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Time for a new track car- what to buy?

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CurseTheSky said:
Drag strip and track are two completely different goals. For example, I could build my '66 into a drag monster relatively cheap, but building it into a track car would be a nightmare.
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I dunno about a nightmare. There's still plenty of work to be done to one to turn it into a "drag Monster." Putting a good suspension on it would not be that hard. The car isn't that heavy. I've seen some old school mustangs set up for the twisties and they are pretty nice. And, a setup like that would retain it's street manners way better than a drag monster too.
 
speedy2 said:
I dunno about a nightmare. There's still plenty of work to be done to one to turn it into a "drag Monster." Putting a good suspension on it would not be that hard. The car isn't that heavy. I've seen some old school mustangs set up for the twisties and they are pretty nice. And, a setup like that would retain it's street manners way better than a drag monster too.
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LOL at so many inaccuracies
 
OMG, vb just nuked my entire post... I had a summary typed up and everything. I knew I should have copied out of the text box before hitting reply... Somehow I got logged out while writing it up.
 
240sx with a LS1 swap. I am going to go this route I think. Should be worth 12's with a bone stock LS1 and I pull around 1g on street tires already.
 
Ok, here goes, hopefully vb doesn't eat my post again. Thanks guys for all the good input.

Here's an updated list of cars (with estimated base costs) that I'm considering based on your input:

  • C5 Z06 (2002+) - 18-21k
  • S2000 AP2 - 17k
  • C5 coupe - 15k
  • 350Z (2004?) - 12-16k?
  • RX8 12k+
  • Fox Body mustang with refreshed (or upgraded) motor and suspension/brakes ($?)
  • 4th Generation mustang with suspension/brakes (7-10k+ and upgrades)
  • 4th generation F-Body (Camaro/Firebird) - Similar price to 4th gen mustang?
  • Supercharged 3rd gen Miata (not CARB legal)

I'm leaning towards the C5 or C5 Z06 given the out of the box bang for the buck. I'll have to do some price comparisons with the mustangs and F-bodies to see how an upgraded one compares in dollars.

Some other comments:

The n/a Mk2 MR2s are fantastic track cars (5SFE is practically bulletproof), but with the OP's budget it sounds like he's looking for a newer car.

You could have a NICE track MR2 for $15k though...
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Maybe a 1999 one, am I correct in saying it was around 200 hp and 2,750 pounds?

i vote for vette or 350z. both have very common engines and rarely go bad. decent out the box and even better with mods. seen some higher mileage 350z for 10k or lower ones for 15-16k. you can get factory brembos. they have a 03-04 track package with forged 18's wheels and brembos.
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I'll have to check out the 350z, I have not driven one before.

*cough* RX-8 *cough*
Tons of them under 12k @ rx8club.
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I will consider them. I did drive one at one of Mazda's rev it up events, and I wished it had more torque. Do you know if its motor is considered reliable? There's always stories about rx-7 motors when pushed hard.

STIs and Evo VIII/IX make good track cars. So do Boxster S.
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I am currently shying away from the STI/EVO because of it has some inherent chassis limitations being based off of a sedan platform. If they were cheaper, I might consider them.

Porsches make me worry about part costs, but could be an option if the cost to run them is low. At least the boxster doesn't have the cramped 911 engine bay.

How much is a Holden Monaro? According to wikipedia they are sold as the Pontiac GTO in the US. They stopped making them in 2006 but they have a nice 400bhp V8 with rear wheel drive and LSD.
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I'm not sure how much they are, I didn't really look into them because they are a bit portly at 3,750 pounds. The final USA version in 2006 did get the 6.0L engine however.

No love for the Lotus Elise? Tough to beat as a track day car IMO.
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I'll probably be eyeing them once the price comes down more, but it's tough since they are exotics. Not sure about (non motor) part costs either.

The Turbo 1.8l MazdaSpeed Miata makes the same power as a 3rd gen (NC 2005-2011) 2.0L naturally aspirated. Any Miata makes a great track car without engine mods, but they won't snap your neck with acceleration.

I recommend a 3rd gen Miata with a supercharger (not CARB legal, but easily swapped out for smog checks every couple of years), or an 2004-2008 RX-8.
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Thanks for the heads up about the mazdaspeed being the same power as the 3rd gen NA. I could consider a supercharged one, I would have really considered a turbo one if CARB wasen't an issue.

