Second Car Advice - RWD and 4WD Only

[redgriff500]

I have a Supercharged MX5 as a fun car but I want something for long trips with a bit
more comfort / space, to replace my BMW 328 and Prelude Vtec.

Rules :
It must be rear or 4 wheel drive
Must cost under £8,000, the cheaper the better
Fun to drive but with some comfort
Some practicality would be handy
Insurance is irrelevent, mpg above 20 would be nice.

So far I have come up with:

Toyota Supra NA or Twin turbo
Porsche 944, S2 or turbo
Skyline GTS 2.5 single turbo
M3
Celica GT4
Legacy Twin Turbo


I don't want a money pit so I'm ruling out the RX7.

As it will be sometimes parked on the road outside my girlfriend's, I
don't think I'd risk a Cossie, EVO or Impreza plus I'd prefer a coupe to a
saloon.

I think the GTiR looks horrid and whilst I'd love an old M3 I'm not
willing to have LHD and they seem overpriced.

Comments and suggestions welcome particularly if you own one of my 'list'

Mark

[redgriff500]

I think it is the Mk4 - the one with the big headlights 92 - 96 I think... but are they fun ?

The reason I'm thinking the NA might be better is that you can use the gears etc and not be into warp speed - some cars are just too quick for the roads these days.

I'm torn with the Legacy... effectively twin turbo Impreza running gear without the constant worry of it being stolen, against the fact it looks like your Dads car...

I had an S2 and it only managed 22mpg at 80mph in 6th, averaged 14 !

I forgot to mention I'd want a manual and I think they only did the 2.7 T.Turbo in an auto, I'll check on the S6 but I think that's the same.

Vixpy1 - I see you have a Legacy and used to have an M3, as I tend to do fast A roads over motorway whenever possible would you still reccommend the GTB, which is more fun ?

Thanks

Mark





>> Edited by redgriff500 on Tuesday 27th December 15:16

[redgriff500]

Good suggestions, but not many owners so far....

I don't think the Forester is for me, the MR2 and 300ZX being solely 2 seaters are too limited really. I don't think a Smart needs commenting on.

A mate had the VR4 and reported 14mpg which isn't acceptable, I get around 26 from both the BMW and Prelude.

I had an S13 200SX and it had terrible seats, low headroom and was laggy is the 2ltr much better, or to put it another way, as it gives up 500cc to the Skyline, surely it's inferior to that ?

I'm not a fan of the M5, having driven one, it doesn't have the low down punch of the 535, it drives more like a big 16v, tremedous engineering achievement, but not fun.

I have had a 944 turbo before and liked it but thought I'd see what else was on offer, so I think the short list is :

944 S2 or Turbo
Skyline GTS
M3 3.0 or Evo
Supra NA or TT

Anyone got any links to good reviews ?



>> Edited by redgriff500 on Tuesday 27th December 23:01

[redgriff500]

Thanks again,

FTO and Corrado are both front wheel drive IIRC.

Well after reading the posts and the review it looks like the NA supra would be a poor choice and really the TT is stretching it a bit.

The M3 is very practical but I'm bored of my 328 and fancy a change so I guess that means:

944 v Skyline GTS... the Skyline is more practical

Anyone own a Skyline ?

[redgriff500]

Yes I borrowed a Scooby for a few weeks and found it too easy to drive fast, also it understeers and is front biased. Not to mention 8 were stolen within a 10 mile radius of my house in 2 weeks.

Supras... I would only have a manual (and not white) and I've only seen TT ones on Ebay and A trader upwards of £8,000, nice ones £10 - 12000.

Interesting that you have a Supra and reccommend an M3... as did the guy who had a twin turbo Legacy...




>> Edited by redgriff500 on Wednesday 28th December 18:55

[redgriff500]

You can use an SC'd MX5 everyday but they aren't really long distance cars, plus as mine has modified exhaust, seats, suspension etc it's more fun but less comfortable, mine has around 190bhp and is faster than a UK impreza to 100mph, being lighter and rwd, over that the Scooby makes a come back.

I don't find autos fun, even the tiptronic, admittedly I'd have one if I lived in London etc but fortunately I don't !

I couldn't justify the GTR so it was the GTS I was considering, however if the 2.0 200SX is as good as you say I'll go and try one, but if you look in my profile you'll see I was less than impressed with my 1.8 200SX... sold it after 3 months. Can you fit adults in the back of the SX - it looks like you can in the Skyline.