Affordable (cheap) RWD for b-road fun

Affordable (cheap) RWD for b-road fun

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Discussion

BricktopST205

885 posts

133 months

Sunday 16th November 2014
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MK2 MR2. 170BHP in a light car. Try and get a moon roof as they are lighter and slightly more rigid unless the targa is your thing.

Riknos

4,700 posts

203 months

Sunday 16th November 2014
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MG TF 160 is a good shout - plenty of grip in the corners and straight line speed, mx-5 wouldn't know where you went (although will be going sideways having more fun) but the interior lets them down.

You wont get one for a tenth of your budget though as someone suggested, but maybe half!

AndyD360

1,380 posts

179 months

Sunday 16th November 2014
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Was going to suggest a 944 - prices seem to be on the up but seen this...

http://retrorides.proboards.com/thread/172781/pors...

Not driven one myself and parts/servicing wise will no doubt sting a little more though.

scrabbling

Original Poster:

8 posts

112 months

Sunday 16th November 2014
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Thanks. Great info on the MX5 and E36. I had an E36 estate with 1.8 and despite it being very slow I still appreciate how it drove as I hustled through some twisties in rural France. Reading about well sorted PHr's cars is inspiring.

As for the mid-engined ones, I think I would prefer the front engine RWD - I want something pointy and preferably where I don't have 'manage' the rear end - more 'respond' to it.

OK, a 944 for 2.5k is just messing up this landscape of affordable fun... It's all heading for the trackdays :-) I ran 964 for few years and took it to the track a few times. A different beast from the 944 I know, but on the road I enjoyed the experience of driving it and if I wanted to really open it up, I went to the track. I wonder if I'd feel the same with a 944 or an M3.

davepoth

29,395 posts

198 months

Sunday 16th November 2014
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AndyD360 said:
Was going to suggest a 944 - prices seem to be on the up but seen this...

http://retrorides.proboards.com/thread/172781/pors...

Not driven one myself and parts/servicing wise will no doubt sting a little more though.
These are also sensitive on tyres - the gearbox is at the back so its weight balance is a bit further to the rear than you might expect. I did a lap on the 'ring in my friend's 944 and with terrible tyres it really did not like trail braking one little bit. The guy who was following me in a 911 GT3 also didn't like my trail braking as he had to slow right down while I spun a bit.

e21Mark

16,205 posts

172 months

Sunday 16th November 2014
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Much as I like the 944, I can't see the type of cars available at circa £2 - 2.5k lasting long before big bills come along.

AM7

268 posts

128 months

Sunday 16th November 2014
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The only thing I can think of that hasn't already been mentioned is an E36 318is, but to be honest an MX5 is probably better in every way for your needs. However an MGTF or MK2 MR2 is what I'd be looking at, very balanced, I'd say better value for money than an MX5 and you can spend the rest of your budget on small modifications to make it exactly how you want.

s m

23,164 posts

202 months

Sunday 16th November 2014
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mark.c said:
I know you said four pot but....325ti?.... Within budget, won't try and kill you and a very capable fun chuckable car.
thumbup

As standard, a more fun car than an E36 328i

If you're going to mod them the E36 though as LSDs are cheaper to sort, Z3 or E46 facelift racks can be sourced, etc

325ti is likely to be less rusty being newer, engine character is more like the revvy E36 325 rather than torquey 328, has a 'short' diff as standard plus the hatch practicality might be useful to you.
Don't get too hung up on the weight, it will depend on spec of individual cars to a certain extent, my 325ti is actually slightly lighter than my old E36 328i saloon.

Try both before you decide

Edited by s m on Sunday 16th November 12:40

curlie467

7,650 posts

200 months

Sunday 16th November 2014
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e21Mark said:
Much as I like the 944, I can't see the type of cars available at circa £2 - 2.5k lasting long before big bills come along.
I was going to suggest a 944 but what about a 924s?
Would be able to get a nice one for that money.

e21Mark

16,205 posts

172 months

Sunday 16th November 2014
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curlie467 said:
e21Mark said:
Much as I like the 944, I can't see the type of cars available at circa £2 - 2.5k lasting long before big bills come along.
I was going to suggest a 944 but what about a 924s?
Would be able to get a nice one for that money.
This looks ideal.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Race-Ready-Porsche-924-R...

T0MMY

1,558 posts

175 months

Sunday 16th November 2014
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I've had a couple of E36s and if lively nimble handling is your thing I personally really wouldn't recommend them. They're lovely cars for what they are but they're not sports cars and are absolute boats to drive compared to something like an MX5. I'd recommend either an MX5 or a MK3 MR2 personally but never driven an S2000.

