Beginners Rear Wheel Drive Car

Beginners Rear Wheel Drive Car

Author
Discussion

BigMacca

Original Poster:

70 posts

189 months

Sunday 9th May 2010
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Hi All

Not posted on here in a while, but figured the best place to get advice is from the people that have been there and done it! I've done a bit of searching round, but can't really find an article that helps answer my question.

I'm looking at moving into the world of rear wheel drive within the next year, as a way of developing my skills so I can eventually go towards a Cerbera/Griffith. My biggest problem is, I don't know what to get! A few Rally Driver family friends have said I should go for something small, lightweight with not overly much power, just so you can start to feel what's going on and get used to everything.

In terms of current cars, I have a Toyota IQ as a daily driver with a UKDM Integra Type R for the weekends. I take my driving very seriously, I'm currently going for my IAM and Roadcraft is a well 'dog eared' book now! I try to learn a lot about the dynamics of my car and how it reacts to different situations (on track) and would consider myself a relatively competent driver for my age range (22) who can 'make safe progress'.

My initial thoughts were a Mark 1 MX5, but it has a perceived culture of being a girls car? If not, an old-school (but unfortunately, expensive) Toyota Corolla AE-86 Levin. A lot of people are saying a cheap BMW, but that kind of goes against what I've been told?

Does anyone have any ideas or advice as to where I should start looking to enter Right Wheel Drive??

Thanks in advance,
Ben.

paddyhasneeds

50,781 posts

209 months

Sunday 9th May 2010
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I wouldn't say the MX5 is a girls car, I have a Boxster which has the same stereotype attached and usually if you do get it thrown at you it's by someone in something st.

I can't think of much else that compares to an MX5 for £3k or so tbh?

MrV

2,748 posts

227 months

Sunday 9th May 2010
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BigMacca said:
My initial thoughts were a Mark 1 MX5, but it has a perceived culture of being a girls car?

Ben.
There is a good reason why it crops up in just about every what car post on here and that is it is a great little rear wheel drive roadster.


Are you really that worried about what other people think about the car you drive ?

v1paul

723 posts

175 months

Sunday 9th May 2010
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A leggy z3?

v1paul

723 posts

175 months

Sunday 9th May 2010
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Scrap that, MR2?

anonymous-user

53 months

Sunday 9th May 2010
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We all joke about MX-5's but its hard to beat, especially as a beginners sports car!

BigMacca

Original Poster:

70 posts

189 months

Sunday 9th May 2010
quotequote all
Good point about the MX5s, saw a nice V-Special Edition with 60k miles for under £5k. Not overly bothered about what people think, again, it's a stepping stone to something bigger and LOUDER :-D

I did look at MR2s, just thinking that for someone who's not really driven rear wheel drive before that's a lot of weight to lose when the back end steps out? I'm building a list now though, which is good!

Feel free to throw more ideas at me!

Thanks again,
Ben

Edited by BigMacca on Sunday 9th May 15:58

Steameh

3,155 posts

209 months

Sunday 9th May 2010
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Supra tt.

Its powerful, but heavy. Mine handled like a dream.

Mattt

16,661 posts

217 months

Sunday 9th May 2010
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Just buy what you want and get training.

fido

16,752 posts

254 months

Sunday 9th May 2010
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944 / 968.

Benjybh

1,937 posts

178 months

Sunday 9th May 2010
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You could get a very sorted MGB GT for that:

Linky

Not enough power/speed to get you into too much trouble but massive, massive fun - especially in the wet!

omgus

7,305 posts

174 months

Sunday 9th May 2010
quotequote all
Cheap beginners RWD car.

MX-5
I have wanted an MX-5 for ages and for a reason they are cracking, drive one then decide.

Old Beemer
Any older 3 series. Plenty to choose from and they can be lots of fun, although it must be remembered that the newer the BMW the fatter it is.

MR2: mk1 or mk2 but they are mid engined.
I had one and sold it, the OH missed it so much she got one, it can be hugely rewarding, it can be a snappy git that wants to hurl you into a hedge depending on conditions and driving style. I was also a much better driver when i drove one everyday, because they don't forgive stupidity.


