WTB: Base Autocrosser

[Dave]

I think that this topic is drifting away from the point and its course needs to be corrected. I've talked with Rex about this a lot and I think there is way too much focus being placed in this thread about being competitive. Maybe we should revisit the OP and refresh ourselves that the goal is to find some car that has not gone completely to hell and is a relatively good platform as a starting point. I don't think that they are looking for a platform to build up to compete in a NASA class, or really necessarily to vie for top titles in any autoX classes. They're literally looking for something that, for a small initial investment, has similar traits to competitive cars which they can take to events to abuse and hone their skills. I think the goal of true competition is much further down the line, and probably 1-2 cars later as well.

To that extent, I think some more potential consideration should go to
-DA integras
-DC integras
-240s (though they will probably be rare for your requirements)
-miatas and E30s are obvious choices
-some old VWs (I'd name specific models, but I don't know any)
-early/mid 90s 2.2L Impreza (i'd love to get in on that project...)

[Evan]

What's wrong with autoxing the STi? I know you didn't buy an STi just to daily to hburg and back. That'd be a waste of 37k

there was a point in time 6 years ago or so where there was more car to car contact and wadded up cars in DC autoX than in local HPDE programs.

[D_Eclipse9916]

What's wrong with autoxing the STi? I know you didn't buy an STi just to daily to hburg and back. That'd be a waste of 37k

there was a point in time 6 years ago or so where there was more car to car contact and wadded up cars in DC autoX than in local HPDE programs.

Asplain? I was doing DC autoxes 6 years ago...

[Kaan]

I
-DA integras
-DC integras
-240s (though they will probably be rare for your requirements)
-miatas and E30s are obvious choices
-some old VWs (I'd name specific models, but I don't know any)
-early/mid 90s 2.2L Impreza (i'd love to get in on that project...)

I dont think you'll find any DC or DA integras that fit the requirements. even stock LS integras will be over budget OR need a TON of work.

[kcook]

What's wrong with autoxing the STi? I know you didn't buy an STi just to daily to hburg and back. That'd be a waste of 37k

there was a point in time 6 years ago or so where there was more car to car contact and wadded up cars in DC autoX than in local HPDE programs.

Lol I believe it. First year I started autoxing which was 06, I saw 2 cars get totaled at one autox. I saw another incident later that season.

[D_Eclipse9916]

What's wrong with autoxing the STi? I know you didn't buy an STi just to daily to hburg and back. That'd be a waste of 37k

there was a point in time 6 years ago or so where there was more car to car contact and wadded up cars in DC autoX than in local HPDE programs.

Lol I believe it. First year I started autoxing which was 06, I saw 2 cars get totaled at one autox. I saw another incident later that season.

Which club? I dont remember any of this.

[kcook]

AI. You were at that event with me and tony I think. I have pics from it

[NTIman]

I think that this topic is drifting away from the point and its course needs to be corrected. I've talked with Rex about this a lot and I think there is way too much focus being placed in this thread about being competitive. Maybe we should revisit the OP and refresh ourselves that the goal is to find some car that has not gone completely to hell and is a relatively good platform as a starting point. I don't think that they are looking for a platform to build up to compete in a NASA class, or really necessarily to vie for top titles in any autoX classes. They're literally looking for something that, for a small initial investment, has similar traits to competitive cars which they can take to events to abuse and hone their skills. I think the goal of true competition is much further down the line, and probably 1-2 cars later as well.

That's the idea. We're not expecting to be competitive, right now we want a POS that can be totaled/flipped etc. while we learn (and we hope we never come close to that). I'm more comfortable having to fix issues on a track car than taking my only DD to the body shop to have the front clip replaced.

Eventually, we'd move on to a decent track car. This is just something we're considering, and it may never pan out, but it's worth investigating.

[.RJ]

That's the idea. We're not expecting to be competitive, right now we want a POS that can be totaled/flipped etc.

Maybe this is one of those learning experiences that you have to have first hand, rather than someone else telling you not to do it :lol:

Its not about being competitive, its about having it be reliable, predictable and at least somewhat enjoying to drive. I used to play this "cheap ass track car" game. It went like this -

- Buy cheap ass used car. Install Konis, some cheap brake pads and some other stuff.
- Drive 8 hours to CMP. Spend all weekend chasing brake problems, including trips to auto parts stores for brake parts. Get some track time but spend all time in pits fixing car and wondering how I'll get home.
- Brakes sorted, drive 5 hours to Beaverun. Control arm breaks (Car has 180+k miles on it), hardly any track time.
- Suspension intact, radiator pops. More parts stores runs.
- Cooling system intact but cant go to track because all I smell is fuel when I drive it. Go to dealer for injector o-rings, install.
- Car successfully completes a track day, but its still old and handles like crap, bushings and who knows what else are trashed. Not too enjoyable to drive.
- Change springs. Marginally better.
- More track days, more broken shit and more time in pits fixing shit instead of being on track driving and relaxing.
- Sold car and lost money
- Bought reasonable not busted used car. Installed shocks, rollbar, seats, belts, brake pads, changed some fluids and DROVE THAT SHIT AND NEVER HAD TO WORK ON IT.

