Insert BS here A place to discuss anything you want

Ideas for buying a dedicated track car that is not a Miata

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 05-06-2012 | 02:05 AM
  #1  
kaisersoze's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 401
Total Cats: 9
From: Portland, OR
Default Ideas for buying a dedicated track car that is not a Miata

So there have been several threads about DD suggestions so I thought I would turn it around
Been thinking about trading my BMW in for something cheaper(Evo X maybe yeah they're ugly but trying to avoid buying another subaru) and getting a dedicated race/track car. Yes I have a Miata that will probably become a track car only but it doesnt really have any WW potentional as a turbo. The STI is a capable track car but fairly expensive to track. Yes I might have to get a tow vehicle as well(some might be light enough to tow behind my Honda Odyssey for local tracks)
Few options I have been thinking about are
Radical Prosport-many of these are getting into the 20K range-consumables pretty expensive especially if you want to run WW somewhat competitively in something like the DSP(no chance at winning national level against Stohr's etc) but racing is available. Pretty fast
Panoz GT cars-I don't think there is a series anymore but these are relatively uncomplicated cars pretty fast. Some GTS models around 20K
Vintage racing-Datsun 240z, 510, BMW 2002 usually cheaper to buy someone elses racecar than build your own.
RCR Nemesis-20-30K with engine-fast but no aero
Love the Palatov D4 but 50K is more than I want to spend
Not really interested in something like AI/AIX, FFR
What do you think the best bang for your buck is-sure I know I know spec miata but really I prefer not to drive in a demolition derby.
Old 05-06-2012 | 03:32 AM
  #2  
jasonb's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 413
Total Cats: 2
From: onion city,ca
Default

pedestrian but fun:

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/cto/2984250253.html

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/cto/2997563062.html

little better:
http://bringatrailer.com/2012/04/20/...-auto-crosser/

better
http://bringatrailer.com/2012/04/19/...rd-escort-mk1/

buy it now
http://bringatrailer.com/2012/02/20/...maso-mangusta/
Old 05-06-2012 | 09:32 AM
  #3  
karter74's Avatar
Senior Member
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 687
Total Cats: 23
From: Centennial, CO
Default

LSx swapped FD RX-7. Next question.
Old 05-06-2012 | 01:02 PM
  #4  
2ndGearRubber's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,163
Total Cats: 12
From: Pittsburgh PA
Default

uhhhh..... miata?
Old 05-06-2012 | 03:32 PM
  #5  
mgeoffriau's Avatar
Elite Member
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 7,388
Total Cats: 474
From: Jackson, MS
Default

Mosler Automotive has been running ads that they are selling off old display cars from the Consulier era...ranging from $12k to $95k.

Or peruse this site for ideas:

http://wirewheel.com/
Old 05-06-2012 | 04:00 PM
  #6  
mgeoffriau's Avatar
Elite Member
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 7,388
Total Cats: 474
From: Jackson, MS
Default

Also check out the NASA classifieds.

http://www.nasaforums.com/viewforum.php?f=31
Old 05-06-2012 | 04:38 PM
  #7  
samnavy's Avatar
Elite Member
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 6,457
Total Cats: 325
From: VaBch, VA
Default

When this gets asked, I'm pretty sure the no-brainer answer is S2000. I know Emilio would weigh in, but unsure if he's still posting here.

I think I remember him saying to keep it simple, just upgrade all the fluids and install a cage... and keep a good supply of brake pads on hand.

If you get a reliable car, like a Honda, you can skip the tow vehicle and just get a trailer.

Here's your hitch:
http://www.chaserace.com/s2k.php

Heres' your trailer:
http://portland.craigslist.org/grg/for/2999750859.html
Old 05-06-2012 | 04:42 PM
  #8  
viperormiata's Avatar
Elite Member
iTrader: (24)
 
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 6,110
Total Cats: 283
From: Key West
Default

Problem solved.

http://www.nasaforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=55598
Old 05-06-2012 | 04:43 PM
  #9  
18psi's Avatar
VladiTuned
iTrader: (76)
 
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 35,821
Total Cats: 3,481
Default

lotus exige
Old 05-06-2012 | 04:43 PM
  #10  
jacob300zx's Avatar
Elite Member
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,203
Total Cats: 147
From: Houston, TX
Default

An S2000 with say xp12/10's and RS3's on stock rims should be able to beat the spec miata record at any track. Thats a lot of speed for 7-15k. If your budget is bigger and you can spend the next couple of years on a project I would build a SLC.

http://superlitecars.com/
Old 05-06-2012 | 05:54 PM
  #11  
Bond's Avatar
Elite Member
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 3,219
Total Cats: 15
From: Southlake,Texas
Default

Formula Ford.

