I despise FWD cars and get bored driving them, but RWD doesn?t seem practical due to the snow.

[boyRacer]

Originally posted by: Thraxen

Not like you really get to use a RWD for what it can do anyway

I bet that applies to 95% of the people here... they all just say RWD because it's the popular answer. I bet most just drive to work and on errands while stuck in traffic like the rest of us.

Exactly. :beer:

 

[Jumpem]

Originally posted by: bR

Originally posted by: Thraxen

Not like you really get to use a RWD for what it can do anyway

I bet that applies to 95% of the people here... they all just say RWD because it's the popular answer. I bet most just drive to work and on errands while stuck in traffic like the rest of us.

Exactly. :beer:

RWD makes any driving more fun. Even just driving a mile to the store, or a 85 mile drive to work.

 

[boyRacer]

Originally posted by: Jumpem

Originally posted by: bR

Originally posted by: Thraxen

Not like you really get to use a RWD for what it can do anyway

I bet that applies to 95% of the people here... they all just say RWD because it's the popular answer. I bet most just drive to work and on errands while stuck in traffic like the rest of us.

Exactly. :beer:

RWD makes any driving more fun. Even just driving a mile to the store, or a 85 mile drive to work.

How? You go flooring it at every corner just so the back steps out?... If a cop saw you doing that... uh oh.

 

[beatle]

Originally posted by: Jumpem
Please, feel free to be a salesman.

Miatas are inexpensive to buy, maintain AND insure. They're incredibly reliable and when parts DO finally break, they're relatively cheap. Despite this, they're rarely stolen, unlike a Civic or Integra.

Like I mentioned they have perfect 50/50 weight distribution which makes for predictable handling. If you're really concerned with snow, put a few big bags of kitty litter or oatmeal in the trunk for some extra weight over the drive wheels. Possibly one of the better parts of owning a Miata is the Miata Forum, a place that rivals AT for knowledge. There's also a huge aftermarket of nice stuff if you're into functional add-ons (not so much rice for the Miata).

I have a 92 Miata now, and I'm looking for a lower mileage 94-97 to get the torsen lsd, bigger brakes, bigger engine, and better bracing, but the 90-93s aren't boring by any stretch.

Did I mention the top goes down?

 

[Jumpem]

Originally posted by: beatle

Originally posted by: Jumpem
Please, feel free to be a salesman.

Miatas are inexpensive to buy, maintain AND insure. They're incredibly reliable and when parts DO finally break, they're relatively cheap. Despite this, they're rarely stolen, unlike a Civic or Integra.

Like I mentioned they have perfect 50/50 weight distribution which makes for predictable handling. If you're really concerned with snow, put a few big bags of kitty litter or oatmeal in the trunk for some extra weight over the drive wheels. Possibly one of the better parts of owning a Miata is the Miata Forum, a place that rivals AT for knowledge. There's also a huge aftermarket of nice stuff if you're into functional add-ons (not so much rice for the Miata).

I have a 92 Miata now, and I'm looking for a lower mileage 94-97 to get the torsen lsd, bigger brakes, bigger engine, and better bracing, but the 90-93s aren't boring by any stretch.

Did I mention the top goes down?

So what years and options should I look for? Do you think I'll be able to find something decent for $3-4k, or would I have to spend more?

Thanks again!

 

[kami333]

Originally posted by: geno

Originally posted by: Jumpem

Originally posted by: geno
Get a mid 90's Subaru Legacy or Impreza, that'll fit the bill nicely. I've driven a Forester in the snow and it handled it with no problems, the AWD system is very capable in incliment situations

I know an AWD Subaru would get around fine, but does it have the fun to drive part down?

135 HP, enough to be peppy, and if you get the Impreza RS you can be sure it handles nice too... not sure if the RS comes with more HP, I'll go look...

EDIT - yes, the RS has 165HP, might be more expensive than you're looking to spend.

It's 142ish for later 90s 2.2Ls.

AWD is not always 50/50 though, it can be anywhere from 50/50 on manual WRXs to 90/10 on 4eat Imprezas and Legacies, which you can force into 50/50 in 1st or 2nd.

 

[DrPizza]

Bah!
Boring is front wheel drive in the snow.
I'd much rather have rear wheel drive - so much more fun!
I think I've put my pathfinder into 4WD only once in the past 4 or 5 years for driving in the snow, except when climbing unplowed hills or offroading in the snow.

