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mtn
mtn MegaDork
3/11/13 1:54 p.m.

Currently the car is a 99 Miata, but unfortunately it is the 10AE so it is a 6 speed. Lets say that we want to stay roughly budget neutral on everything from gas mileage to insurance to maintenance, etc. 23 year old with perfect driving record (knocks on wood). We'll say the purchase price limit is roughly $7,000. The vehicle also has to be a daily driver, which means it has to be somewhat comfortable for a 4 hour drive every once in awhile, and it has to have AC. This is non-negotiable.

I want something that is more competitive. Mine is outgunned in CS and STR even on a local level. Yes, some of it is the nut behind the wheel, but when I co-drive in competitors cars I am usually in the trophies. Fact is that it is the wrong car to have in some big classes both locally and nationally. I really feel that if I want to be competitive in this car, it would have to be in CSP--at that point, it has lost the ability to be a daily driver.

I've driven nationally competitive FWD cars. FWD is not for me. But hey, throw the CRX and Civic Si suggestions out there. I might listen.

Here is my list of contenders, am I missing any?
- E36 318 sedan/coupe (not ti) in HS.
- E36 M3 in STX(?) Cause it is the E36 M3. But I'm blowing the budget.
- WRX in... uh... Gotta be something here
- Another Miata--various options here, but I'm getting bored with it.
- MINI Cooper in HS. Shutup, I'm breaking my word about FWD just to make my list a little longer.

And before someone suggests it, 2 cars is not an option. Otherwise I'd have a Roadmonster wagon and an E-stock Rpackage miata.

Sky_Render
Sky_Render SuperDork
3/11/13 1:58 p.m.

Fox-body or New Edge Mustang?

WOW Really Paul?
WOW Really Paul? MegaDork
3/11/13 1:58 p.m.

Ion Redline in G-Stock......should murder competition on hoosiers. But alas, fwd

mtn
mtn MegaDork
3/11/13 2:03 p.m.
Sky_Render wrote: Fox-body or New Edge Mustang?

What classes though?

mtn
mtn MegaDork
3/11/13 2:03 p.m.
yamaha wrote: Ion Redline in G-Stock......should murder competition on hoosiers. But alas, fwd

I know, I know... This should be the easy answer, but I like to be difficult

Matt B
Matt B UltraDork
3/11/13 2:17 p.m.

If you can deal with the em-pee-geez, I'd take a hard look at RX8's. They seem to do well in the ATL regioin and you're getting a bargain on a newish sports car.

Also, it's a stretch, but I've seen some S2000's in the $8K range. They're high mileage, but I'm not really sure a E36 M3 or WRX are going to be more reliable anyway, no matter what the odometer says.

Ian F
Ian F MegaDork
3/11/13 2:21 p.m.
mtn wrote: Here is my list of contenders, am I missing any? - E36 318 sedan/coupe (not ti) in HS. - E36 M3 in STX(?) Cause it is the E36 M3. But I'm blowing the budget. - WRX in... uh... Gotta be something here - Another Miata--various options here, but I'm getting bored with it. - MINI Cooper in HS. Shutup, I'm breaking my word about FWD just to make my list a little longer.

The E36 M3 runs in STU - however, it can be competitive there (one won STU at Nationals last year) if driven well. Could you build a competitive version on a $7K budget? That may be tricky... top-level tires alone are going to run close to $1000. More if you want/need a second set of wheels (price lightweight 17x9's lately?). And this is assuming your "cheap" M3 doesn't have a laundry list of deferred needs before you can even run it with confidence.

The E36 325i/is runs in STX, but the E46 runs there as well. Most WRX models also run in STX. The STI version is in STU. There are a lot of cars in STX (RX8, FRS/BRZ, MCS, etc.). Just whatever you do, don't pick an E30 (wish I'd asked this question back in 2010...).

To expand on your Cooper suggestion - instead of HS (where a stock MINI will eat tires), maybe STF? A set of camber plates do wonders for the MINI with regards to tire wear. Likewise, a Cooper S in STX.

Matthew Huizing
Matthew Huizing Reader
3/11/13 2:35 p.m.

The E36 325i is fun in DS too--it justs needs a momentum maintenance course to shine. I'd recommend 1995 325i or 1996 328i w/ Sport package and LSD options (mostly likely have to build your own for the later.) The HS 1996 318i with the same options is a bit more proven, but the HS MINIs have only gotten faster with JCW springs. With the new rear sway bar allowance, an EG Civic Si or some other forlorn front driver might be a better HS car, but everyone is a lemming.

AFAIK: The winning STU E36 M3 was slower than a few of the STX E36 cars. Both classes are a bit soft nationally. And the courses played to E36 strengths.

Apexcarver
Apexcarver UltimaDork
3/11/13 2:57 p.m.

3 series BMW (whichever is good for the class) or a WRX for STX (STI will blow your budget)

NA miata, take you pick ES or STS

Perhaps a Gen2 MR2 for ES

Aside from ES and STS/STX I don't really think there is much within your budget.

ReverendDexter
ReverendDexter UberDork
3/11/13 3:04 p.m.

I admittedly don't pay too much attention to SCCA AX; remind me how C4 Corvettes are holding up? Are they still competitive in the right hands or did they get obsoleted by the C6?

mtn
mtn MegaDork
3/11/13 3:08 p.m.
ReverendDexter wrote: I admittedly don't pay too much attention to SCCA AX; remind me how C4 Corvettes are holding up? Are they still competitive in the right hands or did they get obsoleted by the C6?

