Looking for a RWD car.

[Aikouka]

Essentially the title says it all. I've been seriously considering looking into a second car to compliment my Altima. I'd like to find a low-to-mid-90's car with more of a maneuverability slant to it rather than top speed (i.e. more prowess in the twisties rather than top speed). It'd also be nice to avoid cars with less reliability. I've really only been looking at Japanese imports at the moment, but if you know of any domestics that would fit the bill, no harm in mentioning it!

I doubt I'll be buying one until earlier next year, but I wanted to get a leg up on some research, scope out prices, etc.

 

[Zenmervolt]

1986 or newer Porsche 944. If the maintenance is done they will run forever. Just be sure to change the timing belt every 30,000 miles and try to get one that has already had the clutch replaced (original clutches use rubber center and not springs, which degrades over time even though the friction material is usually good for 150,000-200,000 miles, new clutches have spring centers).

If you just want a turn-key car that you probably won't have to work on, I've always liked the MR2.

ZV

 

[mwmorph]

240SX are popular and you can probably find one with an upgraded suspension for pretty cheap.

Lexus SC300/400 have also come down in price considerably, considering ti used to be a $50K car in 1992 which translates into what is like a $80K car now. It is tuned more for sport touring, but the great thing is many OEM/Aftermarket Supra MK4 parts are interchangeable including the suspension, motors, seats, etc.

Motorcycle?

 

[Arkaign]

^^ Much respect to Zem, and I think the Porsche would be a lot of fun.

I vote for the 240SX, as they can be found in pristine condition, are easy to work on, and are pretty reliable. Also possible to go nuts with one with a whole Silvia makeover if you wish, and the RB26DETT makes one hell of a transplant.

 

[Aikouka]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
1986 or newer Porsche 944.

Ahh the 944, I completely forgot about Porsche when I first started looking. Although I'm not too abreast on their price, but I do want to avoid a car that has a "popularity price" or a "prestige price" (in other words, more expensive than a car of that age and make really should be). I don't know if the 944 is like that, but it's something I forgot to mention in the OP.

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
If you just want a turn-key car that you probably won't have to work on, I've always liked the MR2.

An interesting car that I forgot about too! I'll have to add both of those to the mental list to look at.

Originally posted by: mwmorph
240SX are popular and you can probably find one with an upgraded suspension for pretty cheap.

I'll admit that the 240SX was one of the first cars I took a peek at. The only problem is, it seems people tend to give them a popularity price as well. I mean I saw an old '91 on Autotrader that had no modifications (engine, suspension or even looks) and the guy was trying to sell it for 5k!

After that, I looked at the car's "beefier cousin" the 300ZX. The normal models seem to have a decent price, but the Twin Turbo cars look to garner quite a price tag (I saw them range from 5k to 10k).

Originally posted by: mwmorph
Lexus SC300/400 have also come down in price considerably, considering ti used to be a $50K car in 1992 which translates into what is like a $80K car now. It is tuned more for sport touring, but the great thing is many OEM/Aftermarket Supra MK4 parts are interchangeable including the suspension, motors, seats, etc.

The car looks a lot like a Ford Focus . That in itself kind of turned me off.

Originally posted by: mwmorph
Motorcycle?

I'd probably be too afraid of killing myself to drive one . I know my dad used to ride when he was younger, so maybe it's in my blood to check these out too!

EDIT: Spelling mistake.

 

[ValValline]

Check out Mazda MX-5 Miatas.

You can get a 1990-1997 for 2-6K (The 1994-95 models offer the best performance options with the 1.8l engine and OBD-I)

Rear wheel drive, perfect weight distribution, bullet proof drive train, and a massive after market that includes turbo and super chargers kits.

A miata with a properly setup suspension handles like it's on rails and can embarrass cars costing several times as much in the twisties.

 

[Aikouka]

Originally posted by: ValValline
Check out Mazda MX-5 Miatas.

Personally I've steered clear of Miatas because of being a larger guy overall, but I've never actually tried to sit in one (for the fear of being unable to get out ). Are they roomier than I suspect or are my intuitions correct?

I can tell you that one Mazda I've been tempted to drive is the RX-7.

 

[ValValline]

Depends on how big you are. I'm 5'11 205lbs and I fit in the the first gen NA (90-97) just fine. Anyone bigger might have to make some changes to the seat to get more leg room.

I bought an '07 (NC 3rd gen) a couple weeks ago and it is the roomiest miata yet.

