Getting a free car, question

[Kanaric]

My uncle has a 91 Plymouth Laser turbo with a manual trans that he is just giving to me.

Basically i've been planning on building a fun (not serious) autocross and track day car that is streetable. Have a '12 WRX now but don't want to abuse my DD.

Was consider Starquests, AW11 MR2s, 924S, 300zxs, etc but considering i'm getting this car for free might as well consider it. I like the idea that it's a very (by today's standards) lightweight car with great power potential if I feel I need it.

So I have a few questions on this. First off it's a FWD car, I have no prejudices against different drivetrain setups so that doesn't bother me so much but i've been told in the past that FWD DSMs handle like garbage and have a terrible suspension setup. Can they be made to handle decently like an integra or gti? Only two FWD cars I have experience with. Or is this a lost cause here? I'm kind of assuming here it's because these people who told me this never driven a car with a LSD installed but if there is something else that's wrong like terrible suspension setup please let me know.

My other question is should I sell this and use that money to buy something else? I wasn't planning on DSM was more or less looking for a RWD car, mk3 gti, or integra.

Car is in good shape, my uncle was a master mechanic who used to work for a Dodge dealership. It is this red color that is faded and looks kind of gross but mechanically the car is perfect and stock.

Looking forward to your responses, thanks.

 

[Soccerguy136]

Honestly, it's going to take a lot of money and time to make a 1g Fwd Dsm handle anything like an Integra or Gti (Especially since the Type R Integra comes with an LSD stock while the newer Gti's come with an Electronic Differential). 1g Dsm's only come with LSD in AWD format, and only then for the rear diff.

A 1g Fwd Dsm will not be a very good AutoX car without putting some money into it. Stock for Stock, a 2g Dsm is a much better handling and capable car since it has a much better and newer suspension base. That's not to say that a 1g can't handle great, it can to be sure, but it's going to cost you.

Honestly since you are getting it for free, drive it around and see if you like it. If you are just looking to have fun racing it around then it's a great car for that. They are very fun and their power potential is virtually unmatched in the 4 cylinder format. They can be very fast for very cheap if you know what you are doing.

But again, if you are looking to be competitive, especially beyond the local level, you are better off selling it to someone who will appreciate it and buying a 2g AWD. There is much much better support, info, and parts for autocrossing a 2g AWD.

Just my .02.

If you want more info, try browsing around the Handling and AutoX forums and seeing what you find there:

Handling Tech - DSM Forums

Road Course & Autocross - DSM Forums

You can also find some more info about 1g vs 2g handling here as well as find plenty of info about Autocrossing Dsm's:

Autocross.dsm.org - DSM Specific Autocross Tech Articles - 1G

Good luck and keep us posted on your progress.

 

[steve]

Clean it up and sell to fund a Miata if AutoX is what interests you