Good RWD options?

[turin]

How about an MG F or TF? They are fun, unexpensive and with rear-mid engine, unlike the Miata. The K-series engine has decent stock mpg -- 30-35 imperial mpg, IIRC. Loads of second hand parts on eBay and they still building it (MG was bought by the Chinese and so the newer MG TF is available as new too).

[ex-x-fire]

How about a chevy vega or a monza? Get a 4cyl diesel, o/d tranny, & a tall rear gear. They handle well, they're alot of swaps to improve the brakes, just try finding a rust free one will be a challenge.

[bestclimb]

Not very many MG's here in Alaska. same deal with Vega's

[bhazard]

My first car was a RWD, four cylinder turbo, 5 speed, and could get 30 mpg hwy pretty dang easily.



I could only wish it was one billionth as nice as that one. *I would take a turbo tbird over a mustang any day*

Still the most comfortable car I've ever driven to this day. They can handle awesome too.

Btw the Xr4ti was not just a dressed up mustang. Completely different car. Based on the euro sierra. Only thing they shared was the 2.3 turbo.

edit: that particular tbird has had a supercharged 306 swapped in...I doubt it still gets 30 mpg LOL

[darcane]

It wasn't mentioned, but V6 Camaro is another choice, just barely under your mpg requirement.

Also, they don't meet your criteria but to more completely show modern RWD choices:
IS300
Solstice/Sky
BMW Z3
Honda S2000
Chrysler Crossfire
Nissan 350Z
Pontiac G8
Pontiac GTO
Infiniti G35
Caddillac CTS
Chrysler 300M
Hyundai Genesis
All pickups

SouthCentral AK? Do you commute from the Mat. Valley to Anchorage then? Being near Anchorage should make your choices more plentiful than most of the rest of the state. I grew up in Wasilla...

Mike

[bestclimb]

I commute from the fish hook area into to Wasilla. I drive to the big village when I have to.

[kamesama980]

the biggest problem with the cressida is just that it isn't an economy car. the engine is designed for smoothness and torque. and yes, gearing too: factory 5 speed 2200rpm @ 60 with a torque-monster engine

If you go for a truck, I'd go for an early 90s toyota or nissan truck. I don't know much about the nissans but the toyotas (like mine) are near indestructable and get respectable mpgs. I'm getting 24 mixed driving in winter with multiple exhaust leaks and a possibly dead O2 sensor. 18 pulling a 6x12 enclosed trailer ~5500lbs with cargo 60 mph (by a 115 hp engine! yes over capacity)

If you want to go with an S10, I'd suggest a 1st gen with a 2.5 4 cyl. gobs of low end... like a semi: 4500 redline but it'll pull stumps. mine was nearly stock and I drove around in 4th at 1k rpm. amazing FE for the dinosaur design too. I managed 26-28 on the highway doing 70+ @ 3600 rpm from the 4 speed (no OD) 24 with 1500 lbs in the truck doing 70 (1.5x capacity). 2nd gen S10s are just garbage, 4 cyl engine has as much trouble, front end (ball joints, tie rods, etc) needs to be replaced even more often than 1st gens, interior is just crap, and there really isn't any upside unless you get one OBD2

[darcane]

Originally Posted by kamesama980

If you want to go with an S10, I'd suggest a 1st gen with a 2.5 4 cyl. gobs of low end... like a semi: 4500 redline but it'll pull stumps. mine was nearly stock and I drove around in 4th at 1k rpm. amazing FE for the dinosaur design too. I managed 26-28 on the highway doing 70+ @ 3600 rpm from the 4 speed (no OD) 24 with 1500 lbs in the truck doing 70 (1.5x capacity). 2nd gen S10s are just garbage, 4 cyl engine has as much trouble, front end (ball joints, tie rods, etc) needs to be replaced even more often than 1st gens, interior is just crap, and there really isn't any upside unless you get one OBD2

My old '98 S10 didn't have any of the above problems. 4cyl/5spd consistenly gave me over 30mpg hwy and no suspension or driveability problems up to when I sold it at 262,000 miles.

Well, the interior was crap, but it was a good little truck overall. I'd take it over a first gen S10 or Toyota any day. But that's just my opinion.

Mike

[kamesama980]

Originally Posted by darcane

Well, the interior was crap, but it was a good little truck overall. I'd take it over a first gen S10 or Toyota any day. But that's just my opinion.

Mike

Agreed, opinion and experience. Which everyone's is different. My experience is from having a 1st gen and the shop I worked in and the dealership before that before moving for school: S10/blazer front end work was the bread and butter of our income. There were a few overall OK trucks but 95% of them were garbage. Surprised me since it's not a bad town or anything. 4x4 were 3x worse (usage of 4x4 didn't seem to matter) than 2wd btw. As with all cars there are a few good cars in a pile of bad ones and a few bad ones in a pile of good ones.

I finally sold the S10 and got the toyota because after mods and tires, the S10 rode and handled as well as the toyota stock and was as fast as the toyota with a slipping clutch.

Anyway, before we turn this thread any further into a my old truck/your old truck thing: bestclimb, are you even considering trucks?

[endurance]

I don't remember seeing why you wanted RWD, but I just thought of a fun one that can be quite affordable: A Porsche 914.