THSCC Forums

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BenchWarmer Motorsports

another one of those damn LeMons heads

just another Chump

we are an Autocross Club Dammit............

I'm not sure if that wing is stock class legal?

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In need of car.

Great all season vehicle.

I this the longest thread ever in Swap and Sell?

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2002 MCS, 2003 MCS Track Rat, 2003 Generic White Yukon, 2003 BMWk1200rs, 1973 CB350F, 02 996. 08 Cayenne Turbo
http://www.clinehallagency.com

I can tell you from experience, a MINI is going to be a LOT more fun to autocross than a mazda3, even if you get the mazdaspeed. Just food for thought. Have you ever autocrossed a WWD (wrong wheel drive) car before? It's definitely different.

Have you thought about a newer MX-5? Sure, its a convertible, but I believe you might be able to fit without a helmet and with the top up, and obviously autocross with the top down. That car would be a LOT more fun than a mazda3 to autocross.

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2012 MX-5 Sport SUV

I've sat in Millers MX5 and the word "tight" is an understatement. Mike seems to like the close quarters, doesn't work for me as DD, might be OK for autox. So the short answer is no, not interested in the MX5. I'll not go down the mazda3 road now. As Bernie stated, I think I've beaten this thread to death.

I think Nelson's mini is probably the best overall fit for what I'm looking for as long as I look at this as a 2 year car. While the NAM forums present a lot of problems, I take that w/ a grain of salt. There is still no long term data on these cars and it seems many folks have had good luck w/ the replacement and upgraded parts in regard to the chain and tensioner. One person on NAM reported having the mini timing chain replaced at 30k and now he's up to 80k and no issues. We'll see what happens....

Aside from the mini, there are really no other good options that I can see right now. Don't really want another mustang, the GTI has an open diff, Brice states the mazda 3 is not quite as good as the mini (and I guess that's backed by Marcus dumping his 3) and I can't fine a 3 series bimmer w/ no sunroof to save my life. That unicorn simply don't exist as far as I can tell.

Supposed to look at the mini again this weekend and make a decision. Maybe we can end this thread next week

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Rodney

'08 Bullitt mustang, CAM 7
Autox VP '09-'10, President '11-'12, interim President 2nd half of ‘14
proud recipient of the Bowie Grey service award '12
Now just a guy driving a mustang....

you know I found my current mini dd on Ebay, there are a lot of Mini nuts out there with perfect examples-maybe worth a search.

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2002 MCS, 2003 MCS Track Rat, 2003 Generic White Yukon, 2003 BMWk1200rs, 1973 CB350F, 02 996. 08 Cayenne Turbo
http://www.clinehallagency.com

Really? Buying a nice car off of ebay would scare the heck out of me. I'm just not that trusting of ebay anymore....

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Rodney

'08 Bullitt mustang, CAM 7
Autox VP '09-'10, President '11-'12, interim President 2nd half of ‘14
proud recipient of the Bowie Grey service award '12
Now just a guy driving a mustang....

the mazdaspeed 3 is a VERY good daily driver, and my mazda3 is a great daily driver. In fact, I might argue that both are better daily drivers than the mini if you ever have to take more than one passenger or ever need to carry anything in your car (even golf clubs are a HUGE pain in the MINI, while in my 3, not a problem). My 3 returns 29+ mpg regularly (the MINI returns ~25 mpg, but it gets almost all city miles while the 3 gets more highway), and it has 155k miles on it, despite years of abuse with no major problems (clutch replaced at 140k, tires, brakes, fluids, and thats it). Its a GREAT car.

Its just a slower car at autocross. The speed3 is a good 600 lbs heavier than a mini, and a lot longer. Its got GREAT power, but the power is limited in first and second gear. Just look at D-stock results. You see MINI's doing very well. You don't see anyone even bother to compete in a speed3. The mazda3, I firmly believe can be a nationally competitive H-stock car. Better power to weight than the base cooper, lots more torque, and it can fit a lot more tire. I've been able to hold my own in it against any non-alien drivers in regular coopers, and we have some pretty good ones around here. When compared to a Cooper S though, the Cooper S is a more fun car. Better power, lighter, better handling, and a limited slip.

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2012 MX-5 Sport SUV

This is what I'd be looking at:

http://miami.craigslist.org/mdc/cto/2647735036.html

http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/cto/2682756674.html

Finding a stock one is the trick.

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09 Bullitt - DD
11 Fusion - Wife's DD
03 Mazda6 - Track car
00 PSD Excursion - Tow rig
67 Firebird - Don't you still own your 1st car?
61 F100 - Dad's truck
90 Moto Guzzi Calif III - Tourer
00 Cagiva - Adventure bike
00 DRZ400 - Woods bike

Even w/ out a sunroof, I'm thinking I wouldn't fit in this....

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Rodney

'08 Bullitt mustang, CAM 7
Autox VP '09-'10, President '11-'12, interim President 2nd half of ‘14
proud recipient of the Bowie Grey service award '12
Now just a guy driving a mustang....

What about a Mitsubishi Evo? Evos are a freaking riot to drive. For those who know Jim L, who used to work at Performance Chassis, he's got an extremely nicely modded Evo, and I've driven it. It's an astonishing car. Great steering, great brakes, and OMG the horsepower. His car definitely wouldn't be STU legal, but STU legal versions are still plenty fast.

Trouble is finding a stock one. Seems like they either cost $1million, or have a salvage title because it's been crashed five times.

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Karl S.
2014 Baby, 2014 House, 2013 Ford Focus ST, 2013 BMW 328i, 1994 Mercedes E320
(Insert passive aggressive signature line here)

+1 on the Evo, especially the MR. I've driven a couple of these on the street and they are f-u-n. The steering is effortless and definitely inspires a bit of confidence.

They are ridiculously hard to find (I know from experience) and people just can't seem to not tinker with them.

When I was out a few weekends ago looking at cars, Captitol Ford actually had a very low mileage EVO on the lot, but at 30k, is well out of my price range. Was a very nice looking car and untouched as far as I could tell.

Funny though, I was looking at all of the Solo winners and not a single EVO listed. Of all the winning cars listed in all classes, there was about 3 that I could fit in (well at least 2 I can fit in); the subie WRX, mustang and the mini. I guess the mini is the best route I have to take. Also looking at the mini's, all of the trophy winners were in the 2nd gen cars, so I guess that makes a statement.

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Rodney

'08 Bullitt mustang, CAM 7
Autox VP '09-'10, President '11-'12, interim President 2nd half of ‘14
proud recipient of the Bowie Grey service award '12
Now just a guy driving a mustang....

It might be worth a call to the Dodge dealer on Capital (directly across from the old Saturn dealer). They had a silver MCS on the lot right on the road and it didn't appear to have a sunroof. I checked their website and they didn't have it listed yet.