Hey everyone in the 6speed track comunity. I've decided to prepare a car for the track only. The car I used previously for that purpose was an E36 M3. It was a jack of all trades car that I drove on the street too. As you guys know, whenever you attempt a dual use vehicle there are always unpleasent or, unsatisfying compromises.

I'm open to all suggestions. I'm primarily looking for advice about what base car to use, any make, any model. I'm leaning toward either a 944 turbo or, a 993 911. Then of course, there's the question of getting something that's already prepared or, building it up myself.

I currently don't own a tow vehicle or trailer, so that's an issue that needs to be addressed.

My budget is limited. I figure $20,000 or, less, for the car and, $10,000 max for modifications. The tow vehicle will come out of a seperate buget because it will also be used as a family hualer. An open tailer would come out of the car/ mods budget, looking for advice on that as well. I lurk a lot on this board and post very little. I value all your opions greatly thanks in advance!

 

My opinion is to build or buy a spec miata, good development, parts are cheap, consumibles are cheap, and there is a market for the car once you move into something faster like a formula or porsche.

If not and you can deal with front wheel drive, something like a honda H4-2 car wold be a great car for track use.

 

Funny you should mention the spec miata, I saw one the other day. It really had a certain apeal and, consider it a great bargain racing platform. Two things, I'm 6'4'' a lot of that is legs, don't think I'd fit in the miata, even with a shell seat. Second, I really would like something faster. I prefer normally aspirated cars but, saw the 944 as a way to get more horsepower on the track, bigger turbo, more boost etc.. Front drivers, I've had my fill of them. If I'm going to have a track only car I would like it to be rear wheel drive. Great advise though, thanks WearyMicrobe.

 

Buy a used Evo and put the money into suspension mods, bolt-ons, boost controller and a reflash. You'll put down a reliable 300+ wheel horsepower, have tons of traction and embarrass a lot of more expensive cars...

 

Honda S2000

Christian

 

I thought long and hard about both an Evo and S2000. The Evo scares me, Chris, in terms of costly maintainance and, durrability, with all those differentials and, questionable stock clutch. Perhapes I'm being to narrow minded, you have a lot of experience with the car and know more. Also, with the Evo, isn't there a lot going on electronically traction control ect..how much do the electronic aids remove feel? Sorry if that question sounds ignorant. With the S2000, I'm not a big convertable fan. Christian, I like the torsinial rigidity associated with a fixed roof vehicle. Plus, I can fit in the S2000 by leaning a seat back a bit but, that creates reach problems. There's no telescoping feature with the stock wheel but, maybe there's a hub extender available?

 

-RX7

-Older Boxster

-350Z with some miles (might still be a bit over 20k but with suspension mods and sticky tires it would be killer, plus it would be newer)

-1996-2001 Audi A4 1.8T Quattro (can pick these up cheap, throw some suspension, maybe upgrade the turbo and you are set, downside is that they can be finicky and maintainance can be expensive)

-S13 240sx (here is a video of a nasty one on the track, the builder is www.dentsport.com: http://www.werksrally.com/videos/bill_lrp06.wmv )

-Would suggest an E30 M3, but you already had an E36

-Fox body mustang?, haha

 

944 Turbo or S2.

 

Caught the video of the 240sx at limerock. It's a savage little beast, thanks for sharing Kraeburn.

 

240SX or an S2000.

 

The stock clutch is only a problem if you don't know how to drive a manual transmission. I had over 30K on my stock one w/320+ whp. There is no electronic traction control, one center diff w/ACD (for different programs - tarmac/gravel/snow), and two mechanical diffs. If you get an '03 or '04 car and put a Quaife in the front, you'll have ZERO electronic diffs and the only "help" is a sports-calibrated ABS.

As far as durability, most of the Evo's parts have been tested over and over and are damn-near bulletproof. Keep the boost to realistic levels (22psi or so), put in an upgraded fuel pump, exhaust, and reflash, and you'll be making serious HP w/no degradation of reliabiilty, etc.

Regarding the S2000, I owned 2 S2000s (2001 and 2004) - they are AWESOME cars. If you were going to auto-x it, it is awesome. For open track work, I'd prefer the Evo since even a rain day won't shut you out.

Just my $.02 - good luck w/your search!

 

You should fit in a miata with a shell and lower brackets, I have a friend thats taller then you who races one. If you are not building to a class then you can go hog wild with the power, a JRSC and a stripped miata is plenty fast on good tires.

One more thing coming from buying and building a lot of cars, its cheaper to buy a established car then build one yourself. Everybody should know that here, it helps to hear that every once and a while when you are thinking of building a track car.

20K also buy a cart and a few seasons of racing with ware items.

If you have a trailer and do not need a instructor in the car then look into a older FM/FF or new F1000 open wheel, they will really test your driving ability on the track and are cheaper to run and haul.

 

Fantastic advise, I feel realy fortunate that you guys took the time to spell all that out for me. Chris, a couple of questions about the S2000. Did you have the hard top and, if so, do you think I would fit with a helmet? My understanding is that it weighs 44 lbs. Also, how much better is the Evo MR than the RS? Let's say money was not an issue with the Evo, which model would you start out with to mod? I'm sure you've seen the Evo X concept car. I don't really care for the way it looks. From what I've read it may only come with a sequential transmission. I don't know about you, but I like all three pedals.

 

944 s2-cant go wrong

 

Get a used Elise and you won't even really have to mod it. Used prices are down to $30K