Your opinion - Best 5 driving chassis' under 20K ????

[slide86]

As the title states, what do you think are the best 5 driving chassis available under 20k ??????

All makes and models welcome, and a short description why you think so.

[rthy]

what about drive train? stock or modded?

[slide86]

stock........vehicles such as mx5

im talking todays market value, so car could have started as a 75k car but now valued at 20k

[chrisjjanfd3s]

In my opinion the Mazda Rx7 series 8 is about as close as you can get to perfection without spending massive amounts of money. Perfect balance, low weight and a powerful responsive engine make for a great drivers car.

[AJPS]

3 series bmw
mx5
s13
fd
ae86/kp61

thats the sub 10k list

i dont have 20k

[OniKyan]

1. BMW E30 M3

Jean Alesi, famous ex-F1 driver once stated that the 1986 BMW E30 M3 is one of the most enjoyable, best handling road cars he has ever driven. Offering astonishing balance due to its 48/52-weight distribution, telepathic in choosing the correct line, with a chassis that is alive and gives the car a personality, which is missing from many of today's mundane cars.

Production was dictated by FISA's Group A homologation requirements, stipulating 5000 road going vehicles were to be produced.

The M3 waged war against the Mercedes 190E 2.3/16V in the DTM. A battle between two direct competitors, separated by only a small stretch of Autobahn between Swabia and Bavaria.

The E30 was seen winning so much that even Charlie Sheen couldn't keep up. Designed with the sole intent to dominate Group A and it was successful, indeed. Not only could BMW hold their name down against the local competition in the DTM and European Touring Car Championship, their rep spread across the globe, by shaking things up as a multiple winner of the ATCC, Macau Grand Prix, 24 Hours Nurburgring and Spa 24 hour races.

The 2.3 S14B23 pumped 200HP through the “Dogleg” Getrag transmission and 25% LSD (with either 3.15[Europe], or 4.10[US]), propelling the ~1200kg car from 0-60 in approximately 6.8 seconds. Not overly fast, or powerful by today's standards but in its day it was a force to be reckoned with. A true piece of automotive history. With approximately only 16,000 made throughout '86-'91, price and rarity can only rise.

2. Mitsubishi Evolution 3

To some it may just be a riced up Lancer but if you switched on the WRC at any time during the 90's, you would have witnessed the success Tommi Makinen had in that little Mitsubishi.

While the Evolution may have gained power, suspension and chassis improvements throughout its life span, it's also gained considerably in size and weight. I don't think anyone would argue Mitsubishi's/Ralliart's engineering departments haven't taken leaps and bounds to improve the vehicle over its many generations but some will argue that the complex tech involved in newer models detracts from the 'raw driving experience' associated with owning a road going rally car. This is why I've chosen the Evo 3.

3. Nissan BNR32 GT-R

Nissan got it right when they built the R32 GTR: a road going race car and that race car has more than proven it's worth; earning its name, “Godzilla” for its monster track performance and country of origin.

The GT-R dominated the JTCC, winning all 29 races entered in the series, as well as taking the series title every year from 1989-1993

Contributing to the death of the ATCC, by making a mockery of all competition. The GT-R was just too good and a controversial decision was made to change the rules; rather than the 'local' marques having to make a more competitive car, a new racing class was born. A class for Holden and Ford.

If driving the GT-R is not an exciting enough experience of race car engineering packed into a vehicle comfortable enough to drive daily, there is always that novelty factor, that this car is a big middle finger up to bogans everywhere. Enjoy.

4. AE86

No explanation needed, this is AE86DC.

5. Cafe Racer

A lot of fun can be had on two wheels; from Turbocharged Hayabusa's doing 8 seconds down the quarter, to carving through trails on big bore thumpers. For me, however, there's always been something fascinating about the 'Cafe Racer', stripping down vintage bikes in order 'do the ton'.

The Cafe Racer sub culture is rooted within the 60's British Rocker counterculture. A fast, personalized motorcycle was desired by rockers to travel between transport cafes on Britain's newly built arterial highways, in and around towns and cities. The goal of many was to be able to reach 100 miles per hour (160 km/h) - called "the ton" - along such a route where the rider would leave from a café, race to a predetermined point and back to the café before a single song could play on the jukebox, called record-racing.

They are remembered as being especially fond of Rockabilly music and given that some of the Eddie Cochran tunes, popular at the time were less than two minutes long, the racers had to make their trip at very high speeds.