Probably could still be nationally competitive in BS on a national level, but the cost of tires would eat me alive--not to mention that a 23 year old in a Corvette would have really high insurance. Snow tires might also be an issue for a DD--and I'm coming from a Miata saying this, so I'm not all "AWD or nothing in the snow"

Ian F
Ian F MegaDork
3/11/13 3:18 p.m.

In reply to Matthew Huizing:

Interesting. I haven't seen the raw times. I figured it was a case of the course being friendly to the car or he saw something in the course nobody else did (which I've heard of happening once in awhile).

I've seen a 318i do well against well prepped HS MINI's, but it would be a battle. You're still burning through A6s like no tomorrow...

WOW Really Paul?
WOW Really Paul? MegaDork
3/11/13 3:19 p.m.
mtn wrote:
yamaha wrote: Ion Redline in G-Stock......should murder competition on hoosiers. But alas, fwd
I know, I know... This should be the easy answer, but I like to be difficult

Keep fooling yourself.....its the perfect thing for what you're doing. I could murder G-stock locally at will with just star specs

mtn
mtn MegaDork
3/11/13 3:32 p.m.
yamaha wrote: Keep fooling yourself.....its the perfect thing for what you're doing. I could murder G-stock locally at will with just star specs

I don't doubt that, but there are a few issues that I have with it. First, it is FWD. I don't really like FWD. Second, I don't like that interior at all. Race car only, no problem, but its not, and I come from BMW's, SAAB's, and the Miata, which I do like the interior of. And lastly, it is a Saturn. My girlfriend has some hatred of Saturn; her only opinion for any of my exploits is no Saturns.

I don't get it, but its not like she said no Mustangs/Corvettes/Miatas/BMWs/El Camino's, so I'm not really complaining.

WOW Really Paul?
WOW Really Paul? MegaDork
3/11/13 3:39 p.m.

SHUN THE NONBELIEVER, SHUN SHUN!!!!!!!

Ian F
Ian F MegaDork
3/11/13 3:40 p.m.
mtn wrote: My girlfriend has some hatred of Saturn; her only opinion for any of my exploits is no Saturns. I don't get it, but its not like she said no Mustangs/Corvettes/Miatas/BMWs/El Camino's, so I'm not really complaining.

Lucky you... I can buy anything I want... as long as it's not Asian, American or Italian... There are times when having a car-person for a g/f is a PITA...

mtn
mtn MegaDork
3/11/13 3:43 p.m.
yamaha wrote: SHUN THE NONBELIEVER, SHUN SHUN!!!!!!!

She says that everyone who drives a Saturn is mentally unstable

Ian F
Ian F MegaDork
3/11/13 3:44 p.m.
mtn wrote: She says that everyone who drives a Saturn is mentally unstable

I have a few friends with Saturns... that's reasonably accurate.

clutchsmoke
clutchsmoke UltraDork
3/11/13 3:51 p.m.

You'd actually be surprised about insurance costs on Corvettes even for younger drivers. It's very beneficial having most owners be middle aged men that only put 3-5,000 miles on them per year.

Is the Cobalt SS classed the same as Ion Redline? I dislike them for the same reasons you listed, but do the cons outweigh the pros?(winning!)

Jerry
Jerry UberDork
3/11/13 3:55 p.m.

My fiancee's sister had a Saturn. Till all the oil decided to vacate and it died on I-75 coming back from Cincy. Luckily almost home so it was a short trip to retrieve them both.

It wasn't the first time that POS gave her problems, but it was certainly it's last.

93EXCivic
93EXCivic MegaDork
3/11/13 4:09 p.m.
Ian F wrote:
mtn wrote: My girlfriend has some hatred of Saturn; her only opinion for any of my exploits is no Saturns. I don't get it, but its not like she said no Mustangs/Corvettes/Miatas/BMWs/El Camino's, so I'm not really complaining.
Lucky you... I can buy anything I want... as long as it's not Asian, American or Italian... There are times when having a car-person for a g/f is a PITA...

I hadn't ever really thought about that with dating an a car-person. The only car SWMBO said I couldn't have was an El Camino. Good thing she doesn't know about the Ranchero.

I would say the MINI Cooper is probably the best choice you listed because it is competitive in HS. Also what about a Mazda3?

fidelity101
fidelity101 UltraDork
3/11/13 4:13 p.m.

In reply to 93EXCivic:

Yeah I vote mini.

mtn
mtn MegaDork
3/11/13 4:13 p.m.
93EXCivic wrote: Also what about a Mazda3?

I've autocrossed one (one that has trophied at nationals) a few times. I really don't have a reason for not liking it. But I don't like it.

WOW Really Paul?
WOW Really Paul? MegaDork
3/11/13 6:33 p.m.
clutchsmoke wrote: Is the Cobalt SS classed the same as Ion Redline? I dislike them for the same reasons you listed, but do the cons outweigh the pros?(winning!)

I don't like the next gen cavalier.....the supercharged car is Gstock, the turbo ones are Dstock.

Mtn, I have to have been effin nuts, I got rid of the Saturn for a 22yo taurus.

Drunkonunleaded
Drunkonunleaded HalfDork
3/11/13 10:13 p.m.

Neon ACR? SRT-4 ACR?

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