$Whats the best handling car for under 10K$

[Redlyne_mr2]

Just curious on everyones experience with cheap great handling car. My personal choices would be the crx, the porsche 944s and the 1st gen mr2's. The ae86 aren't bad but need some aftermarket support in the supension/chassis department because they are scary at higher speeds

[generation2]

92-94 talon tsi awd

[Ben]

RX7's, crx's are not bad, VW gti's with a good suspension set up, there are quite an array

[Weapon_R]

RX-7, E30 BMW

[88CRX]

crx's are not bad

:thumbsup:

[kevie88]

Nissan NX2000.. those things frickin rail. And SR20's to boot!

[James]

Originally posted by Redlyne_mr2
Just curious on everyones experience with cheap great handling car. My personal choices would be the crx, the porsche 944s and the 1st gen mr2's. The ae86 aren't bad but need some aftermarket support in the supension/chassis department because they are scary at higher speeds

Of course im partial to the MR2 :D, The Handling of my car is one of the reasons i dont want to sell it!....I've Either Driven or rode shotgun while being tested to the limits in alot of the cars so far
listed and id have to say with a few mods VW's are DAMN GOOD handling cars and can keep up with the best of them ( for under $10,000 that is of course)....but in stock form I Think the MR2 and the Fiero are Right up there.

[4wheeldrift]

Miatas handle exceptionally well and earlier model years can be had for under $10k.

[4wheeldrift]

Originally posted by generation2
92-94 talon tsi awd In stock form, no. Poor turn in, push on corner entry, push at the apex, push on corner exit. Understeer everywhere. With a few mods, however :D

[4wheeldrift]

Originally posted by kevie88
Nissan NX2000.. those things frickin rail. And SR20's to boot! Very popular down in the states in the street tire classes for solo 2. Excellent little machines all around.

[JustinL]

I'm gonna have to go with the 944 (obviously). My 87 isn't the fastest car on the road, but there isn't much that can keep up in twisties. She stays relatively flat through the corners and with rwd you can coax a little oversteer out of her with the throttle.


The turbo is even better:D

[three.eighteen.]

E30 318is, FC RX-7s, CRX...

[AutodreamMarvin]

i remember way back 83-87 preludes and the 944 were the best handling cars of their time.

[Arthur Dent]

I'd say the Porsche 924/944, MR2, RX-7, C4 Vette would all be good choices.

[T5_X]

Originally posted by Arthur Dent
I'd say the Porsche 924/944, MR2, RX-7, C4 Vette would all be good choices.

Not gonna find too many C4 vettes in decent shape for under 10 grand.

Everything mentioned here for sure, but I'd add in the infiniti G20, and the 80s Audi Quattro coupe:

http://www.audiworld.com/model/historical/85/pix/urq.jpg

[Hollywood]

Personally I would count out the RX7, that stock adjustable suspension is shit, especially when it starts to wear out. But I agree with the Miata I think it might take the cake, and the NX2000. In the US the NX (Egg) is very popular for autocross.

I don't know much about MR2's.

[jdmakkord]

Hell how about a 90ish 240, with a decent set of coilovers and swaybars? That should run circles around the rest.

[rage2]

As much as people say a 944 is an "awesome handling car", IMO it's more of an "easy to drive car" than the all out handling machine, thus giving an illusion of an "awesome handling car".

But for under $10k, the 240sx's and 944s are a good choice for a good handling car.

[cocoabrova]

First gen. Miata, EF Civic, E30 BMW, Fox body Mustang:thumbsup:

[SpoonEK9@STRD]

Miata, and a 240... both handle crazy good

[speedracer]

Adding to the list:
94/95 SOHC ACR neon or base model
^ This gave the miata's a run for their money though they can no longer compete in SCCA. Spec Neon racing soon :)

Protege - surprised?

The NX is ok. IMO without their "trunk kits" in Showroom Stock racing they are really not that great.

[rage2]

Originally posted by cocoabrova
First gen. Miata, EF Civic, E30 BMW, Fox body Mustang:thumbsup:
Oops, forgot about the Miata. EF Civics handle good? I've driven one recently, and I think it sucks ass!

[SplineZ]

Miata, 87-88 Fiero GT/Formula, RX7, or 1st Gen MR2

Stock or modded? I know a particular 88 Fiero GT that runs 1.19g, on fairly tall tires. Mind you its not ANYWHERE near being under 10k :)

You could make the cars listed above handle awsome if you get some poly's, new swaybars, and new shocks/springs or coilovers, should come in under 10k even with labor

JZ

[cocoabrova]

Originally posted by rage2

Oops, forgot about the Miata. EF Civics handle good? I've driven one recently, and I think it sucks ass!
Just THAT one:rofl:

[Redlyne_mr2]

Are the old 914s any good? Isnt someone on this board building one...Ive never even had the chance to ride in one but they look like they woudl be fun

[GTS Jeff]

in my experience, crx is a good handler for the price cuz its pretty much the first honda with 4 wheel dbl wishbone suspension, short wheelbase, wide track, and its lgihhtt..

i also agree about the ae86 tho...bad handler unless fixed up. the car probably has more potential than most other cars, but it stock 18 year old form, it licks.

[jdmakkord]

Originally posted by GTS Jeff
in my experience, crx is a good handler for the price cuz its pretty much the first honda with 4 wheel dbl wishbone suspension, short wheelbase, wide track, and its lgihhtt..

i also agree about the ae86 tho...bad handler unless fixed up. the car probably has more potential than most other cars, but it stock 18 year old form, it licks.

