All wheel steering sport car

zackai

I am thinking of getting a used, cheap performance car. And after some research, I narrowed down to Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4 and Nissan 300ZX turbo charge. And current tend to the former. But I have several questions and wonder whether some one can advice me on it.

1. Both cars have all wheel steering, which is supposed to be more agile in corner and avoiding obstacle. I wonder whether after a long term driving of such a car, it would change my judgement if I drive a non-AWS car.
2. I tend to the VR-4 but concerning about repair since it's such a rare car (though it's branded as dodge stealth as well)
3. Any other recommendation for nice performance car (around or greater than 300 bhp with nice maneuverability), non convertible that is around $10k you would recommend?

Thank you very much.

kyfdx

I'd pick the Nissan. The car is much lighter than the Mitsu and my memory from 20 years ago was that it was much more reliable.

Hard to find 300 HP vehicles for under $10K... .unless you like Mustangs.

Mr_Shiftright

Definitely the Nissan. The VR-4 is a troublesome money pit. As for AWS, it seems to be the answer to the question nobody asked. The fact that very few automakers have opted for AWS, in spite of it being available and fully sorted out for decades, suggests that it offers few, if any, advantages, and carries with it added complexity and weight. If anything, the handling could be downright scary at times in the models you're considering.

However, AWS is making a comeback on such exotics as the Porsche 918, and even on the Acura RLX. These systems however, are quite different than the ones you are looking at. They are controlled by modern electronics, not mechanical linkages and complex steering boxes. (uses little toe links for each wheel driven by a gear)

zackai

kyfdx said:

I'd pick the Nissan. The car is much lighter than the Mitsu and my memory from 20 years ago was that it was much more reliable.

Hard to find 300 HP vehicles for under $10K... .unless you like Mustangs.

Thank you, kyfdx.

I am not planing to use it as my daily driver. And I drive a 227 hp one as daily driver and not impressive for the high performance expectation (don't get me wrong, I like my daily driver, but looking for an expendable one for weekend and probably on track ).

But after some research, I think 300 hp might not be necessary, one with above 200 hp and great handling might be good enough. I am not looking to drive above 140 miles per hour on high way, but more than 50 ~ 60 on some zig-zag track, i guess.

For American performance cars, I am really into Dodge viper, but that would cost an arm and leg to own one, and most I found from local dealership, have less than 5k miles on it, even a 2003 one. Thus it's expensive and I would be reluctant to put even a small scratch on it.

zackai

I know both are dated and surprisingly still very expensive. I test drove a 06 Nissan 350 Z convertible the other day in the local dealer. It got like 5k miles and look fantastic, and only cost 15k, compared with the 300zx turbo or the VR4, the 350Z is really cheap. Though people seems to like the 300 xz more but I haven't got a chance to try one.

zackai

Mr_Shiftright said:

Definitely the Nissan. The VR-4 is a troublesome money pit. As for AWS, it seems to be the answer to the question nobody asked. The fact that very few automakers have opted for AWS, in spite of it being available and fully sorted out for decades, suggests that it offers few, if any, advantages, and carries with it added complexity and weight. If anything, the handling could be downright scary at times in the models you're considering.

However, AWS is making a comeback on such exotics as the Porsche 918, and even on the Acura RLX. These systems however, are quite different than the ones you are looking at. They are controlled by modern electronics, not mechanical linkages and complex steering boxes. (uses little toe links for each wheel driven by a gear)

Thanks, Mr_Shiftright.

I also read about the Acura's AWS. But actually I was not specifically looking for an AWS one, it's just that the two I found intrigued, both were equipped with one. But it seems like a very cool concept, although when I discussed with my friend, we both thought it's like cheating on track. Lol

And this weekend after doing more research, as my previous reply to kyfdx, I think I might be going easy on the horsepower side, so that I got more options.