Car choice

Hello all, so my dad recently got the urge to find a cheap car that he can run around on some tracks and have fun, nothing serious. He's mainly looking at corvettes, c4's to be exact. So I thought it would be fun to make a sort of "top gear challenge" out of it, he gets a car, I get a car and we both have at it. Well the only issue is I'm a little tailspun as to what my best option would be, as of right now my top 3 options are: mazda rx7 fd, honda s2000 and porsche 944 turbo. I ruled out my ex-car love the 300zx and mitsubishi 3000 vr-4 because of their weight. As far as the racing we'll be doing, it won't be autocrossing, at least I don't see that in our future, more like established race tracks with nice sweeping turns, straights, etc. So what do you guys think? I'm thinking ill have the edge in turns no matter what but I may loose ground in the straights... By the way, I am aware of the maintenance issues presented by particularly the rx7 but it doesn't worry me. Thanks all.

Are you planning to run solo1/time trials or wheel to wheel racing?

You should also get a C4 Corvette, so that the two of you can share from the same pile of spare parts, tools and shop manuals. Also, almost every job is easier the second time.

The answer is, two Miatas

2016 camry. Outrun the vette, have room for passengers, aaaaand be anonymous in traffic.

Maybe, buy 4 Maserati BiTurbos, and then light your wallets on fire in the middle of them.

Seriously I would get the FD RX-7 as it is my bucket list car, and super secksey.

In reply to Mazdax605:

Among the choices presented I'd be willing to bet that the FD is far and away the most expensive. S2000s aren't cheap but a niceish one goes for basket case FD money.

The C4 would likely be your best bet for the money if your Dad likes them. If you're looking in the 10 to 15k range a Boxster might be worth looking into as you can get one for less than that then replace the IMS. Mrap1000s replacement thread was pretty enlightening.

Why not a C5? I am seeing some really good prices on those since the C7 came out.

FD RX7, Nice, Cheap - pick two (even then, cheap ones aren't what I consider cheap)

I like the idea of getting the same car. You could still compete in your own particular year/options/setup, but it would make your lives a lot easier for the reasons mentioned before.

How much looking to spend?

Thanks for the comments everyone, as for what racing we'll be doing, it will be tire to tire racetrack racing. I've thought about the advantages of having the same type of car, Parts and such, but I like the thought of getting one of my dream cars, being the ones I mentioned. And as for how much to spend, at first I was trying to keep it right around 10k, but that will probably go up a little.

In reply to Bearcat:

Find a class that you both want to run in then and start the process over. None of the cars that you mentioned would compete in the same class as the C4 in either of the 2 major road racing sanctioning bodies. Have you 2 started doing HPDEs in preparation for you licensing this coming spring? Who are you planning on buidling your cage?

Get a pair of the same cars with cheap consumables that are available already prepared and caged with a logbook that instructors are familiar with and sanctioning bodies have crowded entry fields of. You and your father will have a blast running spec miata. But will never see the track together with any of the other options listed. A pair of 944s would also work if you'd rather be a mechanic than a driver.

You can barely get a decent FD roller for $10k, a good one is at least 15k-20k in the US.

Is the 10k for the base car or for everything?

You can get a C5 Corvette for under 10k and I bet you it's cheaper to run than an FD. Plus, FDs are really small inside, if you're 5'11" like me you pretty much won't be able to fit in there with a helmet on your bonce with stock height seats.

If you want to go wheel-to-wheel racing you'll need to look into the sanctioning body's rule book and check car classing, it's not much fun if you end up completely outclassed.

In reply to captdownshift:

Good points re the classing.

I think the best way to stretch the budget would be to buy some ready built cars. Much cheaper than building them unless one owns a fab shop.

In reply to BoxheadTim:

Nothing is more fun than beating a friend or family member in a spec class as well.

If the OP wants a top gear type challenge to have with dad I'd recommend they look into the GRM challenge and that they drive their projects to and from the event. Lower cost of entry, epic road trip with family in your creations, and competition that doesn't require special licensing or expensive safety equipment. It'd make for a cool adventure and story to share.

What tracks are you near geographicaly? I'd head out to the next NASA/SCCA race weekend and take a look at what's running locally. Might have lots of e30s, miatas, 944s, etc. Talk to some folks and see what's for sale at the end of the season. Of the 3 you mentioned the s2k has my vote with RX7 a close 2nd.

Or get 2 more folks involved and have a C4 lemons/chump car and dual for lap times.

Ill do my best to address everyone right now: I realized from the beginning that it was a risk that my dad and I probably couldn't race in the same class together, that's why ill probably just be getting so,drying like a c4 anyways... The 10k is just getting my foot in the door, spending more is for sure, I realize rx's are a bit more pricey, that's why I'd make an exception for that specific car, geographically, we are 1.5 hr. Away from thunder hill raceway in willows CA and about 3.5 hours from my all-time favirite, Laguna seca. I'm not expecting to go to Laguna seca, I only said it for location purposes

In reply to Bearcat:

Are you ready to spend 10K each for a year of track driving and racing?