My first RWD car....
Discussion
Morning All,
Looking ahead to after I have purchased a house in the coming months I am wanting something cheap and fairly easy to work on as a project car. Never had a RWD car before however I am interested to find out what all the fuss is about in comparison to a FWD car. I have had a Suzuki Ignis Sport in the past and loved it. Light, manual gearbox, just enough power and gripped the road very well.
Looking to spend around £1000-£1500. My options that I have thought of that interest me so far are:
- MK3 MR2 (Light, 6speed and LSD if I get the right year - on initial impressions it seems like it would be a sense of occasion with it being a mid engine RWD car)
- IS200 (straight 6 engine, a bit gutless I have been told but again a project car so no doubt I would do something to help with power, manual, very cheap car for the money and plenty of them about. I know it isn't light however I would intend on stripping the interior)
- If I drive both of the above and I'm not fussed for them could be tempted for another Ignis Sport and ignore the whole RWD thing completely.
(Not fussed for the mk1/mk2 MX5s before folk suggest it as I would like something a little bit different, they don't really do anything for me. Also I know I could get an MGF however I have owned a MK1 ZT190 in the past and having swapped it in for the Suzuki Ignis Sport I much prefer the Jap car build quality).
Any other suggestions I have not thought of, or thoughts on a MK3 MR2 or IS200 would be great to hear!
Looking ahead to after I have purchased a house in the coming months I am wanting something cheap and fairly easy to work on as a project car. Never had a RWD car before however I am interested to find out what all the fuss is about in comparison to a FWD car. I have had a Suzuki Ignis Sport in the past and loved it. Light, manual gearbox, just enough power and gripped the road very well.
Looking to spend around £1000-£1500. My options that I have thought of that interest me so far are:
- MK3 MR2 (Light, 6speed and LSD if I get the right year - on initial impressions it seems like it would be a sense of occasion with it being a mid engine RWD car)
- IS200 (straight 6 engine, a bit gutless I have been told but again a project car so no doubt I would do something to help with power, manual, very cheap car for the money and plenty of them about. I know it isn't light however I would intend on stripping the interior)
- If I drive both of the above and I'm not fussed for them could be tempted for another Ignis Sport and ignore the whole RWD thing completely.
(Not fussed for the mk1/mk2 MX5s before folk suggest it as I would like something a little bit different, they don't really do anything for me. Also I know I could get an MGF however I have owned a MK1 ZT190 in the past and having swapped it in for the Suzuki Ignis Sport I much prefer the Jap car build quality).
Any other suggestions I have not thought of, or thoughts on a MK3 MR2 or IS200 would be great to hear!
Another vote for the MR2. Now that I have mine I don't mind the value increasing with their reputation!
Check for oil burning, rotten rear subframe. If the steering feels stiff/inconsistent it'll probably be the lower UJ as it's exposed and gets crusty. Check the rad isn't leaking.
Mine had all bar the subframe (from what I can see).
Check for oil burning, rotten rear subframe. If the steering feels stiff/inconsistent it'll probably be the lower UJ as it's exposed and gets crusty. Check the rad isn't leaking.
Mine had all bar the subframe (from what I can see).
Blayney said:
Another vote for the MR2. Now that I have mine I don't mind the value increasing with their reputation!
Check for oil burning, rotten rear subframe. If the steering feels stiff/inconsistent it'll probably be the lower UJ as it's exposed and gets crusty. Check the rad isn't leaking.
Mine had all bar the subframe (from what I can see).
I would try and buy one that isn't too rusty but if I havn't got much of a choice is the sub frame something can be easily changed yourself or is it a mechanic's job? I would say I am fairly ok with a spanner if the task isn't overly complicated hahaCheck for oil burning, rotten rear subframe. If the steering feels stiff/inconsistent it'll probably be the lower UJ as it's exposed and gets crusty. Check the rad isn't leaking.
Mine had all bar the subframe (from what I can see).
Slipperywang said:
How about an old 3 series bmw ? Handle well and good reliability. Also very good at going sideways compared to a MR2/MX5.
Had thought about a E36 M3 but they are going up in value not many around for £1000-£1500. Could go E46 but I think running costs could be similar to the ZT190 I had. Plus the E46 BMW image.....I'm not keen on contributing towards it! lol300bhp/ton said:
What do you want RWD for?
You are looking at very different cars, they fact they are both rwd doesn't really mean anything tbh.
Yeah I thought that as I was typing the original post. If I had to put it into a specific criteria it would be:You are looking at very different cars, they fact they are both rwd doesn't really mean anything tbh.
