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Author: Subject: Finding a rot free hatchback/coupe..
jps

posted on 6/3/14 at 10:11 AM Reply With Quote
Finding a rot free hatchback/coupe..

I'm after a cheap, but rot free, hatchback or coupe type car - with a view to using it for some road rallying. I'm thinking of spending £1500 max - on the basis that I can always throw it away if needs be. I'm not bothered about anything quick - but I don't want to have to do lots of bodywork repairs....

I've practically ruled out Ford Puma's - they all seem to be rust buckets.
Ford Ka is appealing - but also suffers rust

Proton Satria has been recommended - but they don't seem that common.

MX5 seems an obvious choice.

Rover 25 / MGZR also looks good.

Anything else I should be considering?

[Edited on 6/3/14 by jps]

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MikeRJ

posted on 6/3/14 at 11:08 AM Reply With Quote
You may be able to get a reasonable Focus ST170 for your budget.

Clio 172 would be a pretty good choice, the only real negative is the slightly weak gearbox (and a slightly odd driving position).

A friend of mine does a lot of special stage and road rallying and uses EK shape (up to 2001) Civic VTi's for both, a fully prepped car for the special stage and a pretty standard one for road rallying and has won the local road rally championship numerous times. However, they can suffer from rust on the rear arches.

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theduck

posted on 6/3/14 at 11:15 AM Reply With Quote
Will get a good 172 for that money. I sold mine for £700 and with the balance of your budget it would have been like new!
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scootz

posted on 6/3/14 at 11:40 AM Reply With Quote
Porsche 944. Bit different, RWD and has a galvanised body, so little rot there.





It's Evolution Baby!

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loggyboy

posted on 6/3/14 at 11:46 AM Reply With Quote
quote:
Originally posted by MikeRJ
Clio 172 would be a pretty good choice, the only real negative is the slightly weak gearbox (and a slightly odd driving position).



Havent noticed the odd driving position in mine?





Mistral Motorsport

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Parky

posted on 6/3/14 at 11:56 AM Reply With Quote
I have a totally solid Toyota GT Rally car for £1500. It is the proper thing with roll cage, LSD , LEDA Adjustable suspension, MSA logbook etc. It even has 12 months MOT!
Cheers
Parky
07861 996703

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jps

posted on 6/3/14 at 12:17 PM Reply With Quote
quote:
Originally posted by scootz
Porsche 944. Bit different, RWD and has a galvanised body, so little rot there.


Cheap?

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scootz

posted on 6/3/14 at 01:15 PM Reply With Quote
You'll find one for a grand.





It's Evolution Baby!

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Shorty

posted on 6/3/14 at 01:16 PM Reply With Quote
I got a 172 cup last year as a track car and was very impressed. I had never been a fan of french but was very impressed and started using as a daily driver.
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loggyboy

posted on 6/3/14 at 01:31 PM Reply With Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Parky
I have a totally solid Toyota GT Rally car for £1500. It is the proper thing with roll cage, LSD , LEDA Adjustable suspension, MSA logbook etc. It even has 12 months MOT!
Cheers
Parky
07861 996703

Any pics?





Mistral Motorsport

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chris-g

posted on 6/3/14 at 01:37 PM Reply With Quote
Mk4 or 5 Golf, they are galvanised.
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IanG1

posted on 6/3/14 at 01:53 PM Reply With Quote
Peugeot 306 XSi or GTi 6 could fall in your budget, they are pretty rot proof and the mechanicals are pretty good too.
The handle well for a FWD car as well.

[Edited on 6/3/14 by IanG1]

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MikeRJ

posted on 6/3/14 at 02:19 PM Reply With Quote
quote:
Originally posted by loggyboy
quote:
Originally posted by MikeRJ
Clio 172 would be a pretty good choice, the only real negative is the slightly weak gearbox (and a slightly odd driving position).



Havent noticed the odd driving position in mine?


Depends on what you are used to I suppose. They sit you up very high compared to most hot hatches, and is (justifiably IMO) one of the main criticisms leveled against them.

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Matt21

posted on 8/3/14 at 07:45 AM Reply With Quote
The gti6 is an awesome car!

E36 328?

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jelly head

posted on 8/3/14 at 08:40 AM Reply With Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Matt21
The gti6 is an awesome car!



Indeed they are but they can rot nicely in the front wheel wells.

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richardR1

posted on 8/3/14 at 08:43 AM Reply With Quote
A lot of the guys in our local motor club use the Proton Satria Gti and have done for the last 4 or 5 years for 12 cars and night rallies. Apparently Mitsi Evo suspension bolts straight on and makes them decent over the rougher whites. My mate has had one for a few years on events, been in it and felt slow to me. I picked up a Clio 172 cup cheap enough that a mate and I are going to use for trackdays and hillclimbs. Just fitted Spax coilovers which convert the rear to a proper coilover as well. Had a day round Cadwell and have to say they are terrific fun.





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jps

posted on 11/3/14 at 07:31 AM Reply With Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Matt21
E36 328?


A bit big for hustling through the lanes perhaps - i was thinking more '1 careful lady owner' sort of things - with cheap replacement parts if something goes bang. Aren't BMW costly to keep running...?

The other ideas sound interesting - although I would like to avoid French if I can!

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theduck

posted on 11/3/14 at 08:26 AM Reply With Quote
Don't know why the desire to avoid french. Over 100k miles my clips cost me less in maintenance than my bmws did over 30k. The bmws were younger and lower Mileage to!
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sdh2903

posted on 11/3/14 at 09:14 AM Reply With Quote
quote:
Originally posted by jps
quote:
Originally posted by Matt21
E36 328?


A bit big for hustling through the lanes perhaps - i was thinking more '1 careful lady owner' sort of things - with cheap replacement parts if something goes bang. Aren't BMW costly to keep running...?

The other ideas sound interesting - although I would like to avoid French if I can!


I've had a few bmws now and you'll be surprised how cheap parts are. Especially the e36/46/39 vintage. It only when you start looking at the M cars or newer stuff where the parts prices jump up.

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jps

posted on 11/3/14 at 09:44 AM Reply With Quote
quote:
Originally posted by theduck
Don't know why the desire to avoid french. Over 100k miles my clips cost me less in maintenance than my bmws did over 30k. The bmws were younger and lower Mileage to!


First hand experience of our Citroen C3 has been bad - so would avoid PSA cars if I can...

I guess Renault falls outside of that - but i've just got 'no French cars please' as default filter!

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Shorty

posted on 11/3/14 at 01:02 PM Reply With Quote
I was the same but finally got over my fear of french.
I'm not sure about the mg zr but they are cheap.
The focus ST170 is a good shout or mabey a civic type R but would probably have to stretch the budget
As for rwd, bmw (I don't know a lot)
Or 4wd an impreza

[Edited on 11/3/14 by Shorty]

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theduck

posted on 11/3/14 at 02:43 PM Reply With Quote
An impreza in that budget will need work, classic shapes are likely to be rotten to.
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Matt21

posted on 12/3/14 at 06:05 PM Reply With Quote
bmw are known for being expensive due to people buying parts from the dealers

go to a motor factors and parts are as cheap as any other car

never known of rot in the 306 front arches? between me and people i know there has been 7 of them and ive not come across any rotting

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