TOP 10 RWD BARGAINS
defi ning car culture 021TOP
There’s a rivalry between advocates of
different drivetrain layouts. Fans of hot hatches
will tell you the simplicity and amusingly scrabbly
nature of FWD is the most entertaining way to
get the hairs standing up on the back of your
neck. Anyone who owns a quattro-equipped
Audi, an Evo or an Impreza will look at you like
a madman if you suggest AWD systems add
ÕiViÃÃ>ÀÞÜi}
ÌqLiV>ÕÃiÌ
iÞV>½Ìw}ÕÀi
out why anyone wouldn’t want to have all of the
colossal grip they enjoy. And RWD fans? They’re
the most vocal of all, pointing out this is the
classic formula: engine up front, drive going to
the back, slab of meat in the middle exploiting
the forces at either end. It’s this last group we’re
catering for today, whether you’re a seasoned
veteran on the lookout for some bargain thrills
or a rear-drive virgin looking for a way in.The fact of the matter is RWD cars allow you
easy oversteer and oversteer is just awesome.
Look at drifting; every competitor is perennially
on a knife-edge, constantly midway through an
accident. Generally they save it and transition
into another almost-accident. But plenty of
times they won’t, hitting the crunchy reality of a
full-blown cock-up. Hearts are won by entrants
who are good, bad, great or mediocre. And this
is a game anybody can play. For people who
feel front wheels already have enough to do with
all the steering and braking they’re doing, rear-
wheel drive makes a lot of sense. And buying in
doesn’t have to break the bank.
We’ve rounded up our top 10 RWD bargains
for you here, doing our damnedest to keep
them under £3,000. Jump in and lets go and
RWD BARGAINS w`ÃiÜiÌÀÕ`>LÕÌÃoTOP 10 RWD BARGAINS
Nissan 350Z
The 350Z is one of those all-time good ideas we can all be thankful
for. As has always been the way with Z cars, it’s basically Japan’s
interpretation of what a muscle car should be: there’s a gruff
and rugged vee-engine at one end and a diff at the other. And not a
lot else. In this instance, we’re talking about a 3.5-litre V6 which off ers
all the right noises as well as suffi cient grunt to pin you back in the
seat, mated to a sweet little manual ’box. OK, the interior is a bit drab
and plasticky, but you won’t notice that if you’re spending all the time
staring through the side windows into a fug of tyre smoke, will you?
Later cars are out of our budget here, but the earlier ones (from
about 2003-05ish) can be found just over the £3k mark if you’re
patient in your searching. Make sure it’s been properly looked after
- or, at least, not thrashed too extravagantly – and it could well be the
most reliable car you ever own. And with 287bhp to play with (later
cars had a nice round 300bhp), you’ve got more than enough to keep
you busy. Bit of a looker too, isn’t it?
PRICE TODAY:£3,500
TOP 3 MODS:Injen intake, BC Racing coilovers,
Japspeed exhaust
TOP
PICK