Idiot seeks JDM info

[OverSteery]

I am looking for a manual, rear wheel drive, 4 door estate, with decent bhp - I guess that's 250 minimum, 400+ preferred. My current HSV GTS would be prefect except as a saloon the dog can't come too. To me, flappy paddle isn't manual BTW. I really don't want a battle over whether RWD and manual are better, but they are very much what I personally want.

I can't see such a car on the European market (with the possible rare exceptions of 3 or 5 series but I had a 540 and M5, and didn't like either). Are the any cars that I don't know about in the Jap market, which I could try and source a grey import? Its an area I am ignorance of.

Budget £8-12k

any thoughts appreciated.

[Bdevo3]

Nissan stagea.

[furrywoolyhatuk]

Beat me to it, nissan stagea is the way to go.

[themanwithnoname]

Stageas are awd and auto. Unless you get a rocking horse poo RS Four S (not to be mixed up with the relatively common RS4S) or the now 18-22k RS260 Autech. Which are still awd

[Google [bot]]

Toyota Caldina, but 4wd.

[Heaveho]

Evo 9 wagon, rare but desirable, there were a couple for sale recently on the MLR.

[Axeboy]

Not JDM, but as there is a lack of choises for Manual/RWD/Estate what about the MG ZT-T v8? Rare, but seems to fit

[OverSteery]

Axeboy said:

Not JDM, but as there is a lack of choises for Manual/RWD/Estate what about the MG ZT-T v8? Rare, but seems to fit

Indeed, one of the very few non-BWM that fit. I have considered them, although I am nervous, they are rare and I would say a bit like Beta software, not fully tested before release. I know that the owners have largely done a great job in completing Rovers product development.

MGOC said:

As both the Rover and MG V8 models were developed under the same X12 and X13 project codes (saloon and tourer) they are all identified under the same VIN codes, so that number is within the total of 883 V8 cars made. The same lack of detail is known about the split of saloons to tourers, although the ratio in both MG and Rover ranges is estimated at approximately 10 to 1.

so there probably under 100 out there.


So I starting to think that there isn't a JDM option..

Edited by OverSteery on Tuesday 7th February 08:47

[GravelBen]

themanwithnoname said:

Stageas are awd and auto. Unless you get a rocking horse poo RS Four S (not to be mixed up with the relatively common RS4S) or the now 18-22k RS260 Autech. Which are still awd

Rwd ones are relatively common, but only with the lower spec engines AFAIK (NA RB20 and RB25).

Manual versions of any Stagea are extremely rare though I agree.

[TotalControl]

There is one more option, if you can find it.

Lexus IS300 Sportcross in manual conversion. Most (if not all) are auto but you may find one that is converted already. They have the Supra engine in them, so what some are doing is mating them up to the Supra manual getrag gearbox.

[themanwithnoname]

GravelBen said:

Rwd ones are relatively common, but only with the lower spec engines AFAIK (NA RB20 and RB25).

Manual versions of any Stagea are extremely rare though I agree.

Ahh yes, I'd completely forgotten non-turbo variants, which would of course fall off OPs radar even further!

Still regret not getting a 260rs instead of my Forester STI sometimes. Especially given what's happened with the prices of late.

[TheJimi]

Swallow the AWD aspect and go for a Forrester or Legacy STI?

Like most folk, my first thought was Stagea. The AWD is very rear biased on those anyway, iirc.

[KarlMac]

TheJimi said:

Swallow the AWD aspect and go for a Forrester or Legacy STI?

Like most folk, my first thought was Stagea. The AWD is very rear biased on those anyway, iirc.

ATTESA is more or less RWD full stop, with the front wheels only getting involved very late into proceedings. Certainly a lot more lairy than my Evo or Impreza with their permanent 4wd.

I would have a look at an Impreza or Evo wagon though. Unfortunately most manufacturers assume someone wanting an estate wants comfort.

I think your budget should stretch to a decent Stagea with an aftermarket manual conversion

[mizx]

There's one late model Stagea, a limited 'Axis 350' with RWD and manual. http://www.goo-net-exchange.com/usedcars/NISSAN/ST...

This is the only other estate I could find with RWD, manual and decent power (280), I assume conversions as there's only two on the site and no evidence of a spec level that came with manual. http://www.goo-net-exchange.com/usedcars/TOYOTA/MA...

[Google [bot]]

mizx said:

There's one late model Stagea, a limited 'Axis 350' with RWD and manual. http://www.goo-net-exchange.com/usedcars/NISSAN/ST...

This is the only other estate I could find with RWD, manual and decent power (280), I assume conversions as there's only two on the site and no evidence of a spec level that came with manual. http://www.goo-net-exchange.com/usedcars/TOYOTA/MA...

I was going to suggest that but I did read the wagons were auto only, so agreed, likely a conversion.