Desperate need for some rwd suggestions

[300bhp/ton]

OverSteery said:

skyrover said:

It's not a defender, it's a series which is 2wd/4wd selectable.

Defenders are full time 4wd although you can make them 2wd by either buying a kit from Ashcroft, or pulling off the front prop and locking the center differential

Is converting to 2wd common? Are Land rovers taking to the drift scene?

Exceedingly rare. The reason for the kit is if you want to fit the LT230 transfer box to a Series Land Rover, this will give it full time 4wd. But Series Land Rover's run UJ's on the front axle, not CV's and aren't really suited for this.

So if you want the latter transfer box (usually with the latter 5 speed gearbox, over the Series 4 speed one), then you buy the kit to convert it a 2wd option.

As a side note, Santana of Spain used to build Land Rover's as CKD's and had their own variants. The last of the line was the PS-10.

It's essentially the final development of the Series 109 Land Rover. It has a 109" wheelbase, uses the LT230 transfer box and R380 5 speed gearbox. But can be used in 2wd High Range.

The PS-10 is arguably a better vehicle than the Defender 110, lots of improvements Land Rover never bothered to implement. Wider rear door, no seat boxes, bigger arches, optional rear LSD.

[300bhp/ton]

skyrover said:

RWD: Check
Fun: Check
Track day: Check (dirt track)
Sunny day: Check (take roof off)
School run: Check
DIY: Check.. you wont get a more DIY friendly car.

+1 to all the above

Seems they get used 'on' track too:

[AOK]

I got very close to buying one of these about 3 years ago... and they are almost exactly the same price they were back then.
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/b...

Nice left field alternative to a Z4M, with added rarity factor and (IMO) the most gorgeous oem alloys ever to have been offered on any BMW

[British Beef]

Mazda RX8.

I never gave them a 2nd look and believed all the hype about engines popping after 5 minutes and thought they looked awkward. Now one sits on my drive my opinion has changed on all fronts.

My M5 (E39) daily driver is currently off the road for some restoration and I needed a fun 2+2 to tie me over. I found a 40th anniversary RX8 near where I lived, and for 15% the cost of a 997 911 I tried, I think I have got a better car for my needs.

If engine is looked after, then 100 k miles is possible, the R3 engine variable (2010-2014) had additional oil lube port in engine improving reliability. They do drink petrol and oil and fall into top car tax bracket - only downsides so far.

The chassis is excellent, good steering, the engine is a screamer, its RWD, LSD and actually has usable +2 seats even a 6 footer can get into.

A full engine rebuild, with 2 year warranty is "only" £2k, so even that is not the end of the world.

Just my thoughts.

Edited by British Beef on Tuesday 24th May 17:41

[romac]

Here you go! and right in the price range...
Infiniti G Convertible 3.7 V6 GT Premium 2dr - the rich man's 370
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/used-cars/infiniti/g/u...

Or it's coupe sibling...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/used-cars/infiniti/g/u...

Edited by romac on Tuesday 24th May 17:49

[jmcc500]

Did I miss someone suggesting a Cayman S? 987s less prone to xMS issues than earlier cars, come in on budget or you could be in a Gen 2 within your stretch budget. Not many nicer handling cars in my (perhaps biased) opinion.

That or the newest supercharged Jag you can get :-)

[The Obeast]

Thought about a Lexus ISF?

[baby g]

Sorry to be that guy, but stretch your stretch budget and get yourself in one of these
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/h...

Would be right up your street. Full disclosure, it's my car, hard to see how you'd go wrong

[g8ape]

AOK said:

I got very close to buying one of these about 3 years ago... and they are almost exactly the same price they were back then.
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/b...

Nice left field alternative to a Z4M, with added rarity factor and (IMO) the most gorgeous oem alloys ever to have been offered on any BMW

Good call for some reason I hadn't even thought Alpina fiddled with Z4's, thanks!

