Replace a STR Miata with?

I've had a STS/STR Miata for the past 5 years or so. My oldest son and I have autocrossed and had great fun. We've loved the car(s) for all the standard Miata reasons. Son #2 is driving age now, but he's 6'3" with LONG legs and is still growing. He's got size 14-15 feet. His knees touch the dashboard with the seat all the way back, so something bigger. I'm thinking C4? Mustang? I know tire budget will go up. I'm not terribly concerned about being super competitive with my ham fisted driving skills. I'd like a track day or two a year in there too. I'd daily drive it, I put up with autocross Miata suspension just fine to show my tolerance level. $4-6K initial price, then add tires and wheels.

Since you're not concerned with winning and you daily drive it, I'd concentrate on the street use instead of the competition. You'll spend a lot more time in that mode.

Can't you make Lotus clones as long as you want? I'd daily that.

Or you can buy this one.

http://www.sccaforums.com/forums/aft/446389

You aren't going to find much of a Mustang for 6k that will work for autocross. You can find '99-'04 GT's for that price but they're usually in rough shape and they're total dogs in FS and STU.

I'd say E36 or E46 coupe and build it for STX (they got totally hosed on the street classing).

Also, I don't know if you can find a Solstice for $6k, but that might be an option. I'm 6'4" and like your son, don't fit in an NA or NB Miata, but I fit in a Solstice.

You may also test fit a MR spyder. I know the rear end layout freed up a lot of room in the cabin but not sure how it was in leg room for 6'4" I know at 6'1 with long legs (35" inseam) I was totally comfortable in it.

C4 sounds like a winning idea.

E36 M3. They have depreciated to absurd levels and double as a fantastically capable daily driver. Fine for autocross out of the box, then as your budget allows, mod over time to be more competitive.

I've seen c5's as low as 7-8k which I know is a bit more but would be a lot more car. I like the e36 idea

So today I'm thinking 2004+ Mini 100K mile-ish(non-S) Everybody claims it has tons of room inside for a tall guy with snowshoe sized feet. A good daily driver and can be okay autocrossing. I've read about electrical fussy bits, and leaky sunroofs. So far I'm not scared. Should I be?

An STR s2000

All kidding aside, he would be a tight fit at 6'3. I have a friend at 6'6 and drives one, so it is possible. He has to roll down the windows by using his right hand under his left knee lol.

I like the E36, E46 and C4 Corvette ideas. I would also check out a FC RX-7 and a 240SX.

In reply to drdisque: Regionally, a good driver may still place well in the stock class with the BMWs.

freestyle wrote: So today I'm thinking 2004+ Mini 100K mile-ish(non-S) Everybody claims it has tons of room inside for a tall guy with snowshoe sized feet. A good daily driver and can be okay autocrossing. I've read about electrical fussy bits, and leaky sunroofs. So far I'm not scared. Should I be?

Due to some employment changes, we're thinking about getting rid of my wife's 2011 Cooper S with 46k miles. Nothing wrong with it, but just can't afford to keep it around anymore.

Focus SVT

I am 6'4" and fit really well in my R53 Cooper S. It's a really fun car on the daily or autocrossing.

unevolved wrote:

freestyle wrote: So today I'm thinking 2004+ Mini 100K mile-ish(non-S) Everybody claims it has tons of room inside for a tall guy with snowshoe sized feet. A good daily driver and can be okay autocrossing. I've read about electrical fussy bits, and leaky sunroofs. So far I'm not scared. Should I be?

Due to some employment changes, we're thinking about getting rid of my wife's 2011 Cooper S with 46k miles. Nothing wrong with it, but just can't afford to keep it around anymore.

Sounds ideal, but I'm afraid it's out of my budget.

chili_head wrote: I am 6'4" and fit really well in my R53 Cooper S. It's a really fun car on the daily or autocrossing.

I think I'm going to copy you.

freestyle wrote:

unevolved wrote:

freestyle wrote: So today I'm thinking 2004+ Mini 100K mile-ish(non-S) Everybody claims it has tons of room inside for a tall guy with snowshoe sized feet. A good daily driver and can be okay autocrossing. I've read about electrical fussy bits, and leaky sunroofs. So far I'm not scared. Should I be?

Due to some employment changes, we're thinking about getting rid of my wife's 2011 Cooper S with 46k miles. Nothing wrong with it, but just can't afford to keep it around anymore.

Sounds ideal, but I'm afraid it's out of my budget.

Small world, that's why I'm trying to get rid of it!

unevolved wrote:

freestyle wrote:

unevolved wrote:

freestyle wrote: So today I'm thinking 2004+ Mini 100K mile-ish(non-S) Everybody claims it has tons of room inside for a tall guy with snowshoe sized feet. A good daily driver and can be okay autocrossing. I've read about electrical fussy bits, and leaky sunroofs. So far I'm not scared. Should I be?

Due to some employment changes, we're thinking about getting rid of my wife's 2011 Cooper S with 46k miles. Nothing wrong with it, but just can't afford to keep it around anymore.

Sounds ideal, but I'm afraid it's out of my budget.

Small world, that's why I'm trying to get rid of it!

We'll split the car during the week. I get it every other weekend.