 

[kami333]

Originally posted by: Jumpem

Originally posted by: beatle

Originally posted by: Jumpem
Please, feel free to be a salesman.

Miatas are inexpensive to buy, maintain AND insure. They're incredibly reliable and when parts DO finally break, they're relatively cheap. Despite this, they're rarely stolen, unlike a Civic or Integra.

Like I mentioned they have perfect 50/50 weight distribution which makes for predictable handling. If you're really concerned with snow, put a few big bags of kitty litter or oatmeal in the trunk for some extra weight over the drive wheels. Possibly one of the better parts of owning a Miata is the Miata Forum, a place that rivals AT for knowledge. There's also a huge aftermarket of nice stuff if you're into functional add-ons (not so much rice for the Miata).

I have a 92 Miata now, and I'm looking for a lower mileage 94-97 to get the torsen lsd, bigger brakes, bigger engine, and better bracing, but the 90-93s aren't boring by any stretch.

Did I mention the top goes down?

So what years and options should I look for? Do you think I'll be able to find something decent for $3-4k, or would I have to spend more?

Thanks again!

I just got a 95 Legacy for $3100 a month ago after I totaled my 99 OBS

 

[thedarkwolf]

You could just buy two cars thats what I did.

I have an 89 5.0l mustang for the nicer weather and an 89 caravan turbo for a beater which is also faster then most of the cars listed sofar . If your not 24 yet insurance could be a bitch but you could leave one off the insurance depending on the time of year. I've driven a few RWD cars in the winter and with good snow tires they really aren't that bad.

 

[Flyermax2k3]

Bwahahaha! Buy a DSM $3-$4k to spend on an AWD car, get a DSM. Just make sure you have it checked out by a mechanic before buying

 

[Adul]

Originally posted by: thedarkwolf
You could just buy two cars thats what I did.

I have an 89 5.0l mustang for the nicer weather and an 89 caravan turbo for a beater which is also faster then most of the cars listed sofar . If your not 24 yet insurance could be a bitch but you could leave one off the insurance depending on the time of year. I've driven a few RWD cars in the winter and with good snow tires they really aren't that bad.

are you running 11's in that thing

 

[SuperTool]

Wait 10 years and get a used G35 AWD.
AWD, but only when you need it

 

[thedarkwolf]

Originally posted by: Adul

Originally posted by: thedarkwolf
You could just buy two cars thats what I did.

I have an 89 5.0l mustang for the nicer weather and an 89 caravan turbo for a beater which is also faster then most of the cars listed sofar . If your not 24 yet insurance could be a bitch but you could leave one off the insurance depending on the time of year. I've driven a few RWD cars in the winter and with good snow tires they really aren't that bad.

are you running 11's in that thing

Not yet . Its probably around 15 flat maybe high 14s rightnow.

 

[beatle]

Originally posted by: Jumpem
So what years and options should I look for? Do you think I'll be able to find something decent for $3-4k, or would I have to spend more?

Thanks again!

90-91.5 Miatas have a short-nosed crankshaft that can be prone to breaking, but even then it may not be a big deal. Many people have taken their cars with these shorter crankshafts to over 200k miles.

I bought my 92 in June of 2000 for $5200 w/91k on the clock. I doubt you'll be able to find a 94+ without high mileage for less than $4k, but you might get lucky. There's a boatload of info on the differences of Miatas found here and here.

You might also do a search on the Miata forum on "best year" and "favorite year" to see what other people think.

 

[Jumpem]

Originally posted by: Flyermax2k3
Bwahahaha! Buy a DSM $3-$4k to spend on an AWD car, get a DSM. Just make sure you have it checked out by a mechanic before buying

DSM's are out. My cousin has one that I'm not that impressed by. He wants to do alot of mods to it, and I think it'd end up being a competition.

 

[Salvador]

RWD with traction control and snow tires (All 4 tires) if you have to drive in the winter. My 2wd car will spank any SUV on the road in the winter when I have my Bridgestone Blizzak's on. I love to drag SUV's from the light when the roads are snow packed. You should see the looks on their faces.

Sal

 

[Jumpem]

Originally posted by: Salvador
RWD with traction control and snow tires (All 4 tires) if you have to drive in the winter. My 2wd car will spank any SUV on the road in the winter when I have my Bridgestone Blizzak's on. I love to drag SUV's from the light when the roads are snow packed. You should see the looks on their faces.

Sal

What do you drive?