- RWD
- £1000-£1500 budget
- light weight if possible, if not will strip it
- manual gearbox
- Fairly reliable hence leaning towards jap cars rather than anything else, from previous experiences
Doesn't have to be a specific type of car as long as it ticks the above boxes to be honest. And if I end up test driving them and not liking them I may end up getting another ignis sport
tomrunner said:
Yeah I thought that as I was typing the original post. If I had to put it into a specific criteria it would be:
- RWD
- £1000-£1500 budget
- light weight if possible, if not will strip it
- manual gearbox
- Fairly reliable hence leaning towards jap cars rather than anything else, from previous experiences
Doesn't have to be a specific type of car as long as it ticks the above boxes to be honest. And if I end up test driving them and not liking them I may end up getting another ignis sport
Is it for track use? The Lexus will likely always feel heavy. You can only strip so much weight out of a car. And tbh taking the interior out of the Lexus is probably the wrong thing to do, just make for a horrid road car.- RWD
- £1000-£1500 budget
- light weight if possible, if not will strip it
- manual gearbox
- Fairly reliable hence leaning towards jap cars rather than anything else, from previous experiences
Doesn't have to be a specific type of car as long as it ticks the above boxes to be honest. And if I end up test driving them and not liking them I may end up getting another ignis sport
The MR2 is light, you won't find much lighter tbh, not mass produced and not of similar or newer era, not unless you spend big or go for something very specialised.
The MR2 will reward smooth driving, it won't be a drift machine. Precise, neat precision corner to corner. And it should reward big for this. Although mid/rear means it might get snappy if you push past the limits.
If you want something to be able to slide about more, then you'll want to look elsewhere.
OpulentBob said:
I wouldn't be hugely surprised - you are more likely than most to know of some under-the-radar RWD tank-slappery US suggestion for peanuts...
Sadly there is very little these days. Some of the cheaper stuff just isn’t about anymore. Think most went to Europe for some reason. They rest has gone up in price. Entry level is probably near to £6k these and really not much choice until you get nearer £10k. Mr Tidy said:
J BMW E46 325ti (the Compact) Sport
Not had one, but have a 330ci, the 325 had a good cult following which must be fore a reason, the sport helps the bumper appeal a lot.I had a E36 compact and even in lowly 1.6 8v format it was a hoot to drive as a daily only a couple of years ago, nothing expensive stopped in running, mainly only ditched it as the elec windows and heater box failed and it was becoming too hard as a daily. If I had the drive space I would have kept it as a third car. Sold to a friend of a friend for £500 with £500 worth of MOT work pre-sale.
Obviously MX5 if you dont mine rust.
Daniel
I've been wondering about the 325Ti Compacts - IIRC they're the same wheelbase as a standard 3-series but with shorter overhangs, so shouldn't be snappy at the limit?
I think my main worry is reliability and servicing/parts costs to fix issues - as a 'premium' brand I do wonder what the 'BMW tax' would be on such things.
I think my main worry is reliability and servicing/parts costs to fix issues - as a 'premium' brand I do wonder what the 'BMW tax' would be on such things.
Ive paid 'BMW tax' on a thermostat housing and top hose, and a rocker cover gasket, as fitted a used wishbone. Shocks I went bistine b4 and eibach to avoid the most nasty aftermarket options but your unlikely to fit OEM suspension to any car.
In five years 3series motoring, generally wouldn't say I've noticed the parts cost significantly more comparing it to my pug 306 or ford based kitcar. Pattern part water pump, nissains/hellabehr rad, etc.
Others commented welcome, but it's certainly not mad expensive.
Daniel
In five years 3series motoring, generally wouldn't say I've noticed the parts cost significantly more comparing it to my pug 306 or ford based kitcar. Pattern part water pump, nissains/hellabehr rad, etc.
Others commented welcome, but it's certainly not mad expensive.
Daniel
I had my E46 325ti for 3 years and didn't find costs too bad.
Unfortunately a few months after I bought it the radiator started to leak - it had the usual E46 banana shape at the bottom!
Took it to my local BMW Indy and had a new rad, thermostat, Expansion tank (they're prone to splitting), temp sensor and auxiliary drive-belt fitted and the bill was £470.
It was the next generation BMWs where prices started to get out of hand - £300 for an AGM battery fitted and coded on a 1 Series!
£500 for an electric water pump for a Z4 Coupe - luckily Euro Car Parts sell the same part for about half that, but it still needs fitting!
Anyway the E46 325ti Compact drives really well - the wheelbase, track and suspension layout is the same as any E46, but they are just a bit more sporting. SE or Sport models all have M-Sport suspension and M-Sport seats regardless, and I think they have the stiffest front ARB of any E46 - other than the M3 of course!
They have a bit of a following on here.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Unfortunately a few months after I bought it the radiator started to leak - it had the usual E46 banana shape at the bottom!
Took it to my local BMW Indy and had a new rad, thermostat, Expansion tank (they're prone to splitting), temp sensor and auxiliary drive-belt fitted and the bill was £470.
It was the next generation BMWs where prices started to get out of hand - £300 for an AGM battery fitted and coded on a 1 Series!
£500 for an electric water pump for a Z4 Coupe - luckily Euro Car Parts sell the same part for about half that, but it still needs fitting!
Anyway the E46 325ti Compact drives really well - the wheelbase, track and suspension layout is the same as any E46, but they are just a bit more sporting. SE or Sport models all have M-Sport suspension and M-Sport seats regardless, and I think they have the stiffest front ARB of any E46 - other than the M3 of course!
They have a bit of a following on here.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
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