vroooom ptssssh

So, I've got this great idea in my head about buying a sapph cos. still trying to talk myself out of it...anyway:
I've saw a fairly nice 4x4 that needs a bit of tidying up but looks an honest car, late spec/smokestone etc..but I've always had it in my head that i'd buy a 2wd, however I can't decide wether I'm interested in this 4x4 one as it looks good or wether i'd be better looking for a 2wd as that's what i'd always fancied.

I like the idea of a more civilised/easier to drive 4x4, but it's more stuff to go wrong and feel a bit under powered unless running some boost...

please tell me its a bad idea and avoid at all costs, do the sensible thing and put the money towards a house!

James Porter

iTrader: (1)

2wd without second thought

eel-roy-t5r

how well can you drive

Caddyshack

4wd is great but if you want to run any decent power you need to consider an updated box if you are going to make a lot of torque. The uprated boxes can be noisey depending on what you pick. My oppliger long box close ratio will be Ł5k all done.

The 2wd can spin up and save the box

gcfcos

When I bought my Cossie I didn't care whether it was 4wd or 2wd, I just wanted a Cossie badly. After a few years and a lot of highnsight I wish I had bought a 2wd but at the time all the 2wd were worn out thrashed crap and the 4x4 were owned by older guys who had looked after them
So I wanted a decent car. I've driven plenty of both and to be honest apart from the different feel in the gear change I haven't noticed any difference between the 4wd and 2wd. Mines only stage 3 but a few 2wd owners have had a ride in it to see what it's like and they were pleasantly surprised. Each to their own I
Suppose at the end of the day

155lee

iTrader: (10)

Buy it,tidy it,use it then sell it for a profit when a house comes up,late spec smokestone is quite desireable.
Rgds 2wd over 4x4,it's horses for courses and what's good for 1 person may not suit everyone else.

Sierrasideways

iTrader: (1)

For the craic alone, 2WD.

ajamesc

When I got mine about 13 years ago I just wanted one. 2wd was cheaper than 4x4. I looked at a few 4x4's but my car was moonstone and had leather exactly what I wanted. I'm glad it turned out that way now

Zetec_mk4_XR3i

When I was looking for one, I was determined to get a 2wd as having driven both in the past, remember it feeling a bit better/quicker and more interesting to drive.

When I started looking at cars, I quickly changed my focus to overall condition of the car and the 2wd blinkers came off...I know of a lovely 2wd car but despite pestering the old boy for well over a year I've still not got it lol (ain't giving up mind you!)

Ended up with one of the last 4x4s and love it. Think I looked at 7 or 8 cars before finding mine and was beginning to give up hope. Think my advice would be if you are after a Saff, buy on condition before preference (within reason of course!)

Smokestone is an awesome colour when all polished up - get it bought!

Glenn_

iTrader: (1)

Not this same old conversation about which is best lol.

Get one bought before the prices go even higher imo.

Gazzonator

iTrader: (9)

I'd go for a 2wd myself

I've had a 4x4 saph before my current 2wd and they've both got advantages and disadvantages.

4x4's are quite a bit quicker off the mark and are a bit more planted especially when the roads are damp/wet but they're nowhere near as much fun to drive as a 2wd. My 4x4 was 450 bhp and my 2wd is 440 bhp and my 2wd feels so much faster due to being a little lighter and less transmission loss.

You've got to have a bit more respect for a 2wd as it will bite quicker than a 4x4 but that's half the fun!

The 2wd I find easier to work on and has less mechanical bits to go wrong but the 4x4 has certain bits that are better than a 2wd, the 200 block for example.

I also find the 2wd just generally a nicer car to drive as well

But as already said above, buy on condition rather than the spec or colour etc.

When I bought my first saph, I wanted a crystal blue 2wd with light grey cloth but I was open to other options, the only things I didn't really want was 4x4, white or leather. After looking at a fair few which were were all proper shit (the worst one being a magenta 4x4 that my local RSOC group chairman at the time had for sale, said it was mint and it was totally fucked and I mean fucked!! ) so I ended up buying what I didn't want, a white 4x4 with leather! It was the most honest and unabused car I came across so I had to compromise!

Find a nice 2wd if you can but you'll still have fun in a 4x4 Just give the 4x4 some more power!

eddie_od

iTrader: (1)

Buy on condition Davy and enjoy it.

Then you can always convert it to 2wd if you get bored.

Adam-M

I'd get bored really quickly in a 4x4 especially when you can't have much more than 330bhp without spending thousands on a decent gearbox, best of both worlds is 4x4 with 2wd running gear that way you've got the better engine ect.

But with people being anti modding cossies these days that may sound horrific lol

rallycross

Having owned a few including all the various models i preferred my late model 4x4 the most, then 3 door then Escos and least one was the 2wd ( and it was a mint 23k miles car that was only 3 years old at the time).

Caddyshack

I know my 205 is very different but with 469 bhp going through the Saph 4x4 chassis it put the power down very well and only spun up due to 195/16 tyres. When I had the skyline diff in there I could make it 100% rear wheel drive and all I could do was smoke the tyres when tying to make fast progress. The rear tyres had loads of tread but are old and it would spin in 4th gear sometimes. This has a supra diff with weir kit so I would imagine a high power 2wd on 2wd worn diff would not get great traction but at least you could run 225/235 tyres so may be better?

ajamesc

2wd is fine for traction in the dry with good tyres and the right set up even with lots of torque. Obviously you can get into trouble if your being a twat and leave big lines if you want too. Trouble with 4x4 is if your interest is modifying it is the extra transmission cost

smiley

Get your money out dave and get one stop fannying about

costina

iTrader: (1)

Buy on condition weather it is a 2wd or 4x4.

