THSCC Forums

The Car I wish someone would build.


I realize that this goes against the grain here, but I am going to say it anyways. Last Thursday I spent some time in a 198X Toyota Corolla AE86 with a 4AGE transplant. It was an absolute blast to drive. It reminded me of my old Corolla TE55 and RX3 Savanah. There’s something so much fun about a manual RWD LIGHTWEIGHT car that still has a back seat, and is very reasonably priced. While all the AWD cars are fun too, being able to swing the rear around by just the throttle is a blast. The 240Z is just as fun, but the same practicality just isn’t there.

How hard could it be for a manufacture to build a RWD Economy (under $18K) car with a decent powered engine and under 2800 lbs?

I think the Saturn Curve will be close, but what happened to the Razor. What happened to the Remake of the SR-5 that was rumored a couple of years ago. Maybe a remake of the 510, I bet Nissan would sell all the ones they could make.

Ok, I’m done. Feel free to flame away.

You can count me in on a new 510, if they could promise not to destroy the look of the original.

here here!

Front engine, rear drive, and a torquey *aluminum* block large diaplacement 4 cylinder. The closest "modern" era car would be the 240SX, but they are a bit heavy, and still not aluminum block.

The AE86/old RWD Celicas would be near a 50-50 weight distribution with a lighter engine.

My combo for fun, it hurts to say it...

AE86 Corolla with a *pushrod* 12 valve V6. Aluminum block of course. That engine would weigh less than the 4AG *and* it would have a lower center of gravity, *and* have the torque the AE86 lacks. Yeah, it will only rev to 6000 rpm, but who cares about revs if you have low end torque.

Scott

Scott, I think you would have liked this car. I have a small correction, it was a 4A-GZE from an 88 MR2 in it.

I'd vote for a rear engine car, but yes I think there is a nice niche for a car like that to sell in. I think your weight requirement is about 500 pounds too high though. If such car was built, I'd want to be able to get it with no options whatsoever. A true barebones model available. A V-6 wouldn't be bad either as long as the weight is kept down or an eye kept to overall balance.

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2006 Civic Si - #24 HS for 2015

2005 GMC Sierra
1991 318is Garage Ornament

Interestingly it appears the only rwd $18K car available new is a V-6 Mustang. 3260 lbs. With modern safety and comfort/convenience laws and market expectations it would be hard to design and then find a market for the lightweight rwd car these days. As I recall, our 1984 Nissan 200SX 2.0 liter weighs about 2600 lbs and it has small wheels, tiny brakes, no airbags, little side impact protection, etc. Even a Miata weighs about 2400 lbs, a Boxster 2800, and the lightest 3 Series BMW about 3200 lbs (and $32K). Even the FWD Mazda 3 with 2.3 liter alum block engine is about 2800 lbs.

On edit: At the other extreme, my Lotus Europa weighed about 1650 lbs, iron block, small wheels and brakes, two seats, NO side impact protection (or front either).

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Dick Rasmussen

FS 50 2018 Mustang GT

The Current Nissan Sentra SE-R wieghs in at 2707 with big brakes, semi powerfull engine and all the creature comforts. All for under $18K. But its FWD.

So I think the 2800 lbs is a reasonable request. If it's even less, great.

Here's one that comes close to meeting your criteria: http://www.autosite.com/Previews/2006-p ... lstice.asp

Also, Dodge has been tossing around the idea of a low-cost, no frills small RWD car. If you're interested in having these cars produced, then you should let the car companies know that you want one. Many of them are showing small RWD cars at the car shows, but apparently there's not enough interest in them to give them the green light.

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In need of car.

The new Celica's tip the scales at about 2500 lbs (lighter than the early/mid eighty's), the MR2's are even lighter at about 2200 lbs, so it can be done pretty easily.

Scott

The new Nomad comes pretty close, but we will have to see if they really build it.

I really thought the Dodge Razor would make it given the popular response and Dodge's record of making show cars production cars, but I think the DCX merger killed it. Or at least placed it on the back burner.

No back seat in the Solstace, we were looking for small, light weight RWD coupes...

Scott

Okay, good point.

Let's all bug Nissan for a new 240sx.

The Dodge Razor seems to have been killed in favor of the Dodge Slingshot. Based off of the Smart Cars that are sold in Europe. This one is supposed to be mid/rear engined, under 2000lbs, but with only a 3cyl 100hp engine. http://www.dodgeboy.net/news/slingshot/ Seems more likely to be made since the platform is already available. Doesn't fit the requirement either, but an interesting car either way.

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In need of car.

I liked the looks of that until I started reading...rear engine. That says to me that it either has to pull a trailer or be trailered to the track in order to just carry wheels. Regardless, if I saw that at a dealership I would have to think long and hard to keep from buying one.

You don't need no stickin' back seat to haul wheels. I think rear seats are just fine for baby seats.

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Jim Pastorius
2008 Silverado VortecMax
1992 Camaro CMC#92
2002 BMW R1150R

2009 3rd Place CMC Mid-Atlantic Championship
2009 CMC Hyperfest Winner

But there is an engine in the hatch.

Same problem with the MR2s