Looking for a fun autocross/ club racer

[BeerCan]

I am looking for a fun car to do autocross and perhaps some club racing for me and my wife.

I really am the type that wants something different so I am not looking at miatas.

I would like something that is 4cyl or perhaps a 6.

Goal is to have lots of fun and not necessarily for winning.

Older cars are preferred, something fairly easy to work on.

Budget is about 15k but I will spend more if I have to.

I thought I would ask here because of the big knowledge base on bitog.

Thanks

 

[FlyNavyP3]

Miata

 

[Pike51]

Porsche Boxster... Well balanced and easy to setup. You can find early ones for much less than your budget.

 

[Pew]

Miata is always the answer.

Or a C5 vette if you decide down the line that you want a V8 miata.

 

[OVERKILL]

RX-7, E46 3-series bimmer, S2000, BMW Zx. What catches your eye?

 

[AntsinmyEyes]

I need to do some auto crosses soon. seems like itd be fun

 

[jhs914]

Before you decide on a Boxster be sure to search for IMS (Intermediate Shaft) failure on the internet and visit the Porsche and Boxster forums. There is a reason early Boxsters are so inexpensive.

 

[SirTanon]

Many many years ago, I used to a lot of autocrossing in a restored 58 MG. Man, was that fun.

Lots of Miatas and Porsches showed up at events, too.

 

[HemiHawk]

I'll go a little against the grain here... what about a front driver? Something like an RSX-S or Civic Si. Plenty of power for autocross, reliable, factory limited slip. Endless options for suspension. And you'll be able to get a great example of one with plenty of money to spare for tires/brakes/track time.

 

[AZjeff]

This would probably do it: WRX

 

[brages]

Merkur xr4ti... you wanted something different, right?

 

[JamesBond]

Is $15k the annual budget? Do you have a trailer to haul it?

Something cheap like a Japanese econo box or e30 to start with. Most of the budget will probably go to getting it race prepped, doing more events and TIRES. I would assume you'll have a much more affordable, involved and interesting hobby, racing a race prepped civic >10 times per year than an M3, Porsche or Mustang <10 times per year. Plus you'll probably embarrass some mid life crisis mobiles who show up on stock tires.

 

[maxdustington]

See if you can find a used race car. Then it will be close to ready to go and maybe you can get some extras thrown in for cheap.

 

[BeerCan]

Thanks for the replies so far.

I have a trailer.
One of the reasons the miata is out is I want a hardtop. Convertibles are out.
Also I should have added I need a slightly bigger car. I am 6'3" 220lb and with a helmet I will need all the headroom I can get.
I am not afraid to go vintage but except for muscle cars I am not versed in what would be good.

Really as a starting point I would be looking for a car that came with good suspension/steering from factory. I am also looking for a slow car I can drive fast, if you know what I mean.

what about 944 or 924s ? BMW, Toyota etc, etc I just have no idea what to look for on the used market. I have driven a pickup the last 20 years as a DD and my non trackable muscle cars for fun

Unless I decide to throw the budget out the window and get a 911 or something like that as a DD, this car will not be street driven

 

[aquariuscsm]

Originally Posted by HemiHawk
I'll go a little against the grain here... what about a front driver? Something like an RSX-S or Civic Si. Plenty of power for autocross, reliable, factory limited slip. Endless options for suspension. And you'll be able to get a great example of one with plenty of money to spare for tires/brakes/track time.

^^This

 

[HemiHawk]

What about an R53 (2002-2006) mini cooper? It will accommodate your size just fine, hardtop (safe cars really), should be plenty of room for a helmet and plenty of fun for autocross/track. The Mini isn't the most reliable thing, but if you have a trailer and its an autoX only car that shouldn't be too much of an issue. Out of the box they handle very well with just a set of sticky tires. Check out some videos on youtube of them taking on some much higher end vehicles around the track.

 

[thescreensavers]

C5 Z06

 

[CT8]

Are there any 924s or 944s left? I can't remember the last time I have seen one. I see more 1959 Vettes.

 

[BeerCan]

Originally Posted by CT8
Are there any 924s or 944s left? I can't remember the last time I have seen one. I see more 1959 Vettes.

We have some down here in FL. Most looked pretty ragged out though.

Any one here drive a brz or one of its variants?

 

[Cujet]

https://www.roadandtrack.com/motorsports/g14379034/best-autocross-cars/

A C5 or later Corvette is a whole bunch of fun with sticky tires. No real need for any engine mods on the autocross course.