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Message started by sadd3j on 09/29/6 at 11:21:40

Title: Cheap starter car
Post by sadd3j on 09/29/6 at 11:21:40

hello all, me again ;D

I've decided that instead of subjecting my new GTI to rallys.. as fun as it is to drive.. I'd rather get a beater car I could use to do all my rallying, as well as opening up the option of rally-x :)

I've been looking around to see what kind of car would be good. (I'm not terribly mechanically inclined.. although i do want to learn)..

So far I've been looking for a 90-92 golf.. maybe a GL or a GTI. I'd also like to not spend TOO much.

Right now I'm just looking for something that runs.. that I can use for some navex's an drivex's.. and then in the future possibly upgrade a little bit (suspension) and rally-x or who knows.

I have a budget of maybe around $2500-3000 right now to get a car which runs decently and will serve for basic navex's/drivex's.. am I looking at the right thing in 90-92 Golfs? Are there any other cars which would be good options?

Anything I should look for specifically when checking out these used cars? I'm such a newbie :-[

Title: Re: Cheap starter car
Post by DaveC on 09/29/6 at 20:22:38

Personally, I have found that 90-92 Golfs are extremely popular amongst VW enthusiasts and thus they are either rust buckets or they want a mint (plus an arm and a leg!). Hondas of that vintage can also be pricey.

Ford Escort (one with a Mazda motor)?
Mazda 323 or Protege?
Toyata Paseo or Corolla?

With early 90's cars, I would think rust is the enemy. Then check out some obvious things like smoke from tailpipe, hard to shift, whine from tranny, etc.

Title: Re: Cheap starter car
Post by bobjim on 09/29/6 at 22:47:10

How about a 92 or 93 Suzuki Swift GT ?

Great little car really built for rally.

Title: Re: Cheap starter car
Post by suprf1y on 09/29/6 at 22:53:44

Excellent car, if you can find one. 89-94, but watch the frame rails.
Consider a 98-01 Swift, 1.3 16V
Not a rocket, but quick enough, cheap, good handling, and reliable. By the end of the rallycross series, I may use up all the $10 worth of gas I put in at the beginning :)

Title: Re: Cheap starter car
Post by dtompsett on 09/30/6 at 01:23:07

suprf1y wrote on 09/29/6 at 22:53:44:

I may use up all the $10 worth of gas I put in at the beginning :)

Hahaha... the vw Fox still has the same tank of gas I put in it LAST summer for the rallycross! Filled it in August 2005... still running the same tank of gas!

Title: Re: Cheap starter car
Post by knaztech on 09/30/6 at 17:03:09

My 93 Escort GT might be up for sale now. It has the desireable 1.8l DOHC engine from Mazda.
It needs a bit of work but is in good mechanical shape. Email me if interested ... ken_nazeer (at) yahoo (dot) ca

Title: Re: Cheap starter car
Post by sadd3j on 10/03/6 at 11:05:12

Hi guys! me again!

So me and my navi had an awesome time last night at the Oct. 2 mini-rally and manage to do pretty well =) Saw someone's Swift GT *drool*..

So in the continued search and thanks to your guys' advice, I've been looking at a few mazda 323s now.. seem to be a few around and fairly cheap.

Ideally if I could find one, I'd get a GT or GTX.. but what about the.. more common ones like the ones on autotrader with the 1.6L engines,

Would 87hp be peppy enough to get around in a rally? Me and my navi are a combined 250lb or so.. (yes, skinny chinese guys!)

Cause if so, I've seen some for <$1000, and if its good enough to throw around, then it seems like a good place to start my rally career :)

Thanks!

Title: Re: Cheap starter car
Post by Daniel_Buehler on 10/03/6 at 14:00:24

Check this one out... $500 ;)

http://www.casc.on.ca/forums/showthread.php?t=9538