ETA Oh and it shouldn't matter what people think of your car if it puts a smile on your face.

Edited by omgus on Sunday 9th May 16:03

madala

5,063 posts

197 months

Sunday 9th May 2010
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...MX5....you need look no further.....

Benjybh

1,937 posts

178 months

Sunday 9th May 2010
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And if you can push your budget up to £5k, you can get possibly the best looking car for the money:

Triumph GT6

A glorious sounding straight-six, looks sublime. Remember insurance for the MGB and this will be dirt cheap too: I pay £860 TPFT on an MGB, aged 17 as my first car.

NiceCupOfTea

25,280 posts

250 months

Sunday 9th May 2010
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BigMacca said:
Good point about the MX5s, saw a nice V-Special Edition with 60k miles for under £5k. Not overly bothered about what people think, again, it's a stepping stone to something bigger and LOUDER :-D

I did look at MR2s, just thinking that for someone who's not really driven rear wheel drive before that's a lot of weight to lose when the back end steps out? I'm building a list now though, which is good!

Feel free to throw more ideas at me!

Thanks again,
Ben

Edited by BigMacca on Sunday 9th May 15:58
You could get a nice Mk.1 V-spec/S-spec with 60k for a lot less than that! Reckon my 94 1.8 S-Spec with 65k miles is worth 2k!

heebeegeetee

28,591 posts

247 months

Sunday 9th May 2010
quotequote all
BigMacca said:
My initial thoughts were a Mark 1 MX5, but it has a perceived culture of being a girls car? A lot of people are saying a cheap BMW, but that kind of goes against what I've been told?
This tells me you are definitely mixing with the wrong people. smile

Try meeting up with proper car fans and they'll put you right.

PS There's nowt to driving a rwd car at all. Everyone used to do it.

RB26DETT

2,519 posts

174 months

Sunday 9th May 2010
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Ford Sierra Twincam ??

Pothole

34,367 posts

281 months

Sunday 9th May 2010
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Why is there so much mystique attached to rear wheel drive cars? I can understand it with something with a few hundred BHP but unless you're stupidly heavy-footed you're unlikely to get in any trouble with a 'normal' RWD car, aren't you?

theironduke

6,995 posts

187 months

Sunday 9th May 2010
quotequote all
MonkeyMatt said:
We all joke about MX-5's but its hard to beat, especially as a beginners sports car!
Ignore what people say about MX5's i bet most of the "oh only girls/hairdressers/gayers drive them" brigade have never driven one. I've had mine for 4 months or so and bloody love it, it gets a lot more use than my manual 928 aswell...which should say something wink Ignore what people say and get one bought, you will love it!

Dimski

2,099 posts

198 months

Sunday 9th May 2010
quotequote all
BigMacca said:
Good point about the MX5s, saw a nice V-Special Edition with 60k miles for under £5k. Not overly bothered about what people think, again, it's a stepping stone to something bigger and LOUDER :-D

I did look at MR2s, just thinking that for someone who's not really driven rear wheel drive before that's a lot of weight to lose when the back end steps out? I'm building a list now though, which is good!

Feel free to throw more ideas at me!

Thanks again,
Ben

Edited by BigMacca on Sunday 9th May 15:58
As said, you cannot read motoring press or even threads on here without noticing that they are well respected. In Evo's top ten Drivers cars of all time for example.

A very easy introduction to RWD. Other alternatives? What about BMW 318is? The is is a different car to the normal 318. Staying with the BMW line, what about 325, or early 328?

You could go older. MG midget's can be a fantastic drive. Or early Ford Escort? - These shouldn't lose any value either...

If your eventual aim is a TVR, it's hard to ignore the mx-5 overall. Same front engine, RWD config, light, small and very easy and cheap to run. I think from all my suggestions, it's still the one I go for. Stuff what people think, the enjoyment I get on a good road, or track is great. It may not be as quick as my old Audi (or on the road TBH even the Mondeo diesel) but it is far more fun. Especially roof down!