Fox-body Mustang. 
Fox-body Mustang.
'95-on DSM with the 2.0 Neon engine.
'91-on Escort GT with the Mazda engine.
Wild card: A Nissan Maxima misses almost all of the criteria but they aren't heavy and make serious power from Day 1.
Nissan NX2000
Essentially an early SE-R with factory LSD, SR20DE goodness and hatch.
Porsche 924? If you're looking at early Volvo's, then you're not afraid of CIS troubleshooting and slightly wonky electrical connectors (lots of cleaning of connectors tend to alleviate quite a lot of issues with the cars, the other being vacuum leaks and cleaning the fuel system properly) from 79-on they were galvanized so rust is limited to battery trays or damaged panels.
The later 924S/944 is closer to the top of your weight limits, but is EFI and more comfy, parts are more common.
Factory LSD in an NX2000 would be an open by now, the fluid doesn't seem to last more than a decade or so, but I imagine you can get a new factory replacement viscous LSD from the parts counter. Probably not a bad idea to go through the trans anyway at this point what with 5th gear issues that crop up over time, etc.
I also like the Fox Mustang idea, especially the sedan, although street trim has them around 2900lb. Nicer lightweight seats, no rear seat, and some other aftermarket bits would probably drop a couple hundred pounds out of one and you've got 5.0 torque to deal with the added mass.
Having been codriving an evilly modified one in auto-x for most of this year, add plus one to early impreza.
We have a stock 2004 2.5rs for my mom (autotragic) and the only whispers of trouble in 120k miles have been the auto trans.
You will laugh in the winter, if you do some motor work they are ridiculous fun.
curtis73 wrote:EvanB wrote: 5.0 Fox MustangDitto. Dime a dozen. Everyone is chasing the SN94 5.0L, which leaves clean 5.0 Foxes in the bargain bin. Fox-body handling goodies are plentiful, wheels are common and cheap, reliable live-axle setup that uses parts from 1962.... good choice.
You mean SN95? Are they? I have one of those
I think it's funny someone would say a DOHC neon would feel like a vespa and then recommend an e30, only one (non-m) version of which is BARELY faster than a dohc neon, and THEN recommend a miata? 
If it was me, with my tools, space, and time, i would almost certainly buy the $1k 2.5 RS and fix it.
Barring that, i dont have any strong opinions between the several good options that have been presented.
Stealthtercel wrote: Is an E36 ti hatch too heavy?
Fully laden they're under 2800 to start with......thats full leather, full tank, etc......and probably a bit heavier than they really are. With gutting, you can get them to the 2000lb mark. Last time I checked, I'm under 2k lbs.....
I'm appalled nobody has mentioned this yet....
Starion or Conquest......lightweight, rwd, and have a rally history. Need parts? Buy a whole parts car for next to nothing. Want a more reliable engine, stuff a 2.5L bmw I-6 in there with a snail.....Plus, they're something you don't see everyday anymore.
Yavuz wrote: Didn't think of Merkurs. I have always liked those... how is parts availability? I don't think I've seen one on the roads for years now.
Parts are available, both from the box stores, RockAuto, and then many aftermarket and enthusiast retailers, it shared lots of common Ford parts since the engine was in the SVO, TurboCoupe, XR7s as well.
Foci are relatively cheap. They're not super economical, or super light, or super fast, but I really enjoy the SVT suspension, which can be added as a total package for pretty cheap. I have been curious how they would take to gutting... removing the rear seats would make it an even more capable mini-delivery van.
I had a '97 Subaru Impreza Sport that was a great car. Very similar to Per's project car. The guy I sold it to used for Rallycross and Autocross and it did very well. I'd definitely recommend one. It was also great at hauling crap from Home Depot and worked in the snow. Of all the beaters I've had, I miss it the most.
e30 with a S15 swap.
It's not a hatch/wagon but it has a massive trunk. I mean like full-size sedan size.
LSD+snow tires should be fine in the winter.
Weight would be ~2300lbs if you stripped out stuff.
--
I used to have this sweet ass Metro with Martini livery!!! You may know a thing or two about it?
You're welcome.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=q7ZzqBPz4sY
oldsaw wrote: You're welcome.
Oh, nice wheels. What are they?
Yeah, im curious about those wheels too..
I think they might be modified steelies, though. Hope im wrong.
Yes, I went in with a bias, but read all your requirements. This fits everything on the bill. Though I'll admit, it's pretty much my answer to everything. They cost next to nothing, fun to drive. Bet it's a great rallycross car. Winter tires and you're set. My coupe is 2300 lbs. with a full interior and some weight loss yet to happen. Reliable? You kidding? Plus they're super cool and people give you thumbs up when you're driving around town. Easy to work on and parts are a joke. Wheel cylinders were $3 on Rockauto.
I didn't read through all the suggestions, so somebody may have mentioned this already.
Ford Fiesta from early 80's. I have a friend that had one until recently. Kent motor and built before most of the weight was put on with safety stuff. Weighs about 1800 lbs if I remember. Handles great and there is a pretty large cult following. Of course, the Kent motor is ultimately tunable and there's lots of parts available. I understand Ford even started making new blocks available recently. Simple carb car-- no computers, no FI.
Buy an already rally prepped car from www.specialstage.com Foci are quite popular they seem to have replaced the older VWs for group 2 based cars.
http://www.specialstage.com/classifieds/browse-categories/?offset=20&category_id=4&results=100
There are so many sweet cars that come up on here for I am surprised how cheap. Post a WTB with your budget and see what people offer. You'll get something already caged with racing seats and possibly spares etc
like this, a rally spec mk4 Supra? oh hell yes http://www.specialstage.com/classifieds/show-ad/?id=263
Or this rallycross prepped SVT http://www.specialstage.com/classifieds/show-ad/?id=424
Another biased one here lol, but FB/FC RX7 are right there and i mean look at it!
Biggest thing you have to get over is the fear of something different (engine wise) and learn them, once you do it gets hard to turn back
Most over looked car.
Ford ZX2. An SR if you can find one. Cheap, reliable, cousin to Mazda G series. Parts readily available.
Celica All-Track/ 1st gen DSM?
THere was an ST185 all trac for fairly cheap on NH CL recently. And for DSMs, I usually have a line on a few decently sorted 1st gens on the Newengland DSM boards.
I have confirmed that the white wheels on the brown wagon ARE widened steelies.
We now return to your regularly scheduled program.
Vigo wrote: I have confirmed that the white wheels on the brown wagon ARE widened steelies. We now return to your regularly scheduled program.
How much does that cost? I can't imagine that's cheap. But damn, they look pretty good.
RoadWarrior wrote: Celica All-Track/ 1st gen DSM? THere was an ST185 all trac for fairly cheap on NH CL recently. And for DSMs, I usually have a line on a few decently sorted 1st gens on the Newengland DSM boards.
good luck finding an all-track for cheap. Even the 318ti seems to trade hands in the 4000 dollar range
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