Help me think of a good "Back to basics" fun drivi

Marty Howard · **Posted:** Wed Oct 03, 2007 11:27 am

I am having a bit of a brain failure today. A Co-worker asked for a recommended "Back to basics" sedan that is fun to drive and very easy to work on. Kind of like a Miata in sedan form.

He wanted little technology, RWD, a manual, 4 doors, not huge (no 70's American sedans like Impalas) and easy to work on at home, and reliable. An older V8 or good 6 would be perfect, but not necessary as long as it was fun to drive, not too heavy (relatively) and can be made to handle decently.

Some that came to mind were
Pre-FWD Corolla
Nissan 810
Datsun 510
BWM E30
AMC Matador (??)

But other than that I am having a block.

Suggestions?

Wes Eargle · **Joined:** Mon Oct 27, 2003 9:47 am **Posts:** 3683

E30
Ford Fairmont

Aaron Buckley · **Posted:** Wed Oct 03, 2007 11:33 am

Marty Howard wrote:

I am having a bit of a brain failure today. A Co-worker asked for a recommended "Back to basics" sedan that is fun to drive and very easy to work on. Kind of like a Miata in sedan form.

He wanted little technology, RWD, a manual, 4 doors, not huge (no 70's American sedans like Impalas) and easy to work on at home, and reliable. An older V8 or good 6 would be perfect, but not necessary as long as it was fun to drive, not too heavy (relatively) and can be made to handle decently.

Some that came to mind were
Pre-FWD Corolla
Nissan 810
Datsun 510
BWM E30
AMC Matador (??)

But other than that I am having a block.

Suggestions?

Is this for DD use only or will it see some track time? For DD/track use, an e36 325/328 might be a nice option. Fairly low cost, very known issues that can be easily corrected and not too difficult to work on. - AB

Scott Johnson · **Posted:** Wed Oct 03, 2007 1:02 pm

Cressida

MikeWhitney · **Joined:** Wed Aug 20, 2003 9:15 pm **Posts:** 4724

Aren't some of the late 80's early 90's Volvos RWD?

I'd also say BMW E28 and E34. Find a nice 88 E28 535is. A little crusty compared to a more modern E36 but a simpler.

MikeWhitney · **Joined:** Wed Aug 20, 2003 9:15 pm **Posts:** 4724

Something like this. It's in CA, didn't find anything closer in a quick search.

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/car/436522650.html

Matt McGrain · **Posted:** Wed Oct 03, 2007 6:49 pm

Bingo! 24k original miles. Wow! This would be sweet if price were no object...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1988-E30 ... otohosting

BriceJohnson · **Joined:** Thu Apr 13, 2006 7:33 am **Posts:** 2230

beautiful car, not a sedan though

DickRasmussen · **Posted:** Wed Oct 03, 2007 9:34 pm

If you factor in parts availability and the likelihood of being in decent shape there are not many choices other than BMW and maybe Volvo in order to get a manual trans. Go old enough and there were some 4 door rwd Opels in the late 60's, early 70's as I recall in addition to the already mentioned Datsun 510's (originals, not the later fwd versions).

Datsun/Nissan Maxima's in the mid 80's were rwd with the Z six (injected using old tech injection) but I don't know about manual transmission availability.

FYI my 1966 Toyota Corona (the first high volume Toyota in the US) which I bought NEW was a 4 door, rwd, bench seat, 3 spd manual on the steering column. Last time I saw it was 25 or 30 years ago in Seattle and it was RATTY. It was also the last 4 door car I've owned.

DickRasmussen · **Posted:** Wed Oct 03, 2007 9:38 pm

The only advantage of the Fairmont (if you can find a decent one) would be the ability to swap a later model Mustang engine, trans, and various other parts into it. Might be better off to get the next to last T-Bird or Cougar and give up on the 4 doors. Then swap a Mustang manual into it. (after verifying that it is doable).

Wes Eargle · **Joined:** Mon Oct 27, 2003 9:47 am **Posts:** 3683

DickRasmussen wrote:

The only advantage of the Fairmont (if you can find a decent one) would be the ability to swap a later model Mustang engine, trans, and various other parts into it. Might be better off to get the next to last T-Bird or Cougar and give up on the 4 doors. Then swap a Mustang manual into it. (after verifying that it is doable).

I know that a manual was offered in the Fairmont, just wasn't sure if it was there with the sedan. A Maximum Motorsports/Griggs equipped 1980 Fairmont with a EFI 302 and a T5 would be the cat's pajamas.

Stephen Westerfield · **Posted:** Thu Oct 04, 2007 1:26 am

DickRasmussen wrote:

Datsun/Nissan Maxima's in the mid 80's were rwd with the Z six (injected using old tech injection) but I don't know about manual transmission availability.

The 76-84 810's/Maximas were available with a manual. Anything after that is FWD.

Chuck Branscomb · **Posted:** Thu Oct 04, 2007 6:59 am

Matt McGrain wrote:

Bingo! 24k original miles. Wow! This would be sweet if price were no object...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1988-E30 ... otohosting

It's amazing what is happening to first generation M3 prices. For what this thing is going for, you could get into an E46 M3 which would be a much better choice to actually drive everyday.

The E30 M3 is a neat car for sure, and there is a minor mania evolving over pristine examples since so few exist. Great predictions are being made about future value, auction values in 20 years, etc. I'm watching this market as there is likely to be a washout of early spec buyers sometime in the next 5 years or so when the emotional climate changes for a few years. That will be the time to speculate on E30 M3, E28 M5 and E24 M6 pristine examples.

The E30 M3 is an interesting car to drive as long as your expectations aren't too high. A 1988 325is was just as fast and had a much fatter torque curve.

Chuck Branscomb · **Posted:** Thu Oct 04, 2007 7:08 am

MikeWhitney wrote:

Something like this. It's in CA, didn't find anything closer in a quick search.

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/car/436522650.html

Dang, if that car was nearby, I might even have bought it, and I surely don't need another car. All those parts replacements he lists sound familiar, except the rear subframe problem, and I'm surprised he didn't list the brake "bomb" (hydraulic accumulator).

We bought a 1985 535i 5spd with limited slip almost new back in 1986, and it was my wife's daily driver for 6 years and then mine for another 5 years. One of those that I wish I hadn't sold 10 years ago. We ditched the TRX wheels right away for 16" BBS, installed Konis and Dinan sway bars, and it was simply a great car. I consider it the last of the BMW sedans made "the old way" (before major cost reduction engineering took the focus at BMW starting with the E32).

MikeWhitney · **Joined:** Wed Aug 20, 2003 9:15 pm **Posts:** 4724

If I needed a spare cheap car I'd be looking at this one.

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/car/526972353.html

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