Desperate need for some rwd suggestions

[braddo]

g8ape said:

I really like the sleeper concept...

Oohh!! I know just the thing from another thread. Click on the pic to go to the advert. Immaculate E28 5 series with the engine from an E36 M3 and appropriately tweaked everywhere else.

Output Flange said:

Far more interesting:

[g8ape]

Ali_T said:

Tada...

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/c...

At the risk of being called pedantic, I would definitely have had an E30 M3 if they put the wheel on the right side (did find a Birds conversion RHD a few years ago and probably should have bought it). Again I should drive one, tight country lanes where I live is perhaps not the best place for LHD.
Thank you!

[g8ape]

braddo said:

Lovely! I like that a lot!!!

[SuperVM]

g8ape said:

SuperVM said:

Regarding the FD RX7, I wouldn't want a completely standard one. Those two little turbos generate a lot of heat and I found the sequential change-over to be pretty irritating. It's possible to stall the second turbo by changing into the change-over band, as well as having to constantly deal with brittle hoses in the rats' nest. I'd personally want one running a single turbo or at the very least with the rats' nest removed. A metal AST is also a great idea. They are brilliant cars, but not great if you're tall. Even with the standard steering wheel diameter, I couldn't see the top of the gauges and my head was very close to the ceiling of the car.

What is a metal AST please?

Metal Air Separator Tank. The last thing you want in an RX-7 is to lose your coolant and the standard plastic tanks crack, allowing your coolant to fall all over the road and giving you an expensive bill for a rebuild.

[pringle1988]

Nissan Silvia S15. Just got one about a month ago and I am a little bit obsessed by it, such a fun car.
I came from an S2000 and this feels really great to drive in a not too dissimilar way (apart from turbo vs NA). Its also RWD and pretty quick. I use mine as a daily and its been no problem at all although ive only used it for about 1500 miles. The rust is starting to attack it though so im taking it off the road for some welding work in a couple of weeks. Also its 98+ octane required.

[FredClogs]

g8ape said:

FredClogs said:

Motorbike.

How do I charge my phone and where do I put my Tartan rug & chocolate shake?

Never mind that, given your car history I'm not sure you'll be able to get a new and improved motoring experience (given your budget) on four wheels.

[SturdyHSV]

g8ape said:

At the risk of being called pedantic, I would definitely have had an E30 M3 if they put the wheel on the right side (did find a Birds conversion RHD a few years ago and probably should have bought it). Again I should drive one, tight country lanes where I live is perhaps not the best place for LHD.
Thank you!

One thing to consider with LHD is that you can actually position the car much more confidently far over to the left of the road, giving the oncoming car maximum room to get by... So in very wide cars, LHD is actually quite useful

And overtaking in a Corvette is not going to be a problem

[g8ape]

Whitean3 said:

I'm a bit late to the party, but for track day fun, how about a Noble? THere are a couple towards the top of your budget...

Away from the track, has anyone suggested a Maserati 4200 GT yet?

Otherwise, I'd ignore the wife and go for an Elise or Exige. A bit of practice and you'll be hopping in and out without looking too silly I would imagine.

Yes I think your probably right about the Elise, Maserati was mentioned thanks my Dad has one.
Noble interesting, never sat in one and should.
It is looking very much like a what's better than an Elise type thread.
Thank you!

[g8ape]

FredClogs said:

Never mind that, given your car history I'm not sure you'll be able to get a new and improved motoring experience (given your budget) on four wheels.

Yes you could well be right I've been suffering 'failure to launch' now for quite some time. The trouble with over thinking is you worry you've missed something...

[Barkychoc]

SUBARU LEGAGY 3.0 Spec B

A Real Q car that can do it all

[R2T2]

Nissan 200SX
Nissan Skyline GTT (Same engine as the GTR, slightly different design but RWD)
Nissan Silvia?
Mercedes E55?
Mercedes CLS55?
BMW M5/6 (V10)
BMW 335i?

