RWD cars w/ rear seats w/ safe and fun tail-wagginess

[BadBanshee]

The only RWD cars with rear seats that I can think of are BMW, Mercedes (both just a bit too big and executive apart from the 1-series and new A-class), Toyota GT86 (dream car atm), Toyota Supra (poor economy and a bit too tail-waggy?).

There's a whole host of RWD cars that are 2 seater but I just don't think I could live without rear seats. I make long motorway journeys back home every month or so, and in my Swift Sport the boot is usually filled and I put some stuff on the rear seats too. Love my Swift Sport and I want to buy the GT86 when it's about 10k, but I'm thinking that's a long time (4 or 5 years?) to wait before I get my first RWD car.

Is the market for affordable practical RWD cars really that tiny? How did I get into this minority?

[Captain Muppet]

The Supra dates back to the 90's, and isn't exactly small (yet has a tiny boot). So you could have a 200SX (S13 or S13), Skyline GTS (R32, R33 or R34 depending on budget), RX7 (FC or FD), RX8, IS200, 944, 968, Excel, any number of American cars that 300bhp/ton will suggest and all the smaller cars from BMW and Mercedes (except the A class). I've missed loads of cars there I'm sure. Plus you could have a 350Z and just bundle stuff in to it - if you aren't using the seats for people then all you need is volume to stuff stuff into.

My drive of the GT86 reminded me most of my FC RX7. Fuel economy was dreadful, but then the car was cheap, so it didn't matter.

But if you want practical, RWD, 4 seats, not too big and economical then a 3-series will do, which is why they are so common. They also do a compact version which is smaller like this. If £1100 is under budget you can buy a nicer one, with an MOT.

[kambites]

There's plenty of older cars around but not a huge number of newish ones, no.

[Dave^]

BadBanshee said:

Love my Swift Sport...

Eh? What happened to the 106?

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[BadBanshee]

(cough) crashed it (cough)

Is the BMW 3 series (low power ones for insurance reasons) good for safe low speed drifting? Basically, a car as close to the ethos behind the Toyota GT86 as possible is what I'm after, but like 99% of those interested in the GT86, I don't wanna blow 25k on a car.

[Gooly]

E30s good for tail-wagging on demand, E36s need a little bit more commitment, its heavier with better multilink rear suspension that makes the back end feel quite planted.

Old volvos go sideways quite easily.

[Captain Muppet]

If a cheap drift machine is what you want then you need to pop over to the DriftWorks forum and have a look at the cars for sale. It should give you some ideas.

Volvo 340s and 360s were the bargin practical drifter last time I looked, but they are slow and ugly. It all depends on what you can afford.

If you can stretch to a 2.0 200SX/Silvia it should tick all your boxes - same sort of power and weight as a GT86 and a standard LSD.

[BadBanshee]

Gooly said:

E30s good for tail-wagging on demand, E36s need a little bit more commitment, its heavier with better multilink rear suspension that makes the back end feel quite planted.

Old volvos go sideways quite easily.

Is the E30 a death trap though? Plus what is it like for mod cons? Aux input etc.

I wonder if the GT86's double wishbone rear suspension is suppose to help in creating oversteer.

[300bhp/ton]

BadBanshee said:

Gooly said:

E30s good for tail-wagging on demand, E36s need a little bit more commitment, its heavier with better multilink rear suspension that makes the back end feel quite planted.

Old volvos go sideways quite easily.

Is the E30 a death trap though? Plus what is it like for mod cons? Aux input etc.

I wonder if the GT86's double wishbone rear suspension is suppose to help in creating oversteer.

Are you being serious when you say stuff like 'death trap'??? Do you have any idea how many e30's BMW sold over the years, or indeed e36 compacts and Z3's (used the same rear suspension). Not too mention the millions of other cars built over the years that don't use the latest IRS setups.


A Porsche 924/944 or a Lotus Excel would make a first rate 2+2 RWD coupe. If fuel isn't an issue check out RX7's and RX8's.

Edited by 300bhp/ton on Tuesday 26th February 16:41

[Robb F]

S14a 200SX

[Captain Muppet]

BadBanshee said:

Is the E30 a death trap though? Plus what is it like for mod cons? Aux input etc.

I wonder if the GT86's double wishbone rear suspension is suppose to help in creating oversteer.

I've had 2 E30s and have not died. While oversteer is there for the taking you can drive them normally instead, just like everyone did in the 80's. As for mod cons, you might want to look elsewhere if you want ABS and airbags. Stereos are also likely to be tape decks, if you're lucky - still a modern stereo is only £50.

Don't get too hung up on suspension - pretty much all layouts can be oversteery or grippy depending on how they are set up and the tyres used. I've drifted my E30s on track, and drifted AE86, RX7, Skylines, 200SXs, Silvias and my MX5. Lots of different suspension layouts, but the thing that makes them go sideways is the driver.

[Freddy88FM]

BadBanshee said:

(cough) crashed it (cough)

Oh dear! One fewer in the world... pushing my value up / down more slowly!

What happened?

[JB8]

BadBanshee said:

Is the E30 a death trap though?...

No safer than a 106 I'd have thought! If you're looking for a 'sideways' car surely safety must be low on your priorities?

[HustleRussell]

BadBanshee said:

Is the E30 a death trap though? Plus what is it like for mod cons? Aux input etc.

[Chris71]

If you can live with the rear seats on a GT 86 then a Porsche 924/44/68 would be an option.

They're sublimely balanced cars if by safe you mean predictable. Really practical too, with a huge boot under that rear hatch. Also cheaper than you might expect to run.

[V8RX7]

None of the cars you've mentioned are remotely too oversteery or if they are it's only because they are on ditchfinders.

If you can cope with the looks, a BMW Compact is ideal - personally I can't and would have a 3 series.

An E30 is a great car but they are old so if you want more comfort I'd try an E36 (I find the E46 dull to drive)

An NA supra Mk4 isn't a bad car nor is a 944 particularly an S2 or Turbo

[Leins]

BadBanshee said:

Is the E30 a death trap though? Plus what is it like for mod cons? Aux input etc.

I wonder if the GT86's double wishbone rear suspension is suppose to help in creating oversteer.

Complete deathtrap, avoid! Danger!!! Danger!!!


I hate the idea of modern stereos going into E30s btw

[TheHeretic]

Infiniti cars are RWD and have back seats. They are also imported from Japan as Nissan.

[BadBanshee]

300bhp/ton said:

Are you being serious when you say stuff like 'death trap'??? Do you have any idea how many e30's BMW sold over the years, or indeed e36 compacts and Z3's (used the same rear suspension). Not too mention the millions of other cars built over the years that don't use the latest IRS setups.


A Porsche 924/944 or a Lotus Excel would make a first rate 2+2 RWD coupe. If fuel isn't an issue check out RX7's and RX8's.

Edited by 300bhp/ton on Tuesday 26th February 16:41

Hey, I didn't mean anything by it. I'm just saying, is the oversteer easy or hard to manage? I don't have a fking clue that's why I'm here.

Also, I doubt a RR car is exactly the recipe for safe and fun oversteer

[J4CKO]

The 944 S2 will slide but really, with it having the gearbox at the back and no LSD it isnt the ultimate drift machine, my thinking is that the best drift cars have a slightly front balanced weight distribution, a limited slip differential and plenty of power, the 944 is perhaps a little too well balanced, but as has been mentioned, tyres, setup, driving style and several other factors dictate what does and doesnt make a good drift machine and why the 200SX is the ultimate, limited slip diff, plenty of turbo grunt and not enough weight over the rear.