/thread
Old 05-06-2012 | 06:19 PM
  #12  
Handy Man's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 409
Total Cats: 20
From: Houston
Default

I would definitely get a used race car. You can get one for surprisingly cheap, it will already have all the safety gear and have everything sorted, and will save you tons of money on prepping a street car.

What kind just depends on what you like and how much you want to spend. If it was me I'd be looking at formula or GT cars... you know... a REAL race car
Old 05-06-2012 | 09:49 PM
  #13  
drehl's Avatar
Newb
 
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 17
Total Cats: 0
From: Boston, MA
Default

Caterham all the way. a place in canada builds one called the R-type Hayabusa. 254bhp in a super 7.
http://super7cars.com/Super7_R%20Type_Caterham.html
Old 05-07-2012 | 12:47 AM
  #14  
chpmnsws6's Avatar
Elite Member
iTrader: (12)
 
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,712
Total Cats: 25
From: Springfield IL
Default

V8R swap the MSM
Old 05-07-2012 | 05:40 AM
  #15  
turotufas's Avatar
Elite Member
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,304
Total Cats: 7
From: Gainesville,Fl
Default

m3, msm, sti, z06
Old 05-07-2012 | 12:14 PM
  #16  
jasonb's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 413
Total Cats: 2
From: onion city,ca
Default

Originally Posted by chpmnsws6
V8R swap the MSM
H1 swap the MSM. or maybe....

H1 swap a cinquecento










no love for the mclaren? its a road car that won lemans, quite a singular event in the age of LMP's

Attached Thumbnails Ideas for buying a dedicated track car that is not a Miata-250px-1970_fiat_500_l_-_2011_dc_1.jpg   Ideas for buying a dedicated track car that is not a Miata-home_page_engine2.jpg  
Old 05-07-2012 | 02:26 PM
  #17  
Faeflora's Avatar
Elite Member
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 8,682
Total Cats: 130
From: Los Angeles, CA
Default

Prebuilt spec miata

$6000 done
Old 05-07-2012 | 02:48 PM
  #18  
curly's Avatar
Cpt. Slow
iTrader: (25)
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,497
Total Cats: 1,236
From: Oregon City, OR
Default

Originally Posted by drehl
Caterham all the way. a place in canada builds one called the R-type Hayabusa. 254bhp in a super 7.
http://super7cars.com/Super7_R%20Type_Caterham.html
I like this best. I'd have an issue with any pre-built race car, as I just wouldn't know it. There's tons of little tweaks and quirks to any car that you only know if you build it. Have some fun over our ridiculously long rainy September-May winter and build it. I'd suggest one that fits a Miata drive train though, we know and love them. That'll help you down the line.
Old 05-07-2012 | 04:46 PM
  #19  
Scrappy Jack's Avatar
Elite Member
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,799
Total Cats: 179
From: Central Florida
Lightbulb

999 Motorsports Supersport?



Very cool article on Moto-IQ about it. 2200 pounds, 300 HP, 340 torques from an Ecotec with a BorgWarner EFR. Supposedly designed for safety, ease of maintenance and low cost of operation.

1:29.754 at Big Willow with a pro drifter who had never run a downforce car. Apparently 1:26:xxx with Stu Hayner in the center seat.
Attached Thumbnails Ideas for buying a dedicated track car that is not a Miata-i-qzz64hv.jpg  
Old 05-07-2012 | 06:55 PM
  #20  
kaisersoze's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 401
Total Cats: 9
From: Portland, OR
Default

Originally Posted by Scrappy Jack
999 Motorsports Supersport?



Very cool article on Moto-IQ about it. 2200 pounds, 300 HP, 340 torques from an Ecotec with a BorgWarner EFR. Supposedly designed for safety, ease of maintenance and low cost of operation.

1:29.754 at Big Willow with a pro drifter who had never run a downforce car. Apparently 1:26:xxx with Stu Hayner in the center seat.
Yeah I have been watching these. The motoiq article was great because it showed that the car seemed very well made. Bit of a high price of admission but seems cheaper to maintain than a motorcycle engined car(Palatov D4 etc) in the long run.
Seems like it would be pretty easy to make faster as well. Might be hard to have a one make series up and running really soon.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Tekel
Cars for sale/trade
29
02-05-2016 05:16 PM
pineda92
Meet and Greet
4
09-20-2015 10:22 PM
bigben
Race Prep
16
09-11-2015 04:41 PM
Voltwings
WTB
5
09-11-2015 09:23 AM
Braineack
Cars for sale/trade
3
09-04-2015 03:12 PM




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:23 AM.