Condition is the key to a good car......

smiley

Deffo that my saph looked mint when we stripped it and got under it after pulling the carpets out day light take a torch and get it jacked up if you can

vroooom ptssssh

@ Smiley !

Cheers for the input, seems the general consensus is buy on condition!

handling a 2wd isn't a problem have had a 450bhp 200sx with a T4/shite tyres and the M3, managed to keep them on the road so far

I wasn't looking for one til I saw this Smokestone one pop up on facebook,
it's in Kent and I'm in Glasgow so can't easily go and view it and I know if its not a total dog i'd probably end up buying it because I was there!
it's got a rusty spare wheel well which half of would need chopped out and a new section welded in but assured its rust free everywhere else, standard engine down to the boost hoses etc other than a breather and exhaust. interior looks good other than worn gear gator/drivers seat slightly sagging/discoloured bolster....apparently had a rear arch and paint match on wing isn't 100% but hard to notice unless looking for it, apparently. I wouldn't say its exactly a cheap car at 10K as it probably needs a few quid to tidy it up, so potential to make a profit or break even is low...

So basically, not sure wether to make the jump and go view it which would mean flying down likely, or hang off and see what else comes up.

Mike1

Drive both ...


Choose one

Mondi-DZK

iTrader: (1)

Buy a house.

james kiely

iTrader: (5)

100% agree .


although i prefer 2wd i would definatley buy one on condition,be it 2 or 4wd

Matty_C

Where in kent is it mate? A little while ago there was a smoke stone one for sale I think in the gravesend or sittingbourne area but it had a roll cage in it and the engine wasn't actually in the car.

Adam-M

Tbh 10k for one that sounds pretty rusty is a gamble, if bet if you poked around underneath it could need lots of welding.

I've somehow got it in my head if the arches are rusty then so will the sills be and chassis legs, seat mounts ect.

ajamesc

What about the one on here that the guy restored but the engine has gone? He is talking about breaking it will he not sell it hole?

smiley

Thiers a few on ebay at the mo under 10 and a 2wd

turbotrev

2wd all day long, for all the reasons that have been previously mentioned.
Especially if you plan on tuning it and upping the power

Cheers Paul

JasonPD

I only went for a 2wd as I used to have an Impreza as well and didn't want 2 4x4s. Really pleased I did and although I've never actually driven a 4x4 saff, I can confirm then 2wd is indeed awesome and you'll have no trouble moving a good one on when time comes to spend your money on property.

vroooom ptssssh

Not sure exactly mate, I think the guy who has it atm is a trader as he has a 2wd and a few other cars for sale from what I gather. It's std engine still with aircon fitted though!


Totally agree Adam, however he assures me underneath is really good and that's the only bit on the spare wheel well, arches are all good, original front wings etc, he reckons its had an arch at some point but wether it was rust or damage I don't know, or maybe its just had that 1/4 painted due to dents or scratches? hard to know...

Not sure who that was mate, but as long as it's not white could be a good buy! wouldn't mind a bit of engine work however i'd rather just buy ready to rock!

Will have a swatch mate, haven't really looked properly as wasn't actually looking to buy til that one popped up! still not looking but I've always wanted one since my mates dad took us out in his as a boy before it got nicked never to be seen again!



Certainly makes life easier from tuning POV but I don't think (famous last words) i'd want to chase power figures, good stg 3 would do for now!!

I'm shit at selling stuff but i'd like to think that would be the case!

Caddyshack

One thing they both benefit from is a 6 degree rear beam

Adam-M

And a gripper diff I bloody love mines probably best thing about the car, it puts the power down really well.

Smit

iTrader: (5)

Dave, I love my 4x4 even though all the crap I get off everyone It's very easy to drive and you can always have some sideways fun with a slight power upgrade and a decent beam with a hard right foot


Be aware though as there are some dogs about, look nice on the outside but are rotton as a pear underneath. as said above buy on overall condition.


Keep us informed

Caddyshack

That is true, I have had the back end out on mine with 4wd, very controllable too.

gcfcos

Yeah I've had some abuse over the years for going 4x4, mainly from people who don't have a Cossie or a ford for that matter lol. I just tell them go and tell the rally drivers of the world that four wheel drive is shit lol

rooos

thinking with my dick, i'd go for the 2wd.
thinking with my pockets, i'd go for the cheapest one.
thinking with my brain, i'd follow the advice of whom said buy on condition.

ajamesc

Most importantly go with what you really want! Fuck what others say if it's a rwd that needs a little work or a mint 4x4 and its a car you are keeping and your heart says rwd get it.
Last thing you want is something your not be 100% happy with as your just end up selling it

ajamesc

Another way too look at it is there are some crazy price rwd ones about now and we all sit back saying chancer and it won't sell for that lol. We did the same with 3drs now it's the norm with them. Weather we like it or not it will happen with saffs and the rwd will be first. If you ultimately want one and can still find one now you can work with get it before it's too late

Jay,

iTrader: (4)

Due to how there isnt many Saffs for sale and it gets less less added to the fact there are less rough ones to the price compassion between 2wd and 4x4 has closed now and I have owned both and tbh I would rather have the 4x4 as spinning up the rear wheels does get boring unless your under 340 bhp then its a bit more controllable but any more power to make the car handle as it should means a chunk of money to do so . Then you will get more grip then you find out how shit the 2wd T5 is lol .

Owning a a 400+ bhp 2wd saff with shit konis and no other mods is about as pointless as putting 400 bhp through a fwd Unless you are into your rolling burnouts and straight line speed

Caddyshack

Yeah, after that you probably need the tremec box, 6 degree beam and supra diff plus all the other bits like suspension and clutches etc.