But, to each his own.... if you prefer to be crawling around in the sand pits of CMP in the summer covered in brake fluid and fire ants instead of sitting in the shade, then I suppose the busted ass track car game is for you.

[NTIman]

That's the idea. We're not expecting to be competitive, right now we want a POS that can be totaled/flipped etc.

Maybe this is one of those learning experiences that you have to have first hand, rather than someone else telling you not to do it :lol:

Its not about being competitive, its about having it be reliable, predictable and at least somewhat enjoying to drive. I used to play this "cheap ass track car" game. It went like this -

- Buy cheap ass used car. Install Konis, some cheap brake pads and some other stuff.
- Drive 8 hours to CMP. Spend all weekend chasing brake problems, including trips to auto parts stores for brake parts. Get some track time but spend all time in pits fixing car and wondering how I'll get home.
- Brakes sorted, drive 5 hours to Beaverun. Control arm breaks (Car has 180+k miles on it), hardly any track time.
- Suspension intact, radiator pops. More parts stores runs.
- Cooling system intact but cant go to track because all I smell is fuel when I drive it. Go to dealer for injector o-rings, install.
- Car successfully completes a track day, but its still old and handles like crap, bushings and who knows what else are trashed. Not too enjoyable to drive.
- Change springs. Marginally better.
- More track days, more broken shit and more time in pits fixing shit instead of being on track driving and relaxing.
- Sold car and lost money
- Bought reasonable not busted used car. Installed shocks, rollbar, seats, belts, brake pads, changed some fluids and DROVE THAT SHIT AND NEVER HAD TO WORK ON IT.

But, to each his own.... if you prefer to be crawling around in the sand pits of CMP in the summer covered in brake fluid and fire ants instead of sitting in the shade, then I suppose the busted ass track car game is for you.

You're 100% right, I definitely get where you're coming from. I just gotta come up with some money to do this right. I just don't have any cash to offer along with Rex so that we can start to afford something more reasonable.

[Evan]

as Ive always said, whatever gets you on track!

you can figure the rest out later. waiting for the perfect car with the perfect setup and parts will never happen.

[NTIman]

as Ive always said, whatever gets you on track!

you can figure the rest out later. waiting for the perfect car with the perfect setup and parts will never happen.

For sure, which I think is part of our worry. If we don't get on track somehow, we just won't do it, plain and simple. RJ definitely has a good point that we can buy a shitbox and still spend no time on track/enjoying ourselves. We need to find a happy medium I guess. We need to get a car that gets us on track, keeps us on track, but doesn't burn a hole through our wallets. That is the main goal.

I don't mind working on the car some, and we never planned on having the car on track any time soon (a year from now was where we were last) which does give us (me) time to throw it in the garage and go through whatever car we find. We'll no doubt still have issues at the track with a low priced car, but keep in mind that we're looking at a low initial investment with the idea that I can provide parts, maintenance and repairs before getting it to the track.

[.RJ]

If you have a year to wait to start using it, then use the year to save some coin and plan to buy something thats ready to go. There are plenty of interesting and fun cars out there for $3-4k that are ready to go on track, sorted, and probably with some spares.

[Apoc]

You could get a roller for a third of that - they did Lemons last year in a 944.

A solid street car can be had for $1500 with a bit of looking... or just ask Double D.

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.ebay.com/itm/260992080284?ssPageName=STRK%3AMESELX%3AIT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649%3Froken%3DvrYSzt">http://www.ebay.com/itm/260992080284?ssPageName=STRK%3AMESELX%3AIT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649%3Froken%3DvrYSzt</a><!-- m -->

[Evan]

seems kind of awesome for the price

but RJ sez this is better
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/mld/cto/2939786480.html">http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/mld/cto/2939786480.html</a><!-- m -->

how cheap are 944 motors?
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/cto/2934866660.html">http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/cto/2934866660.html</a><!-- m -->

you can search CL too so this is probably stuff youve already seen
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/cto/2925283757.html">http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/cto/2925283757.html</a><!-- m -->

[Apoc]

how cheap are 944 motors?
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/cto/2934866660.html">http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/cto/2934866660.html</a><!-- m -->

Can be had for $500, but I'd probably budget 50-100% for something that isn't from a junkyard.

[davej]

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://harrisonburg.craigslist.org/cto/2927385375.html">http://harrisonburg.craigslist.org/cto/2927385375.html</a><!-- m -->

it's kind of civic-y

[CaptainHenreh]

http://harrisonburg.craigslist.org/cto/2927385375.html

it's kind of civic-y

I've been watching that thing for like 2 weeks now. It must be a total pile of shit.

[jongp3]

http://harrisonburg.craigslist.org/cto/2927385375.html

it's kind of civic-y

I've been watching that thing for like 2 weeks now. It must be a total pile of shit.

Those motors popped alot.

Its a b21, but not the standard b-series that came in all the integra's, if you can find a 93+ Prelude that would be a great platform and they have strong motors

[Apoc]

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://forum.44cup.com/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=1869&p=8163&sid=cf6177e5401134a1277c83a09d6b1e3d#p8163">http://forum.44cup.com/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=1869&p=8163&sid=cf6177e5401134a1277c83a09d6b1e3d#p8163</a><!-- m -->

Cost: $700
Needs: wheels, seat, tranny