Best chassis of the 90's

Ignoring the $100K+ cars, I'll go with FD. An E36 has struts -- ew. :)

In reply to codrus:

So does the 911 ;)

I didn't make this E36 M3 up

Even though I hate FWD uni-body transverse engine transaxle E36 M3boxes, this was the best handling car I ever drove, the Prelude SH.

As far as motorsports, the E36 chassis sucks. Its good for a cheap, heavy, small sedan, but that is about it. It is also relatively narrow which helps it considerably in slaloms. Its crash ratings make it a questionable daily driver for me. The E46 is a big improvement in that regard, though the suspension is basically identically poor (a bit lighter).

Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote: In reply to codrus: So does the 911 ;)

So do the Escort Cossie and the Delta

SFO: Har har. Subaru does two things right: Chassis that are incredible in their unflappableness, and weird engine sounds. The GC has the right mix of unflappability and nimbilitude.

Acknowledgement to the Prelude, E36, and Mazda FD. I've driven each of them, and all make a pretty strong case. For a DD, I think I'd prefer the BMW, but the Prelude is definitely a contender, and the FD is probably the best of the lot, but probably more racecar than DD.

motomoron wrote: e36 M3, all day. Miata. E39 to drive to work.

quoted for truth

They aren't exactly cheap, but I'll throw it out there anyway. The 928 was reportedly the stiffest production unibody chassis ever. Its possible that an E36 might surpass that with a couple braces, but as far as a stiff body to start with, the 928 is a good choice.

You want a 96 Impala SS. You get the best chassis of the 70's, 80's and 90's. Makes a wonderful HPDE, autoX and daily driver.

As a 96 SS owner, I say... "meh."

You're right, its great for all of those things, but I think it would be disappointment in competitive events compared to a bimmer or other cars mentioned in some of the posts above.

But for luxo fun hooning, can't be beat.

In reply to curtis73:

He never said anything about being competitive. And in my mind if it's occasional events then it's about having fun. As a previous 96 SS owner, my suggestion was mostly in jest. But there is something special about hustling one of those big cars around.

B5 S4. The only available wagon mentioned (and wagons are superior as we all know)

You will not find a better '90s chassis in a DD Honda than this...

In reply to Vracer111:

Well, they're usually found stripped down to the chassis, so I guess you're right.

But yeah, it's almost a given that the DC2R is the best FWD chassis of the 90's.

etifosi wrote: I didn't make this E36 M3 up Even though I hate FWD uni-body transverse engine transaxle E36 M3boxes, this was the best handling car I ever drove, the Prelude SH.

That article has the 318ti over the Miata in handling. There is also a Prelude in the St. Louis region autox that does pretty well from what I recall. Not as fast as the prepped E36's, but definitely faster than my 318ti on all-seasons.

I'm just going to sound like a broken record and say that the E36 M3 is the best chassis. In sedan form, it is the perfect daily driver that can go autox or HPDE on the weekends. I'd like to have one eventually, but will probably settle for any E36 sedan.

Type R Integra is also a solid choice. That car would be much more liveable than my FD was and it was relatively stock.

I'd argue for a DD, a coupe isn't ideal. Rear doors are a godsend when you need them. Keeps people from pulling all your seat levers and messing up your seat location.

crankwalk wrote: Type R Integra is also a solid choice. That car would be much more liveable than my FD was and it was relatively stock.

There is a guy in wisconsin that regularly sets FTD at local autocrosses in a 100% stock ITR. Granted there werent many karts or A/B mod cars the days I was there, but there were LOTS of heavily modified production ones.

by the way, where is the Integra TypeR in those C&D articles? seems like it would've beat the prelude SH hands down, though I am not familiar enough to know if it would have been under the 30K cap. Seems like it would have been. And wouldn't 97 have been exactly the right year?

unrelated question: The C&D author is Don Schroeder, related to Per by chance?

Convertible Camaro? kidding

For US Availability: FD RX7 or R32 GTR/GTS and A31 Cefiro AWD, AWD cefiro has R chassis double wishbones.

If I had any choice it would be all R chassis Nissans and the Stagea if you need wagon space.

I don't think anything else from the 90s, that is affordable, is better than that. They are all proven in all situations.

AWD A31 cefiros can be had on the super cheap. Can convert to RWD easily if you want. Non AWD models have suspension similar to what's on a S14.

E36 for the win.

Too bad it's the ugliest BMW ever. Too bad it's prone to radiator failure, blown head gaskets, crapped out variable valve timing units, and torn rear subframe mounting points.

Like the man said about cigarettes/tobacco in "Thank You for Smoking" -- it's cheap, addictive, and widely available.

There are a ton of suspension replacements and upgrades in the market, and a well-rounded community to give free advice.

Better yet, it's readily receptive to a Ford 302 swap.

etifosi wrote: Even though I hate FWD uni-body transverse engine transaxle E36 M3boxes, this was the best handling car I ever drove, the Prelude SH.

I actually passed a white one driven by a middle aged woman on my way home yesterday. It had the SH rims. I need to track her down.

Jamey_from_Legal wrote: E36 for the win. Too bad it's the ugliest BMW ever.

No sir....can't agree with you on that one. Granted, this forum proves over and over again what one person sees as attractive, another sees as butt ugly. Even so.... I've never found a single person who thinks this is a better looking car than an E36 M3:

In reply to Joe Gearin: You gotta show the ugliest side of that car.

The front.