My current travel schedule at work has left me with no time to race this year and probably not next. The unfortunate side-effect is commuting in a tow vehicle, which is hell. I'm on the prowl for a car that I can use to squeeze in some HPDEs next year, drive to work a couple days a week, and do occasional kid drop-off/pick-up duty (hence the sedan part.) $5-10k, ideally ~$6-7k and enough left over to catch up on deferred maintenance and track prep.
I'm homing in on E46 330i, and a buddy suggested modifying out of the Spec E46 catalog for when I inevitably want to go race with it or a target demographic if I decide to sell it.
What else am I not thinking of?
Ian F wrote:
E36 M3/4/5?
WRX?
Had an '04 WRX, when it was 4 years old. Cobb AP, stage 2...just okay. I've never owned a car that resulted in more chest-beating from every other a-hole on the road.
Love the E36 M3/4/5 and that's what I was initially thinking. The 330i has similar performance, newer, same-price or cheaper, and the Spec E46 competition/resale possibility. The E36 M3 debuted when I was in high school and I'm sentimental toward it. If you're in a metro area, the E46 is about every 5th car, so it would definitely be a speed appliance.
I've got no love for aesthetics when it comes to track beaters. It will be immaculately maintained and maybe never washed.
toad9977 wrote:
This?
Amazing. Okay folks, nothing more to see here. It's a stance/stretch/poke away from being the perfect car. I'd like to see a quadruple-bubble hardtop, though. 
As said an m3/4/5 would be the best bet.
If you can find a clean one a speed6 is great for that little bit of everything in any condition and is fairly stout minus bushings.
I'm a huge fan of the Mercedes (W201) 190E-2.3-16 sedan. Twin-cam Cosworth engine, close-ratio dogleg gearbox, LSD, and tidy aero package. Can find a good example for $5-7k if you look hard enough.
maj75
Reader
11/15/14 10:38 a.m.
Good luck on finding a E46 sedan with a manual trans. Look for the ZHP package with the 6 speed. Forget about a limited slip diff though, it isn't available. You would have to swap in the M3 unit and those are pricey.
I suggest the E36 M3 which does have LSD. Aftermarket is great, factory parts are still available and prices for parts are a little cheaper. Around here, the 3/4/5 are definitely less than the coupe which works for you!
While a 3 series BMW seems like the obvious answer, I thought I'd toss out a couple other ideas:
- Mid '90s Integra GSR
- Mercedes 190E with the 2.3 Cosworth motor
- Mazda Protege
- Ford LTD LX
Ok, I'd better stop before I start suggesting truly weird stuff like making a track day toy out of a Plymouth Valiant. BMW really seems the obvious answer here, and not because I'm biased because I own one. 
A friend used to track an E46--smaller engine, five-speed, four doors. Pretty sure it was stock except shocks and tires. Even without the LSD he was having fun. Plus it made a great daily.
If your up for a project, $500 would likely bring this home and less than $3k would have it outfitted with a whole lot of 300z/350z suspension, trans and more.
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/wat/cto/4714889198.html
Similar: http://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/cto/4754518388.html
E46 ZHP is a mighty nice car.
First gen CTS-V is in this price range as well.
Personal opinion- is300. A good chassis. Cheap parts. Can be had for as little as 8500$.
ZHP have a standard LSD? Asking prices are often in E46 M3 range, but I have seen a few in the 6-7k range.
What about the G35? 6-speeds regularly available, lots of mod pieces, rides under the radar in traffic.
Trackmouse wrote:
Personal opinion- is300. A good chassis. Cheap parts. Can be had for as little as 8500$.
Wife had one back when they were new. I agree they're a great platform, but not having much luck buck-to-buck with the e46. Literally every example within 400 mi of me on CL has a salvage title at best. Good idea though.
Anyone ever track a 3.2 tl-s with the 6spd lsd? FWD is a draw back, but they're in the zone.
HPD still tracks the TL. It's heavy, but it's mostly nose weight which is what you want anyway for FWD. (Holy alphabet soup!)
Tyler H wrote:
ZHP have a standard LSD? Asking prices are often in E46 M3 range, but I have seen a few in the 6-7k range.
Nope. The only E46 that came with an LSD was the M3.
Also, I don't know about you guys, but the answer depends a lot on your local track. Mine is Road America. When I was running my E46 330ci there, I was dicing it with E36 M3's and the odd Spec Miata...and we were the slowest guys out there. Anything with a turbo or V8 was consistently lapping us. I certainly wouldn't want to be in anything slower than that E46.
TSX? you did not mention RWD only. I have seen MKV GTIs under 10K.
pres589
UltraDork
11/15/14 2:53 p.m.
80's GM G-body with lots of raiding of the GM corporate parts bin & circle track parts catalogs.
If you're open to FWD, the earlier of the current Civic Si should be close to your price. LSD, four doors, great mileage and quite frankly a brilliant car for what it is.
You can also go for a regular E36 and throw a LSD in it or a RX-8 (it's technically a 4-door!)
Are IS300s good for track days?
