by "thedevilinside" (thedevilinside)
Published 02/13/2017 at 21:21
by "thedevilinside" (thedevilinside)
Published 02/13/2017 at 21:21
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STARS: 1
Looking to get a track day car for approx $5000 stock, I can spend some in parts and do work myself. Main uses are autox’s, occasional track day, and SCCA Targa assuming they do it again. NA and NB Miatas are out because they are too small. Car needs to fit a 6'4" 275 lb driver. I have not driven but am looking for an SVT Focus. Also have searches set up for F Body cars. Would an EP3 fall into this range?
I plan to share the car with someone much less mechanically inclined so I need to keep reliability in mind for when they have it.
Similar to BJohnson11 but different enough for another post.
So far thought of: Fox Body, 1st Gen Speed3?, F Body, SVT Focus, Mini, NA Miata, NB Miata. . .
"interstate366, now In The Industry" (interstate366)
02/13/2017 at 21:26, STARS: 2
An EP3 may well work for this.
"AkursedX" (akursedx)
02/13/2017 at 21:27, STARS: 2
I’m 6'3" 255lbs and drive a Mazda RX-8 in this capacity. You should be able to find one in the 5k range.
Other thoughts would be: Mazda-3, MKV GTI/GLI, Cobalt-SS
"Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras" (jegoingout)
02/13/2017 at 21:27, STARS: 1
EP3 would be great but the seats might be a squeeze
"The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock" (jukesjukesjukes)
02/13/2017 at 21:28, STARS: 0
An e36? $5k is pushing it for M3, but could get a good lower trim.
"thedevilinside" (thedevilinside)
02/13/2017 at 21:28, STARS: 0
The Renesis engines have quite the reputation, my other project I want to do is a 5.3 swap in one but that would be much more work to get on track. How does yours hold up?
"DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time" (dc3ls-)
02/13/2017 at 21:31, STARS: 1
Granted I’ve never driven either, but I’d consider the gen after the foxbody (SN-95 I think?) Since from what I hear the 302 dies of in the upper rpms. I’d think the 4.6 would be just a little more suited for track driving.
"thedevilinside" (thedevilinside)
02/13/2017 at 21:31, STARS: 1
Off to the listings to find one to check out.
"thedevilinside" (thedevilinside)
02/13/2017 at 21:32, STARS: 0
Those are cheap! I’ll add them to the list to look in to.
"My X-type is too a real Jaguar" (TomSlick)
02/13/2017 at 21:32, STARS: 0
Go to racing junk’s find one that’s been prepped.
"HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles" (hondasfordsvolvo)
02/13/2017 at 21:32, STARS: 0
I would think so and you can pick up a 150,00+ mile one for under 4 grand.
"thedevilinside" (thedevilinside)
02/13/2017 at 21:33, STARS: 0
Possibly, I am a bit leary of German cars with little odd expensive things breaking. Maybe an unfounded fear.
"thedevilinside" (thedevilinside)
02/13/2017 at 21:33, STARS: 0
I got on their for just a minute but I think my search was wrong, need something that is street legal too. No emissions, just registerable.
"HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles" (hondasfordsvolvo)
02/13/2017 at 21:35, STARS: 1
The only thing I could think of that you haven’t listed would be an E36, or even E46. Out of the ines you listed I’d go for the EP3, but you can probably guys I’m a bit bias. The Honda should be more reliable, and less rusty than the SVT Focus, and it has that cool dash mounted shifter. Plus I Luke think the Honda would give you more options for boost in the future.
"thedevilinside" (thedevilinside)
02/13/2017 at 21:35, STARS: 0
Do they all have moonroofs? I was hoping for none to have headroom to clear a helmet and less leak potential.
"thedevilinside" (thedevilinside)
02/13/2017 at 21:36, STARS: 1
I drive a Focus ST so I would be ok, not many seats squeeze more. Need my co-driver to go check out the seats I think.
"SVTyler Forgot His Kinja Password" (actuallysvtyler)
02/13/2017 at 21:37, STARS: 2
SVT’s are a great choice as autoX/track cars: they handle extremely well with a tendency to oversteer, weigh ~2750lb, have a gear ratios designed for track use, there’s decent aftermarket support, and are most likely large enough for you (my 6'2 uncle’s driven my car no problem).
