My girlfriend really wants to get into trackdays and was wondering if her 2013 Soul would be okay if she didnt push it to hard. It has the 2.0 and sixspeed so its off to a good start IMO. I would let her drive my car but thats less track time for me. So thoughts?
Not ideal, but swap to track pads, change the brake fluid, and have at it
Look at the visor
I have seen stranger cars on track, Scions XB, Calibers, Mini vans, even the occasional pick up truck, I wouldn't want a Soul as my long time track car but for the first couple intro weekends with an instructor should be OK, Just check with the sanctioning body and make sure they allow the Soul.
Unlike the XB the soul has a high "truck like" seating position that makes the car feel very tippy and unstable. It is exactly the opposite of confidence inspiring. The kind of car that makes passengers feel car sick on twisty roads.
I think getting one a couple of inches closer to the ground would help.
Its SSF rollover rating is 1.27. SCCA requires 1.30 or higher for competition. I realize track days aren't governed by SCCA classes.
edit: I might seem harsh. The GF has one and it doesn't seem to do anything very well and I am kind of blah about the thing. She loves it because of its high seating but gets nauseous when I drive it, yet doesn't in cars like the GTI or even my 63 Falcon. It is all about the distance between the suspension fulcrum and the drivers head, degree of motion over distance.
Thanks for the advice...looks like she will be sharing the Z until the summer when i have another car to track.
We took Beth's 2011 Soul (on 18's) to the Dragon this fall. It was certainly a handful, and made me work very hard to keep up a good pace. I do like the Soul, as you can fit a lot of stuff in it. I have heard the '14's have had a suspension refresh, which fixes some of the issues with the pull and wander issues of the older chassis.
calteg wrote: Not ideal, but swap to track pads, change the brake fluid, and have at it
+Camber bolts.
You'll be fine if you leave the stability control on but if you turn it off... I'd take it to an autocross first and try turning it off there.
To satisfy SCCA solo rules, you can also add wheel spacers or wider tires/ wheels in addition to the traditional lowering springs.
Its based on the Cee'd IIRC, and Top Gear didn't seem to have too many problems. I probably wouldn't put R comps on it or anything like that, to encourage it to slide rather than roll.
It is all about the distance between the suspension fulcrum and the drivers head, degree of motion over distance.
I think it is all about someone even getting carsick ever, in the first place. I really dont understand how it's even a thing.
Do gymnasts get car sick?
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