[g8ape]

300bhp/ton said:

Exceedingly rare. The reason for the kit is if you want to fit the LT230 transfer box to a Series Land Rover, this will give it full time 4wd. But Series Land Rover's run UJ's on the front axle, not CV's and aren't really suited for this.

So if you want the latter transfer box (usually with the latter 5 speed gearbox, over the Series 4 speed one), then you buy the kit to convert it a 2wd option.

As a side note, Santana of Spain used to build Land Rover's as CKD's and had their own variants. The last of the line was the PS-10.

It's essentially the final development of the Series 109 Land Rover. It has a 109" wheelbase, uses the LT230 transfer box and R380 5 speed gearbox. But can be used in 2wd High Range.

The PS-10 is arguably a better vehicle than the Defender 110, lots of improvements Land Rover never bothered to implement. Wider rear door, no seat boxes, bigger arches, optional rear LSD.

I looked at LR's a while ago and couldn't get warm, but obviously didn't look hard enough, thanks for this!

[RobEB]

How about a C55? If you can find one ? 350-odd HP....

[g8ape]

British Beef said:

Mazda RX8.

I never gave them a 2nd look and believed all the hype about engines popping after 5 minutes and thought they looked awkward. Now one sits on my drive my opinion has changed on all fronts.

My M5 (E39) daily driver is currently off the road for some restoration and I needed a fun 2+2 to tie me over. I found a 40th anniversary RX8 near where I lived, and for 15% the cost of a 997 911 I tried, I think I have got a better car for my needs.

If engine is looked after, then 100 k miles is possible, the R3 engine variable (2010-2014) had additional oil lube port in engine improving reliability. They do drink petrol and oil and fall into top car tax bracket - only downsides so far.

The chassis is excellent, good steering, the engine is a screamer, its RWD, LSD and actually has usable +2 seats even a 6 footer can get into.

A full engine rebuild, with 2 year warranty is "only" £2k, so even that is not the end of the world.

Just my thoughts.

Edited by British Beef on Tuesday 24th May 17:41

Ive just strongly advised a friends wife against one of these, but they have always appealed faults aside, really really good value if they do last! Thanks for this!

[g8ape]

romac said:

Here you go! and right in the price range...
Infiniti G Convertible 3.7 V6 GT Premium 2dr - the rich man's 370
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/used-cars/infiniti/g/u...

Or it's coupe sibling...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/used-cars/infiniti/g/u...

Edited by romac on Tuesday 24th May 17:49

Ive just been looking at this, this afternoon

http://www.goodmayesmotors.co.uk/used-car-nissan-s...

Great minds..!!

[g8ape]

The Obeast said:

Thought about a Lexus ISF?

Yes I had thanks they don't quite look right to me but Ive never sat in one so should do really, Thanks!

[g8ape]

RobEB said:

How about a C55? If you can find one ? 350-odd HP....

Yes good car but nothing there for the home tinker-er, and I do like to tinker.

Strangely of all the kind suggestions the Land Rover has me the most intrigued, Ive got to an age maybe...

[g8ape]

jmcc500 said:

Did I miss someone suggesting a Cayman S? 987s less prone to xMS issues than earlier cars, come in on budget or you could be in a Gen 2 within your stretch budget. Not many nicer handling cars in my (perhaps biased) opinion.

That or the newest supercharged Jag you can get :-)

Ive read up lots on the Cayman and various for's and against vs the Z4, I prefer it to the Boxster but they don't call to me for the money they command. But Ive not even driven one and should so thanks!

[Alias218]

Despite this being a year old thread, I would recommend a 350Z. £15,000 will buy you a last off the line (2009) car with change left over for tinkering. 308bhp for the later models, comfy, safe, bullet proof and will stick it's tail out at the mere thought of provoking it. I may biased, but for the money you get an awful lot of car.

[Hugh Jarse]

[Jackspistonheadsaccount]

note I haven't read the whole thread, but what about a BRZ/GT86. Not the most powerful but within budget and don't Cosworth do a supercharger for it?

[NITO]

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/...

Edited by NITO on Tuesday 24th May 20:31