Best handling car for ~ $15,000

[hakosuka]

My father had a RS for many years. The handling is nothing like as good as an Mi16. In fact his series 6 STi didn't handle as well as my Pug. I wasn't that much slower around Morgan Park in the Pug than I could get out of the STi. Obviously the difference on the straights was night and day.

Not driven one, only a 306 S16. Apparently they are amazing, but I preferred the longer wheelbase of the 405.

Cal.

If that's the case then the Mi16 must be absolutely amazing as the RS was already bloody excellent IMHO. I did ridculous things in my RS, and felt it could handle a lot more power, brakes excepted.

I would prefer to get a Mi16 (or Mi16x4 )instead of the GTI6 as I've heard that they are a bit more stable than the 306 due to being longer and lower. I also would prefer a 3 box sedan to a hatch. Problem is that they are quite a bit older and the build quality doesn't seem to be as good as the later 306's.

[4x4FishGuy]

rs liberty?
whiteline suspension kit ( not sure if they still amke them totell the truth)
anti lift kit
cheaper insurance
less attention
laughing.

2nded.

[Cal]

Problem is that they are quite a bit older and the build quality doesn't seem to be as good as the later 306's.

In terms of interior trim and the body kit, I'd agree. Mechanically I'd prefer a series 1 in the Mi16 over the series 2 or any of the 16V 306's. The two things that cause problems are the individual coil packs and the variable intake plenum. The earlier motor has neither and is all alloy too. The WRC Pugs still use the early alloy block. The only reason they went to the heavier cast iron block was to save cost.

I might point out that I'd be putting new Koni yellows all round and Eibach or King springs on the front of any Mi16 you are buying now. They don't handle too flash on 250000km old suspension.

Cal.

[gti6]

I test drove an Mi16 once with macquered (don't know if he still posts here?), it felt like a nice little car. I'd consider one as a little weekender, and while the GTi6 was fun... fark the servicing cost & reliability issues just shat me. Ultimately that's why it went.. I wasn't convinced the situation would ever get any better with that car. French plastics are shit too, when it was 5 years old the thing squeaked & rattled away like it was an old steam train.

I miss the little bastard though, there's absolutely no denying it's a fun car.

[Bermo]

In other news, the Titanic sank...

:w:

[redgsr]

Another vote for a GSR - I loved the 5 years I had mine. Cheap, light, quick, chuckable.

$15k is more thatn you need to pay, should be able to get a stocker for around $11k and that gives you $4k to play with.

[Stang]

It should be even cheaper now....:huh:

[redgsr]

I sold mine for $10.5k last year. Bog stock, big stereo, 145km

[Sir Revalot]

Look there Bruce, I found an old thread! :D

In all seriousness, I'm still happy with my Integra. Very cheap to run, handles fantastically (now that I've sorted the suspension) and I never get looks from cops. Can't lose!

[Shitbreak]

I think alot of people on here are mistaking cars that can be made to grip well to good handling cars.

[Captiva Fan]

I think alot of people on here are mistaking cars that can be made to grip well to good handling cars.

Is that the difference between going fast & having fun while going fast?

[Shitbreak]

Is that the difference between going fast & having fun while going fast?

Yep (not sure if you were being patronizing).

[AndyMac]

FD for the win. End Game.

[Steve Whitney]

FD for the win. End Game.

not from a reliability standpoint compared to it's direct competition!

[Billzilla]

I think alot of people on here are mistaking cars that can be made to grip well to good handling cars.

True.

Pure grip is easy to quantify, but handling is far more difficult and they're only loosely related.