Beginners Rear Wheel Drive Car

[BigMacca]

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.

[BigMacca]

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

[BigMacca]

XitUp said:

I had an S13 200sx for my first car. That was fun.

If you don't mind me asking, why did you buy an IQ over an Aygo?

I had an Aygo actually (not sure if that was a question or if you'd viewed my garage!)...

Have to say, it was a cracking car, lightweight, no power, only safety system was ABS, you could have a bucket load of fun with it. I just wanted something a bit more refined, I quite like my quirky, small cars. When the iQ came out I took one for a drive, going from an Aygo to an iQ is a massive leap in terms of equipment and refinement. The fact the road tax is free, it's a low insurance group (300 a year fully comp) and does 400+ odd miles to a 35 litre tank was an important factor.

I have to admit, I miss the "basic'ness" of the Aygo though, proves you don't need to go fast to have fun.

[BigMacca]

Wow, didn't think my post would generate this much interest!

Thanks to everyone for the responses so far, some good stories and interesting suggestions that I'll be following up!