THSCC Forums

Here is a challenge for the forum...

Find me a decent track car (RWD preferred, must be manual). I want a somewhat reliable car that I can get lots of seat time in for little initial cash outlay. The car does not have to be street legal, but must be able to pass tech at track events.

Now here is the catch... find it for under $3500.

I have looked at some spec RX-7 cars and like them, but I want to consider everything before I pull the trigger.

So... what do you think? Have anything in mind? Do you have a car you want to sell that meets these needs?

Let's see what you got...

adamb

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Adam Breakey
Founder - www.autocrossforum.com
SS 75 Red(isfasterthanyellow) Z06

Not trying to be a SA or anything, but what's wrong with tracking that? Too much work to be done to make it track legal. Since I've not done a track event yet, I don't know all the details, hence my ignorance.

Imagine having to walk away from that car, and it's pretty obvious.

Adam, since you're looking for RWD, you're pretty limited with your options.

'90s Mustang
'90s Camaro
'90s non-M BMWs
240sx
miata

All of those cars would be a blast on track and should be fairly cheap to prep and maintain.

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In need of car.

Thats a valid question. The main reason is that it is a lot of $$ to put on the track... especially since I still owe some money on it. I need to find a car that I can push 10/10ths without the concern of balling it up. If I were to track the z06 I would be less likely to push myself to that 10/10ths mark.

adamb

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Adam Breakey
Founder - www.autocrossforum.com
SS 75 Red(isfasterthanyellow) Z06

Cosby beat me to it Adam. $3500 will go a long way on the Z. and unless you plan on running TT, the need for modification is nil. you can run as is in HPDE. i am considering bringing mine out for Roebling in June.

as i don't know about any mods you may have done for autoX that would not work on the track the Z would be my suggestion. otherwise: Miata?

If you wanna keep consumeable costs down I would keep the list to:

Miata
240sx
2nd Gen RX7

All are easy on equipment and pretty damn fun to drive. All of them also have their own set of "issues"

240sx: The drifting craze has made the prices of these cars get REALLY stoopid. You will have to look harder to get a good one.

Miata: No power in your price range. Need a rollbar to get on track. You are kinda tall so its a challenge to get you to fit under the rollbar.

RX7- Goofy rotary issues.

I think the 240 would be where I would start.

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02 Focus SVT
STF 9

Bah, I would take Jason's car. He already has an SUV, so I am sure he is going to be on his way out pretty soon . Besides, he has TWO of them... 240sx hoarder

Are you looking to do anything else with the car besides TT (or just HPDEs)? Are you just running it locally with THSCC TT? Do you want to run it in a series (IT7, Spec Miatatatata, T1 ).

Personally, I like the RX-7 (already prepared) as an idea. While the inital buy-in would be more, I am more of a tin-top man. That, and IT7 would be a good thing to work towards. This isn't something I have put a lot of thought into yet, but it is something I am looking towards. Also, this is something that requires a good commitment and place to work on the car... things I am lacking.

Good luck, and let us know what you decide. I will be asking for parts from you later for the car (once you ball it up a few times ).

- dow

Like I said, wasn't sure and you cleared it all up. Other than that it looks like the obvious choices have already been mentioned so I'm out of ideas for you.

GL in your hunt.

I Know the feeling Adam, even though mine isnt a ZO6 the thought of seeing it waded up against wall or tree sends shivers down my spine and would scare the crap out of GMAC. AT Rockingham I drove it at perhaps 75%, at VIR in the RAIN I believe I was about 50%. I've got a !st generation MR2 that I'll probably put on the track once I get it finished. As Adam said 3K waded up beats 50K.

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2004 C5(415whp,390ft/lbs),
1997C5,1997Trans Am, 1986 C4,
1990 Miata, 1976 MGB,1997 Protege, 1989 MR2

I seem to remember being able to get a Spec RX7 in that price range. Not a front runner, but fully prepped, etc.

No point in spending money on a building a track car when you can buy one that is finished.

Scott

2nd Gen RX7 right in your price range:
http://www.racingjunk.com/post/615525/S ... -RX-7.html

Fiero a little above your price range:
http://www.racingjunk.com/post/615525/S ... -RX-7.html

Another Fiero:
http://www.racingjunk.com/post/571630/I ... -FSP-.html

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02 Focus SVT
STF 9

Yeah - I have looked at a couple of spec RX-7s recently. I like them and think they may fit the bill, but I want to explore everything before pulling the trigger.

adamb

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Adam Breakey
Founder - www.autocrossforum.com
SS 75 Red(isfasterthanyellow) Z06

winner

Oh wait, you said you wanted something that would be cheap and reliable.

It would be fun though.

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In need of car.

No one has mentioned the non-turbo 944. They are cheap and available -- the spec 944 folks seem to have good luck with quite low budgets.

--Kevin H.

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2003 WRX (again!)

Ask Adam L about his "reliable 944". Porsche parts ain't cheap or at the local AutoZone either.

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Vincent Keene
'06 Ford Mustang GT (track rat)
'15 Dodge Charger R/T (yeah, it's got a HEMI!)
'07 Ford Fusion SE (205,000 miles and counting)
'98 Chevy Z-24 (retired)
'93 Acura Integra (Team SWB 24HOL Car)