What RWD for £8500?

[speedyollie]

I've recently sold my lovely DC2 Integra Type R to make the move to something with more power and rear wheel drive. Questions is, what?

It's got to be useable (i.e. not drive me nuts with NVH) but practicality isn't important. The Integra was an amazing car in terms of its handling and feedback, so I want something that will really excite me like it did. The car must be capable on tracks and should hold its value well (although that's not a major concern). I'm 23 but with 3 years no claims but insurance isn't too much of an issue, even on Gp 20 cars (I've phoned the company for speculative quotes).

The shortlist so far:

E36 M3
Elise S1
RX7 Efini (twin turbo)
Chimaera (seem to be a few cheap ones around now, but they'll probably be quite rough and best avoided)?

Thanks!

[tomtom]

The Elise will instantly need a bit spending on it, unless you get lucky. I got one for around 8500 a month or so back and it needs ~£500-700 of stuff doing to it before long. It's mechnically sound though.

>> Edited by tomtom on Wednesday 22 March 11:31

[speedyollie]

What does it need mate?

[tomtom]

Nothing serious, brake discs/pads all round and the rev counter looking at. I've done the best part of 1000 miles in it, including a hard drive to Goodwood, and it's behaved perfectly.

>> Edited by tomtom on Wednesday 22 March 11:36

[speedyollie]

Sounds alright, I guess you've always got to budget for things like that if you're buying a cheaper example of any car

[teen_cerbera]

Toyota Supra like this one www.pistonheads.com/sales/68724.htm
or try 4WD Like this
www.pistonheads.com/sales/69894.htm

[tomtom]

The way I looked at it was that it was a later example ('99) had a lot of money spent on keeping it serviced with a highly regarded specialist and had the mods done which I'd only do myself if I bought a standard S1. Quite happy to buy a cheaper car that needs some minor work doing, as long as it's mechanically and physically sound. If you do fancy a cheaper Elise, get it inspected by a specialist before parting with the cash, it's £100 well spent.

[mrdanbartlett]

M3 - you'll get a good one for £8k. Generally very reliable, good fun to drive and can be made pretty good for track work. My mate has one for sale if your interested, mint Estroil blue, 82k, N reg 3.2 Evo, leather, sports seats, vanos sorted etc £7995.

Others would be good but less reliable, depends on the mileage you do I guess.

[mrdanbartlett]

www.pistonheads.com/sales/69269.htm

Said M3 that I can vouch for.

[lord summerisle]

MkI MX5 + some money left over for some 'upgrades'

[speedyollie]

MX5 from an Integra would be a step down for me

That M3 looks really nice, just a shame it's over in Essex. I'll keep an eye out for it though, I'm on holiday next week so won't be viewing anyway.

[lord summerisle]

speedyollie said:

MX5 from an Integra would be a step down for me That M3 looks really nice, just a shame it's over in Essex. I'll keep an eye out for it though, I'm on holiday next week so won't be viewing anyway.

crossflow powered 7? £7/8k range. dunno if you could live with it as a dailyD

[touchingcloth]

www.pistonheads.com/sales/65122.htm

Oh yes

[gaz1234]

beemer

[jagdpanther]

touchingcloth said:

www.pistonheads.com/sales/65122.htm Oh yes

That is fooookin stunning

[r988]

The RX7 fits the criteria well, just have to be careful in picking a good one, or buy one cheap with a knackered engine and get a nice fresh one put in so you know exactly where you stand.

Others to consider

S15 200SX
S2000
Z3 M Coupe
MR2 GTT

[touchingcloth]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

I think we are correct on this,

CAN A MOD CLOSE THIS THREAD PLEASE, NO FURTHER DISCUSSION REQUIRED

speedyollie, consider yourself ordered to buy this asap, report back with pictures of resultant grin as soon as possible please.



>> Edited by touchingcloth on Wednesday 22 March 13:11

[Raify]

r988 said:

Z3 M Coupe

For £8,500 ??

[_VTEC_]

What about an E30 M3?

[dern]

I had the same budget and plumped for a v8 westfield having driven a few of the other suggestions. Nothing came close to the excitement. I don't need to use it everyday though but I guess you could if you were keen.

If you don't need the same level of performance then both the 4.0l chim and the basic elise are nice drives if you're handy with the spanners. I'd go for the elise over the chim purely because of the potential pain in the arse that's the chassis.

If you're not so hot with the spanners and don't have a specialist on your doorstep then something jap or german would be a better plan.

Regards,

Mark