A bud and I are looking into splitting the bill on a cheap-o car for some rally fun. Looking to spend no more than $1500 on the car. What do you guys think? Any recommendations?

 

I looked into rallying a couple of years ago... the old timers all told me the same thing: Buy the cheapest and slowest car you can find.

According to them... it wasn't a matter of "IF" but "WHEN" you were going to hit something solid. In a cheap, slow car... you won't hit as hard and it won't cost as much to fix.

The same guy also raced with the philosophy of... "every time I start a stage, I consider my car junk. If I get to take some parts home, that's just a bonus".

 

1st gen Rx7's right now are the darling of the start-up rally enthusiasts. Nice examples are going for the 2k range. Junker ones, well....less.

 

nice....anyone else?

 

Are you planning on just playing in the dirt and doing RallyX or full blown rallies?
A rallyX you have much lower possibility of wrecking the car.

look at cars that are not just cheap but easy to fix and cheap, plentiful parts available.
old RX-7s are pretty popular, as are old VW rabbits. An s13 240sx wouldnt be a bad choice either.
If you had another 1k you could pick up a 1g awd dsm (that is my plan)

keep the shiny side up,
Evan

 

RallyX. We dont want to put too much $$ into this. Just for kicks

 

Maybe a 1st gen dsm. It might be more than 1500, but it could be a good car for the street too

 

How 'bout an old MR2 (dunno the gen, but from the 80s).

 

Volvo 240 series.

low rpm torque peak
lots of parts
rwd
Swedish made

 

VWs are popular as well.

 

i wish i still had my 240, that car would have rocked the hizzouse with a cage in it. 240s also have like a 50/50 weight distribution, and it's built like a tank from the start. VOLVO!

 

Hey Hybridreams have you considered your car??

 

if your budget is $1500, do you really have a choice to be picky? id pick up anything in good mechanical shape, slap a seat, harness and rollcage in and head down a ditch and drive it like you stole it... remember, you can still experience rally with a FWD car, heck the N1 group champion was a civic Si.

 

AMC Eagle SX/4, there hard to find but BAD ***!

 

At least mine runs

ha ha

 

Check out this site it will give you an idea of what cars people use
http://www.bensrallypage.com/forsale/forsale.html

 

Damn........thats true.

 

niiiiiiiiiice

 

You can find 90-91 model DSM (w/ the pop-up headlights) for around $500.00 these days.

 

or an awd turbo 1g for around 2500

 

celica all-trac

 

unfortunately celica all-tracs are very unreliable and parts are very expensive!

323GTX are similar, very expensive parts (but not quite as unreliable)
I sure would love one though....light little awd turbo hatch...droooool

 

Been interesting watching where this conversation has gone. Given the constraints that you list - particularly price - stay FAR away from anything with (a) a turbo, (b) 4wd, or worst of all (c) both.

As was mentioned before, the condition of your starter car is more important than the brand name or model. You want something that is as common as dirt (so wrecking yard parts are available, new OEM/replacement bits are cheaper), easy to work on, and reliable.

If you COULD find an AllTrac or 323 for that money, it would be crrrrapp. Ditto any DSM turbo product - you will undoubtedly double your budget when you discover the engine is toast.

Some of the very best options have been suggested - Volvo 240, first gen RX7, VW Golf II, and pretty much any Honda, but add to your list the Dodge/Mutsubishi econo cars (Colt/Lancer derivatives), Nissan Sentra, and any number of Toyotas (rear drive Corollas and newer Tercels, particularly - MR2 has some odd qualities that make it a problem).

Don't assume that you need the hi-po version of whatever you find. There is a guy in the DC region who rallycrosses a Tercel with a 1.5l engine and is quick... Start by hanging out at some events.

Have fun!

Kirk

 

Found a perfect one for you. Turn-key rally car for only $1500!!
http://www.i-club.com/forums/showthr...hreadid=177720

 

what about an AE86???

they are alot of fun and durable!, had one and it still is going with 203,000 miles on it