Nick1980 Posted November 27, 2005 Share Posted November 27, 2005 Ok, in a nutshell, I was recently on the verge of supra ownership after a long search, but unfortunately it fell through at the last minute. There are a couple of other supes I'm looking at, but I don't wanna be rushed into getting one that isn't right cos I need a car now, so if I don't go for one of those, I was thinking about getting a fairly cheap car for the winter so I'd have longer to search for the right supra and maybe get one in the spring. Aaaanyway, what do people think I should get? I've had some powerful cars in the past (Focus RS at the mo), but never a RWD, so I'd like to get one of those and learn how it handles in the winter so I'm an expert when it comes to the supra Looking at spending about £1 - £1.5k I quite like the S13 200SX, so that's probably top of the list, but I'm thinking that one in that price range will probably be shagged? Anyone got any experience of them? (Piehound?) Quite like the E30 BMW's too - the 318iS is supposed to be good, but I like the idea of a straight 6 325i, although I think they might be a bit out of my price range. Any suggestions/opinions greatly appreciated Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suprarob Posted November 27, 2005 Share Posted November 27, 2005 hi mkiii supra perhaps ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeordieSteve Posted November 27, 2005 Share Posted November 27, 2005 I'm in the same boat. 200sx or, as Rob says... mkiii supra Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick1980 Posted November 27, 2005 Author Share Posted November 27, 2005 hi mkiii supra perhaps ? yep, seen them for about a grand - not sure how good they'd be at that price though. Aren't there some reliability issues, or are they ok? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeordieSteve Posted November 27, 2005 Share Posted November 27, 2005 Turbos can be flakey (head gasket and turbo issues). I viewed a nice n/a the other day for £800 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toyotasuprauk Posted November 27, 2005 Share Posted November 27, 2005 mkiii Supra's are dirt cheap I saw an ok one at the auctions about 3 years ago for £150 but the head gaskets always go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garetheves Posted November 27, 2005 Share Posted November 27, 2005 My friend just bought an S13 for 900 quid and its a beaut!! Engine needed a bit of a clean and a service but other than that it runs like a dream. Came complete with aftermarket FMIC, Boost controller and guage, aftermarket BOV, turbo timer and full exhaust. Bargain of the year i though. If i have to get rid of mine thats what im thinking of. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dangerous brain Posted November 27, 2005 Share Posted November 27, 2005 A minter 2.8 V6 XR4i sierra would set you back in the region of the money you want to spend and if sourced privately would sell on again at no loss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sideshowbob Posted November 27, 2005 Share Posted November 27, 2005 Used to have a s13, awesome car, very underrated. In standard form they look like off-roaders though, so need lowering & a set of wheels. They always rust around the edge of the bootlid/spoiler. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnd-mkiv Posted November 27, 2005 Share Posted November 27, 2005 Have owned both s13 and 318i bmw e30, to be honest with you the bmw was the most rear end happy car I have ever driven, it was hard work though and very unpredictable when the rear broke loose. But saying that it has made me a better driver as my reactions were quicker when it did break. The s13 was a nice car to drive and a bit more fun for playing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeordieSteve Posted November 27, 2005 Share Posted November 27, 2005 I had a 316 and that was TERRIBLE on the rears. I've always said the S13 was the best car I've ever driven Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick1980 Posted November 27, 2005 Author Share Posted November 27, 2005 Thanks for all the comments so far guys Definitely leaning towards the S13, but I am slightly worried that 99% of them will have been ragged to within an inch of their lives! Have you guys that have had them in the past had any problems with them? Johnd - was that an 318iS you had? A minter 2.8 V6 XR4i sierra would set you back in the region of the money you want to spend and if sourced privately would sell on again at no loss. Hmmm, 2.8 V6 eh? interesting! Not sure how much I like Sierras though tbh. My recent dealings with ford have kinda put me off the brand too... What do people think about a mk2 MR2? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Posted November 27, 2005 Share Posted November 27, 2005 I've always fancied buying a cheap S13 with a bad engine to rebuild as a learning project. Would be a fun drift practicer too. Gotta be loads of spare parts available for 'em. It'd have to be white with a black roof. