Cheap RWD manual cars

[ka-t_240]

There are no cheap rwd cars left. Drifters ruined it.

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by ka-t_240

There are no cheap rwd cars left. Drifters ruined it.

Depends on your definition of cheap, it's not like it was 15 years ago where $1k got you a decently running fun car, budget needs to be closer to $3k-$4k for something fun that doesn't need a bunch of stuff fixed at the low end of the budget.

OP is looking at NC's which aren't much cheaper than $10k, FRS/BRZ certainly aren't that cheap yet (which are on the table) and with $10k there's a LOT of fun options.

C5 Corvette
NA/NB/NC Miata's
RX-8
MR2 (all years)
350Z
Porsche Boxsters
Porsche 944
E30 325is/318i
E36 M3
E46 330i ZHP
(E46 M3's can be had for $10k, but I wouldn't trust them)
Z3 M, (and Z3 Coupe)
Z4
IS300

Outside choices: a really beat S2000, RX7, 300ZX, Mustangs and Camaros (idk which ones are good so I didn't put them above), G35, mk3 Supra, 924/928, Toyota/Nissan/Ford/Mazda small pickup trucks

Originally Posted by squelchy451

Slim pickings on E36 when I look at Craigslist (though it isn't all that often).
I'll go with the 86 for the weekend. Thanks for all your feedback.

There's always at least a few worth looking at up here for about what an NC costs (again, I'm assuming $10k) but I wouldn't pick an E36 for a DD and lean towards something that came out in the last 15 years or so, it'll mostly be more reliable, comfortable, and quiet on the inside. At this point the E36 was designed over 25 years ago with 80's technology.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by strat61caster

Depends on your definition of cheap, it's not like it was 15 years ago where $1k got you a decently running fun car, budget needs to be closer to $3k-$4k for something fun that doesn't need a bunch of stuff fixed at the low end of the budget.

OP is looking at NC's which aren't much cheaper than $10k, FRS/BRZ certainly aren't that cheap yet (which are on the table) and with $10k there's a LOT of fun options.

C5 Corvette
NA/NB/NC Miata's
RX-8
MR2 (all years)
350Z
Porsche Boxsters
Porsche 944
E30 325is/318i
E36 M3
E46 330i ZHP
(E46 M3's can be had for $10k, but I wouldn't trust them)
Z3 M, (and Z3 Coupe)
Z4
IS300

Outside choices: a really beat S2000, RX7, 300ZX, Mustangs and Camaros (idk which ones are good so I didn't put them above), G35, mk3 Supra, 944/924/928, Toyota/Nissan/Ford/Mazda small pickup trucks



There's always at least a few worth looking at up here for about what an NC costs (again, I'm assuming $10k) but I wouldn't pick an E36 for a DD and lean towards something that came out in the last 15 years or so, it'll mostly be more reliable, comfortable, and quiet on the inside. At this point the E36 was designed over 25 years ago with 80's technology.

Yep. The .00001% of the driving public that could be called "drifters" are not going to chew up the supply of inexpensive, used, RWD cars in the near future.

[Jordanwolf]

Originally Posted by strat61caster

Depends on your definition of cheap, it's not like it was 15 years ago where $1k got you a decently running fun car, budget needs to be closer to $3k-$4k for something fun that doesn't need a bunch of stuff fixed at the low end of the budget.

OP is looking at NC's which aren't much cheaper than $10k, FRS/BRZ certainly aren't that cheap yet (which are on the table) and with $10k there's a LOT of fun options.

C5 Corvette
NA/NB/NC Miata's
RX-8
MR2 (all years)
350Z
Porsche Boxsters
Porsche 944
E30 325is/318i
E36 M3
E46 330i ZHP
(E46 M3's can be had for $10k, but I wouldn't trust them)
Z3 M, (and Z3 Coupe)
Z4
IS300

Outside choices: a really beat S2000, RX7, 300ZX, Mustangs and Camaros (idk which ones are good so I didn't put them above), G35, mk3 Supra, 944/924/928, Toyota/Nissan/Ford/Mazda small pickup trucks



There's always at least a few worth looking at up here for about what an NC costs (again, I'm assuming $10k) but I wouldn't pick an E36 for a DD and lean towards something that came out in the last 15 years or so, it'll mostly be more reliable, comfortable, and quiet on the inside. At this point the E36 was designed over 25 years ago with 80's technology.

C5, IS300 and E36 M3.

Personally would hop into an IS300 as they are cool AF.

[BigTuna]

To actually daily drive, I'd pick a BRZ/FRS. It's bigger, still fun, and I can imagine quieter.

However, if I'm just renting a car on Turo, and don't need to truly "daily" the car for longer than a week - even a month, I'd definitely go with the Miata. In my experiences, it is IMPOSSIBLE to not have a good time in a Miata with the top down.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by BigTuna

To actually daily drive, I'd pick a BRZ/FRS. It's bigger, still fun, and I can imagine quieter.

However, if I'm just renting a car on Turo, and don't need to truly "daily" the car for longer than a week - even a month, I'd definitely go with the Miata. In my experiences, it is IMPOSSIBLE to not have a good time in a Miata with the top down.

DUDE The last two moths here would have been anything BUT fun in a convertible! It has been raining so much that there is this guy walking down the road with two of every kind of animal. Seems to be headed towards a big wooden boat.

[squelchy451]

My only worry with the BRZ is that its handling and dynamics won't be enough to offset how stiff and loud it can be. Even on a lightly modded GTI that isn't slammed to the ground I find myself wanting for more comfort as a daily driver, as I'm doing less and less canyon drives. I still enjoy driving a fun car on a fundamental level, but anything more hardcore than a Civic Si, diminishing marginal utility kicks in.

[IceFyre13th]

you will never go wrong with one of these...


https://www.hemmings.com/blog/2016/0...977-amc-pacer/

[new2subaru]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

LOL I have a spectacular choice! Remember this is a city of +500,000 people.


https://turo.com/search?country=CA&c...rtTime=10%3A00

Hey T, F-Type



https://turo.com/search?country=CA&c...rtTime=10%3A00

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by squelchy451

My only worry with the BRZ is that its handling and dynamics won't be enough to offset how stiff and loud it can be.

If I never went to autox or HPDE with this car I'd be sick of it by now. Reviewers are right imo, this car shines when driven hard, it doesn't really shine on the street.

You should go do those things, you're in LA, there's opportunities to have fun with your car, do it with the GTI, don't wait.

[Mr.ac]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

LOL I have a spectacular choice! Remember this is a city of +500,000 people.


https://turo.com/search?country=CA&c...rtTime=10%3A00

Lucky.
The biggest city near by is only 45k population.

[DarkPira7e]

Originally Posted by Mr.ac

Lucky.
The biggest city near by is only 45k population.

The largest/only real city in my state is only a population of 42,000!

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by new2subaru

Hey T, F-Type



https://turo.com/search?country=CA&c...rtTime=10%3A00

But that involves driving in Brantford. Not sure it is worth it.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by IceFyre13th

you will never go wrong with one of these...


https://www.hemmings.com/blog/2016/0...977-amc-pacer/

We had one of those. Not that fancy version though!