Another thread seeking the collective wisdom of GRM: Lower-cost HPDE car.

calteg wrote:

jsquared wrote: My 240SX coupe Needs TLC to get back on the road but has SR/coilovers/Z brakes/5-lug/etc. I have been stationed in different states than the car for about 4 yrs so fuel/battery are toast and it needs some grounds fixed and a PS hardline replaced (on the rack, like a brake hardline but diff diameter and fitting thread pitches). Or an E36 M3, or a Miata, or an S14 240SX (prob not with a lot of power mods at that price, though), or an MR2. Or some other stuff... I'm not much help am I?

Hrmm, which state is it in right now?

NC

calteg wrote:

DLC wrote: Right now, the Focus SVT is at the top of my list. What would you guys see as comparable or better choices?

I haven't priced out SVTs recently, but there are a few 2.3L\5 speed focus' out there. IIRC, they give up ~10hp, but make more torque, and don't require premium gas. The SVT suspension is $400 brand new from Ford.

The SVTs have pretty poor resale value. As mine sits, I would be ecstatic to get $3k when I sell it.

Your $7k budget would allow for an average example and enough to refresh it. Upon purchase, I would plan on changing the timing belt immediately unless you had clear documentation that it was done recently. Looking at my receipt, the belt, tensioner, idler, valve cover gasket (which I ended up not using), timing tool (which wasn't the right one), and water pump added up to 236 shipped. Aside from the timing tool, all were Ford parts. As another member said, the complete SVT suspension is pretty cheap, and recommended since it will be 10 years old by this point.

My issues after 9 years are as follows:

1. AC compressor died. Feels like my replacement is on its way out, so I may just bypass it next time it fails.
2. Thermostat housing had an internal crack that resulted in a slow leak and occasional overheating while I tracked down the issue. A better casting is available as an Escort part.
3. Spark plug blew out, requiring a helicoil. Not sure what happened here; doesn't seem to be a frequent problem for the Focus like it is for the F-series.
4. Clutch master cylinder slowly failed. This should be considered a wear item every 60k I think. I misdiagnosed as a worn clutch, but no worries, I now have a new clutch that I don't have to worry about.
5. I have a clunk on acceleration/deceleration that I haven't been able to track down.
6. Coolant fitting (cast plastic pipe) failed last week. if I planned to track it, I would probably go through the whole cooling system at its age.

I haven't worked on nearly enough vehicles to form a reference point, but the Focus has been pretty forgiving and easy enough to work on. All the maintenance I have done on this car has been my first time ever doing it.

Bentley doesn't have a workshop manual, but you can find an OEM workshop manual for less than $100 on eBay. Well worth the cost IMO.

FC RX7 or RX8 would be my picks. I hate FWD for track duty.

Racer1ab wrote:

iceracer wrote: ZX2's or even better ZX2SR. I'm not looking but I had a 2000 SR. Bigger rear bar, Hawk pads, wider wheels with sticky tires. I ran many track days with it. Did a 1:08 at Lime Rock on the old pavement. Daily driver and ice racer too.

I'm assuming you've seen this... http://chambersburg.craigslist.org/cto/4743340173.html

Matt B wrote:

DLC wrote: Is the GS-R sort of like a Type R light?

Sorta, but not really. The GSR isn't nearly as track-focused in stock form. They don't look that different on paper (25hp difference/slightly heavier), but there's a lot of little differences that add up. The ITR's shorter-geared LSD trans is a big one that gets overlooked. I have both a GSR and an AW11. For what it's worth I prefer daily driving the Integra and tracking the MR2, even though the little guy is probably slower. That said, they both happily see autocross and DD duty. It's a close fight sometimes (in my mind at least ).

I generally agree with the above, but the Type R is unobtanium, at least in that budget. The GSR is a very good car, and without the type R as a reference, I think it would be more appreciated. Does need an LSD though. It also has a huge aftermarket to make it do what you want. Only reason we don't have ours anymore is that it was stolen!

You can also look at regular E36s. They don't quite have the performance of the M cars, but don't carry the entry price tag, either. Mine is also for sale.

http://onslow.craigslist.org/cto/4690009717.html

If you're interested, I've got a Saabaru for sale: http://boise.craigslist.org/cto/4752267655.html

I've got it at $8k, but I might be able to be persuaded down a bit.

1988 MR2 - $2500 I skipped page 2, so forgive me if an AW11 is no longer under consideration. I posted a link to this car a while ago. The craigslist ad just got reposted. I've always loved the rear visor thingy doo dad, that projects TOYOTA onto your back window when the light is right.

EDIT: here is the thread I started when this car was for sale for $1400. Now two weeks later he is asking $2500 and threatens to keep raising the price until someone buys it.

MattGent wrote:

Matt B wrote:

DLC wrote: Is the GS-R sort of like a Type R light?

