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

[Sieg]

Originally Posted by Penny

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.

[omiotek]

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.

[Penny]

Originally Posted by Sieg

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.

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

[Rick D]

Originally Posted by skooli

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.

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

Originally Posted by Rod P

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

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

Originally Posted by Jr

2002 Corvette.

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

Originally Posted by Musclerodz

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.

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??

[Flash68]

Originally Posted by Rick D

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

You nailed it right there. The Fox is probably the best bang out there and they made, what, like 14.8 million of those things?

Go on NASAforums, Racingjunk, CL, ebay and you can pick up stockish to ready to race Foxes in the 4 figures and low 5 figures. Find one ready to go in American Iron and go race the next weekend, assuming you have credentials.

Agree with Rodg in the evolution of PT cars/owners turning racy.... most people saw this coming... how could you not?

The way I see it is you either:

* stay true to PT and building/keep something streetable with your one car

* can afford 2 cars -- a true PT car and a dedicated race car

* screw PT and go with the race car because you're Cole Trickle, goddangit

* don't give a hoot what anyone says and build whatever you want and let the chips fall where they may

[ironworks]

Originally Posted by Flash68

Agree with Rodg in the evolution of PT cars/owners turning racy.... most people saw this coming... how could you not?

The people who spent 30k on a paint job that is too nice to really use the car. Or the guy who put 100 plus lbs of Dynamat insulation only to realize 100lbs is alot of extra weight. The guys who put a super high dollar interior in the car that only had provisons for lap belts.

I have seen this alot. Heck the level of the bar has changed before some guys could even complete their build.

[Rick D]

Originally Posted by ironworks

I think this topic is going to come up more and more in the future. The Pro-Touring racing events are doing what I have always thought they would do and created a divide with the guys who want to try some events to just say they did and give the guys who have racing in their blood fuel to ignite the fire. The it comes down to how competitive can you afford to be for e a given class. And do you still want to try and be competitive in a vintage car. Just like the thread about classes for the USCA.

In the phase this industry or series is in, a guy really needs to define his purpose. There is a world of differences from just going to track days and not being concerned with how competitive you are. And trying to build a car that is goes pretty well and having a competitive car that is fast for what ever group you want to race.

Alot of guys are building very expensive, race cars that really don't have any where to truely race the car unlike if you a had a Miata or Camaro / Mustang Challenge car.

A Miata is not that slow in a field or Miatas. For me it doesnt matter what I race as long as the field is competitive and equal. I like the USCA format of just going out and running what you have for fun, but I also loved racing locally at my dirt track in a lower division just for the seat time. A spec Miata car in a SCCA spec miata class is pretty affordable and gives you a place to race almost any weekend.

Practice Practice Practice.

Originally Posted by ironworks

The people who spent 30k on a paint job that is too nice to really use the car. Or the guy who put 100 plus lbs of Dynamat insulation only to realize 100lbs is alot of extra weight. The guys who put a super high dollar interior in the car that only had provisons for lap belts.

I have seen this alot. Heck the level of the bar has changed before some guys could even complete their build.

Yes yes yes!! Well said Rodger, I'm looking at just having fun and not have 100 point show car or $100K+ PT car that I get all crazy when I get a chip on it or someone looks wrong at it!!

I just want to have fun a few weekends a years and not care about the winning and losing just fun!!

[65 347]

Rick
The Miata route wont be too bad, for where we live there is plenty of auto cross areas. For tracks you can go to Blackhawk or Gingerman is not far, you have to stay away from Road America, unless you have lots of HP you will be in for a long day (found out the hard way)

Just remember the faster you go, the more that breaks and the more it cost.

Mike

[Rick D]

Originally Posted by 65 347

Rick
The Miata route wont be too bad, for where we live there is plenty of auto cross areas. For tracks you can go to Blackhawk or Gingerman is not far, you have to stay away from Road America, unless you have lots of HP you will be in for a long day (found out the hard way)

Just remember the faster you go, the more that breaks and the more it cost.

Mike

Yup Mike, we just need to get Marty off the bike on the weekends and go have some fun at the tracks!!!

[Rick D]

See my responses in blue!!

Originally Posted by Flash68

You nailed it right there. The Fox is probably the best bang out there and they made, what, like 14.8 million of those things?

Go on NASAforums, Racingjunk, CL, ebay and you can pick up stockish to ready to race Foxes in the 4 figures and low 5 figures. Find one ready to go in American Iron and go race the next weekend, assuming you have credentials.

Agree with Rodg in the evolution of PT cars/owners turning racy.... most people saw this coming... how could you not?

The way I see it is you either:

* stay true to PT and building/keep something streetable with your one car
yes but I really don't have a lot of time during the week to drive a street car
* can afford 2 cars -- a true PT car and a dedicated race car
Maybe but not sure I want both right now see above^^
* screw PT and go with the race car because you're Cole Trickle , goddangit
well that might be true but racing is rubbin and fun!!

* don't give a hoot what anyone says and build whatever you want and let the chips fall where they may
there you go DG I like that one the best!!!