Car ADD - What Should I Do?

[ViPER1313]

C5 = About 5g out of my price range.

Maybe I missed it somewhere, but whats the budget?

If I sell both, 10g or less (preferably 7-8g or so.)

you basically need a big miata...

c5 - too pricey.
c4 - old.
mustang - can't turn.
240 - just another pile.
mk4 na supra - not enough power/heavy.
ls1 fd - i don't like the idea for no great reason.
f-body - too heavy.
e36 - ?
350z - ?

Like I said before, not too concerned with larger / a bit heavy - it needs to hold up to the occasional HPDE (so has good brakes / upgradable brakes, some suspension options, good bolt pattern), not be a track whore.

I'm really digging the C4 / MKIII / Mustang / swapped FC options. 350Z is too common for me - maybe I would change my mind after driving one.

Also, what about older WRXs (2002-2003) - can you find mildly built examples for under 10g?

[.RJ]

A 350z will be about the same buy in as a C5. It should be a little easier on tires and would be a different street car (better or worse depending on what you want). I really like them, but they dont seem to be for everyone.

$7-8k could get you a decent E46 325 - may cost a few bucks to get it on the track (shocks, cooling system, maybe some bushings).

WRX's can be had for under $10k now. Trouble will be finding one that isnt thrashed or has a bunch of crap to undo.

[ScottyB]

Also, what about older WRXs (2002-2003) - can you find mildly built examples for under 10g?

yes. as a track car they will be OK - ask Evan, he tracked his for a while.

they will go through wheel bearings, have fragile trannys if you pound the shifts and its hard to get them to handle without a ton of camber. the 2.0's are also showing alot of cases of spun bearings which has a number of causes but prolonged high RPMs may not help the issue.

under 10k you're getting older cars with a questionable history that would make the things mentioned above more of an issue. and nobody except for John bought their WRX to drive gently.


if you're into the big/heavy US iron idea, how about a f-body track car....they aren't crazy heavy and for a pony car they handle better than anything else.
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that one was built by Blainefab...probably well sorted.

[ScottyB]

$7-8k could get you a decent E46 325 - may cost a few bucks to get it on the track (shocks, cooling system, maybe some bushings).

do the non-M's like to rip their subframes out like the e36's did? i like this idea too but it just seems like every damn peice of a BMW is expected to be a "wear item"....or again, is that just e36's?

[.RJ]

That was more an E36 thing. There are still some nagging issues here and there, some of the bushings and plastic cooling system parts still wear out on the later cars - if you change them you're good for another 60-80k. No idea about subframes. Paint and interior definitely hold up better on the later cars.

[Evan]

WRXs are good track cars, they certainly handle shit tons better than DSMs and are more reliable too. not too hard to find ones that arent molested since there are so many of them.
they have a rallycar suspension so the really need at least springs/shocks and swaybars to really be fun on track.

I call BS on all the internet rumors, you couldnt have driven one of those harder than I did, mine had 20+ weekends on track (and back when clubs actually gave you 2 hours of tracktime a day), 30+ autoxes, quite a few drag starts, a rallyX, and lots of street jackassery and I had zero problems and when I sold it after 40k of that my trans was still shifting buddah smooth, didnt burn a drop of oil and compression was great.

[ScottyB]

I call BS on all the internet rumors.

i don't know about much of it being a "rumor", but it has alot to do with the owner and how the car is treated. in the price range Adam is looking at, there's going to be some high milage cars and many previously owned by kids. just something to look out for.

whatever he decides on i'm sure there will be enough research done that he'll figure out what he needs to do to shop the car right.

[Mike]

this thing is perfect in so many ways: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.roadraceautox.com/showthread.php?t=27490">http://www.roadraceautox.com/showthread.php?t=27490</a><!-- m -->

[drivesideways46]

You mean except for the fact that it's nearly 10 grand for a '91 Civic?

EDIT: And to make my post somewhat productive so I'm not just shitting on other people's ideas, have you considered an '01 Bullitt Mustang?

They come with the Cobra brakes and decent shocks/springs/sway bars as well as the better seats.

I would think that would serve you well.