Sorta, but not really. The GSR isn't nearly as track-focused in stock form. They don't look that different on paper (25hp difference/slightly heavier), but there's a lot of little differences that add up. The ITR's shorter-geared LSD trans is a big one that gets overlooked. I have both a GSR and an AW11. For what it's worth I prefer daily driving the Integra and tracking the MR2, even though the little guy is probably slower. That said, they both happily see autocross and DD duty. It's a close fight sometimes (in my mind at least ).

I generally agree with the above, but the Type R is unobtanium, at least in that budget. The GSR is a very good car, and without the type R as a reference, I think it would be more appreciated. Does need an LSD though. It also has a huge aftermarket to make it do what you want. Only reason we don't have ours anymore is that it was stolen!

It wasn't really my intention to deride the GSR, but I guess it might have sounded like that. I just wanted to convey it wasn't a couple of mods away from an ITR. Personally, I'm more than happy with ours.

I couldn't ask for more fun per dollar than my Single cam (d16z6) Civic hatch. Put some fat tires/good pads+fluid on it and it will lap up the abuse. Did you rule out "The Answer" for some reason? I have a miata and a civic, the civic is lighter on it's feet and seems far more happy to rev. The Miata is bubbly, rwd, and the brakes modulate much better. The fwd haters for hpde/track days probably haven't driven a well setup front drive; trail braking makes life worth living.

DLC wrote: How are the spec E30s for someone who doesn't want to do spec racing and who wants the car to be streetable? I've heard that the spec Miata setup is not necessarily where you would want to go if you were just looking for a track toy.

I was surprised how livable it is. Ride isn't terrible at all. I mind the race seat more than the suspension feedback. The ground clearance does go down notably, and the sump on the E30 is sort of low so you need to be conscious of that or add a skidplate. If you don't want to Spec race you could do coil overs and dial in what you like, but that's more $$.

Can someone link to this magic $400 SVT suspension?

In reply to Mitchell:

That's encouraging. Have you tracked yours much? How do you like it?

tuna55 wrote: Can someone link to this magic $400 SVT suspension?

Here's a link from the dealer where I get all of my Ford Parts. They have been so much cheaper with shipping and more reliable than any of the dealers I tried locally in Florida.

DLC wrote: In reply to Mitchell: That's encouraging. Have you tracked yours much? How do you like it?

Aside from a few autocrosses years ago, mine has been strictly a daily driver. I have put about 100k miles on it so far. Since moving out to CA, I have finally been able to appreciate what it has to offer in the many area canyon roads. As a note, it does require premium, and gas mileage is laughably bad. In city and canyon driving, I have seen sub-20 MPG. All highway is usually between 25 - 28.

Here is my rambling maintenance thread.

Ah, re-read your post, no roofless things!

Civic EG with a high final drive and an LSD is probably your best bang for the buck. At 7k that's a metric-berkeley ton of fun + plenty left over for track days. Visibility is fantastic, you don't sit as deeply in it on any seat with sliders, a bit high. Seat bolted to the floor and you're way down again. Good helmet clearance even on stock sliders. Easy to maintain and cheap parts all around with tons of options.

tuna55 wrote: Can someone link to this magic $400 SVT suspension?

$319 on Amazon

A couple years ago it was 240.

ProDarwin wrote:

DLC wrote:

ProDarwin wrote: 1) Buy STC Civic or CRX for $4500 or so 2) Engine swap of your choice with remaining $2500 3) Enjoy fast track car?

That's an interesting idea also. Since the Civic is really popular in STC, there must be a big market. Where do those usually trade? I imagine on an SCCA or Honda board?

The 89si Civics pop up all the time on SCCA & autocross forums. Usually with a fresh motor + trans, many sets of wheels + lots of other spares in the $5K range. CRXs usually bring a bit more I think.

OP would be hard pressed to find something better than this

NMNA http://www.roadraceautox.com/showthread.php?51226-1989-Civic-Si-Former-National-Champion-STC-Car

Mitchell wrote:

tuna55 wrote: Can someone link to this magic $400 SVT suspension?

Here's a link from the dealer where I get all of my Ford Parts. They have been so much cheaper with shipping and more reliable than any of the dealers I tried locally in Florida.

Opti wrote:

tuna55 wrote: Can someone link to this magic $400 SVT suspension?

$319 on Amazon A couple years ago it was 240.

Wow that is intriguing...

Can't believe no one's mentioned a Volvo 122 yet. 7 grand would get you into a very nice 2 door with some go-fast mods already done- B20 engine, stiffer sway bars, lowered a little, wider wheels, etc. There's just something very satisfying and direct about driving them. Outward visibility is awesome and a mild B20 is good for 120-130hp in a car that weighs about 2400 pounds (2 door and 4 door models are close tot he same weight, actually). Plus, it won't depreciate, it'll look cool, parts availability is good and you can fix it with a hammer. If a convertible isn't required, the answer is "Amazon".

In reply to volvoclearinghouse:

you're never one to help with my urges to hold off on getting an Amazon. I'm not even through my 244 build and you already have my wanting my next Swedish toy.

accordionfolder wrote: The fwd haters for hpde/track days probably haven't driven a well setup front drive; trail braking makes life worth living.

QFT.