I'm thinking about picking up a dedicated car for auto-x-ing next summer. Anyone have any recommendations? I'm looking for something moddable, under $50k (including mods), and street-drivable (don't want to have to trailer). I was thinking maybe an Elise? Anyone have any good first-hand recommendations? What works particular well on the auto-x circuit?

Thanks in advance - Josh

 

Gotta love the Elise

 

If you want to spend half that and have a great time, get an S2000... Super reliable, drive to and from the event, etc. etc.

 

Well if you want something relatively new and streetable i would recommend a cayman S or elise/exige

If you want something more aggressive and still streetable, an evo or my personal favorite a b5 s4 with stasis ohlins and alcon brakes.

With the porsche or the lotus, you will be pretty close to your limit right out of the box, just keep in mind you could build a pretty fast/track oriented car for 50k...

 

Kind of depends what class you want to run in, assuming SCCA Solo. For the money, I'd go with an Evo 9 in street prep'd. Gut the interior, intake/exhaust/flash/moreboost, and few things will touch it on slicks.

 

Yeah, but he stated he wants something "streetable", gutted interior won't fly as a comfortable daily driver, lol

 

I agree they are incredible AX cars. A Spec Boxster may be another option.

 

Elise/Exige

 

I just picked up another Evo (this time a IX RS).

 

Boxster will make you look at lot better than your experience. I finished 2nd at a PCA event (to an X50 996 TT) in my 1st event. The cars are awesome autocrosser and you can buy a 2.5 for $13-16k or a 2.7 in the upper teens. An S2000 is a great option as well.

 

EVO for sure, or a Miata if you don't mind driving a chick car. I had a Mk. I Elise, and it had no bottom end, which isn't good coming out of the tight corners of a typical Auto-X track. Elises are much better at carrying speed through corners, IMO, which is not what you find at many converted parking lot / Auto-X courses. EVOs, on the other hand, simply rule.

 

May be out of the budget but would be a mighty fun car at auto x:
http://www.arielmotor.co.uk/04/frames.htm

 

Might consider a Mini Cooper S. These things rock when it comes to auto-x.

 

I often beat a great driver in a 996TT x50. Why not pick up a 99 996, they're lighter than every other year, and mod it. With the right suspension and tires you can have a great car for less than $40K! Streetable, trackable and best of all A PORSCHE! What's up with everyone recommending the honda and mitso's when someone mentions autoX. Here on the east coast we run a big AutoX where you can stretch your legs and enjoy the power of your Porshce. Buy and run your P-car. If it's just for show get a Ferrari!

If your within an hour or two of the Maryland/Delaware line you should check out our April event. www.pcachs.org

 

Change often to OCCASIONALLY! Sorry Dennis