Price out some coilovers some day! You may rethink the ae fixing up idea:eek:

[GTS Jeff]

haha i wont even look at those sort of mods until i get new bushings

[eur0]

i love the way a crx handles, better than a civic imo, and the are tons of fun to drive! :thumbsup:

[jdmakkord]

Originally posted by GTS Jeff
haha i wont even look at those sort of mods until i get new bushings

what bushings do you need? I just ordered some energy suspension ones for my new coils. They do have a bunch of stuff for your application.

[GTS Jeff]

Originally posted by jdmakkord


what bushings do you need? I just ordered some energy suspension ones for my new coils. They do have a bunch of stuff for your application. complete bushing set for my car....i think ill go with trd cuz i dont know of any1 elsre that makes a complete set for my car

[jdmakkord]

Originally posted by GTS Jeff
complete bushing set for my car....i think ill go with trd cuz i dont know of any1 elsre that makes a complete set for my car

http://www.energysuspension.com/toy.html

[itsnotaDUB]

if you want handling, go DUB thye german suspension is biult to very fast around corners (autobahn)my old gti was the bomb in corners...

[James]

Originally posted by GTS Jeff
complete bushing set for my car....i think ill go with trd cuz i dont know of any1 elsre that makes a complete set for my car

Do u know if any of the MR2 suspension parts are the same as the ae86? :dunno:....if so , u should check out this site, best stuff on the market for MK1 MR2's...if i keep my car, i will be buying this stuff for sure.

www.highandtight.com

[Cueman]

AW11 strut inserts are often used as short-stroke replacements for AE86 inserts.

Beware of ES Control Arm bushings for AE86... they do not fit.

IMO... the full TRD set is the way to go, as it seems to be the only way to get new rear trailing arm bushings. (for OEM you must buy the entire trailing arm)

[GTS Jeff]

Originally posted by Cueman
AW11 strut inserts are often used as short-stroke replacements for AE86 inserts.

Beware of ES Control Arm bushings for AE86... they do not fit.

IMO... the full TRD set is the way to go, as it seems to be the only way to get new rear trailing arm bushings. (for OEM you must buy the entire trailing arm) :werd: ive heard tokico inserts are a good deal too

[JustinL]

I've heard that the 914-6 would whoop a 911 around a track (same year obviously). I think the engine was basically the same, but was mid mounted in the 914. I've been keeping my eyes open for one to use as a project, but most of them are suffering from extreme rust problems.

[T5_X]

I've heard from enthusiasts that the Volvo 242 GT and the shelby GLHSs scream around road courses. Don't know how they'd hold up against the cars listed though.

[GT2NV]

Originally posted by kevie88
Nissan NX2000.. those things frickin rail. And SR20's to boot!
yes they do haha :burnout: as well as pretty much any pre 1990 vw

[generation2]

Originally posted by 4wheeldrift
In stock form, no. Poor turn in, push on corner entry, push at the apex, push on corner exit. Understeer everywhere. With a few mods, however :D


hahahahhahahha, where did u get that bullshit info........

here is my facts, and my bro owns one, i would know....lol
http://auto.consumerguide.com/auto/used/reviews/full/index.cfm/id/2030.htm
read the "for" and "against", 92-94 talon tsi awd is one of the best cars for handling under 10 grand....

[4wheeldrift]

Originally posted by generation2



hahahahhahahha, where did u get that bullshit info........

here is my facts, and my bro owns one, i would know....lol
http://auto.consumerguide.com/auto/used/reviews/full/index.cfm/id/2030.htm
read the "for" and "against", 92-94 talon tsi awd is one of the best cars for handling under 10 grand.... hahahaha I've driven one in competition on several occasions. They handle well, if you like a ton of understeer. Try driving the car hard and you'll see what I mean, assuming you even know what understeer is :rolleyes:

[generation2]

my bros talon TSi AWD is for sale ($7500obo)
excellent condition...

[generation2]

Originally posted by 4wheeldrift
hahahaha I've driven one in competition on several occasions. They handle well, if you like a ton of understeer. Try driving the car hard and you'll see what I mean, assuming you even know what understeer is :rolleyes:

hahahhahahhaha, i know my facts....lol.....dont waste my time....hahhaha

[generation2]

here is a site....
http://auto.consumerguide.com/auto/used/reviews/full/index.cfm/id/2030.htm

[rage2]

I'm fairly sure ConsumerGuide has a different opinion on handling versus what we're discussing here (track behavior). Tell you what, bring the Talon AWD over to our track day on May 20th, and I'll show you how it understeers *heavily* at the limit :). I've driven a few 1G and 2G talon AWD's myself hard (yes harder than ConsumerGuide :D).

But, like 4wheeldrift says, with the right mods, the Talon AWD kicks all ass. Matt's 1G AWD dominated Solo2 last year.

[T5_X]

Oh yah, how bout the S12s? (Rear drive 200SX)
Apparently they handle very well.

[4wheeldrift]

Originally posted by Ranger_X31
Oh yah, how bout the S12s? (Rear drive 200SX)
Apparently they handle very well. I've only ever seen one driven in anger, it seemed like a fairly controlable machine, easy to get to oversteer. I've never driven one, I've only ever seen a couple, they seem to be hella rare.

[T5_X]

Actually, they're not too rare. Remember, they came in both notch and hatch form. CA18ET ones are a little hard to come by, there's usually one or two in the bargain finder at a time.

[CLiVE]

I would have to say, a 1988 Celica All-trac.

[GTS Jeff]

Originally posted by memystealthandi
I would have to say, a 1988 Celica All-trac. expensive tastes

[three.eighteen.]

1st gen alltracs (i dunno what actual celica gen...but chassis st165) in good condition go for 6-8k i missed my chance to pick up a 6500 one in awesome condition in banff

[4wheeldrift]

Too bad the all-tracs are such nightmares mechanically. Parts are getting really scarce for them.