[Evan]

lol I wouldnt touch that civic if it was free

[.RJ]

this thing is perfect in so many ways: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.roadraceautox.com/showthread.php?t=27490">http://www.roadraceautox.com/showthread.php?t=27490</a><!-- m -->

For me to poop on.

[ScottyB]

i wonder how long honda "realtime" AWD can stand up to 300% more whp before becoming "realbroke."

[Goodspeed]

this thing is perfect in so many ways: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.roadraceautox.com/showthread.php?t=27490">http://www.roadraceautox.com/showthread.php?t=27490</a><!-- m -->

[Mike]

muahahahaaha. i got you fuckers good.

yeah, i'd imagine that awd system is uber fragile.

[D_Eclipse9916]

WRXs are good track cars, they certainly handle shit tons better than DSMs and are more reliable too. not too hard to find ones that arent molested since there are so many of them.
they have a rallycar suspension so the really need at least springs/shocks and swaybars to really be fun on track.

I call BS on all the internet rumors, you couldnt have driven one of those harder than I did, mine had 20+ weekends on track (and back when clubs actually gave you 2 hours of tracktime a day), 30+ autoxes, quite a few drag starts, a rallyX, and lots of street jackassery and I had zero problems and when I sold it after 40k of that my trans was still shifting buddah smooth, didnt burn a drop of oil and compression was great.

Proof that it handles better than a 2g dsm on equivalent tires with same suspension mods? Thats your opinion, 2g is lighter, has better suspension for road course work (double wishbone independent), lower center of gravity, a 50/50 torque split, center/rear limited slips, and much better aero. I will agree with you that 1g dsms suck at handling (trust me, you can ask my roommates, I was not a fan of 1gs).

I am not saying either way, since there is no "proof" of the cars on similiar suspension setups with similiar tires. The dsm wasnt factory supported for racing, and nor was it aftermarket supported for road racing. Aside from Archer's 2g talon that did win the world challenge.

I like wrxs, but they are in the same boat as a dsm, they are just as unreliable after higher horsepower, and same abuse. I did 30+ autocrosses in the dsm , albieit I blew it up due to my own fault of 10k rpms after 10+ track days (5 track weeekends.). The two issues I ever had were due to my own fault, 1. didnt tighten driveshaft bolts completely and they became a vibration at one track aweekend. and then the other was a valve cover that got cracked during a cam install..

Both turbocharged awd cars that require a lot of maintenance. Ive driven throoughly both, and the only advantage I saw to the wrx was that it was newer, so it doesnt have the age and miles dsms have.


That said I would heavily avoid both. lol.

[Goodspeed]

As long as this thread is getting momentarily shat on, I'm gonna put a NSX up there with my LS FD recommendation for dream-world ideas.

[.RJ]

I like wrxs, but they are in the same boat as a dsm, they are just as unreliable after higher horsepower, and same abuse

Then dont chase 400hp with it as a track car?

I saw how hard evan drove his for 2-3 years, and with no problems, I'd have no issue buying one and tracking it. I think we did 15 or 16 weekends one year instructing and getting 2+ hrs track time per day. ITR + WRX battle, every other weekend :lol:

[D_Eclipse9916]

RJ you have a good point, and thats where I think a huge difference lies. They are the same in Adam's eyes because he wants "so much horsepower".

I did it wrong, and ill completely admit it. I should have bought the gsx. Not touched anythig but throw dsmlink on, a good suspension, a large SMIC, and a gt28r. Would be good at 300wheel, and wouldnt have the amazing hodgepodge of shit I threw at that car. Lasted the first 4 years I owned it with constant beatings, modding, etc without any issues. Then it went to shit after 4.5 years with crazy modding. Just got too ahead of myself, I realize now my mistake.

[Evan]

fanboi talk

crankwalk say what?

:wink:

Not touched anythig but throw dsmlink on, a good suspension, a large SMIC, and a gt28r.

its funny that you call that "Not touched anything"

[kcook]

Adam, are you really interested in getting a wrx for track duty/dd or is it just an idea like the rest of the cars? I have my 2 cents to add if you get more interested in buying one. I can tell you they are great all around cars from the gecko. I plan to pick up another wrx for DD in 6 months.