The only reservation I’d have is with your friend. SVT’s are notoriously hit-or-miss in terms of reliability so if you’re sharing it with someone who can’t fix it up themselves you have to pick a good one to begin with. $4-6k is usually a good price range for one with anywhere from 75-100k miles and a good service record, any more or less is either suspicious or some idiot trying to rip people off.
"G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3" (gbodyman)
02/13/2017 at 21:38, STARS: 2
SN95s are both cheaper and stiffer than fox bodies.
"promoted by the color red" (whenindoubtflatout)
02/13/2017 at 21:40, STARS: 2
Integra/RSX Type-S
"nermal" (nermal)
02/13/2017 at 21:42, STARS: 3
Option 1:
Find a decent E46 BMW with a manual. Here’s one for $3k:
https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/693480420/overview/
Spend the leftover cash on tires, brakes, and fluids.
Option 2:
Somebody else’s already built track / race car. Search racingjunk.com, you’ll most likely find Lemons / Chumpcar stuff there.
"thedevilinside" (thedevilinside)
02/13/2017 at 21:43, STARS: 1
Thanks for the insight. My thought with an SVT Focus is to get the timing belt done day 1 by a good shop. Then drive it myself for a month, do all fluids, brakes etc. But that only would screen it so well.
"thedevilinside" (thedevilinside)
02/13/2017 at 21:44, STARS: 0
Added to the list.
"E92M3" (E46M3)
02/13/2017 at 21:44, STARS: 0
EK Civic hatch or Integra GSR? Not sure how competitive they will be in their SCCA class, but they will be reliable. Might want to look and see what cars are dominating each class. Would suck to buy and prep a car that you can’t be competitive with (no matter how good your driving skills are).
"Junkrat aka Rick Sanchez: Fury Road Edition" (realasabass)
02/13/2017 at 21:46, STARS: 1
EK Civic worth looking at. Matt Farah raced one at Lemons and couldn’t stop talking how good it was.
"thedevilinside" (thedevilinside)
02/13/2017 at 21:47, STARS: 1
Ya, I get that. Neither of us are great drivers nor do we plan to be. I was an idiot and upgraded front brakes and nothing else on my 02 Camaro. Hello CAM/prepped classes! This will be somewhat of a consideration but I think a low priority.
"daender" (daender)
02/13/2017 at 21:48, STARS: 0
I don’t recommend 4th-gen F-bodies unless you are willing to accept that any major engine work will require dropping/pulling the engine.
"thedevilinside" (thedevilinside)
02/13/2017 at 21:49, STARS: 0
Woah, seems crazy cheap for that E46. I’ll check Racing Junk more in depth this time.
"thedevilinside" (thedevilinside)
02/13/2017 at 21:49, STARS: 1
I already have an 02 F Body, just not for track use. Hope to not have to do major work. :-).
"G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3" (gbodyman)
02/13/2017 at 21:52, STARS: 1
Also, parts are so common that you can get good stuff for good prices, and you can comfortably drive one over distance, even at 6'5” and 280 (my buddy’s dad has had several).
"HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles" (hondasfordsvolvo)
02/13/2017 at 21:53, STARS: 0
I would think so, but you could fix that with some sheet metal, rivets and caulk. The pull out the headliner, and sunroof altogether. Or weld in a panel if you have access to a welder.
"thedevilinside" (thedevilinside)
02/13/2017 at 21:58, STARS: 0
I do have access to a couple and people who can use them. If I find a rough one I don’t feel bad doing it to that is a good option.
"SVTyler Forgot His Kinja Password" (actuallysvtyler)
02/13/2017 at 21:59, STARS: 2
No problem. The SVT cars don’t have any catastrophically huge issues besides the timing belt (which is a good call to replace as soon as you get the car) so there shouldn’t be anything you miss if you look it over beforehand. A PPI might be your best bet, the common problems are obvious little things that any halfway competent mechanic will notice like the alternator and thermostat housing leaking and stiff clutch pedal due to a leaky master cylinder. Beyond that it won’t really have any problems that any other 15-year-old performance car wouldn’t have eventually, it’s just about minimizing known problems to begin with.
