Ideas For a Cheap Dedicated Track Car?
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
From: harrisburg, PA
i saw a few f-bodies running the course against the miatas, they are too long. 2 corvettes ran the course and one of them was faster than the miatas, but he was also the best driver there by a fair margin, imho. of the imprezas i saw, one of them was fast but most of them were slow. AWD does not make you a good driver. I saw a few GREAT runs made by a guy in a Yugo, believe it or not. Short wheelbase and light weight made all the difference for him. He was cornering on three wheels.
Originally Posted by dridge11
If I could fit in a Miata, that's what I'd go with. I'm just over 6 feet tall and my knees hit the steering wheel.
Also consider a 1989-1992 Nissan 240sx.
Also consider a 1989-1992 Nissan 240sx.
he has more torqe with the american version engine...
but he has tight suspension and ill tell you that the car grips and doesnt let go...
he drifts in it.. so this is why he has all those things... but this car is freaking nice for a first car...
lol i highly recommend gettinga 240 sx... he payed 11000 for it with everything he bought turbo suspension wide body kit intercoler all the gadgets, he put it in himself.. and he loves the car. and so do i ahhahaha
Evolved Member
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 549
Likes: 1
From: Maryland
If you are looking for a FWD, then an early 90's civic is decent, although I do like the recomendation for the 1st gen Neon ACR...they had 150hp motors and the handling was quite good with little weight. For a first timer with FWD, its hard to beat. Miatas are tough to beat for low hp rear wheel drive. Ive taken a few to the track and they arent hard to drive at all due to their low power output. I'd stay away from a 240SX or the 1G Eclipse suggestions...too heavy for stock power output. If you want to keep it on the cheap, you need to find something that has enough motor stock to have fun with and the 240SX and 1st gen eclipses are too heavy to really have fun with without major upgrades.
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
From: harrisburg, PA
fwd. they have a fundamental design flaw. You and I might never be good enough to hit the limit of their performance, but they demand too much work out of the front wheels. When you accelerate, your front tires take most of the traction demands. When you brake, your weight shifts forward and again they take most of the traction demands. When you are trying to accelerate out of a turn you have to split your available traction between cornering and accelerating, which is why they understeer.
In a rear wheel drive car, you get more total traction for steering and accelerating because your rears are being used, rather than just being pulled around.
I know there are some impressive FWD cars, but why handicap yourself right from the start? You'll need to work THAT much harder and spend THAT much more money to get to the same place.
In a rear wheel drive car, you get more total traction for steering and accelerating because your rears are being used, rather than just being pulled around.
I know there are some impressive FWD cars, but why handicap yourself right from the start? You'll need to work THAT much harder and spend THAT much more money to get to the same place.
Originally Posted by Illinest
fwd. they have a fundamental design flaw. You and I might never be good enough to hit the limit of their performance, but they demand too much work out of the front wheels. When you accelerate, your front tires take most of the traction demands. When you brake, your weight shifts forward and again they take most of the traction demands. When you are trying to accelerate out of a turn you have to split your available traction between cornering and accelerating, which is why they understeer.
In a rear wheel drive car, you get more total traction for steering and accelerating because your rears are being used, rather than just being pulled around.
I know there are some impressive FWD cars, but why handicap yourself right from the start? You'll need to work THAT much harder and spend THAT much more money to get to the same place.
In a rear wheel drive car, you get more total traction for steering and accelerating because your rears are being used, rather than just being pulled around.
I know there are some impressive FWD cars, but why handicap yourself right from the start? You'll need to work THAT much harder and spend THAT much more money to get to the same place.
Im kinda in the same situation. I narrowed it down to a 240, TypeR or another Evo
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
From: socal
i'd get a 1.8L miata, a bit more power than the older 1.6, and likely to be less miles too. i had a 03 miata shinsen edition, and the handling of that car (stock) was excellent. probably better than my sti in terms of agility. i routinely get trounced at autox by modestly prepped miatas.
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: Central MA
I was at that track day competing with my WRX (SPB 617). I'm thinking about ditching it for an all out track car next season. I'm compeditive with it and I don't take that many risks, so I'm not worried about wrecking it. Its the cost that bothers me. I added up all the cost of my aftermarket parts and the cost is outrageous. Its easily the cost of a cheap track car, like a CRX or early Miata. I have two friends who have gone from using their WRXs as both a track car and daily driver to DD only and dedicated Miata track cars. Both of them bought the Miatas already modded with race tires and some spares. I'd like to go this route but I want to look into other options such as Formula Vee or karts first. I'd still be able to take my WRX to the track if I decide to start karting. I'd also be able to tow it with the WRX.
My brother bought a track prepped '02 WRX with 13k miles for $8k. That was a track car bargain. He had the 4th fastest time overall during time trials on Sunday at NHIS. http://www.comscc.com/results/nhis1005.htm
Pete
My brother bought a track prepped '02 WRX with 13k miles for $8k. That was a track car bargain. He had the 4th fastest time overall during time trials on Sunday at NHIS. http://www.comscc.com/results/nhis1005.htm
Pete
Originally Posted by ChangBang
Another question.
Since the Miata is RWD, is it a more difficult platform to drive fast with? Just curious because it seems like a lot of the RWD cars were really slipping around on the track.
Since the Miata is RWD, is it a more difficult platform to drive fast with? Just curious because it seems like a lot of the RWD cars were really slipping around on the track.