The café racer is a motorcycle that has been modified for speed and handling rather than comfort. Café racers' bodywork and control layout typically mimicked the style of contemporary Grand Prix motorcycles, featuring an elongated fuel tank and small, rearward mounted, humped seat. A signature trait were low, narrow handlebars that allowed the rider to "tuck in" to reduce wind resistance and offered better control when in that posture.

The bikes had a raw, utilitarian and stripped-down appearance while the engines were tuned for maximum speed. These motorcycles were lean, light and handled road surfaces well.

[Kid Karola]

I agree the E30 M3's are great little things, extremely well balanced and the 2.3L 4 is one of M divisions finest power plants!
But realistically they're still going to be 50K+ for a genuine example - 325iS coupe or the "KE70" equivalent 318i fit the bill.

I do like Rotary engines so FD3S RX-7 (Series 6-8) are one of the nicest styled inside and out and sorted drivetrains/chassis.
The MX5 are fun and dynamic little cruiser, but I like the nature of 4AGE(16V/20V) over the B6(1.6) or BP(1.8)... so AE86>>MX5.

AE86 2-door coupe & 3-door hatch... Trueno or Levin you decide. Great fun and respond well to mild mods to make things more interesting.
With the relative ease of importing one these days and parts galore - there's really no excuse! Being a tight-ass and moaning about 10K-
for a good one GTFO! or get a below avaerge one for under 4K and spend the next 5 years fixing it... Living the 86 life!

As far as Japanese cars go I really rate the Altezza RS200 Z, natural home of the 3SGE BEAMS is a superbly engineered package.
Small-mid sized sedan, VVTi 2.0 loves to rev, nicely balanced chassis. I had an IS200 for years and loved it even with the 6 cyl.
BEAMS would have made me happier - conversion was on the cards if I had kept it. There a few more personal imports around now.
I think it is largely overshadowed here by S14/S15 as they were locally delivered and SR20 because there is so much more off-the-shelf
stuff for them. But the Altezza/3SGE responds equally well to tuning (Trust/Greddy, HKS, Tom's Turbo kits and TTE/TRD Supercharger etc).

You probably know I am a big fan of the glory days of Group A racing. Hence the M3 above and totally agree that the R32 GT-R and EVO III (IV-VI too)
Both excellent choices for their racing pedigree on circuits and rally stages. Especially now they are so affordable! Must own at least one in your life.

I'd almost put the 1996-2000 Impreza WRX (GC) in that catergory, but the thing that stops me wanting one; too many jerks have had them which makes
them less appealing. I'd look for a 2-door coupe or STi 5-door wagon. Actually an STi Liberty B4 more plush and less wank. Gruntier 2.5 boxer also.

On the topic of rally bred AWD Turbos I love the WRC Group A cars like the Lancia Delta Evoluzione (1991-1992) only made in LHD but if you live in UK they're common enough to be had for that kind of money (and can be converted to RHD) but not reknown for reliablity. Also the OG Audi Quattro with the 5 cyl 20V Turbo was the car that changed rally forever! They maybe front heavy and understeery but I think important enough to overlook their foibles.

There are many cool cars that were 50K+ 10 years ago that can be had now for 20K or less. Like JZA80 Supra RZ... Honda S2000 is getting close to the mark (~25K) the F20C 6-speed VTEC song ♪ DC2 Integra Type R are now hovering below 20K if you like a planted FWD. But these don't really float my boat...

Since I've been in Europe the last few years, and getting into my mid-life crisis stage My current focus is on 964-993 Porsche911's (little outside the limit for this discussion but that is what I'm working toward) The last of the air-cooled rear drive Carrera's in the original sihoullette, and the revisions to engine, suspension and styling on 993 (1994-1997) are particualrly attractive, Would settle for clean 964 (1990-1992) if I find a good one, but I am fastidious.

[McLEVIN]

s2000 are pretty damn good and they are hitting the 20k mark

[OniKyan]

In the US, M3's can be picked up for around $10,000. RHD examples often sell on Piston Heads for not much more than 10,000 British Pounds. Shipping and compliance would be the killer but you could probably have a ratty one imported and complied for sub 20k, a clean one more like 25-35k.

As dope as that one on CTS was, it's well beyond the average M3.

[Kid Karola]

There's about a dozen on PH now ranging from £15~ up to £27~ so say median £21~ = $32~ (E36 M3's are much cheaper!!!)
There is one at 11~ and another 33.5~ at extremes of scale... rough around edges/high miler vs. mint concourse condition??