In Part One of this two-part series we looked at the rear-wheel-drive hot
handlers you can buy for under AUD$5000. Well, this time around we check out the
front-wheel-drive and 4WD machines you can pick up for the same amount of
cash...
Believe it or not, you don’t need rear-drive to enjoy
handling!
Suzuki Swift GTi
One of the most enjoyable to drive Japanese hatches is the Suzuki Swift
GTi.
The first Swift GTi body shape – released in 1986 – is the smallest and
lightest of the bunch at around 750kg. It received rave reviews from the
motoring media – it was ‘the modern Cooper S’. Its free-revving G13B 1.3 litre
engine complements the package with good throttle response and flexibility. With
74kW, this little whipper-snapper can run to 100 km/h in 9 seconds dead and
maintain good speed through the bends.
The later shape – released during 1988 – looks and feels more modern but
brings some extra kilograms. On the upside, rear disc brakes and an IRS are
pluses over the previous model. The Suzi tends to understeer and will spin an
inside front wheel when powering away from an apex but it will also oversteer
when really provoked and it has a very communicative chassis. Unfortunately,
models without power assisted steering take some physical effort to manoeuvrer
and many examples were sold without air conditioning.
The Swift GTi was successfully raced in a one-make series in Australia in the
‘90s so there’s plenty of knowledge on tuning.
The high-compression DOHC already pumps out considerable power given its
cubic capacity but you can find modest gains with careful header, exhaust, air
intake and ECU tuning. A turbo kit is the ultimate way to go – if you decide you
want to spend the dollars.
Whiteline Suspension sells an off-the-shelf handling upgrade comprising a
beefier adjustable rear swaybar (for more balanced overall handling and to
encourage lift-off oversteer), a front castor and camber kit (for improved
front-end cornering grip) and replacement front swaybar bushes (for better
handling response). This kit costs around AUD$550 fitted.
Parts for the later model are abundant as it continued until 1998. This
is a good safe buy with plenty of options for improvement.
Early model Swift GTis start at about AUD$2500 while the later shape can be
had from about AUD$4000.
Peugeot 205 GTi
Up against the Corolla SX twin-cam, Laser TX3 Turbo and assorted other hot hatches
of the late ‘80s, the Peugeot 205 GTi stood proud with what was regarded as
class-leading dynamics. If the term "go-kart handling" was ever over-applied, it
must surely be in regard to this little machine!
The Pug uses MacPherson front struts and a trailing arm IRS with optimised
spring and damper rates along with a smaller front and beefier rear swaybar;
these serve to give the 205 GTi some enjoyable lift-off oversteer. Agility and
excellent driver feedback added to the experience. Unfortunately, the
non-assisted steering in the early 205 GTis is relatively heavy. Braking
performance is strong thanks for four wheel discs (ventilated at the front).
The early 205 GTi packs a relatively large 1.9 litre four-cylinder generating
75kW, a broad spread of torque and sharp throttle response. Row the engine with
the standard 5 speed manual ‘box and the 875kg Pug is sure to put a smile on
your dial. Straight-line grunt is pretty average for a NA hot hatch – expect 0 –
100s in 9 seconds.
The 205 GTi has an enviable reputation amongst European car lovers and looks
schmicker than the average trolley thanks to its fog light equipped sporty front
bumper, roof spoiler, 14 inch alloys, red badging and pinstripes. Its
proportions are also cute.
What about pricing, you ask? Well, a 1987 205 GTis – which run a low
compression ratio and make ‘only’ 75kW – sell from just $4500. Examples from
1991 to 1994 (which produce 90kW and come with power steering) are outside of
our budget.
See Peugeot 205 GTi
for our full run-down of the hot ‘80s/’90s Pug hatch.
Alfa Romeo 33 4WD Wagon
If you want enjoyable handling in a vehicle offering wagon practicality, it’s
worth while checking out the rare Alfa Romeo 33 4WD (aka Quattro) Wagon.
The Alfa 33 – even in front-wheel-drive wagon form – was regarded one of the
sweetest handling cars of the late ‘80s. It also captured the emotion of classic
Alfas.
The 1986 Alfa 33 4WD wagon uses MacPherson struts at the front and a live
axle Watts link rear. The springs are set 30mm lower than conventional models,
geometry is revised, Koni dampers are fitted at each corner and the front roll
bar is altered. The suspension was developed for Australia so the ride quality
is reputedly top-notch. The little wagon has a lot of lean when pushed through a
bend but the talkative chassis – with added 4WD security on-demand – is a very
enjoyable and quick point-to-pointer.
Unfortunately, we’re unable to find out any technical details of the 4WD
system. There is an in-cabin lever to engage 4WD so we can only guess it’s a
similar system to that used in 1980s Subaru Leones. These old-type on-demand
systems are intended for use only on loose surfaces because the front and rear
wheel speed is locked. On the other hand, we’ve read contemporary road and
racetrack tests where 4WD was used on bitumen without any front-to-rear
driveline 'binding' – so we don’t know!
The 4WD Wagon is a pretty good looker in our book – it’s different without being too weird. The 33 wagon is well proportioned and comes with
sports-spec bumpers and sill extensions and revised nose. Traditional Alfa-style
13 inch alloys complete the picture.
Inside, the dashboard is unconventional but efficient and the 4WD scores
extra seat bolstering, a leather wheel, Pioneer sound system, power windows and
revised trim materials.
Powered by a 1.5 litre horizontally-opposed four with twin carbs, the 33 4WD
wagon makes a modest 70kW. Throw in the added weight of 4WD and the kerb mass
nudges up to 990kg – enough the drag 0 – 100 km/h performance into the 11s. The
second generation Alfa 33 was upgraded with the availability of an EFI 1.7 litre
engine.
Do a web search and you’ll discover Alfa Romeos have a passionate group of
followers and there’s no shortage of maintenance and tuning info. A 1986 Alfa
Romeo 33 4WD wagon typically cost about AUD$3500 – it’s worthwhile looking
around for one in excellent condition.
Note that the next 4WD version of the Alfa 33 arrived in 1991 – the Permanent
4. The Permanent 4 employs a viscous coupling, a 1.7 litre engine and a 164-ish
facelift. This is regarded as the ultimate Alfa 33 – and you won’t pick one up
for under AUD$5000!
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