Desperate need for some rwd suggestions

[g8ape]

S2000 I haven't driven one but have sat in one the seat could have gone back a click or two more to be ideal, but I should go and drive one thanks.

Elise- I didn't dismiss one I do however need to consider my nearest and dearests opinion, plus where's the LSD how come Toyota fit one to an MR2 yet Lotus don't. Also the S2 styling is a bit effeminate is it not???

[ZX10R NIN]

Simple relaxed V8 that you can service yourself.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

And by having the above means you could get this classic
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1987-BMW-M535i-Classic-T...

Japanese options
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Nissan-Skyline-R34-2-5-T...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2011-Mazda-Rx-8-R3-4dr-2...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Toyota-Aristo-Turbo-500b...

Edited by ZX10R NIN on Monday 20th April 23:22

[g8ape]

The Merc is a lot of car for the money, perhaps not too track-able though but makes me think perhaps I need 2 cars now...
The BM is very interesting I do like the shark nose! Thanks

RX7 another car I've not even sat in and should thanks, what's the significance of FD?

BMW 135i again not even sat in one and should thanks

[Impasse]

g8ape said:

Elise- plus where's the LSD how come Toyota fit one to an MR2 yet Lotus don't.

Because they don't like the way an LSD can promote understeer and corrupt steering feel.

[sebhaque]

Slightly biased given my similar history, how about a 370Z? Good fun day-to-day, track capable and easily able to cope with the school run and the DIY-servicing.

I tend not to keep my cars for too long and I think it speaks volumes how much I've enjoyed my 370Z when you consider I've owned it for longer than my 911 and M6 combined - and I enjoyed both of those cars a lot!

[SonicShadow]

ikarl said:

Mr2 mk2..... n/a for revving to the redline and rarely having to worry about it. Turbo for outright speed and bhp bragging!

And it has popup headlights. Which are cool.

With a 15k budget you could buy a decent shell with a dead engine for a decent price and take it to Woodsport for a 300bhp V6 conversion and still within budget.

As much as I like MR2's, I think for £15k I would be looking at other options though.

[ZX10R NIN]

g8ape said:

The Merc is a lot of car for the money, perhaps not too track-able though but makes me think perhaps I need 2 cars now...
The BM is very interesting I do like the shark nose! Thanks

RX7 another car I've not even sat in and should thanks, what's the significance of FD?

BMW 135i again not even sat in one and should thanks

If you want your Merc to do track work then a baffled sump is a must, as for the handling I've found my Penske Coilover set up with poly bushes on certain links more than good enough to keep most track day cars in the rear view without being to compromised for everyday road use, I have this set up on both my clk63 & 320 as well as it soon being added to my CLK55

[g8ape]

g8ape said:
Elise- plus where's the LSD how come Toyota fit one to an MR2 yet Lotus don't.
Because they don't like the way an LSD can promote understeer and corrupt steering feel.

Doesn't a correctly set up LSD only come into play when traction has been broken though, when one wheel is starting to spin it transmits wasted/lost power to the gripping wheel aiding traction and hopefully reducing under steer?

[g8ape]

If you want your Merc to do track work then a baffled sump is a must, as for the handling I've found my Penske Coilover set up with poly bushes on certain links more than good enough to keep most track day cars in the rear view without being to compromised for everyday road use, I have this set up on both my clk63 & 320 as well as it soon being added to my CLK55

That is interesting Much research required thank you!

[g8ape]

I tend not to keep my cars for too long and I think it speaks volumes how much I've enjoyed my 370Z when you consider I've owned it for longer than my 911 and M6 combined - and I enjoyed both of those cars a lot!

That's a high recommendation, again not even sat in one and really must, Thank you!

[Defconluke]

If you like the Elise then worth considering the VX220 too. £15K gets you a nice Turbo model.

Boxster not been mentioned yet, are they that bad to work on?
Likewise, if the V8 M3 is out then I guess something like the 645i (rare in manual form) is out too?

[g8ape]

I met a chap Sunday morning with a VX220 turbo who had done 7ish track days last year and really rated the car it looked good silver with 5 spoke Compomotives. Good thought thanks (I know what my wife will think...)

[sebhaque]

g8ape said:

That's a high recommendation, again not even sat in one and really must, Thank you!

If I'm honest, just sitting in a 370Z is a bit underwhelming. They're built for driving, not for sitting in

I'm Bristol-based but in London occasionally, if you're near either location chuck me a PM and I'll take you for a spin.

[g8ape]

Boxster and non turbo 996 RMS worries put me off, I did research DIY repairs/upgrades but kinda cooled to the idea after that.

BMW 645, I lusted after an M6 when they first came out don't do anything for me now such a large car with limited practicality, again though not even sat in one and should before I judge, thank you!

[g8ape]

ZX10R NIN said:

Simple relaxed V8 that you can service yourself.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

And by having the above means you could get this classic
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1987-BMW-M535i-Classic-T...

Japanese options
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Nissan-Skyline-R34-2-5-T...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2011-Mazda-Rx-8-R3-4dr-2...


http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Toyota-Aristo-Turbo-500b...

Edited by ZX10R NIN on Monday 20th April 23:22

All of those are interesting, the Toyota especially as an awesome sleeper. A year or so ago I wondered about a Supra engine in a Lexus 300 sport cross very similar concept and mega sleeper!

RX8 I like the idea of but read to much about the engine woes, I'm sort of brand biased against Mazda, MX5 rust etc... Doesn't inspire.

Skyline I have driven one and was a little underwhelmed, sad cos I'd promised my younger self I would get one when I could afford it.

Big comfortable luxury Merc with baffled sump and track tyres very interesting!

[Pesty]

VXR8.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

Edited by Pesty on Tuesday 21st April 00:54

[Debaser]

g8ape said:

I've never had a Skyline, RWD only with LSD would be my ideal.

Skyline GTST?

[g8ape]

VXR8 good call, I drove a new Monaro a while back seemed a little slow for the engine size but a quick blast isn't the same as ownership and I know they have a following.

Think this is my dilemma lots of cars to chose from yet don't want to jump to quick and regret latter. I wish I was one of those brand loyal types a friend restored an early MG midget and loved it his enthusiasm was infectious but wen we were out dragged by a TDi people carrier 5 up it seemed pointless to me.

Some great suggestions thanks everyone! Am still open to more options though has anyone fallen in love with a certain type of RWD and would never sell it?

[firewallguy]

g8ape said:

My Griff was a 400 pre-cat, appreciate the 500 thought but it was the lack of roll over/crash protection that killed the Griff for me, Thanks though.

Would the same apply to a Cerbera? Otherwise it ticks all your boxes, especially if you're handy with the spanners and can keep the costs down.

[SturdyHSV]

g8ape said:

VXR8 good call, I drove a new Monaro a while back seemed a little slow for the engine size but a quick blast isn't the same as ownership and I know they have a following.

For £15k (maybe a touch more) you could probably get a Monaro that's already been supercharged. Depending on which supercharger is on there, you're talking between 550bhp and 650bhp, which helps to overcome the effect of the quite tall gearing.

A fair few go for a rear gear ratio swap instead, changing from 3.46 to 3.9, which makes the effective gearing shorter and really wakes the car up.

Most of them are modified, so don't be afraid

Lots of owners around the South East who'd be happy to take you out in one too I'd imagine