretch to a P1, as I love them) - likely a bugeye/blobeye STI
Mitsubishi Evo V
Sierra Sapphire 4x4
I'm not scared of wielding a spanner, so as long as it won't break down every day, I'm happy to keep a weekend toy up to scratch.
Given that I'd like something to do the odd track day, I'd like to be aiming at around 300-350bhp, but more importantly decent suspension, brakes and a cage, etc., so any experience of modifying/prepping would be appreciated - basically, I'm looking for something that offers the best smiles-per-pound, as opposed to the most sensible option!
Thoughts?
I have a sensible Jag S Type Diesel for the family runabout, a Range Rover for carting stuff to and from the kid's pony and junk to the tip, etc., but neither really blow the hair back in terms of driving enjoyment.
I'm of the age where I can recall the Delta Integrales, Celicas, Cossies, Scoobies and Evos rorting, farting and banging through the woods on the RAC Rally and was addicted to Sega Rally, so naturally some sort of rally beast is at the forefront of my list of things to enjoy on a B Road.
Given the aforementioned wife, kid, dog, pony and other money-drains, I'm thinking about £5k is reasonable, with scope for more to be spent over time on modifications/servicing, etc.
So, the short list I have is:
Celica GT4 ST185 Sainz
Nissan Pulsar GTi-R
Subaru Impreza (maybe stretch to a P1, as I love them) - likely a bugeye/blobeye STI
Mitsubishi Evo V
Sierra Sapphire 4x4
I'm not scared of wielding a spanner, so as long as it won't break down every day, I'm happy to keep a weekend toy up to scratch.
Given that I'd like something to do the odd track day, I'd like to be aiming at around 300-350bhp, but more importantly decent suspension, brakes and a cage, etc., so any experience of modifying/prepping would be appreciated - basically, I'm looking for something that offers the best smiles-per-pound, as opposed to the most sensible option!
Thoughts?
I agree that the "classic" Imprezas are things of beauty - I'd love a wide-body 2-door (Type R Version 4/WRC, 22B or P1) - what are the Type Rs going for and what do I need to look out for?
I like the ST185 celica, but I think it would need some hefty work to get the performance to match the looks - but can't fault Toyota build quality, unlike the fear I have about a Cossie. Ford's build quality in the 90s does not fill be with confidence, given the life these things tend to have lead - should I be scared, or just enjoy the power-to-weight ratio and trust to the cage to hold the panels in place?
I'd love an Escort Cossie, but they cost too much for me to justify to the missus!
I like the ST185 celica, but I think it would need some hefty work to get the performance to match the looks - but can't fault Toyota build quality, unlike the fear I have about a Cossie. Ford's build quality in the 90s does not fill be with confidence, given the life these things tend to have lead - should I be scared, or just enjoy the power-to-weight ratio and trust to the cage to hold the panels in place?
I'd love an Escort Cossie, but they cost too much for me to justify to the missus!
None of it is wife friendly to the point the closer you get to her liking it the less "rally" it will be. Blobeye is about as tame as it gets whilst still in the realms of "rally". I'd be looking at ST205 GT4's and Impreza Type-R's.
Will she be given a clipboard with a whole bunch of "right three, left two" listed on it for her to read out?
Will she be given a clipboard with a whole bunch of "right three, left two" listed on it for her to read out?
mini1380cc said:
None of it is wife friendly to the point the closer you get to her liking it the less "rally" it will be. Blobeye is about as tame as it gets whilst still in the realms of "rally". I'd be looking at ST205 GT4's and Impreza Type-R's.
Will she be given a clipboard with a whole bunch of "right three, left two" listed on it for her to read out?
By Wife-friendly, I more mean that I won't need to factor a Divorce Lawyer into the purchase price if I keep the costs low. If I can keep the running/maintenance costs down tot he same sort of level as her horse-riding, then I am on safe ground. Something that requires a £500 service every two months is not going to work for me, if you see what I mean.Will she be given a clipboard with a whole bunch of "right three, left two" listed on it for her to read out?
As far as driving it, I am sure she'd give it a go as she is a closet petrolhead - in fact she loves the V8 Range Rover because it is, in her words, a "big noisy beast" and drives it like she stole it...
Depends on your wife what is considered wife-friendly. My wife likes to be driven at speed in the evo and giggles a lot at the boost. However, she won't drive it. She has and scared the s
t out of herself. If your wife has to drive it too then I suggest you let her drive it before buying. Big boost is not for all.
It is a hilariously fun car to drive and devastatingly quick on a b road. I usually find my self driving around with the stereo off, windows open and laughing like a little kid at the whooshes, pops, bangs and braaaaaaaap.