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Posted November 27, 2005 Share Posted November 27, 2005 A minter 2.8 V6 XR4i sierra would set you back in the region of the money you want to spend and if sourced privately would sell on again at no loss. Steer well clear. They're all dropping to pieces. It'd have to be a rebuilt example. Just about everything on the Sierra I took apart for the kitcar was knackared. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dangerous brain Posted November 27, 2005 Share Posted November 27, 2005 He only wants it for a couple of months though and if it looks ok now should still look ok in a couple of months Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnd-mkiv Posted November 27, 2005 Share Posted November 27, 2005 Johnd - was that an 318iS you had? QUOTE] No just a 318i i think its the e36 that does the 318is, it was a verry quick car for a 1.8 just a bit scatty in the wet. You can pick them up off ebay for £500 S13's suffer from big end trouble, turbo to exhaust gasket blowing, tubos going to, rot around the rear quarters Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willson Posted November 27, 2005 Share Posted November 27, 2005 MR2s are great, but not really for rear end sliding fun with the mid engine layout and short wheelbase. I had an old bimmer and thats what Id go for. Not sure Id trust the reliability of an old turbo car and maintenance will most likely be higher. S13 is much cooler tho ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick1980 Posted November 27, 2005 Author Share Posted November 27, 2005 That's pretty much what I was thinking Willson - I'd like an S13, but I'd be pretty worried about buying a duff one. BMW is probably more sensible, just a bit more boring! S13's suffer from big end trouble, turbo to exhaust gasket blowing, tubos going to, rot around the rear quarters Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJI Posted November 28, 2005 Share Posted November 28, 2005 anything with a rear LSD..... otherwise you won't get the proper feeling of RWD. XR4i's are cheap, so are the parts. I used to have a XR4x4 with 30/70 front rear split with LSD on the rear. Wish I had got a XR4i. Although the 4WD drive was a good laugh you can get a bigger laugh with a XR4i. Unfortunately most of them these days are full of rust. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willson Posted November 28, 2005 Share Posted November 28, 2005 I believe the old E30 325is had a lsd. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tDR Posted November 28, 2005 Share Posted November 28, 2005 I had an S13 which I modded to about 280bhp along with better brakes, suspension etc. etc. It was great fun but always had niggling reliability issues and as John has pointed out, big end shells do have a habit of wearing out on them. I wouldn't be so scared of that though, as parts are cheap for them - the biggest problem with the S13 is the rust, especially around the sills, chassis legs, tailgate and suspension turrets. If you're gonna get one, go for as young as possible a model from as far down south as possible - a '94 from Cornwall would be ideal lol. This way it will have the least rust as these cars really do rot to death. Mine was a mint example low miler '94 and it still had rust that I wasn't happy with when compared with say a '94 GT4 like my brothers which has no rust at all. HTH, Brian. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tDR Posted November 28, 2005 Share Posted November 28, 2005 Mk3 Supra's are also great cars but the UK model, turbo or not, suffers from blown headgaskets with the 7M series engine. What you want is the uber rare collectors piece JZA70 model Mk3 with the 1JZ-GTE 2.5 litre Twin Turbo engine, like mine They go for much more than £1k tho Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bondango Posted November 28, 2005 Share Posted November 28, 2005 Go for a mk3 turbo, ask if its had the headgasket done in its history. If the answers yes your ok, the original torque setting of 52lbft was the cause of failed headgaskets, its was changed to 72lbft . you should be able to run at just below FC with no un-reliability issues. AND you get a hell of a lot of car for the money! take one on a test drive, you'l be impressed - torque monsters Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jezz Posted November 28, 2005 Share Posted November 28, 2005 I happen to know where there's a s14b for £1250 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tDR Posted November 28, 2005 Share Posted November 28, 2005 I happen to know where there's a s14b for £1250 There's no such thing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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