There is a dedicated forum that would cover just about any question you may have about miatas'

http://forum.miata.net/vb/

 

[mitaiwan82]

One more vote for the Miata (proud owner of a '94). RWD, LSD, convertible, cheap, reliable, huge aftermarket...can't go wrong! You should try one out before dismissing them completely!!

FYI I'm 5'10" and 165#s

 

[mwmorph]

Originally posted by: Aikouka

Originally posted by: ValValline
Check out Mazda MX-5 Miatas.

Personally I've steered clear of Miatas because of being a larger guy overall, but I've never actually tried to sit in one (for the fear of being unable to get out ). Are they roomier than I suspect or are my intuitions correct?

I can tell you that one Mazda I've been tempted to drive is the RX-7.

Except that would do away with the reliability you want.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: Aikouka

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
1986 or newer Porsche 944.

Ahh the 944, I completely forgot about Porsche when I first started looking. Although I'm not too abreast on their price, but I do want to avoid a car that has a "popularity price" or a "prestige price" (in other words, more expensive than a car of that age and make really should be). I don't know if the 944 is like that, but it's something I forgot to mention in the OP.

A non-turbo 944 in good shape should run $5,000 to $7,500. You ought to be able to pick one up for no more than $5,000 if you are willing to just wait for one to come up.

This one should be close to local if your profile is right and you are in NY.

ZV

 

[thedarkwolf]

<--- another 94 miata turbo owner here.
Expect lifter tick. Most of them have it.

 

[Aikouka]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
A non-turbo 944 in good shape should run $5,000 to $7,500. You ought to be able to pick one up for no more than $5,000 if you are willing to just wait for one to come up.

This one should be close to local if your profile is right and you are in NY.

ZV

If I were to go with a NA 944 and wanted to go with forced induction, how difficult (or I guess you could say, expensive... since I want to avoid me doing the work from now on) would this change be? I was originally thinking about 5,000-ish and spending more money on initial maintenance on the car (ensuring everything is good).

The Miata doesn't sound too bad, but I am bigger than you guys are so that does put a bit of doubt in my mind. Although there's no harm in trying, right?

Originally posted by: mwmorph
Except that would do away with the reliability you want.

It's the allure of the Wankel .

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: Aikouka

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
A non-turbo 944 in good shape should run $5,000 to $7,500. You ought to be able to pick one up for no more than $5,000 if you are willing to just wait for one to come up.

This one should be close to local if your profile is right and you are in NY.

ZV

If I were to go with a NA 944 and wanted to go with forced induction, how difficult (or I guess you could say, expensive... since I want to avoid me doing the work from now on) would this change be? I was originally thinking about 5,000-ish and spending more money on initial maintenance on the car (ensuring everything is good).

That's the downside. There are some large differences between the 944 NA engine and the 944 Turbo engine. The 944 NA engine does not respond well to modifications and at best you might get another 10% more power out of it. Which is just as well since the 944 NA transmission cannot reliably handle significantly more power. It can be done, of course, but in the end a 944 Turbo is generally both cheaper, more reliable (compared to a turbo-ed NA) and faster. It's also pretty much child's play to get 300 hp out of a 944 Turbo (chip and manual boost control). The 944 NA fits the bill of a great handling car, but it's not very fast in the straight line.

ZV

 

[Dr. Detroit]

Porsche 968 - Can be had for $10-$15K

Reliability is very good as these motors can go 200K so long as maintained.

Lots of other Porsche parts are interchangeable as well.


240SX - Easily modded with an engine swap. They handle great and are very lightweight. If you want top down excitment they did make them in a convertible from '92 -'94.


Fox Body Mustang or early 90's SN95 Mustang with the 5.0L. These can handle great once some money is put into the suspension. Very easy to make power from the 5.0L engine as well.

 

[RichUK]

Depending on how much you want to spend, perhaps an old BMW 3 Series E36 or E30?

 

[DivideBYZero]

Another vote for the 240SX, MX5 or a low spec E36 six.

 

[exdeath]

2nd gen MR2 Turbo, but they are expensive as hell; they go for 8-10k for a 16 year old car with 150,000+ miles

 

[TerryMathews]

Originally posted by: exdeath
2nd gen MR2 Turbo, but they are expensive as hell; they go for 8-10k for a 16 year old car with 150,000+ miles

And high mileage + turbo = bad juju.

