Affordable (cheap) RWD for b-road fun
Discussion
Hi - I've been trying to think of cars I could get for relatively little money and I can enjoy on backroads. Ideally I want something non-turbo, 2-litre, light. Car you can throw around, something that feels fairly light and responsive. And I want it rearwheel drive. Before they all go ;-) And the price - £2-3k.
A classic choice would be a 3 series BMW - I prefer a four pot, a light engine over the front wheels. I used to flog an old E30 325 around b-roads in Scotland and it was great fun, even if the rear end was a bit crazy at times. I'm not looking for the same experience. I thought maybe a Miata 1.8, and then throw £500-700 on brakes, suspension and freeing up the engine. I actually would like BMW 320si (with the rather under-performing homologation special 2 litre engine) but that is 7k +. And it is a bit heavy at 1400kg.
Anything else that I can get cheap and blast around? RX8 perhaps? So long as it starts after refuel... I'm just dying for a car I can run hard, brake deep, move around a bit but won't kill me when the engine comes on boil.
Thanks!
A classic choice would be a 3 series BMW - I prefer a four pot, a light engine over the front wheels. I used to flog an old E30 325 around b-roads in Scotland and it was great fun, even if the rear end was a bit crazy at times. I'm not looking for the same experience. I thought maybe a Miata 1.8, and then throw £500-700 on brakes, suspension and freeing up the engine. I actually would like BMW 320si (with the rather under-performing homologation special 2 litre engine) but that is 7k +. And it is a bit heavy at 1400kg.
Anything else that I can get cheap and blast around? RX8 perhaps? So long as it starts after refuel... I'm just dying for a car I can run hard, brake deep, move around a bit but won't kill me when the engine comes on boil.
Thanks!
You make a good point about not driving 10/10ths on the public roads. I don't want it to come across I'm going to be driving flat out, pants-on-fire. Rather, if you have car that isn't all about max grip and colossal power, you can get great enjoyment without going extremely fast - it's that balance of knowing you have to manage the grip, use the engine, and when you find an open spot early in the morning, you can drive hard but within limits. I used to get out at 6am and find open roads, with good visibility and drive. It is not without risk, but then again, I would hardly be the only one enjoying a good drive. The key thing of course is not to risk others.
Yes, S2000 is going to be in 6k range by the looks of things.
Yes, S2000 is going to be in 6k range by the looks of things.
Great advice on the MX5 1.6 - the livelier smaller engine looks the way to go. I'll research. You got me thinking hard about this option.
325ti - never thought about; really interesting suggestion and I started googling it. Not what I had in mind but open to new ideas. Never liked the looks but that's not what it is about.
I could stretch the budget to an S2000 although I'm not convinced. Awesome engine, light and involving. I don't want exclude cars just because my original budget makes almost everything out of reach. But an MX5 is at least is a genuine option.
Now, a well fettled Opel Mantra might be solid fun ;-)
325ti - never thought about; really interesting suggestion and I started googling it. Not what I had in mind but open to new ideas. Never liked the looks but that's not what it is about.
I could stretch the budget to an S2000 although I'm not convinced. Awesome engine, light and involving. I don't want exclude cars just because my original budget makes almost everything out of reach. But an MX5 is at least is a genuine option.
Now, a well fettled Opel Mantra might be solid fun ;-)
Thanks. Great info on the MX5 and E36. I had an E36 estate with 1.8 and despite it being very slow I still appreciate how it drove as I hustled through some twisties in rural France. Reading about well sorted PHr's cars is inspiring.
As for the mid-engined ones, I think I would prefer the front engine RWD - I want something pointy and preferably where I don't have 'manage' the rear end - more 'respond' to it.
OK, a 944 for 2.5k is just messing up this landscape of affordable fun... It's all heading for the trackdays :-) I ran 964 for few years and took it to the track a few times. A different beast from the 944 I know, but on the road I enjoyed the experience of driving it and if I wanted to really open it up, I went to the track. I wonder if I'd feel the same with a 944 or an M3.
As for the mid-engined ones, I think I would prefer the front engine RWD - I want something pointy and preferably where I don't have 'manage' the rear end - more 'respond' to it.
OK, a 944 for 2.5k is just messing up this landscape of affordable fun... It's all heading for the trackdays :-) I ran 964 for few years and took it to the track a few times. A different beast from the 944 I know, but on the road I enjoyed the experience of driving it and if I wanted to really open it up, I went to the track. I wonder if I'd feel the same with a 944 or an M3.
e21Mark said:
Actually, it does. Bloo*y exciting! So long as it drives well.
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