Need help choosing first car. (RWD, etc)

[niky]

Most japanese cars are FWD. Ok lang naman ang FWD save for the understeer.

Understeer/oversteer is more dependent on the tires and suspension geometry, really, than whether the car is FWD or RWD. Just ask the mechanic I once knew who understeered a Mercedes Benz into a wall at over 100 km/h. (Whereas I have oversteered FWD cars a number of times... )

That's unless we're talking power oversteer. And unless you have a highly modified rear-driver (read: powerful) with an aftermarket LSD, that ain't happening, either.

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If you're looking for a rear-driver simply because you want a car that has a nicer handling balance than most common FWDs, there's very few within your price range. Possibly older 3-series cars (though the trailing-link suspension is very hard to modify around), a reasonably modified 190E, older W123s, or, stretching it a bit, S11 or S12 Silvias.

With Cefiros and 300Ds, you're looking at big, fat cars that will need some modification... the Cefiro isn't basically a four-door Silvia. It's a four-door Skyline... but the suspension is tuned more for a plush ride than for drifting. (and... hell... unless the old Skyline is a GTS-T or a GT-R, it's nothing more than a mid-sized cruiser, nothing to really get excited about, and nowhere near as much fun as a Silvia)

A 300D is a very nice car, very comfortable, but it's heavy as hell and plows like a cow. Maintenance is easier than for many European cars... there are Benz specialists everywhere, but don't expect it to be cheap.

If you can afford it, and afford to own it, though, I heartily recommend the 300D. Great car to pimp around in.

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Of course, if you're looking for a car that has great handling, space-no-problem, then that opens up your choices... Starlets (oversteer, FTW), Miatas, older Corollas, Ford Escorts, Datsun 240Zs... though anything pre-1980 will need a ton of brake and suspension work to make them handle nearly as well or as predictably as a 1990's Civic.

If you can stretch for a non-turbo Silvia S13 or S14, those are excellent cars. Long wheelbase provides stability, but the weight balance is excellent and they're always on tiptoes and ready to swing out sideways at command. And the front seat is big enough, with rear seats for occassional passengers. The SR20DE engine is not that hard to care for, it's modern and powerful, and mods aplenty are available.

If you're afraid of conversions, find an expert, buy it in RHD and then have it converted yourself.

[ronw123w124]

Go for an MB w123 300D! I have one which I use as a daily driver. Di ka mapapahiya dyan.

[alec421]

If you're looking for a rear-driver simply because you want a car that has a nicer handling balance than most common FWDs, there's very few within your price range. Possibly older 3-series cars (though the trailing-link suspension is very hard to modify around), a reasonably modified 190E, older W123s, or, stretching it a bit, S11 or S12 Silvias.

With Cefiros and 300Ds, you're looking at big, fat cars that will need some modification... the Cefiro isn't basically a four-door Silvia. It's a four-door Skyline... but the suspension is tuned more for a plush ride than for drifting. (and... hell... unless the old Skyline is a GTS-T or a GT-R, it's nothing more than a mid-sized cruiser, nothing to really get excited about, and nowhere near as much fun as a Silvia)

A 300D is a very nice car, very comfortable, but it's heavy as hell and plows like a cow. Maintenance is easier than for many European cars... there are Benz specialists everywhere, but don't expect it to be cheap.

If you can afford it, and afford to own it, though, I heartily recommend the 300D. Great car to pimp around in.

-

Of course, if you're looking for a car that has great handling, space-no-problem, then that opens up your choices... Starlets (oversteer, FTW), Miatas, older Corollas, Ford Escorts, Datsun 240Zs... though anything pre-1980 will need a ton of brake and suspension work to make them handle nearly as well or as predictably as a 1990's Civic.

If you can stretch for a non-turbo Silvia S13 or S14, those are excellent cars. Long wheelbase provides stability, but the weight balance is excellent and they're always on tiptoes and ready to swing out sideways at command. And the front seat is big enough, with rear seats for occassional passengers. The SR20DE engine is not that hard to care for, it's modern and powerful, and mods aplenty are available.

If you're afraid of conversions, find an expert, buy it in RHD and then have it converted yourself.

Thanks for the info! I'll be sure to keep this in mind when getting my car. I'm still leaning towards the W123 300D, but you've changed my opinion a bit about LHD-converted Silvias. I also really like the 190E, and I have a friend who's selling his 2.6 M/T (still not sure kung nabenta na, sana hindi) so I'll think about getting one of those too.

[niky]

Thanks for the info! I'll be sure to keep this in mind when getting my car. I'm still leaning towards the W123 300D, but you've changed my opinion a bit about LHD-converted Silvias. I also really like the 190E, and I have a friend who's selling his 2.6 M/T (still not sure kung nabenta na, sana hindi) so I'll think about getting one of those too.

Mind, I wouldn't recommend buying a converted Silvia unless the conversion is done by a professional... and the dashboard will never look exactly like stock... if you're lucky enough to get an original Pinoy LHD, better, but those are still very expensive secondhand.

[alec421]

Mind, I wouldn't recommend buying a converted Silvia unless the conversion is done by a professional... and the dashboard will never look exactly like stock... if you're lucky enough to get an original Pinoy LHD, better, but those are still very expensive secondhand.

Oo naman... thanks ulit sa info, really helped!

[isa1023]

I think it's possible to remove/disable a transfer case of a 4WD car to make it RWD.

I know someone who did that to a Feroza.

Is that possible to do in a Subaru Legacy?

If so, then the car could be one of your options.

[niky]

The Legacy is full time AWD, you can't disable the center differential. The best you can do (and it has been done) is to disconnect the front driveshafts and weld the center diff. This will utterly ruin the car, by the way, as welding the diff is a permanent, irreversible change, but it will be rear-wheel drive.

The big question is how long the rear differential and driveshafts can handle all that power. They weren't designed to take 100% of the engine's output.

[chon961]

Big RWD japanese sedan?

you may want to look at a '93-'96 Toyota Crown.

straight 6 2.0 engine (for the Super Saloon)

dual aircon

cool box (for drinks)

i'd love to have a crown in exchange for my '93 corona anytime

[alec421]

Big RWD japanese sedan?

you may want to look at a '93-'96 Toyota Crown.

Forgot about that one. But most of the Crowns I see in ads are A/T, and out of my price range

If I can find a cheap M/T Crown in good condition, it's something I'll definitely consider getting. Hay, sana lang may makita ako...

[chon961]

how much is your budget sir? there are a number of Toyota Crowns in the P180-P200k price range.

local crowns both have M/T and A/T.

i have ridden in one,sarap ng ride, almost like riding a benz, kaya nagustuhan ko din talaga.