"The AE86 of Mt. Akina (Hachi)" (theae86)
02/13/2017 at 22:29, STARS: 1
Probably an AE92 Corolla GTS. Super reliable, fun kinda peaky engine, super cheap even with a 4AGE because fwd Corollas are “ew”.
"AkursedX" (akursedx)
02/13/2017 at 22:30, STARS: 1
Well, I’m the author of this article: http://oppositelock.kinja.com/the-mazda-rx-8-one-of-the-best-worst-cars-a-buyers-g-1759904335
I have done a lot of homework and spent a lot of time sorting mine out. Overall it is a very strong runner, but I did have to replace the MAF and fuel pump last year. It has over 103k miles on it and still pulls well. All the suspension and brake components have held up well too. I’ve never run an HPDE in temps over 75* and it has run flawlessly in those situations.
"1111111111111111111111" (aaaaaaaaasssssssaaaasaas)
02/13/2017 at 22:36, STARS: 0
What about a mid 90's Camaro?
"Busslayer" (Busslayer)
02/13/2017 at 23:18, STARS: 1
Ford made a Focus ST from 2005-07 after they quit making the SVT. The ST had a 151hp 2.3l Duratec vs. the 170hp 2.0 Zetec in the SVT but has a fatter power curve. The ST was just about as fast as the SVT. The Duratec has a timing chain and is basically indestructible. Swap in upgraded springs/struts/tires and you will probably be ahead of a stock SVT. An ST will likely be a cheaper buy than a SVT.
"ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable)" (adabofoppo)
02/13/2017 at 23:33, STARS: 2
I second getting an SVT Focus. All that Tyler has said is true. But, once running properly they are indeed truly wonderful to drive at the limit.
The one downside is that you cannot run wider tires without crazy offset. There is not much room in the wheel well and while 215/45/17s are okay on the street, that still isn’t much rubber on the track. Not sure what class rules are but if you want more rubber be ready to roll fenders and have some serious poke.
I owned one for ten years. Loved the shit out driving it.
"TheD0k_2many toys 2little time" (thed0ck)
02/14/2017 at 03:59, STARS: 0
Miata will work with racing seats. besides you have to have a roll bar and those are easier with no top
"GTiceman" (gticeman)
02/14/2017 at 07:03, STARS: 0
I second the e46. They are crazy cheap and the is a while series dedicated to them now. Parts are cheap and easy to come by.
"thedevilinside" (thedevilinside)
02/14/2017 at 18:20, STARS: 0
Possibly, I have an 02 but an LT1 would be much cheaper. I’ll look back into them
"thedevilinside" (thedevilinside)
02/14/2017 at 18:22, STARS: 0
Didn’t know they sold an ST stateside before 2013. It could be cool to have 2 Focus STs
"MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner" (montegoman562)
02/15/2017 at 01:41, STARS: 1
My recently purchased 3000$ SCCA RallyX car. Soon to be covered in mud and Mercury of course:
Sn95 is around, but these are cooler.
"thedevilinside" (thedevilinside)
02/15/2017 at 06:53, STARS: 0
I have been trying to follow your progress. But I forgot about non mustang Fox bodies.
"MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner" (montegoman562)
02/15/2017 at 10:32, STARS: 1
There hasn’t been a ton of progress. I’m hoping at the LATEST my first race is May.
I’ve had some electrical issues to work out (previous owners will be previous owners, amirite?) and on top of a very, very busy new job we just had another baby so my time has been hard to come by for Capri work.
Sometimes you can catch a good deal on a Capri because people aren’t looking for them. Sometimes they cost way too much because the owner’s think they are rare and then of course stupid expensive (obviously we know that’s not always true). I’m happy with what I paid for mine. Strong running motor with frame ties, dual exhaust and a strut tower brace.
"Forrest" (forrest)
02/26/2017 at 02:30, STARS: 0
Darn, now I am shopping for a 1st gen Focus ST. I thought I was over this... maybe not.
Every time I start browsing the 1st gen Focus, I end up browsing Mazdaspeed3 listings too.