[sonick]

Toying with the idea of selling off my Miata and getting something more adept in the rough weather for this winter and cargo storage department.

I don't want to give up the handling of the Miata though. I was considering an E30 BMW, but with RWD it's not any better in rough weather.

What about FWD? Looking to spend around 2-4k, with 6k as the limit; so I am thinking something late-80s or early 90s. Are there any FWD car that can handle decently at low-moderate speeds (e.g. 40-80 kmph 3rd-gear twisties) in this price range?

By handling I don't neccessarily mean "lateral grip," but rather more to do with driving FEEL like steering quickness, vehicle balance, chassis rigidity, etc.

CRX? DA/DB Integra? Prelude of same generation? Celica? I know it won't be as good as the Miata, but I want something that is at least decent and fun around the corners.

[impactX]

Just get some winter tires... They shouldn't cost too much as the tires on Miatas are small. FWD doesn't mean anything if it has shitty tires in snow.

No FWD will handle as well as your car.

[Eclypz]

you're not going to find a FWD car that handles like a RWD....especially from the 90s.

I dumped thousands into my DA's suspension/chassis and it still couldn't beat the feeling of a RWD.

[sonick]

Well what's the best handling of the bunch, then?

lol good point ImpactX, that would be the simpler option eh.

[Blinky]

EF Civic and CRX (great suspension and light.

But yes to the above - there is very little out there that handles like a Miata, and what does is unusual or expensive and not FWD.

[!Aznboi128]

drive your miata backwards?

lol, CRX would prob be the best bet but a miata will always be better no matter how much money you put in it.

[impactX]

Well what's the best handling of the bunch, then?

lol good point ImpactX, that would be the simpler option eh.

You HAVE the best handling of the bunch. :) You will regret if you switch to a FWD.

[bcrdukes]

E30 + LSD + Snow tires = Win.

[orange7]

drive your miata backwards?
.

+1

[Mugen EvOlutioN]

DC2 Type RRRRRRRRRRRRRR


best handling FWD ever made

[Prostrho]

Try out the 90-94 Infiniti G20, amazing handling sedan. At least what you sacrificed in handling, u gain back in some practicality with 4 doors.

[Qmx323]

Get a 3rd gen Prelude with 4 wheel steering. That shit was the top car in Slalom runs beating even ferraris and every other car they test. Although my source is wikipedia. So maybe try driving one?

[mmmmmic]

i didn have any problem driving my NA miata thru out last winter with shitty no brand allseason,
learn how to drive.
unless ur miata got a 13b or V8 under the hood, then i'll agree with you getting a fail wheel drive for winter.

[BNR32_Coupe]

Try out the 90-94 Infiniti G20, amazing handling sedan. At least what you sacrificed in handling, u gain back in some practicality with 4 doors.

^ +1

"Born in Japan. Educated in Europe. Now Available in America."
-some quote from wiki

the p10 (first gen g20 <$5k) is early 90's and recognized for its great handling. the p11 (second gen g20 $5k+) is definitely recognized for its superb handling, as it has been updated since the p10. either way, g20 is a good bang for buck in the handling department. very useful sedan too, with a foundation of a luxury sedan in mind

[ilvtofu]

E30 + LSD + Snow tires = Win.

:werd:
should be fine
But for that little extra, awd?
are the AWD ones way worse in reliability though?

[thumper]

DC2 Type RRRRRRRRRRRRRR


best handling FWD ever made

he said mid-80's to early 90's.... i don't think the itr falls into this category :(

[sonick]

Interesting on the G20, definitely not one that was on my radar at all; not many on CL, but will keep an eye out for them.

AWD E30's are harder to find, and the xfer case is definitely something that would need to be made sure that it is working properly before purchasing.

[EagleSpeaker]

Renault 5 GT Turbo

dont say u cant get them
cause there are at least 5 of these in VanCity

[RabidRat]

honestly it'll be a lot less trouble to just throw in an LSD and a good set of snow tires. an LSD makes for year-round fun too =)

[thumper]

Renault 5 GT Turbo

dont say u cant get them
cause there are at least 5 of these in VanCity

wow if we're going to go in that direction i'm going to call up the DODGE OMNI GLHS :wooha:

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h124/rakestraw666/86GLHS.jpg

[you]

u cant really compare the handling of a fwd and rwd no matter how much mods were thrown into it

[oldsnail]

ae92 Toyota Corolla GTS.!

[sonick]

^ Haha, coincidentally there's a black AE92 on CL that looks pretty decent. Are you the seller? lol.

[Adrenaline Rush]

Quite a few options if you really want FWD and need the cargo capacity (which a lot of people seem to be forgetting about)

- Civic Si/CRX Si
- Golf GTI/ Jetta GLI
- Neon RT or ACR
- Sentra SE-R (or Infiniti G20 if you want more luxury features)
- Gen 2 Integra

Those would be the top of my list...

[orange7]

LOL... good handling, FWD, and in the late 80s or early 90s?? LOL!

i had a good laugh there.

I think you should stick with the miata and just put on some snow tires for the winter!

[tonyzoomzoom]

B13 Sentra SER or NX2000

[!e.lo_]

P10 G20, great handling car, but of course it's heavier and that factors in.
The B13 NX2000 has great handling. Just need to get CSK and road magnets.

my mom drives the G20, I drive the NX. sr20 powa!

[oldsnail]

^ Haha, coincidentally there's a black AE92 on CL that looks pretty decent. Are you the seller? lol.

No - I have an EP3 Civic as a decent FWD... Had a miata/ Sw20, will never handle like one but oh well..

[hk20000]

if your FWD car has no LSD it'll be only marginally better than your Miata with LSD in the snow.

Of course not talking about those pussy helical LSDs they don't work when either wheel has zero grip. Man up and get some clutchpack diffs for your Miata and it'll go anywhere you should be going in the snow.

