What are some good cheap, reliable, FWD cars?

"Rainbow" (rainbeaux) 06/18/2019 at 09:43 • Filed to: None

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I'm looking for a new rallycross car soon, and I'm wondering what I should look for. Transmission is less important to me than some of you, so it's okay if it's an automatic. But anyway, what should I look for? I'm thinking a Camry or Corolla would be the best bet, but I'd also like another Escort. Then there's the good old Accord or whatever. I'm assuming that a Civic or Integra would be harder to come by for cheap, but those WOULD be ideal just for aftermarket support. I dunno. What do you think?

Nibby > Rainbow 06/18/2019 at 09:51

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ford tempo

Alfalfa > Rainbow 06/18/2019 at 09:53

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I nearly bought an old Corolla, but then I drove the Mazda 3 and it was honestly 20 times more fun. 

InFierority Complex > Rainbow 06/18/2019 at 09:57

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You know you want to rallycross a Beta.

pip bip - choose Corrour > Rainbow 06/18/2019 at 09:58

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Mitsubishi Lancer 2003-2008

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > Rainbow 06/18/2019 at 09:58

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A Mk3 VW. Specifically my Jetta. Somebody PLEASE buy it.

CalzoneGolem > Rainbow 06/18/2019 at 09:58

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I’ve heard one can rally cross a Geo Metro. 

Grindintosecond > Rainbow 06/18/2019 at 10:03

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VW golf has huge rally race cred. Gen 2 or 3 golf will be good. Can do all kinds of stuff. Head swap with an Audi 5valver...etc.

MonkeePuzzle > Rainbow 06/18/2019 at 10:04

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because it’s rallycross, I’d vote for something that crosses a few platforms :

civic shares some components with the CR-V, point being that you can do some more sturdy suspension perhaps more suited to rally in bolt on format.

there are a few 93-9? Imprezas that were FWD (labeled as the Brighton edition), that would keep you in the FWD catagory and open you to a mountain of cheap rally style upgrades (suspension , skid plates etc) and if you get obsessed a lot of that would transfer over to an awd impreza

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > Rainbow 06/18/2019 at 10:05

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if you can find a non-rusted-to-shit Mazda Protege or 3, that would be a great choice.

fintail > Rainbow 06/18/2019 at 10:08

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diplodicus forgot his password > Rainbow 06/18/2019 at 10:10

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escort zx2 or focus zx3 manual trans

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > Rainbow 06/18/2019 at 10:11

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Fiesta. 100%

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > Rainbow 06/18/2019 at 10:20

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Unpopular opinion:

1990s Mopar.

Light chassis, takes well to mods, V6s have plenty of power with gobs of low end torque, stupid cheap to buy/maintain/modify.

The drivetrain is very stout and handles a abuse very well, so long as you maintain it properly. They tend to oversteer off pavement, making them very easy to rotate in turns.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Nibby 06/18/2019 at 10:22

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You lie.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Rainbow 06/18/2019 at 10:22

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Early 2000s Corolla.

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > MonkeePuzzle 06/18/2019 at 10:25

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Good luck finding a first generation Impreza in any sort of condition, though

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness 06/18/2019 at 10:26

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Who could have seen this suggestion coming? Nobody!

MonkeePuzzle > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker 06/18/2019 at 10:27

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you’re not wrong, and the Brightons are even more rare. But should one happen to show up their local craigslist, it’d be a steal. the FWD Subarus were almost exclusively owned by very boring people, and maintained as such

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > Grindintosecond 06/18/2019 at 10:28

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Mk2s are expensive, Mk3 Golf in good shape are actually decently rare (as in I have NEVER seen one that I don’t own on the road). The head swaps are doable, but parts are hard to find and if you do the 5 valve swap (VW people call it a 20/20 motor, ie, 20 valve, 2.0L displacement) you have to run a bunch of custom stuff and it gets expensive reeeeeal fast.

But also, please buy a Mk3! I’m the only Oppo with one as far as I know!

Funktheduck > Rainbow 06/18/2019 at 10:36

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I think you answered your own question. Early 2000s corollas are cheap and durable. Very little after market mods compared to a civic. The corolla/matrix xrs exists. But, like the civic, more geared towards street performance.

If I had to choose between civic or Corolla I’d go corolla. The suspension seems to have more travel and be more compliant. No evidence to back that up, just driven both. 

SiennaMan > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness 06/18/2019 at 10:39

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If you’re in the US I think I agree with this suggestion simply because every junkyard will be overflowing with cheap parts and they can be kept running.. besides, if you’re racing it you’re assuming you’ll need to swap the trans from time to time anyway? Something from GM from that era wouldn’t be bad either for the same reason.. Although going mopar for ra lly, are there any Dodge/Plymouth cars that are already bolt pattern ready for Jeep parts?

JustAnotherG6 > Rainbow 06/18/2019 at 10:43

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I’d vote for a Pontiac. If you can find a non-rusty G6, bob’s your uncle.

Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing. > Alfalfa 06/18/2019 at 10:43

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I second this vote, but th en again, I kinda ha ve to, don’t I? ..

Nibby > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 06/18/2019 at 10:45

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no u

Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing. > fintail 06/18/2019 at 10:46

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I think that for motors ports you need something “sporty”, and therefore it has to be a coupe...

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Rainbow 06/18/2019 at 10:46

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DO IT.

THEN SEND IT.

i86hotdogs > Rainbow 06/18/2019 at 10:53

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2nd fastest stock fwd car that day. I’d look for a cargo version (weight reduction) and the ecoboost 1.6 for bigger tuning market. It’s basically a focus with a taller roof. 

