NONACK wrote:
Embrace the cheapness
Yes!
Haha!
In reply to BoxheadTim:
In that case, my vote is go REALLY cheap for one season. As in, so cheap it doesn't matter what you have, or if it explodes, or has any aftermarket. Craigslist, sub-$1500, run it into the ground and sell for $500 at the end.
I do appreciate the suggestion, but...
My "problem" is that I have a fairly good idea of the condition of the sub-1500 cars out here. For starters, it's a question as to when they explode, not if. That's one of the reasons I don't want to get too cheap, because pretty much anything I've looked at out here for that sort of money comes with a free headache.
I would suggest a NB Miata, FC RX7, an E30 and E36 3-series. I would just buy one that is track prepped already for the easy track fix.
I would only touch a 3rd gen Camaro/Firebird if it's a built track car or race car because of the many flaws they have.
For a wild-card, you can buy a Chump or LeMons race car also.
NONACK
Reader
7/2/14 10:54 a.m.
In reply to BoxheadTim:
Fair enough, you know your area better than I do. I shop almost exclusively in that price range, it has worked out for me so far here in the Northeast.
BoxheadTim wrote:
JohnRW1621 wrote:
I would lob off some lowball prices on some retired, dedicated race/track cars.
Most if not all the prep is done and you are quickly out on the track.
I'm warming to that idea, trouble is finding them. As usual when I start looking, there aren't (m)any for sale.
You're in luck! I just happen to know of a magazine that often has a classified section (always has a classified section) where such things can be found.
Sure, the cars may not be in your home town but with some use of the GRM resources such as having someone look at it as well as some indepth conversations with the seller, there may be a good find there.
This month:
'85 Mustang asking $7,800 location unknown
'86 Spec E30 no price given but the phrase, "my loss, your gain" is used. Santa Monica, CA phone number
'93 Taurus SHO (lots of headroom) asking $7K, Atlanta
'86 CRX asking $3500, Detroit
Last Month (likely still available):
'81 RX7 asking $4,800, Arizona
'94 325is E36, no price, no location
'95 Mustang, asking $2,500, Santa Barbara, CA
'94 Golf, no price, Long Island, NY
In reply to NONACK:
I wish that would work out here, too - that's basically what I used to do in the UK, get a $1000-$1500 (equivalent) hot hatch or Miata. Worked OK most of the time, but out here, most of what I found sub $3500 isn't worth considering as a lawn ornament.
E36. E30. Mk2 GTI 16v. Fox body Mustang. Focus SVT. Mercedes Cosworth 2.3-16v.
Spend the money and fix the MR2? What's wrong with it?
Another place to find them:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Volkswagen-Other-scca-SCCA-race-car-1977-volswagen-scirocco-ep-class-/271532563869?forcerrptr=true&hash=item3f389a1d9d&item=271532563869&pt=US_Cars_Trucks
docwyte wrote:
Spend the money and fix the MR2? What's wrong with it?
It needs the drivetrain pulled, the engine and gearbox gone through thoroughly, the head pulled and at least a new headgasket fitted, the timing belt replaced for the third time in less than two months because of prior berkeleyups by the looks of it, and trans pulled and at least resealed, if not rebuilt etc etc...
I've already paid someone to do part of this work and am now left with a car that needs the work redoing again. The shop I thought I could trust has closed, but I wouldn't take this car back there again anyway. The mechanic I really do trust to do it right is currently endurance racing in Japan, the person he recommended works at a main dealer and the quote for the above work comes in at somewhere between $3k-$5k with no guarantee that we won't find more problems[1].
I can't justify spending that amount of money on the MR2 right now, and I can't sell it for what it's worth because I've got too much money in it already. Heck, at this point in time any buyer will most likely have to trailer it home because of the timing belt issue. Plus, I don't have the time right now to do the work myself. I will (hopefully) in winter, but right now I need to concentrate on some more urgent work on the house.
[1] Given current history with that car, there's a fat chance we don't find more problems.
BoxheadTim wrote:
z31maniac wrote:
BoxheadTim wrote:
I have been thinking about an NC, but a good one is more expensive than a good but early-ish RX8 and I'd rather have an RX8 in that case.
A few mods and you'll be right near the RX-8 power level but with 500 less pounds to drag around.
There is that, but if I am spending in the $10k-ish range, I want to get something that's fairly practical and an RX8 is more practical than an NC. Plus, Me Likely Magic Doritos.
Meh, you've got a bunch of other vehicles for that.
Wow, WTF happened to that car? Thought it just needed a timing belt job? Now it sounds like the drivetrain is completely porked...
The drivetrain isn't completely porked, but I need to get in there before it is.
What seems to have happened is that I did have the timing belt done (twice, the first failure was blamed on a bad belt), but all evidence suggests it wasn't done quite right. I took it to another, highly recommended mechanic who took a few minutes to find that the transmission was obviously leaking fluid and it had been apart previously, plus there is evidence of the head gasket leaking at least externally.
All things that the first shop should have discovered when they had the car, because we were at that point having a discussion about dropping the drivetrain, but it was deemed "not necessary" after they looked at it.
Im a bigger guy with knee issues and getting in and out of the wifes 328xi isnt a problem. It handles pretty awesome stock if it was a manual id steal it from her to autocross.
Wifes is an 07, but ive seen 02s and 03s in the right price point in my area.
Any comments on this Integra: http://sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/4539399088.html
Yeah, it's modded...
I've always loved that Gen GSR Integra.
ScreaminE wrote:
Focus SVT EAP.
I was not aware of the Focus SVT Eat-A-Prick model.
Some of the cars mentioned are pretty much extinct in California (16v gti comes to mind), a couple possibilities other than resale value would be an mk3 Jetta (can be found everywhere, and huge aftermarket). A vr6 version even has pretty good suspension. An Alfa Milano would work too, they are pretty simple and easy to work on, and availability of aftermarket or maintenance parts is surprisingly good. I know a lot of people think they sound scary, but having owned one they are easier to work on and more reliable than an mk2 VW, and no worse than an e30.
NONACK wrote:
Are S197 Mustangs that cheap yet? What about a late C4/Early C5? MR2 Spyder?
C4s are cheap and a lot of fun; may be a challenge to get into and out of if you have knee problems. A Mustang is a bit higher up and less of a challenge in that department. But an E36 - or even an E46 - sounds like a good choice here. I'm not biased because I own one. I own one because I'm biased.
There are many, many e46s in the bay area, although 99% are automatic. That Integra sounds like an awful idea btw.
Well, "bad idea" is my middle name, but I think you're right about the Integra. It looks like it's got a good list of parts but it also looks like another interminable project.
I've had a look at a few ads for Jettas, looks like a GLI might work even though I now have bad ideas about tracking a TDI. I'd love to get a Milano, haven't seen one for sale for a while though and would probably be more tempted by a GTV6.
How many seating mods did you do on your former Miata? Mine is night-and-day after spending the money to have a good shop (TC Design) cut out the factory seat mounts and install Recaros on custom brackets. It dropped me 3-4 inches in the car, moved me back farther than I could get with the factory seat, and despite being an FIA-certified fixed back racing seat it's way more comfortable than stock ever was. I sat in several "foamectomy" cars before this, and there's really no comparison.
$5,000
