RWD Coupes

[Pierscoe1]

Suggestions here..

currently have a Mk2 MX5.. love the handling, but it just doesn't have the power it deserves..
now I have looked at turbo kits, but that ads £2k to the £9.5k for the car.

looking at MR2 Turbo, as a good one can be had for ~£8k
trouble is, concensus of opinion is that basically, it's never going to handle as good as the mx5.

what else is there?? MR-S is nice, but too expensive still.. waiting for the price to come down.

would prefer coupe, but there don't seem to be any.

944 springs to mind, but I don't think I could get insured reasonably (I'm 22).

ideas???

[filmidget]

Nissan 200SX?

Quickish, (reputedly) entertaining traditional RWD handling, not unattractive, reliable, support from the SX owners club, easily tuned if that's your thing, decent value.

Wouldn't mind an older one myself.

member Dave_S13 may be along shortly

Cheers, Phil

[Paul V]

You may be surprised by the 944 insurance, when I was 20 my 924 and it was cheaper to insure than my mini, might be worth getting a few quotes! I’m also paid less for the S2 TVR than an old BMW, specialists can get some very good prices.

[CHN]

Theres always classic car insurance, get a hairdryer for your everyday car and a 928 like me for the weekends. I'm 28 though, but insurance for me on the 4.7 300bhp RWD coupe is only £225 f/c 3000 miles per year.

[Pierscoe1]

thanks guys..

have thought of a 200sx, but it's just too dull I think. I know they're supposed to be really good, but there's loads of them around.. driven by ageing bungalow dwellers..

I'll get some quotes for the 944.. sounds more promising than I'd imagined.. but what about repair costs?? how much does a 944 brake-disc cost for example.. and don't they have a problem with those weird balance-shaft things? or the tensioner or something..

thanks again

[AJLintern]

You should talk to Footman James - I'm 25 and pay £823 F/C 3000 mile policy, with 1 year NCD. The 944 Lux (2.5) would be a bit cheaper to insure than an S2 or turbo. Regarding maintainance costs - its not too bad as long as you get one thats been maintained properly. They are very reliable cars and can last over 200k miles. You must make sure that the cam/balance belts have been changed recently (every 3 years, or 30k miles) and if it's the 16valve S or S2 that the cam chain/tensioner has been checked and/or replaced after about 80k miles. A new clutch will cost in the region of £750 to have fitted.
It's a great drivers car, with excellent handling and pretty quick too. The turbo can be tuned to over 300bhp quite easily, though they do suffer from lag to a certain extent. The S2 is the best all rounder (ok i'm biased) with its smooth power delivery

[M3EVO]

Why not keep the MX and check the following:
www.moss-shop.co.uk and look at the Jackson Racing products.

[trefor]

Pierscoe1 said: thanks guys..

have thought of a 200sx, but it's just too dull I think. I know they're supposed to be really good, but there's loads of them around.. driven by ageing bungalow dwellers..

I'll get some quotes for the 944.. sounds more promising than I'd imagined.. but what about repair costs?? how much does a 944 brake-disc cost for example.. and don't they have a problem with those weird balance-shaft things? or the tensioner or something..

thanks again

I know what you mean, but you do need to drive one - not an automatic BTW. I had an N reg'd one - so the recentish shape. Fun car, esp. with an uprated turbo boost. Cheap as chips now too. Go for a Touring model -adds leather, aircon (essential with black interior and no sunroof), twin airbags and CD changer. A lot more car than the non-touring model for no more money if you look around.

I still see them on the road and think about getting one again as a day-to-day commuter ...

[Pierscoe1]

I'll have to check out the 944 more thouroughly..

have looked at turbo-kits rather than SC for my 5, and it's a possibility.. I just feel like getting something a bit more aggressive :-)

re 200sx, is that the newest one you're talking about.. that looks a bit like a junior skyline at the front?? they're not bad, but a bit "Big Car" really..

[shadowninja]

ageing bungalow dwellers??? cheeky fecker! my house definitely has two floors!

200sx = drift machine

Got an "old school" one (S13a) to compliment the TVR... certainly don't regret the purchase.

BTW if you're in the Dorking/Leatherhead area on Saturday, pop into Ryker's Cafe at the bottom of Boxhill... Jap sports car meet... you can check out a few 200sx's there... and I don't think any of us live in a bungalow :P

>> Edited by shadowninja on Wednesday 19th February 16:15

[Pierscoe1]

tehe.. wondered how long it would be.

not putting the car down at all.. it's just what I've seen.. there's one on my way to work, and every morning this old guy hobbles out of his bungalow and climbs in and pootles off down the road... but then that's what happens with all decent cars really.. e.g. porsche boxster.. great car, but just about all of them driven but suited-tw#ts with too big a company-car allowance.

the box-hill meet, is that this saturday.. if so I might have to go along.. I'm just the other side of gatwick. in the carpark buy the diner place at the bottom of the hill I presume.. where all the bikers meet??

[shadowninja]

yep thats the place. come along so i can poke you in the eye

anyhow, "it's not how you stand by your car..."

[Andy Mac]

MX5 outhandle an MR2?? The Mid engine/rear drive make for fantastic handling! I've had an N/A MR2 for a year, and just bought an MR2 Turbo, and the handling is probably the best I have experienced! Maybe you should go try one instead of making the mistake of beleiving what other people say. Take the 2 to some nice twisty roads, and put your foot down, and just see how much it sticks! I think you'll be surprised! (Obviously, don't do this during a wet period!!!)

[Andy Mac]

hey Piers... I'm goin to Boxhill... I'll be with all the MR2 chaps, or gawping in desire for an enormous Supra!! Piccy on profile... Pop over and say hi!

[Pierscoe1]

that's a nice looking car andy.. exactly what I was considering actually (black rev3 turbo coupe).

I think I'll probably come along to box on saturday providing nothing else comes up..

is it a big meet? were did you all hear about it??

[Andy Mac]

hey Piers,
I heard it on the other jap car sites... There are a few of us mr2 owners meeting up on M5 and heading down there. If ya waht to go for a spin, see what it is like then you're welcome. Supposed to be big, but it's my first meet, so can't really say from experience. There is another down that way in april at Bolney. That is supposed to be a monster, and gonna be huge because its the last one. Pop over and you can have a look/go for spin, and you can make your mind up. best not to listen to what peeps say about a car till you've driven one yourself.
Hope to see ya there
Andy

[Pierscoe1]

right.. I'll probably be at box on saturday then, as long as the weather's ok.

could andy mac and shadownija please both wear large signs round their necks, better yet, sandwitch-boards, with their names on so I know who they are !! :-P

[jumjum]

Coupes
Supra
BMW E36 323/325/328 lovely engines (some cabs around)
BMw E30 325 nice cabs for the money
RX7 great car if engine is okay
SX200 (I have read above but I do like them bargain prices)

Sports
MG VVC mid engined fair bit of poke from the VVC lump

Or from Auto Trader

BMW M5 3.6,
Silver, Central Locking, Electric Door Mirrors, Abs, Electric Windows, Power Steering, Drivers Airbag, Black Leather, Full Service History £7995.

1990 LOTUS Elan SE Turbo Convertible,
1990, G reg. 55000 miles, Silver, black hood, service historty, alloys, leather seats, radio/cassette, classic car insurance, £250 fully comp, excellent condition. £7,200. ono ( not quite waht you were looking for but great car)

[Twin Turbo]

Nissan 300ZX......

[johnny senna]

BMW E30 M3!!