WTB...Need YOUR help!

[Sully]

S2000 :dunno: I think that pleases the Honderp crowd and the RWD crowd

[JPolen01]

I think the honda/240 ideas are probably the best. I guess I have to say miata too because they are cheap and easy to work on. Parts are everywhere and cheap for 240s and hondas and there are thousands for sale everyday. Only thing to do when looking at either of them is to look them over A LOT. Bring someone with you who knows their stuff and hopefully you can pick one that isnt to molested. If you are looking for a honda, try <!-- w --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.honda-tech.com">www.honda-tech.com</a><!-- w -->. Yeah there are overpriced civics on there but also reliable clean decently priced ones.

[ScottyB]

I'm gonna say it. S14 240SX if you can get one. Reliable, attractive, RWD, enough HP to be fun but not enough to get you into trouble.

what's the market-rate drift tax on those these days? they are a great option though. I think Dave still has his S13 and IIRC it has been a great track beater for him and Lindsay.

7-8K would buy you a cherry NB miata with enough left over for a bar, wheels/tires, basic suspension and some track entry fees.

[Jake]

A 240 would be a good option, too. I still vote Miata + goodies + learn to wrench a little bit.

The S2K is like a Miata with double the power (good) and double the price on basic parts (less good).

[JPolen01]

A 240 would be a good option, too. I still vote Miata + goodies + learn to wrench a little bit.

The S2K is like a Miata with double the power (good) and double the price on basic parts (less good).

S2K doesn't need much by the way of power for a beginner on the track. 240hp or something like that? Add a rollbar and some stickier tires and you would be good to go and have a sweet daily assuming you don't need to go anywhere in snow.

[Jake]

S2K doesn't need much by the way of power for a beginner on the track. 240hp or something like that? Add a rollbar and some stickier tires and you would be good to go and have a sweet daily assuming you don't need to go anywhere in snow.

Yeah, power isn't the problem. It's cost of basic stuff like rotors and pads. I know Maeng has said he can't do rotors for $18.99 a corner anymore. Which, by the way, is what I paid for my new rotors last month.

[JPolen01]

Yeah, power isn't the problem. It's cost of basic stuff like rotors and pads. I know Maeng has said he can't do rotors for $18.99 a corner anymore. Which, by the way, is what I paid for my new rotors last month.

Not disagreeing with you, but how many pads and rotors is a beginner going to burn through? But yes once, you need to replace them autozone specials aren't going to cut it.

[Sully]

Well off of that, how much power does a beginner really need. And we all assume she is tracking it, has it been stated anywhere that track is ever in this cars future. Maybe I just havn't been reading carefully and missed it.

[JustinG]

considering we are 2 pages deep and no response from the OP, I think its safe to assume she has run away and bought a corolla.

[D_Eclipse9916]

S2K doesn't need much by the way of power for a beginner on the track. 240hp or something like that? Add a rollbar and some stickier tires and you would be good to go and have a sweet daily assuming you don't need to go anywhere in snow.

Yeah, power isn't the problem. It's cost of basic stuff like rotors and pads. I know Maeng has said he can't do rotors for $18.99 a corner anymore. Which, by the way, is what I paid for my new rotors last month.

I cry everytime I have to buy my $32.99 rotors. :lol: If 10 bucks kills you per rotor, I would put away the go-fast crackpipe immediately before you hurt yourself. BTW Ive only cracked one rotor in my 2 years with the M3...and I aint exactly going slow. (for the record I use my rotors till they start cracking). But I do replace the "axle set" when one cracks, as im sure the other one isnt too far behind.

[Sully]

Something tells me this won't be a track car guys. I feel like the occasional autocross and many miles of DD'n are in this cars future. I almost feel like we are a horrible group to ask this question as all of our minds go straight to the track.

Honestly, you wouldn't even need a roll bar in the Miata for DD'n. I think OP needs to get more specific so we can "help" better. How sporty are we really talking. More sporty than a Hyundai Sante Fe, well damn, there are plenty of cars that are more sporty than that. Are we talking DD sporty or VIR sporty. I think we all need to step back here for a minute. You can probably get an Honda Si or something, not sure what they go for but I tihnk we all may have jumped the gun on this thread.

[Emily]

I'm sorry my laptop was out of work for a few days. I appreciate everybodys input and I really enjoyed reading it all. Yes, Casey was right, the budget is about 7k-8k, just to be reasonable. I would like it as a daily but I want a car so I can get on the track. I live too close to VIR to not take advantage of that. Since I would sell my santa fe, I would need a car in general. But I intend on developing skills for autocrosses as well as some track days. So a car that is easy to maintain, easy to learn on. And as far as the sporty look, I don't really care anymore. Just something that won't flip taking a turn without braking first. Does that help some? And I'll be closer by to my computer now

[Kaan]

well... most "sporty" cars you still have to brake before you turn... if the entry speed is correct but if this is your requirement, I'd suggest a nice sport bike in the 500-600cc range.

Rex, Julie, Sylvia, and I all watched a guy do an evasive manuver on I-66 in a miata. If he would have had "good" tires on the car he probably would have flipped it... instead he had crappy old tires and did a 360 at 70mph. I dont care what 'vert it is... i love my neck and i'd get a roll bar.

IMHO, easy to work on also means ripping out the A/C. almost everything gets easier with all that crap out of the way.

Your price range will allow you to get a really nice civic/miata/sentra/etc. So at least you have that going for you. No matter what you get MM has the car nerd to help when needed. Hell, RJ can even tell you about Saturns if you want lol.

[CaptainHenreh]

Oh, yeah, get the nicest B13 Sentra SE-R you can buy.

[Kaan]

SR20 before race wars!

[CaptainHenreh]

SR20 before race wars!

Well come on Kaan, you've seen the same two SE-R's hit the track dozens of times and they don't come off unless they wreck. They always run, they always start, they always go on and come off the track under their own power.

Maybe those guys are just really meticulous about their maintenance but based on how the cars look I can't imagine that's really the case... and they're pretty fast.

[Kaan]

i was just suggesting a motor swap for the SE-R. I'm a wrong wheel drive fan! I'm not knocking the idea at all.

[.RJ]

Well come on Kaan, you've seen the same two SE-R's hit the track dozens of times and they don't come off unless they wreck. They always run, they always start, they always go on and come off the track under their own power.

And they also destroy front tires, handle like crap, and have limited aftermarket support. Seriously, look elsewhere. An Integra is a much better choice if you want a ~150hp FWD car.

[Kaan]

Well come on Kaan, you've seen the same two SE-R's hit the track dozens of times and they don't come off unless they wreck. They always run, they always start, they always go on and come off the track under their own power.

And they also destroy front tires, handle like crap, and have limited aftermarket support. Seriously, look elsewhere. An Integra is a much better choice if you want a ~150hp FWD car.

i'll agree on the integra

RJ, tell us about the SC1/2

[.RJ]

You dont want a Saturn. Its a lot like the SE-R, only with the 'bad' things magnified. At least they crash well.