Cheap AX car for new Autocrosser

RobLupella · **Posted:** Mon Jul 20, 2015 12:35 pm

OK, so we have managed to get my nephew Cullen interested. Thanks to all of you

Now, since an F150, Company Taurus, or <GASP> Fiat 500L are not acceptable for AX he has to come up with a cheap car to use.

I suggested Miata which is OK, but he prefers RWD with a roof. I can't really think of anything that fits the category of Cheap, RWD, and roofed that is relatively low maintenance and easy on supplies.

So, despite his pref, I think I am selecting in no particular order:

Miata
Civic
Subaru (although this would be harder to find in budget)
Old MR2
Golf

What else?

The actual hardest part will be getting his mom to OK this. I can already hear her screaming........lol

FrancisChan · **Posted:** Mon Jul 20, 2015 12:53 pm

Miata with a hard top? There was one for sale on the forum by a lady who lost her miata to a car crash.

RodneyWright · **Posted:** Mon Jul 20, 2015 12:54 pm

I think you're on track w/ the miata or civic. An old mustang might be a good place to start as well as an integra. Depends on what he wants, front or rear wheel drive. Both are different to pilot...

Chris Halweg · **Posted:** Mon Jul 20, 2015 1:11 pm

I'm not sure of your definition of cheap, but mine comes with a spare set of autocross tires.

I can work on the price for someone looking to start out.

95 240sx
http://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/5082170749.html

Andrew Jonell · **Joined:** Mon Mar 23, 2009 6:43 pm **Posts:** 1350

Miata or Integra.

What's the budget?

RobLupella · **Posted:** Mon Jul 20, 2015 1:45 pm

Thanks Chris. He has a very limited budget

He's probably looking for a car that is sound mechanically but a little ugly inside and out. Budget is about $2K which is Miata/Civic territory.

Plus he lives in FL so he is looking local.

He was looking at the older F-Bodies and Stangs, but the consumables are really high.

Anything will be better than the FIAT

Thanks
Rob

JamesMilko · **Posted:** Mon Jul 20, 2015 1:53 pm

There was a high mileage NB1 for sale at VIE this weekend. Orange with a red hard top around 200k miles. Was there for in the 3k range I believe.

I can try and track down the owner.

RodneyWright · **Posted:** Mon Jul 20, 2015 2:26 pm

just showed up on CL, '89 CRX for $1900. I'm thinking this won't last long...

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/5131933470.html

RodneyWright · **Posted:** Mon Jul 20, 2015 2:31 pm

and a '97 mustang for $2300....

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/5131908495.html

Andrew Jonell · **Joined:** Mon Mar 23, 2009 6:43 pm **Posts:** 1350

RobLupella wrote:

Thanks Chris. He has a very limited budget

He's probably looking for a car that is sound mechanically but a little ugly inside and out. Budget is about $2K which is Miata/Civic territory.

Plus he lives in FL so he is looking local.

He was looking at the older F-Bodies and Stangs, but the consumables are really high.

Anything will be better than the FIAT

Thanks
Rob

If the budget is $2k, then anything with more than 1 wheel in decent enough condition is what he's going to wind up with. Having $3-4k of purchasing power allows you to be picky versus $2k where you might be able to get away with not having to get a tetanus shot.

Chad Culbertson · **Posted:** Mon Jul 20, 2015 4:58 pm

Smaller and lighter will be cheaper to maintain, 275mm+ tires are really expensive, 205s are like half the cost. Brakes aren't expensive though for autocross, I autocross on $160 pads in the Camaro and they work just fine. Tires however, even for 275/3518s aren't cheap at all compared to tires for a Civic, Integra or Miata.

As much as I love the V8 cars, i'm thinking you need to have a good budget to operate one for autocross/track. It sounds like the Miata/Civic/Integra is the way to go for him.

Hell, I keep looking at Mini's, 10+ more MPG and tires that cost half as much are looking pretty attractive lol.

FrancisChan · **Posted:** Mon Jul 20, 2015 5:16 pm

Ford ZX2? Should be real cheap

BriceJohnson · **Joined:** Thu Apr 13, 2006 7:33 am **Posts:** 2230

Buy Stephens old svt focus. Over budget, but worth the extra money.

RickyBeam · **Posted:** Mon Jul 20, 2015 6:34 pm

BriceJohnson wrote:

Over budget, but worth the extra money.

And about 2000 miles away.

Lexus SC300 (hardtop convertible) or old enough IS to be a manual, old NA miata (how big is this kid?), old 200 series datsun (z, sx, whatever)

In the VW world, (a) stay AWAY from turbos, (b) get something old enough to have minimal computer brains. So, a mid-90's VR6.

Andrew Jonell · **Joined:** Mon Mar 23, 2009 6:43 pm **Posts:** 1350

Chad Culbertson wrote:

Hell, I keep looking at Mini's, 10+ more MPG and tires that cost half as much are looking pretty attractive lol.

http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/Sup ... .htm#item2

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