SOOOOOOO??????? What would you build??
 

So I've been thinking about this for awhile now and wanted to know what your thoughts are.

I've been thinking about building a "budget" Auto/X track car. What would you start with for a car?

I'm not looking to build a new car, although that would be cool just to much for the org investment.

I have my 73 Camaro that would be cool but I think there might be a better (cheaper, better starting) platform to start with??

The key part to this is for me at least is "budget" something that could use as many OEM parts as possible, Vet brakes, wheels???

I keep going back to a 3rd gen Camaro or a Fox body Mustang??

What else??

If your Camaro is in decent shape, it would make a great budget auto crosser. Just get some stiffer shocks, maybe some sway bars, bigger brakes, better steering box, wheels and tires.

I'm not sure what your budget is, but the parts I just listed should keep you under 5g's. You probably won't be beating Mary Pozzi around the cones, but you'll have a fun little car.

If you're heart is steering towards another car, you can get 94-95 SN-95 Mustangs fairly cheap now too, and they are easily modded as they are still basically Fox Bodies wrapped in new sheet metal.

That second gen is your best bet....the front suspension geometry is good you could keep the stock arms, just put in some good springs (front and rear) subframe connectors, quick ratio steering box, adjustable shocks and sway bars....done

fox bodies are terrible in stock form...I just put one on the rack 3 weeks ago and the stock castor on that car was 2-3 degrees....in order to fix that will require a whole new autocross K-member with control arms (about 2500 bucks) and then subframe connectors, adjustable shocks and sway bars....done

2002 Corvette.

What are you considering for a budget? Your second gen would be cool and you already own it, but C5 vette can be had cheap and you can head to the track with a new set of tires.

WRX should be able to pick up a repairable at a wreckers pretty cheap

You said budget............I say Miata.

2.5rs coupe or a wrx sure. They can be had cheap and all wheel drive. Depends on your budget and already learned driving skill and the level you want to achieve. Depends if you want an car that's easy to go around comes or one that will do the job but requires some work. All your personal preference.

+1 for Miata. You can get early 90's Miatas for cheap, at least around here. Best of all, no rust repair.

+2 (four characters more)

Z06 model, you can't beat them for the bottom dollar.

Z06's are great but they eat big tires, brake pads, fuel, etc. so the annual operating cost compared to a Miata is much higher......if it's tracked on a regular basis.

I know firsthand that a well set up Miata with a good driver can be downright annoying.

I also watched a guy embarrass more than a few people at the local sanctioned autox this summer in a.............Prius. :wacko:

Watched a guy in a suburban smoke a bunch of know it all corvette owners that think they are the best drivers due to owning a vette at the track once...... Good laugh for sure.

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c7...ick/001-17.jpg

Plenty of these around .

C5 Z06 to clarify. Brakes are cheap, parts available at every auto parts store, and they're fun to drive

just build the 2nd gen already.....you can do another one after you sell it. :D

they are great platforms to autox

i hate the 94 up Mustangs, just never liked the look. But yes you can defiantly get them cheap!

I get what your saying Rodney about the 2nd gen. I'm just looking for some ideas on something "cheap and fun"? I didn't know the Fox body was so bad, I had a very fast one years ago but I didn't take turns in it :D

I've looked at some C5's but either they are junk or I get the "it's a Corvette" :headscratch:

Mike as far as budget I was thinking in the $6-7K range?? Which most likely either puts me in the Miata group listed above or just get the 2nd gen working nicely??

I thought of doing a Subbie but the cost if you have any breakage could get out of hand quickly. I have a friend that is into them, he just races the **** out of it, then when the warranty is up he just takes off his upgrades and trades it in for a new one :relax: not a bad way to get in cheap but I HATE car payments :hairpullout:

Ok I'm liking this idea more and more, and wow cheap is an understatement!! I was looking on CL and there's one not far from me for $1800 and it runs and drives. Good tires are CHEAP in that size for sure and the aftermarket support is really nice if you want to step up your game with one of these.

Again the biggest issue with a C4 or C5 is the price of admission!! Cheap yes you can find them cheap but then it will cost a lot more to get it track ready. And again you have the guys that own them that think "It's a Corvette" :rolleyes:

But the C4-C5 are not off the table yet!!

Yup I know but you know my issue with it :D :hello:

Now this looks like a lot of fun!!! Yes way more then cheap but WOW it would be a fun car to mess with on the weekends!!

http://chicago.craigslist.org/nwc/cto/4768076592.html

I have been tracking the C4 for 4 years now . Almost all of it on the original 140,000 mile motor . Usually in the top 3 overall at Midwestern Council events .
Love the looks I get when passing cars that cost seven times as much . I know of three C4s for sale with all the good stuff already done 6-15 k range .

4th gen Camaro/Firebird.

Cheap and already come with a LS/T56 :D . So easily upgradable.

Holly crap, you aren't kidding wow I just found 4 of them all 2000-2002,not one of them is asking over $6K!!

The Guy that wins A modified has a 2000 LS T56 . Hes been on top for about 5 years now .

Well if that's the way you're going to play.........

http://www.palatov.com/cars/d4.html

Or second the mortgage and knock yourself out:

http://www.palatov.com/cars/d4pps.html

:welcome3:

Rick, I thought I saw a few months back that you were going to start a ZCar project, and sell the camaro?

haa haaaa ok, who's gonna break it to Rick how much it cost to race and maintain a track car. I've been way to mucho debbie downer for this thread.




buddy, we got enough brain cells and spare part to fix anything.

Yo Rick...........the car is the cheap part!

Look at 350z's they aren't too expensive.

Also Rick, I follow "Windy City Miata Club" on facebook, and someone posted this awhile back, I'll ping him and see if the shell is for sale still.

*Rust free 91 NA shell with Clean title - $400
good for race/drift build - rear fenders cut for flares, stock seat humps removed, includes gutted doors with mirrors, hood with pins, rear bumper, steering column, pedals, gas tank. No lights, wiring, drivetrain, suspension, or any other body panels besides whats listed. Swap your rusty project to this chassis and win. Looking to have gone this weekend, get it before the yard does.

Rick, i talked to the guy, it's still for sale, he is asking $400 w/title, here are pics, he said "This is the shell when I got it. It is painted green now, with silver interior and engine bay. Doors, hood, and rear bumper are on it. Dash is gone, as are subframes and suspension"

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...psd02ec040.jpg

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...ps79dbd2b1.jpg

:whistling: :whistling: :whistling: :whistling: :mock: :smiley_smack: :G-Dub: :poke: pm sent Rich!!:waveflag: :D

Instead of going Miata, you can use a Miata chassis in an exocet. I know a local guy that just bought one and they are at the top of the field in raw time.

Me, I like the idea of a C5 Z06 and bubble gum.

Might be a better start on this one.....

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sgv...748999981.html

That's a better one.

But I must have missed the part where Ricks girl needed a track car?

Some of our Shelby club guys run Miatas. For brakes they go to Autozone etc and get pads, calipers and rotors for about 350.00. Now that is cheap compared to the rest.

350Z's Are a very inexpensive to track on a budget.. This is the car I learned how to auto-x in & yesterday I was @ Streets of Willow getting back to basics on my driving on the road course.. Plus they offer a LS Conversion kit!

This is how I would put them in a catagory..

1) Miata
2) 350Z
3) Honda S2000
4) C5 Corvette

I have driven all of these.. C5 is the best bang for the buck for buck IMO..

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/...ps1213fcac.jpg

Agree --- and driven "well" they're plenty fast.