[Panthro]

I'm in the same boat as you and have decided an E46 M3 is the only way forward for me. Very easy to work on too even down to the coding. Loads of parts available at reasonable prices too.

[james_gt3rs]

g8ape said:

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?

The MR2 has a higher ride height and softer suspension so rolls a lot more... therefore the inside wheel can spin up without LSD. To be honest I didn't notice any understeer problems on the MR2 so I don't really understand Lotus's theory.

[ZX10R NIN]

g8ape said:

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!

I really like the Vertex it's such a sleeper really handles with some suspension upgrades & it has the bonus of that 3.0TT from the factory in Japan these have a massive following .

You'll like the Merc with the upgrades with your budget I'd look for a CLK500 with the 5.5 388bhp engine & 7 Speed box it's a very good starting point. PM me for more info

[fushion julz]

g8ape said:

Very good point and depreciation is a big consideration or should be.
My 18 month 'which car cycle' has come back round to Z4M coupe, Z3M must drive one Thank you!

An E30 M3 or Z3M Coupe make ideal trackday cars...However the E30 would need £25k for a standard car in decent condition...You can still get a Z3M coupe for closer to £15k-20k. Handling wise no other saloon car comes close to the E30 on the track.
You will need a baffled sump, though (easy and cheap to do).
I'd bet if you bought an E30 M3 and used it on track you wouldn't/couldn't sell it after 18 months!

If you like the E28 shape you may still be able to find an E28 M5 for £25k ish...and they will never lose any value either.

[otolith]

james_gt3rs said:

g8ape said:

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?

The MR2 has a higher ride height and softer suspension so rolls a lot more... therefore the inside wheel can spin up without LSD. To be honest I didn't notice any understeer problems on the MR2 so I don't really understand Lotus's theory.

As I understand it, an LSD tends to increase understeer on a trailing throttle.

[firewallguy]

g8ape said:

I have a love hate relationship with TVR's I have driven Racing Greens FFF head Tuscan, my ever lengthening 16 year old son and I laughed till it hurt about Cerbera rear seating, quite funny to see a youth grunting like a pensioner trying to extract himself. If its got an excuse for a rear seat then it needs to work better than that.
I like T350's & Sagaris although the latter is way over priced in my opinion.

Its all about that expensive straight six engine, I love the concept but the reality, longevity etc... bit scary maybe?

Cerbera V8 flat plane crank limited numbers, all sounds like potential big bills.
Are Cerbera's more reliable than I'm giving them credit for?

Thank you for the idea though!

I know what you mean about the rear seats, my lad is only six and fits a treat, useful storage space though otherwise.

Regarding reliability, as long as you buy a good one to begin with, don't skimp on servicing, and use it regularly then it shouldn't be too much of a worry. The AJP V8 is actually quite a robust engine and can be good for up to 100k miles without a rebuild.
The main issue, as you know if you've had a Griff, is chassis rot, so an inspection on ramps prior to purchase is advisable.

[g8ape]

Panthro said:

I'm in the same boat as you and have decided an E46 M3 is the only way forward for me. Very easy to work on too even down to the coding. Loads of parts available at reasonable prices too.

E46 M3 is a hard car to beat for versatility and performance, may be shouldn't of sold mine

[g8ape]

Barkychoc said:

SUBARU LEGAGY 3.0 Spec B

A Real Q car that can do it all

I bought an estate new in 07, I was disappointed shouldn't of had the C43 AMG Merc just before it. Thanks though

[g8ape]

pringle1988 said:

Nissan Silvia S15. Just got one about a month ago and I am a little bit obsessed by it, such a fun car.
I came from an S2000 and this feels really great to drive in a not too dissimilar way (apart from turbo vs NA). Its also RWD and pretty quick. I use mine as a daily and its been no problem at all although ive only used it for about 1500 miles. The rust is starting to attack it though so im taking it off the road for some welding work in a couple of weeks. Also its 98+ octane required.

Thanks I think the rust you mention probably warns me off, however I wont rule one out