Personally, I'd recommend an 85-91 Corvette. 91 was the last year for the L98 engine, which would also be known as a bog-standard 350 SBC. Nice thing is they run great for a long time with minimum maintenance, have high torque (and good HP), and it's shade-tree repairable. The 92+ LT1 engine uses a few tricks to get higher HP (reverse-flow cooling, OptiSpark vs. distributor) that make it less friendly to work on.

Don't believe what people say about Vettes not handling well, it's simply not true. Try one out at a used car lot before you count it out. IMO it's the best performance value under $10k.

 

[Aikouka]

Originally posted by: exdeath
2nd gen MR2 Turbo, but they are expensive as hell; they go for 8-10k for a 16 year old car with 150,000+ miles

Kinda like this one? http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=225061431

Although it seems every MR2 I run into is red... red red red... don't other people like black .

Originally posted by: TerryMathews
And high mileage + turbo = bad juju.

Wouldn't it also depend on the driver as well?

Originally posted by: TerryMathews
Personally, I'd recommend an 85-91 Corvette. 91 was the last year for the L98 engine, which would also be known as a bog-standard 350 SBC. Nice thing is they run great for a long time with minimum maintenance, have high torque (and good HP), and it's shade-tree repairable. The 92+ LT1 engine uses a few tricks to get higher HP (reverse-flow cooling, OptiSpark vs. distributor) that make it less friendly to work on.

Don't believe what people say about Vettes not handling well, it's simply not true. Try one out at a used car lot before you count it out. IMO it's the best performance value under $10k.

Hmm well, I gave up the idea of working on a car by myself when I moved into an apartment. If I have to do some work on the car, I'll most likely just scope out a good shop (I don't know of too many).

I also found an interesting looking 240SX ... and I do stress interesting

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=231322106

Although, I don't know why a car like that would be sellign for as much as some standard 240SX's are. Seems a bit fishy to me .

I'm also taking a peek at the E-series still, but Missah Bauer is keeping me busy .

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: TerryMathews

Originally posted by: exdeath
2nd gen MR2 Turbo, but they are expensive as hell; they go for 8-10k for a 16 year old car with 150,000+ miles

And high mileage + turbo = bad juju.

Only if the previous owner was a complete idiot. Over 160,000 miles and 21 years on the turbo in my 951 and it's still performing beautifully. Doesn't lose oil, no smoke, excellent shape.

I'll agree with you about the 'Vette though. They're great cars and are a lot of fun.

ZV

 

[alimoalem]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: TerryMathews

Originally posted by: exdeath
2nd gen MR2 Turbo, but they are expensive as hell; they go for 8-10k for a 16 year old car with 150,000+ miles

And high mileage + turbo = bad juju.

Only if the previous owner was a complete idiot. Over 160,000 miles and 21 years on the turbo in my 951 and it's still performing beautifully. Doesn't lose oil, no smoke, excellent shape.

I'll agree with you about the 'Vette though. They're great cars and are a lot of fun.

ZV

you're somewhat evading the point. you're basically saying a car with a turbo when compared to its non-turboed counterpart would be just as reliable.

Aikouka, basically what the others said. 1 more vote to check out the miata and see how you fit in it. 300zx twin turbos are fast, but i'm not sure on the handling.

btw, do you have a budget you're working with?

 

[sjwaste]

early 90's MR2 Turbo. It's mid engine, but it's driving the rear wheels

I have a 91 Supra. Love that car too, still my daily driver. A bit heavy, though, it won't corner like an MR2 would.

 

[imported_Truenofan]

well, as everyone knows by now what im going to vote for. the rx-7, the 89-91, is the S5, which has 205hp at the flywheel(turboII version, this does not mean its twin turbo.). 180ish at the wheels. if you buy one and the guy has 50-70k on the engine(if its obvious he hasn't been taking care of it, or has aftermarket parts in it), get a compression test done, those are turbos though. the n/a's, as you can see from my sig, can go easily into the 200k range without a rebuild. the miata is the only other choice i would suggest. lightweight with a good engine and it does have a very good drivetrain. great handling, it just needs some power and loving to make it hella quick. handles as good or better than a rx-7. i personally would steer clear of the 240's. most ricers out there will want to know if your "SUPER DRIFTO INITIAL D TOUGE MASTER" if you drive it around. mr2's from what my bro says are nice.


edit: corrections.

 

[DivideBYZero]

I wouldn't avoid the 240 just because of what some 'ricers' may think. Are there really that many of them waiting at every corner to challenge you to a drift battle?