FWD car with LSD from the 80s and 90s are RARE. The only thing I can come up with is like a JDM import EG SiRII or what not lol.

screw it just buy an imported 4WD diesel van. All the space and traction you'll ever need. With the reliability and fuel efficiency you have always dreamed of in your Miata. You can switch off the 4WD on those Delicas for sunny days like today! And the Miata towed out in the back so you can "enjoy" your low speed hyper ultra Asahi super dry handling awesomeness whenever you want.

[Mancini]

B13 Sentra SER or NX2000

Stock for stock these were the best handling fwd vehicles in their era.

[Prostrho]

G20 has viscous LSD! (Y)

[brianau9]

AE92 GTS

[Noir]

LOL... good handling, FWD, and in the late 80s or early 90s?? LOL!

i had a good laugh there.

I think you should stick with the miata and just put on some snow tires for the winter!

Uhhhhh. Depends how you define "good" :rolleyes:

If you're talking about Auto-Xing, or performance cornering, then yes, FWDs are inferior for performance demanding drivers for performance demanding driving.

Any other time, FWDs are far more superior in terms of control and handling for your average driver with your average driving skills. There's a bloody reason why you're rarely gonna find an MR2, RX7, 300ZX, Supra all with an accident-free loss history.

Hell, it still confounds me to this day how a lot people in Vancouver can't even keep their FWD's under control when its supposed to be relatively a lot easier to handle than the traditional RWD. There's nothing more scary than an incapable RWD driver in poor weather conditions.

[mono666]

I've heard that even with snow tires the RWD cars are still worthless in the winter. I know nothing about RWD cars as I never own one before. I's say find a cheap AWD car, it's just amazing in the snow even with pos all seasons.

[littledog]

Another vote for the G20. Make sure you get the G20t (w/ LSD). I have surprised a lot of supposing more sporty car with it's great handling.

I'm kinda surprised that people on revscene actually know about these cars :P

[underscore]

Celica Alltrac/GT4/4WD Turbo. that'll destroy corners in the summer, and snow in the winter.

[1990TSI]

any B13 nissan with an SR20 should do it.
NX2000 if you don't care how it looks
SE-R if you can get one from the states
G20t for awesome luxo feeling

There's a pretty sick red SE-R already in van, not sure if it's for sale right now though.

[Solo_D33A]

a good set of snow tire got me through rockies, cross country, vancouver last winter, just about everything I throw at it. and mine's a lowered Lexus GS400, RWD, no LSD, traction off(for fun factor).

[SumAznGuy]

I DD my S2000 and in the winter time I have a set of snow tires. Other than the time I tried to go up Boundry road when it was covered in ice, I never had any problems in the winter.

As for good handling fwd cars, any fwd cars with a good set of tires will get the job done. No one is going to pull more than 0.40 g's on city streets so really this thread is pointless.

[toyota86]

stay rwd or go awd

for 5-10k

rwd
aw11 mr2 sc
sw20 mr2 turbo
e30 325is or 318is. non IS may not have lsd
e36 325is with cold winter pack before 95 and no traction control should have lsd
ae86
s13
s14
newer miata

awd
gc impreza
celica gt4 2nd gen
r32 gtr
325ix rare to find
pulsar gtir
323 gtx
lancer evo

ff
sprint turbo
g20
ae92 gts
sentra
nx2000
crx
eg civic


or...you can forget all that and get winter tires and a high locking clutch type lsd for your miata

[sonick]

Thanks all!

By handling I did not mean "lateral grip," but rather more to do with driving FEEL like steering quickness, vehicle balance, chassis rigidity, etc.

The NX2000 and G20 sound awesome, but they are quite rare locally; will keep my eyes peeled. There was a pretty sweet AE92 on CL, but it's gone now :(

I have a lead on a sweet E30 325is, seeing how that pans out before I check out some these suggestions.

Thanks again!

[bcrdukes]

You can modify the E30 with an E36 steering rack for quick ratio steering. There are extensive write-ups with photos on it too! :)

[BoredAtWork]

Nick,

don't sell the miata. you will regret it. Just ask Roger what happened to me! :haha:

now for the question you are asking. been there, done that.

SE-R and NX2000 are your best bet of finding one. you can find them less beat up then CRX. but you loose the gear box feel (the cable link gearbox and clutch engagement points of those cars sucks).

CRX is hard to find in good condition anymore.

if u can fix it up. get a old swift GTi . those are very cheap and very fun.

[sonick]

LOL COLIN??? long time no talk, man!

Yeah but the one you (now Roger's) had was in sweet condition. Being a '90 without the chassis bracing of the later models, I can't stand the flexible chassis, cowl shake and rattles over rough roads. I love the Miata, but not convertibles, I find :(

Plus more space would be nice.

[Qmx323]

If you're looking for steering quickness, then the 4WS Prelude is your best bet.

[BoredAtWork]

There is not much of additonal bracing b/w the 90 vs 94-97 models. the rear brace is most substantial. you can buy whats call the "cannon" brace for the rear linkage, which is a 4 stronger point cross brace vs. the 2 point of the later miatas.

crowl shakes can be miniimize with a front brace also, either make one yourself or get one of ebay for 20 bucks will do if u are cheap. Racing Beat and others also sell them for more. but its same thing.

for lateral stiffness, look for whats call a "FM butterfly brace". go get someone professional to install this for you i would recommend.

i really didnt find much shakes with mine when you up keep everything. its an old car, there maybe some loose bolts or busted shocks, get a new set and u should see substantial difference.

if you dont like convertibles, get a hardtop and a roll bar :p Tell roger to lend you the hardtop and u can feel the difference. its a different car with the top on.

PM me if u need more. Hope this helps