I'm selling a mk1 MX5 Turbo at the moment too if you're interested but then you said you preferred NA.

Welshbeef

49,633 posts

197 months

Sunday 16th November 2014
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XJ

Heck even an XJR
S type R

E39 530i

scrabbling

Original Poster:

8 posts

112 months

Sunday 16th November 2014
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e21Mark said:
Actually, it does. Bloo*y exciting! So long as it drives well.

scrabbling

Original Poster:

8 posts

112 months

Sunday 16th November 2014
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MK3 MR is probably underrated. It seems like a brilliant motor. It's like a Lotus except a proper car eek

Sway

26,070 posts

193 months

Monday 17th November 2014
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st. Shouldn't have clicked on that 924...

Grest shifts on here - I loved my Eunos, great little B Road car.

OP, you don't mention practicality (or I can't read), but a Seven inspired car is well worth a look if it's a second car. Should be able to pick up a good example of a Fisher Fury/Sylva Striker for that sort of dosh, although it'll likely be using an older generation engine.

Not that that's an issue when it weighs less than a fat girl's bingo wings.

Something else to consider - e36 Compact. Shorter wheelbase, essentially an e30 in drag - but a hell of a lot cheaper than a decent e30.

Loved using my mum's when she had it, and was always tempted to create a swb m3...

T0MMY

1,558 posts

175 months

Monday 17th November 2014
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Welshbeef said:
XJ

Heck even an XJR
S type R

E39 530i
I'm not sure any of them would fall into the category of light and chuckable!

Kit car is a good shout but I think you'd really struggle to get one for under £3k. Maybe a Robin Hood but they're apparently a bit deficient in the handling department. I did pick up an MNR Vortx for £3750 but it was basically a tatty non-runner and needed a lot of work to get it back on the road. It's fantastic now but worth well over your budget in its current state. £4-5k seems to be the best you can hope for for a cheap Sylva, Fisher, older Westfield or maybe an MK Indy.

I think for the budget you have the standard MX5/MR2 suggestion is the way to go, but I'd want a mk3 version of the latter as I find the mk2s a bit stodgy compared to something like an MX5. Depends if speed or handling is more important as mk2 turbos are pretty quick.

Edited by T0MMY on Monday 17th November 10:12

Synchromesh

2,428 posts

165 months

Monday 17th November 2014
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Having owned one, I'd say a mk2 MR2 could be exactly what you're after. Mostly ignore the hype about it wanting to spit you off the road at any opportunity - I think this reputation mainly comes from that fact it's generally bought by a demographic with more ambition than skill (myself excluded of course wink), and recent graduates of FWD hot hatches.

I've spent a lot of time driving MX5s in various guises too. If you like going sideways then this may be the way to go, but the MR2 is more of the scalpel-sharp B-road instrument it seems like you want.

james_gt3rs

4,816 posts

190 months

Monday 17th November 2014
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Synchromesh said:
Having owned one, I'd say a mk2 MR2 could be exactly what you're after. Mostly ignore the hype about it wanting to spit you off the road at any opportunity - I think this reputation mainly comes from that fact it's generally bought by a demographic with more ambition than skill (myself excluded of course wink), and recent graduates of FWD hot hatches.

I've spent a lot of time driving MX5s in various guises too. If you like going sideways then this may be the way to go, but the MR2 is more of the scalpel-sharp B-road instrument it seems like you want.
Almost exactly what I was going to write about the mk3 MR2...

Can pick up good examples for £3k, 975kg, mid engined and LSD, a near perfect car!

Synchromesh

2,428 posts

165 months

Thursday 20th November 2014
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james_gt3rs said:
Almost exactly what I was going to write about the mk3 MR2...

Can pick up good examples for £3k, 975kg, mid engined and LSD, a near perfect car!
Haven't driven a mk3 (yet), but on paper it looks even more suitable than a mk2.

T0MMY

1,558 posts

175 months

Thursday 20th November 2014
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james_gt3rs said:
Almost exactly what I was going to write about the mk3 MR2...

Can pick up good examples for £3k, 975kg, mid engined and LSD, a near perfect car!
If only they'd put the bloody 2ZZ-GE engine in it, it probably would be the perfect cheap fun car and I'd probably have one. Seemed such a no-brainer to me that it actually annoys me slightly that they didn't do it!


Edited by T0MMY on Thursday 20th November 10:20