First turbo car

[Mudgey]

Hey guys,

I have owned a fair no of cars but have yet to own something turbo, I am currently thinking s14 200sx and would like to spend between 3-4k. How are these cars to drive and own?

To date this is what I have had so far (in no particular order):

2x Mazda 323f
Citroën Saxo 1.1
2x Civic vti 1.8
BMW 316 e36
BMW 318 e30 estate
KIA sportage
Honda prelude 2.2. 5th gen
S2000
Jag x-type 2.1

(got interupted half way through posting). Ok so I am interested in a turbo car because I have not had anything turbo, even if it is slower it doesnt matter as powder delivery is everything. With N/A cars the torque curve is pretty much straight whereas I want something that gives that large torque increase when it comes on boost!

Edited by Mudgey on Thursday 17th March 20:15

[nottyash]

Mudgey said:

Hey guys,

I have owned a fair no of cars but have yet to own something turbo, I am currently thinking s14 200sx and would like to spend between 3-4k. How are these cars to drive and own?

To date this is what I have had so far:

2x Mazda 323f
Citroën Saxo 1.1
2x Civic vti 1.8
BMW 316 e36
BMW 318 e30 estate
KIA sportage
Honda prelude 2.2. 5th gen
S2000
Jag x-type 2.1

Not really much faster than an S2000 or Prelude 2.2, They are about the same power just more torqey with the turbo.

[Godzuki]

MR2 turbo... Not much faster for the price, if anything. 245 bhp standard, rwd, mid engined. Comfy as fook.

[GravelBen]

nottyash said:

Not really much faster than an S2000 or Prelude 2.2, They are about the same power just more torqey with the turbo.

S2000 yes, but a Poolude isn't really in the same league. I have an old mag test somewhere of S14a vs VTiR vs MR2(Rev3 NA) vs WRX - the WRX walked it overall but the 200SX was fairly close on raw pace, the Prelude was a loong way behind.

[Mr MXT]

GravelBen said:

S2000 yes, but a Poolude isn't really in the same league. I have an old mag test somewhere of S14a vs VTiR vs MR2(Rev3 NA) vs WRX - the WRX walked it overall but the 200SX was fairly close on raw pace, the Prelude was a loong way behind.

The postlude if you will.

[Wadeski]

blatant plug: im putting a 350bhp dyno'd MR2 turbo up for sale at the weekend for 4k....

[RobCrezz]

Godzuki said:

MR2 turbo... Not much faster for the price, if anything. 245 bhp standard, rwd, mid engined. Comfy as fook.

Good suggestion. The power delivery is nice in the MR2 (rev3 onwards), and its a great start for someone who hasnt had a turbo car before as you can hear the turbo making all the nice sounds right behind your head.

The 200sx is also good, not as much grip or traction as the MR2 but much more easy to control on the limit.

[mmcd87]

I'd get a newage Impreza personally.

Something like -

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/2547281.htm
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/2574859.htm
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/2458602.htm
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1848325.htm

You get the idea

[paulmoonraker]

+1 for a WRX. You could get a really nice one. Simple map etc and you will have 270bhp.

[Mastodon2]

I recently bought my first turbo car, sorry to let the side down but it's Spanish, not Jap! You've got the right idea, the Japanese have made some amazing turbo cars and if you can stretch your budget to buy and run one (of course we can, we're petrolheads!) you will have some awesome times with whatever you buy.

[nottyash]

GravelBen said:

nottyash said:

Not really much faster than an S2000 or Prelude 2.2, They are about the same power just more torqey with the turbo.

S2000 yes, but a Poolude isn't really in the same league. I have an old mag test somewhere of S14a vs VTiR vs MR2(Rev3 NA) vs WRX - the WRX walked it overall but the 200SX was fairly close on raw pace, the Prelude was a loong way behind.

The very last ones were 200BHP red top engined in manual form, these were better than the earlier ones. ive owned 4, and 2 of which are this variant (have one now in fact). Trust me an S2000 is faster...Just.
Couldnt keep with the scoobys though on a straight. Just doesnt have the pace, but they handle better than both Impreza's ive owned both W plate classic and a 51 plate WRX by a long way, they are in a different league.
The 200SX is 200BHP, where as the Imprezas were 215 and 219, so i cant see there being anything in it.
The Rev 3 Turbo MR2 Rev 3 is quickest, no doubt, but handling is terrible.
Ive owned most of the cars you talk about

[Godzuki]

handling on an MR2 tubby is on no way terrible! How so?

[rb5230]

You could get a nice classic impreza. Test drive one and see what you think, then test drive some other turbo cars and decide what u like most.

[nottyash]

Godzuki said:

handling on an MR2 tubby is on no way terrible! How so?

Its not brilliant is it?

Drive a MK1 MR2 and see what good balanced handling is

[Godzuki]

nottyash said:

Its not brilliant is it?

Drive a MK1 MR2 and see what good balanced handling is

Have done... It was nice, but the mk2 ain't a sports car, it's a GT car. However, that does not mean it handles terribly. Personally, I found the tubby to be a lovely precise machine. It wasn't something you would drift about, BUT, if you wanted to have a precise, smooth car, it was lovely. Accelerating in a corner was a delight, as the rear squats down, and you just power round... Very nice. The MK1 was more elise like handling wise, BUT, the MK2 NA still whoops it's but in the race series!

[nottyash]

Godzuki said:

nottyash said:

Its not brilliant is it?

Drive a MK1 MR2 and see what good balanced handling is

Have done... It was nice, but the mk2 ain't a sports car, it's a GT car. However, that does not mean it handles terribly. Personally, I found the tubby to be a lovely precise machine. It wasn't something you would drift about, BUT, if you wanted to have a precise, smooth car, it was lovely. Accelerating in a corner was a delight, as the rear squats down, and you just power round... Very nice. The MK1 was more elise like handling wise, BUT, the MK2 NA still whoops it's but in the race series!

Funny you should say that, I was after an Elise and bought a MK 1 MR2 instead a few years ago.
I used my MR2 Turbo rev 3 on long motorway journeys, and it was great. I spent a few quid on making the handling a bit better though.
The MK 1s were certainly not fast, but they are fun.

Edited by nottyash on Friday 18th March 21:11

[GTiRLee]

I'm currently in my first turbo car .
So im going to recommend a Nissan Pulsar GTIR .
4 wheel drive so nice and sure footed and 230bhp from stock and despite the reputation of week gearbox they will take 350 bhp with an uprated clutch all day . :-)

[RobCrezz]

I wouldn't say the mk2 was a bad handler, but I agree its not as good as the mk 1. It's got tons of grip and traction, and in turbo form it really feels rapid!