If it's an everyday car then would suggest a Subaru over an Evo as they are a little bit easier to live with day to day.
t out of herself. If your wife has to drive it too then I suggest you let her drive it before buying. Big boost is not for all.It is a hilariously fun car to drive and devastatingly quick on a b road. I usually find my self driving around with the stereo off, windows open and laughing like a little kid at the whooshes, pops, bangs and braaaaaaaap.
If it's an everyday car then would suggest a Subaru over an Evo as they are a little bit easier to live with day to day.
Captainawesome said:
Depends on your wife what is considered wife-friendly. My wife likes to be driven at speed in the evo and giggles a lot at the boost. However, she won't drive it. She has and scared the st out of herself. If your wife has to drive it too then I suggest you let her drive it before buying. Big boost is not for all.
It is a hilariously fun car to drive and devastatingly quick on a b road. I usually find my self driving around with the stereo off, windows open and laughing like a little kid at the whooshes, pops, bangs and braaaaaaaap.
If it's an everyday car then would suggest a Subaru over an Evo as they are a little bit easier to live with day to day.
I think it will be mainly a toy for me that the missus might take out once in a while. As I said, she has a bit of a lead-foot on her!t out of herself. If your wife has to drive it too then I suggest you let her drive it before buying. Big boost is not for all.It is a hilariously fun car to drive and devastatingly quick on a b road. I usually find my self driving around with the stereo off, windows open and laughing like a little kid at the whooshes, pops, bangs and braaaaaaaap.
If it's an everyday car then would suggest a Subaru over an Evo as they are a little bit easier to live with day to day.
That being said, I have heard that the Evos are a bit more niggly - things like needing the rear diff adjusting every 2000 Miles or it lunches the gearbox? I am wondering if that, combined with the general consensus that they are pretty bullet-proof, should sway me towards the Type R/P1...
No-one sticking up for the ST185 or the Pulsar/Sunny GTi-R, though - seems there is not much love for either. Looking at the ads and on eBay, those seem to be real performance bargains, or are they just iffy money-pits?
rb5er said:
Impreza type-r is indeed the pick of the bunch and likely the most reliable out of that list too.
Agreed. On the subject of p1 v Type-R it comes down to a preference between DCCD or ABS (although DCCD can be retrofitted easily). The p1 will probably cost more to buy but will be worth more when you sell. Maybe. Also more likely to appreciate long term (or at least depreciate less).
I've had a Pulsar GTI-R, Evo IV and Bugeye Impreza WRX PPP. For your budget of £5k, I'd have an Evo V. There's not a lot to choose between the Evo V and VI, both having the wider track, more reliable bottom end and bigger turbo than the IV. Of all the 4WD cars I've owned, the Evo was definitely the most exciting to drive and I'd definitely have another. The upgrade path for an Evo is also well established and there are plenty of suppliers for any element of the car you could possibly wish to improve.
Lefty said:
Agreed.
On the subject of p1 v Type-R it comes down to a preference between DCCD or ABS (although DCCD can be retrofitted easily). The p1 will probably cost more to buy but will be worth more when you sell. Maybe. Also more likely to appreciate long term (or at least depreciate less).
Good point - I read that DCCD is potentially a bit tricky on the road (maybe just drivers not expecting it to behave the way it does?), but I guess you get used to what you drive. I'd be more tempted by ABS, but most people seem to think the Imprezas need their brakes replacing as a matter of course, so wouldn't you lose the ABS when the new calipers/discs are fitted?On the subject of p1 v Type-R it comes down to a preference between DCCD or ABS (although DCCD can be retrofitted easily). The p1 will probably cost more to buy but will be worth more when you sell. Maybe. Also more likely to appreciate long term (or at least depreciate less).
I guess the fact that the P1 was supposed to be tailored for the UK roads is probably one reason why it appeals - theoretically the basic stuff should be in place and I should only need to put it on a diet to release performance...
SuperVM said:
I've had a Pulsar GTI-R, Evo IV and Bugeye Impreza WRX PPP. For your budget of £5k, I'd have an Evo V. There's not a lot to choose between the Evo V and VI, both having the wider track, more reliable bottom end and bigger turbo than the IV. Of all the 4WD cars I've owned, the Evo was definitely the most exciting to drive and I'd definitely have another. The upgrade path for an Evo is also well established and there are plenty of suppliers for any element of the car you could possibly wish to improve.
There used to be an EVO V where I grew up in that blue/purple colour (reminds me of Cadburys) - always looked *right* to me. It is interesting to hear from someone who has owned a lot of cars on the list - especially when you speak about reliability. It seems the Evo has been getting a bad reputation unfairly!OK, it looks like I need to start keeping an eye out for a two-door Scooby or an Evo V. Thanks guys!
cybertrophic said:
Impasse said:
Caution bump, then gated entrance to Asda.
Brings back memories of Sega Rally: "Long easy right...maybe" "What do you mean MAYBE?!?" *crash*ETA: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09s-c2JVI40
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff