Desperate need for some rwd suggestions

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I have been trawling the 'what car for certain budget' posts for 18months now hoping I'll discover something I hadn't thought of.

My ideal budget is 15k but would sell a kidney to get to 25k if inspired.
I've had a 996tt, E46 M3 coupe, E39 M5, Griffith, C43 AMG estate & saloon, STi Impreza, Evo 9 mrfq360, S3, E36 M3, a few Cosworths years ago.
Best cars owned rose tinted possibly by time passing 2.8i Capri, BMW E36 323 coupe, E39 540i touring and E34 M5.

I don't want an MX5.
I've recently driven a Caterham 260 on the road and have driven a R500 on track and don't feel there safe for the country lanes where I live.
I quite like the idea of an Elise but my wife said I looked silly getting in and out of the one I tried.

BMW Z4M coupe is interesting they seem thin on the ground currently.

I don't fancy a V8 M3 and C63 Merc wont really suit my preference for DIY servicing or that's my perception.

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

MR2 mk3 with Celica engine is tempting as a cheap Elise and way under budget.
I am really struggling to find a car for fun, the odd track day, single child sunny day school run and DIY-able.
All suggestions welcome

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I quite like Supras I did drive an auto last year, manual preferred obviously.

Disregarding spousal opinion (if I put my brave trousers on) I think an Elise is top of the list

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Hmm pop up headlights I like them a lot, I've come close to an 8 series BM purchase because of them.

Are low mileage mk2 MR2's still findable?

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Porsche 944 turbo, are they the ones with a rear mounted gearbox or am I getting my transmissions crossed? I like the idea but perhaps a little old now. Sorry I hope I don't irritate everyone here as much as I irritate myself with my indecision.

Thank you!

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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.

GT86 I will go and drive one, good call thanks!

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300zx bit old for me but I like them never even sat in one so probably should.

Cosworth I've had 2 4x4 sapphires, a 3 door and a 2wd saloon wish I had a huge garage and was wise enough to keep them.

E92 M3 never even sat in one I think they probably do lots of things well (including clocking up large dealer type bills) but they don't grab me if that makes sense, I should go and drive one though thanks!

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3200/4200GTs my Dad has a 4200 (he bought it for my mum, awesome man maths) its... I don't like the shape, I like the rear lights and bonnet vents. My E46 M3 kept with it quite successfully on back roads and to be honest I was backing off in places. Thanks though

I had a 1996 550 Vantage and it killed Astons for me I hate to say it but it was my dream car for many years, the build quality was shocking and I had to put the seat back on the motorway to get comfortable and then remember to put it forward at roundabouts to reach the clutch pedal, I'm 6'2" so not massive for a large GT.

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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???

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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

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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?

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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!

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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!

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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...)

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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!

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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!

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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?

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Thanks again! More options to consider, good point re lighter track cars which I think is why I keep thinking Elise or VX220 but then of course less regularly 4 seats are useful, I suppose the question is do I combine some needs or focus on one in particular.

We currently have a Rav, Landcruiser and Forester 4eat running 300bhp, so probably have bad weather, tip trips & DIY covered, I think my ever growing short list of cars to drive/revisit is now-

Elise/VX220
MR2 mk2 & 3
370zx
BM 135
GT86
Monaro SC
Shark nose BM
E92 M3
Merc AMG of some kind - perhaps drifting into the more car than I need..
I really like the sleeper concept also but it does seem a great way of throwing cash away unless you buy someone else's project.

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firewallguy said:

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.

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!

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J4CKO said:

That is quite a range, MR2's to Supercharged Monaros !

Yes your right I need to refine more!

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sandman77 said:

My money would go on a Z3m Coupe. They come with the added bonus that they wont lose any money in depreciation.

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!