imports as a first car

[Blue Supra]

Id believe that, they come with the RB30, and had the option of RB30DET so why not a 26DET? woulda been soooo expensive though

[sandwich]

i agree with these guys, with one stipulation. if you really want to become a better driver, get a car with a measily engine and RWD. I personally hate FWD, i think it's for people that can't drive period, thus they go for the thing that's easiest to manage.

I don't know a lot of the older nissans and such, but stick with a small engine in a solid car. You don't need a turbo yet. Your insurance will thank you, and so will everybody else on the road. With the RWD you can get a better feel for performance driving without killing everything. Also, it most definately can be fun to drive. My civic was fun to drive, but it was mushy and was FWD so it just plowed through turns. Maybe an old Datsun or something? Maybe an early escort? Early RX7 Fb3s or whatever?

That way you can satiate your need for a new car without getting in over your head. 16 is too young to drive a real fast car.

Think of it as dating. You don't want to get it on with a supermodel right away. You might get in there and screw the whole thing up, and everybody will walk away disappointed. Stick with something you can handle (and that can handle you) and when you're ready, play game with the big boys.

[Lagonda]

i agree with these guys, with one stipulation. if you really want to become a better driver, get a car with a measily engine and RWD. I personally hate FWD, i think it's for people that can't drive period, thus they go for the thing that's easiest to manage.

complete bull

[Matra et Alpine]

if you really want to become a better driver, get a car with a measily engine and RWD. I personally hate FWD, i think it's for people that can't drive period, thus they go for the thing that's easiest to manage.

Your advice on small engin RWD is valid to learn with, more power just makes things happen too fast

But you're way out with FWD.
it takes a diffrent driving skill and technique and if not undestood and practised FWDs are slow.
The best advice came for the rally Minis.
"Go in to a corner 20 miles per hour faster than you EVER imagine you coudl get round the corner. Turn the wheels in and come OFF the power, let the speed scrub off. The fronts will then grip and turn-in and then apply power as you start to see the apex lead to the exit"
I can assure you it works very well

[sandwich]

perhaps you misunderestimated me.

perhaps i misunderstood myself.

FWD has its merits. In snow, in small cars. It's not useless, agreed. I think what I meant was that the car manufacturers go for what's easiest. FWD can manage where RWD can excel. Also, do note that the mini weighs HALF of what most other cars weigh.

However, for most performance driving, RWD is more exciting and efficient. I won't buy another FWD car unless it's a mini, or if I have to.

[Matra et Alpine]

FWD has its merits. In snow, in small cars. It's not useless, agreed. I think what I meant was that the car manufacturers go for what's easiest. FWD can manage where RWD can excel. Also, do note that the mini weighs HALF of what most other cars weigh.

Even modern FWDs are excellent when driven correctly in rallies on some surfaces.
But equally a light RWD will do as well or better on other surfaces

However, for most performance driving, RWD is more exciting and efficient. I won't buy another FWD car unless it's a mini, or if I have to.

Shame you've had the bad experience.
Hopefully you'll get the chance to have a Mini reteach the fun
RWD really only wins when you've got smooth tarmac and can repeat to find the perfect line in lap after lap.
Also it clearly excels when the power is allowed to go beyond the 250bhp


AND concur on the 'fun' part, it's more like playing getting a huge power slide on and balancing it fighting teh traction

[Blue Supra]

nothin like a controlled powerslide on a wet road

[Matra et Alpine]

nothin like a controlled powerslide on a wet road

Just so I'm consistent about my road v. track comments


Yes there is ....

a 4 wheel drift in in a rear engine RWD car using power to control steer in a corner to keep you to the inside and overtake a racing M3 at over 120mph


..... me .....Brands Hatch, sadly the outcome a few laps later confirmed it's for the track not the road.


so readers, please practise drifting and using power to steer on tracks with safety for you, others on the road , anyone watching and anyone just 'passing by'

[Blue Supra]

Well in two weeks, ill be out on the track, so ill have the chance to "apply" my road skills

[85RX7]

how about...

[85RX7]

and...

[85RX7]

I have 717 1st gen rx7 pic's, but im not gonna poat them all, it would take all week, so thats all. Obviously that's what i think u should get!!!

[GeNiX]

well im looking for a second car too. id love to get a nice big TT v6 such as a 300zx or gto/3000gt vr-4 but by the sounds of it i would be stepping into a whole new and dangerous territory from a mildly powerful integra. but i was wondering if a smaller turbo 4wd type car such as a familia gtx/gtr or nissan gtir be a more suitable option.

[sandwich]

it would be a very fun option....I looked at Mazda 323 gtx's (Not sure what they're called there, has a 1.6l turbo/4wd), test drove an isuzu impulse (again 1.6l turbo, double LSD's [think mini evo]), and now own an audi quattro. These are incredibly fun cars. The lower displacement engines should be cheaper to insure, and 4wd may actually lower insurance costs as well. I've heard of it with the Celica...even though it is turbo, the awd version cost less to insure, for at least one guy.

On top of that, these smaller, very hot hatches pack some good punch, and are fun cars to drive and to toss around, my audi being on the much larger end of the spectrum. You don't get the incredible boost of a big GT, but think of how much fun people say mini's are. Check out rallyclassified.com to see what people do with cars like these. They are the ultimate rally car, cheap, quick, AWD, and easy to replace. The 323/impulse have really low resale values too, nobody knows what they are, but they can probably beat you off the line!

[sandwich]

some neat links

http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/233875

http://www.rallyclassified.com/photo.php?cat=7&de=1610

http://www.geocities.com/rocketscienceracing/323GTX.htm