Which car for just fun on the track?

[cantwait2]

Hey guys,

I'd like to buy a cheap ricer or somthing similar just to take to open track days on a semi regular basis, if I hit the wall who cares type of thing.

Any Ideas...probably only want to spend 10-15k

[pdisme]

You can't go wrong with a Miata, there are tons of parts for it, if you add a bunch of parts it will actually take some corners pretty quick, it's cheap to repair and there's always a bunch of them at the track so knowledge and parts are plentiful if you need help. Plus if you actually wanted to, you could set it up for spec miata organized racing which is highly competitive.

Generally you can get them in the $5 to $7k range for a mid-90's model hard top, then you can use the rest of the money on suspension, brakes and tires. Not much you're going to do with that motor so straights aren't going to be the most exciting things but that will just encourage you to be a better driver so you lose less speed in the corners. :)

[cantwait2]

great idea...I'm looking at some right now...that could be perfect...I take it you were refering to an MX5?

[pdisme]

Yep, it makes a pretty decent track car.

[Matt]

Yep, it makes a pretty decent track car.

not when you're my height :lol2:

I literally CANNOT sit in a miata. even with the seat all the way back and the wheel adjusted all the way up, i cant get my legs under the wheel. :lol2:

[pdisme]

See, being tall costs more. :lol2:

[pdisme]

Check me getting served on my first day ever on the track:

http://whoi.be/vroom/d/2834-2/DSC_7923.JPG

[pdisme]

cantwait, where are you located?

[cantwait2]

New Zealand...

I would obviously want a hard top... I saw what looks like a pretty good one here. I'd want to cage it which I guess would kill the option of convertable not that you'd need it I guess.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=94747530&key=446782

what do you guys think?

[Minch00]

If you can get an Integra, those are fantastic little tossable cars. Especially the Type-R, but it's coveted to the point where it's still 25k for a pristine one. And the newest one is six years old!

[pdisme]

New Zealand...

I would obviously want a hard top... I saw what looks like a pretty good one here. I'd want to cage it which I guess would kill the option of convertable not that you'd need it I guess.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=94747530&key=446782

what do you guys think?

Looks decent, you'd have to rip that wing off before they made fun of you right out of the track but you may want to hold out for a coupe for body stiffness.

[zzzzdoc]

I've been wondering the same thing. I've sorta over 911's, so don't think I'll take that route.

I've thought about getting nostalgic and getting a 944 Turbo, but I wonder if getting parts would be an issue.

Lotus Exige also has crossed my mind, but I think the straights would bore me to tears.

Any other thoughts?

[pdisme]

I've been wondering the same thing. I've sorta over 911's, so don't think I'll take that route.

I've thought about getting nostalgic and getting a 944 Turbo, but I wonder if getting parts would be an issue.

Lotus Exige also has crossed my mind, but I think the straights would bore me to tears.

Any other thoughts?

How 'bout this?

http://chinmotorsports.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=346

Looks like a lot of work has been done to it, should be a really strong car, and won't be a dog on the straights like the Miata/Exige/etc.

[zzzzdoc]

Worst POS I ever owned was a Mustang Indy Pace Car. After 7K miles, it needed a new engine, had already replaced the shocks, brakes, and tires. I saw one on the road last year. It literally had pieces falling off. Exactly how I remember mine. No way I could ever own another one. No way.

[zzzzdoc]

This sounds interesting to me:

http://chinmotorsports.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=284

Probably front heavy as hell, so much for the beautiful native balance of a 944, but a 944 was a wonderfully handling car, and it certainly will have some power.

[pdisme]

Sounds like a nice batch of upgrades too with the full cage, fire system, etc.

[zzzzdoc]

Well, e-mail to the owner of that car bounced.

[pdisme]

I'll look for it this weekend, maybe the car will be attending.

[zzzzdoc]

Probably pretty hard to miss. A 944 turbo with a Vette engine clearly won't sound like a Porsche.

[pdisme]

I saw a Miata with a 5 liter mustang engine once. :)

[cantwait2]

I actually liked the kit and wing :fu2:

Was also thinking WRX or skyline but most of those have been thrashed. I don't know if i really want an existing race car.

The other issue is having a trust worthy regular mechanic as I couldn't make repairs myself...what do you guys reccomend ?

[Matt]

I actually liked the kit and wing :fu2:

Was also thinking WRX or skyline but most of those have been thrashed. I don't know if i really want an existing race car.

The other issue is having a trust worthy regular mechanic as I couldn't make repairs myself...what do you guys reccomend ?

For reliability, ease of work, availability of aftermarket and oem parts, you cant go wrong with something japanese, i.e. honda. I imagine the S2000 could be a pretty awesome track car, only problem you may run into is i believe they only come in convertibles. I've always been fond of the RX-7, but its a rotary engine and they dont have the best reliability, and are difficult to work on.

Just some food for thought. You have opel/vauxhaul in NZ no? whynot an opel speedster?

[pdisme]

Some of the instructors I've spoken with at Sebring this weekend say the S2000 is actually pretty decent; oversteers from the factory and can be tweaked nicely.

[pdisme]

Zzzdoc, your new track car. :) This one should have some performance.

http://www.chinmotorsports.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=377

2001 GT3 Turbo Cup Car for sale. 2001 Porsche Factory-built Cup car, campaigned & tuned by Kadach team in 2001 SuperCup. Later converted by DeMan Motorsports to twin turbo race engine. Very fast, upgraded brakes, 996tt intercoolers / plumbing / rear bodywork, hybrid turbos, Haltech EFI, engine data logging. 1.25's at Mosport & won first time out, below 2.00 at the Glen in cold lap warmup. Zero hour complete engine rebuild by Reiser Technik, now ready to go. New clutch, heat exchanger & console, PS pump, updated 997 coolant hoses plus welded braces, resized Ti rods, ARP rod bolts, more. Dyno sheets. Approx 5 hours on trans rebuild. Competitive in GT1R and for overall wins. $95k OBO / interesting trades considered. Some spares available, negotiable with car (will not separate until car is sold)