Ok, im in the beginning stages of choosing a dedicated track car. One that will be towed to a track and back home, that's it. I have been doing some research to see what parts for what cars are fairly cheap, but I haven't chosen a car yet. Here are my thoughts, however I will not buy a new car for this, it will be used and preferable cheaper.

2003 350Z (too expensive)
RX-7 (motors weak)
Umm, not sure what else

Im leaning towards the RX-7 for the fact that you can find them fairly cheap and have the motor rebuilt for a decent price, not to mention we all know they handle extremely well. My ideal car would be another Z, but that get pricy with car and upgrades. I want something with good power as is, because im not going to be doing any go fast mods right away, just want to get used to the car 1st, do all of my safety stuff, then suspension and stopping, and finally the motor stuff. I know for sure I don't want a Miata or CRX or anythihing that small. Also RWD is a major +.

Also I don't know what class I want to be running in, I am mainly doing this for recreation at 1st and if I feel that im good enough I may try to get into some actually points racing.

Suggestions?

 

I say go with the Mazda RX7. My first car and I am still in love with it. The handling is great and power is nice. Work on that motor and tweak out your suspension and brakes and you'll do fine.

Funny I was considering something similar. Thought about buying another RX7 to modify it buy eh I ain't rich like these high school kids nowadays

 

What generation RX-7 are you thinking about?

 

first or second; third gen are hard to find (they only sold like 6k in the US in their last year here!). Second gen has a better suspension and more powerful engine, but it might weigh more and will cost more.

 

Don't know what your budget is, but the best all around affordable track car would probably be a spec miata.
Lots of used ones here:
http://www.specmiata.com/Classifieds...set_add_ad_cat=

and race ready fully prepped one from $17999 here: www.bsiracing.com

I recently got a 240z for my track days, and although slower, it is a lot more fun than the 350z on the track.

 

SE-R, hands down the best bang for the buck.

In fact I was at Willow Springs raceway yesterday tracking with a bunch of Sentra and 200sx Se-R's.

Good luck!

 

BTW... when are we gonna see the Snot Rocket back up here in NC?

 

E36 M3 or E30 3 series 2d with a V8 engine swap.

 

next month's schedule is late coming out, but when it does and if I have off, and if there are slots out I want to come to the rock. Unfortunately, there are a lot of ifs. The SR has gone through a lot of changes in the last 4 months!

 

I'd also suggest a used race car for the simple fact that it's the most cost effective solution. You usually get a lot of useful spares and pay a whole lot less than if you build it yourself. If you choose wisely, you can also get a race car that is both saleable (if you find racing is not for you) or usable for future racing.

 

1999 Corvette FRC.

 

get a miata... legendary for track cars...

save cash get a lotus elise =)?

get an s2000?

Tune your winter beater?

ITR?

240SX?

 

Yeah, like i said I don't want a miata and im really not in ti for a V8. I want something with OK power, but handels really well. As of now im looking to improve my skills before I get a 500HP car out there. That's why I was thinking of the RX-7. Probably the newer ones... Probably the 3rd gen. Then again RX-8's are sparking my interest...
As for price rang I would like to stay under about 18K for the car, 23K total with full suspension. Cheaper is better though

 

Damn... for that kind of money, your options are almost endless!!

How about a 240sx with an SR20 swap... you can find many already done for well less that that... they handle great out of the box, and with the SR20DEt, your power possibilities are highly upgradable... its rear wheel drive AND you stay in the nissan family...

 

All the other cars people mentioned are awesome, but the RX-7's have unlimited potential. A lot of people do a swap from the stock twin turbo setup to the single turbo, and a lot of people get 500hp from the cars, easily. It would be a fun project to work your way up to a higher horsepower/better handling car as your driving skills improve.

There are some other cars to consider, like everyone else said. BMW E30, Miata, ::Cough::S42 M Coupe::cough::

 

3rd gen RX-7 is going to cost a lot. Take a look on ebay, you could easily eat up your entire budget on one. They do have great upgradeability though. Lots of maintenance and parts are no longer cheap. Plus they run very hot, especially with turbos. Just saw a whole bunch at VIR last weekend all with the hoods up in 70 degree weather. On the other hand, it would be a blast to drive.

You do have a lot of choices in your price range. Any goals in racing besides fun? Where you want to go determines where you start.

 

diasio or radical? truly a track car means it doesn't have to be street legal. why restrict yourself to what will always be a compromise? cost perhaps, but the consumables for a diasio are even cheaper than a miata (which is pretty dang cheap as race cars go).

look through the back of a GRM at the real (ie tube frame or pro-prepped) cars for sale. there are a surprising number in your price range, and many/most come with spares as someone mentioned. some even offer a trailer thrown in.

its probably a little too soon since its introduction, but a used elise perhaps? i'm not familiar with their used values, but 1) they're british, and 2) if you could find one with 50K miles on it, maybe that would drive the price down enough. wonder if you could squeeze any kind of FI under the bonnet on that

ahm

 

I was going to say that, but I thought it would sound biased. A Diasio can be had in the original posters price range.

I was browsing runoff pics and I noticed that the SCCA has an Spec RX7 class built on the older car. Looks pretty cool.

 

I would go with a BMW E30. Those things are badass at the track