Test drive a AP2 S2000. The torques have been increased with the 2.2L but it doesn't have the 9000 RPM redline as found in the older model. You can get a decent one for around $17k.
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While I don't doubt that the S2000 is a great car, wrestling with the fact that I can get a base C5 for less makes it tough for me to consider them.
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alkemyst said:
240sx with a LS1 swap. I am going to go this route I think. Should be worth 12's with a bone stock LS1 and I pull around 1g on street tires already.
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This would be a hoot for sure, but it's more work than I am willing to commit at the moment. Just out of curiosity, are there mounting kits specifically for that swap, or do you have to do some custom mounts?
 
you totally should have upgraded brakes and changed the wheels, most cars that dont come stock with BBK you'd need to change wheels
 
Maybe a 1999 one, am I correct in saying it was around 200 hp and 2,750 pounds?
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95 was the latest they were in the US (excluding the 2000-2005 Spyder, which was 2100-2200lb and 138hp). The turbocharged model was 200hp and as heavy as ~2900lb for the loaded turbo t-top model. A hardtop without options may get down to 2650-2750, but I'm not positive on that. Non turbo was a 2.2l 5SFE with 130-135hp (depending on year, 91-92 vs 93+).
 
Viper GTS said:
You should lower your estimate on C5 Z06s, you can pick them up for more like 18-19K if you shop around.

Viper GTS
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Which makes them even more attractive 😀

you totally should have upgraded brakes and changed the wheels, most cars that dont come stock with BBK you'd need to change wheels
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I actually have wider wheels for the SRT-4. When I bought it, it came with some aftermarket wheels that were wider. I then bought some OE wheels to use with street tires. As my luck would have it, the BBKs that were appropriate for track use did not fit under the aftermarket wheels (or the OEMs of course).

So, in order to upgrade the brakes I would have to get new wheels, and get rid of the old ones. I could have done this, but I figured I would be better off spending the money on a new platform, rather than a FWD sedan with no LSD.
 
I'm ignoring your RWD comment -

Saturn Ion Redline with Performance Pack (LSD included) with a bunch of aftermarket goodies from ZZP

Cobalt SS Turbo - already faster and better handling than a bunch of RWD cars.

If you must go RWD -

2005+ Mustang GT with twin screw & lots of suspension work
 
Fmr12B said:
I'm ignoring your RWD comment -

Saturn Ion Redline with Performance Pack (LSD included) with a bunch of aftermarket goodies from ZZP

Cobalt SS Turbo - already faster and better handling than a bunch of RWD cars.
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Those are both going to be incredibly similar to the SRT-4..
 
Fmr12B said:
I'm ignoring your RWD comment -

Saturn Ion Redline with Performance Pack (LSD included) with a bunch of aftermarket goodies from ZZP

Cobalt SS Turbo - already faster and better handling than a bunch of RWD cars.

If you must go RWD -

2005+ Mustang GT with twin screw & lots of suspension work
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Or Sky Redline / Solstice GXP.. 😛
 
There are some decent turbo and super charger kits for the 2.0l Miata. Get some bars and track suspension kits (there are tons) for it and i can't really see another better and cheaper track car out there. The c5 z06 would be my next choice. It's cheap, powerful, easily moddable, pretty bulletproof too. Just depends on what size of car you're looking for.
 
exdeath said:
zomg youll have 85/15 weight distributionz !!1!
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It's not helping the thread by posting up this BS even sarcastically.

The weight difference is about 80lbs give or take, but it sits further back in the chassis as well.

The later 240SX weighs in at about 2750 with the manual.
 
alkemyst said:
he listed a budget and wanted a track car...seems more he is looking really for a daily driver though.
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It's true that what I am looking for what could be considered a daily driver (street legal, passes smog, etc), but could be also considered a good "track car", just not a "track only" car.

It's balancing act of time for me, I don't have to have the fastest, or most hardcore thing for the most/least $ that requires spending a lot of time on, but want to end up with something that gives me good bang for the buck with the limited time I spend on it.

The formula of buying a car, slapping on some easy suspension mods (bushings, coil overs, sway bars, etc) and driving it to the track and running it worked great for me with the SRT-4. It was a bit stiff with the 550 in/lbs springs, had noisy brakes which didn't work when they were cold, wasn't overly hardcore, but it was fun on the track and only needed routine wear and tear stuff replaced.

Sure, that's not the most hardcore approach, and maybe not the cheapest, but I liked how it turned out the first time. I was just looking to repeat that with something a bit more capable.

See that's why I got the best SRT-4 version, the ACR. It handles awesome even stock.
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Did I at least get a good color (black)?
 
Porsche 944 Turbo

For $15,000 you could get one fully track repaired in nice condition and ready to smoke most of the above suggestions.
 
I love my S2000 to death but aftermarket parts tend to be on the expensive side, especially since the parts need to be really good to be an improvement on the stock parts. The stock car already comes with forged Enkei alloys, remote-reservoir coilovers, LSD, etc. The aftermarket is extensive, but bring money.
 
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