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Nibby 06/18/2019 at 11:03

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One word: Thick Film Ignition.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Nibby 06/18/2019 at 11:04

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Maybe I have it reversed though. Tempo because it's such a POS. then again what good is a rallycross vehicle that won't run?

Pickup_man > Rainbow 06/18/2019 at 11:10

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Cobalt, dirt cheap, surprisingly durable pieces of garbage, and if it does get destroyed it’s no big loss and a new one is like $25.

When my sister moved away from home she forgot to get her oil changed for roughly a year, compound that with the fact that it had a slow oil leak and eventually she ran it low enough that the timing chain tensioner failed. Dad and I threw in a new timing set, two new valves, did zero inspection otherwise and I’ve put 5k miles on it since without a single hiccup . I still don’t like this soul sucking pile of turd, but I can’t help but be impressed. 

vicali > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t 06/18/2019 at 11:12

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Agreed, the protege is a great option as they are dirt cheep and basic. Usually there are a few to choose from sub $1k and the small wheel well rust is a good bargaining chip..

Corollas are going to be more expensive, as are anything Honda, better to spend the extra money on tires and helmets.

Nibby > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 06/18/2019 at 11:22

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thicc

MarquetteLa > Rainbow 06/18/2019 at 11:26

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Fifth- generation Toyota Celicas are suprisingly capable at rallycross!

GoodIdeaAtTheTime > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker 06/18/2019 at 11:38

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My 97 Brighton is for sale... 2 door coupe even, except it is awd. Subaru went awd on everything in 97. Minimal rocker rust. My daily driver for the last year or so . Even has a manual gearbox. 

GoodIdeaAtTheTime > Rainbow 06/18/2019 at 11:41

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Celica? Camry/Corolla, can’t go wrong there . Lexus Es300? I’d say first gen Neon but they are hard to find in any shape anymore. Cavalier/Sunfire would be ok, parts are cheap and everywhere . 

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > GoodIdeaAtTheTime 06/18/2019 at 11:44

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Where? I do love a coupe

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > Rainbow 06/18/2019 at 11:45

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I’ll be selling my car for $2750 or so , if that’s cheap enough 

GoodIdeaAtTheTime > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker 06/18/2019 at 11:51

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Louisville Kentucky.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > SiennaMan 06/18/2019 at 12:06

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The 3.3/3.8 minivans, Avenger, Stealth, Concorde, LHS, New Yorker, Sebring, so pretty much all the ones you likely wouldn’t want to rally ( I mean a swb 2nd gen van would be fine, ask me how I know ).

Pretty much everything of the era ran 5x100 bolt pattern, so finding wheels/tires isn’t really an issue. With RockAuto, parts aren’t an issue either, I rebuilt my entire suspension for $200 on my car.

The transmissions actually seem to do better when ran hard, install a better cooler, change the fluid often, and it’ll serve you well for a long time.

Given the parts availability, the initial purchase cost, and the modability, you’d be insane to rule them out. You seriously won’t find a cheaper option.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker 06/18/2019 at 12:07

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Tell me I’m wrong, I dare you!

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > MonkeePuzzle 06/18/2019 at 12:35

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because it’s rallycross, I’d vote for something that crosses a few platforms:

This is why I opted for early 90s Mopar. Parts can be swapped between them like it’s nothing. That and they’re likely less than 1/2 the cost of any other options.

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > Rainbow 06/18/2019 at 15:01

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Base model 2006-2010 Hyundai Accent hatchback! I have first hand experience! Other than coil packs and maintenance items, I’ve not replaced  a single thing on mine and it’s still going string after almost 160,000kms!

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 06/18/2019 at 16:48

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I'm not made of money

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 06/18/2019 at 16:51

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Neither am I, sadly. It’d take the stress out of car shopping if I was...

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Nibby 06/18/2019 at 21:39

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I cannot interpret that acronym, assuming that’s what it is...

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 06/18/2019 at 22:33

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When mine finally woundn’t pass inspection any more (after I sold it to a buddy) He sold it on to a guy who used it as a farm beater. That thing survived several years of ZERO maintenance and being hammered across plowed corn fields with 500lbs of tractor parts in rear seat... it sounded awesome doing it. I moved away, so I don’t know how it finally died, but it did eventually succumb, I have it on good word that the o do had turne d over 500K miles by the time it did . Too bad they aren’t cheap any more.

Grindintosecond > MonkeePuzzle 06/19/2019 at 01:48

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I believe a fwd legacy existed as well?

SiennaMan > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness 06/19/2019 at 06:18

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Few things bring my heart more joy than the thought of rallying one of those little old Caravans/Voyagers. It’s just so much the wrong car, and yet for a cheap setup with plentiful parts, it’s hard to do better. Heck, I bet you can induce oversteer just by having the rear seats out the backend of them are so light..

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > SiennaMan 06/19/2019 at 06:58

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I’ve rally-x’d mine a few times and have run it down enough gravel/dirt roads to know that they oversteer off road very, very easily. Just a simple lift off coming into a corner is enough to get it to hang the ass out.

It would probably be downright scary how quick it would rotate without the seats in..

MonkeePuzzle > Grindintosecond 06/19/2019 at 09:00

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oh indeed, also rare, but there were indeed a limited rub of fwd legacys. i think both first and second gen

Rainbow > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 06/19/2019 at 16:41

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Ssadly, I'm thinking like $700 max.

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > Rainbow 06/19/2019 at 21:44

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I figured, that’s a more typical amount for a rallyx car

96Formula6spd > Rainbow 07/01/2019 at 10:54

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$1000 could take home the probeable cause probe. Its even wont some stock fwd rallycross. 96 GT v6. Come get it before I fix it and the price goes back up.