Which Track / Road Car for 15K USD?

  • Thread starter Thread starter mef
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Can I also get some opinions on these cars regards to track worthiness? I can get those at a good price from people I know
- Golf GTI 1998 118kms
- Audi S4 2000 87kms

And I found an Integra on Trademe with 118kms on it for 9100$, alas from a stranger. Will test drive all of these in the next days

Hopefully the GTI is a good track option and is is my fav at the moment. It looks spotless where as the Integra looks worn. The Audi is spotless too but +20grand and quite heavy, so will eath throu brake pads and tires like like a lawnmower


M.
 
I'm assuming the GTI is turbo (as is the S4?). I don't think I'd use any "cheap" turbo car on a track. Its probably not going to hold up to all the stress and then it won't be real cheap to fix. And whether the S4 is a turbo or NA car, that's too expensive to be disposable (which is what you're considering any car to be if you're putting it on a racetrack), and again will be expensive to tear up through the "normal" wear and tear of racing. I wouldn't put over $6000 into something if its going to be your only car.
 
Whatever you do, be bloody careful. Saw a nicely built Civic get absolutely DEMOLISHED at Pukekohe on Anzac day. Misjudged it over the hill, lifted, lost it and...
crashfinal.gif

Gif isn't mine, but gets the point across.
 
Cool ideas here. I'm also interested in doing some serious tracking and have been looking into it, so I'm following this thread.

I really don't have much to add other than you may want to make sure you check regulations for the racing organizations in which you're interested. For instance, the closest track to me requires any open car to have a roll bar even for its fun days. I think that's standard. Rally America also requires beginners to drive a 2WD, non-turbocharged car. (I know you're not interested in rallying and are not in the US, but it's something to consider for those of us that are).

Also make sure you have enough headroom in the car to wear a helmet.

As for me, I'm mostly considering a Subaru Legacy (Liberty) GT, an Acura/Honda Integra, RSX or Prelude, maybe a Nissan Z or Infiniti G or possibly a Mazdaspeed 6. There's also a theft-recovery 1990 twin turbo Nissan 300Z with 100K miles for $5K that may have serious potential.

I can't attest to the track-worthiness of a VW GTI, and I'm not sure where the VWs you have are built, but in the US most of the cars have hit or miss reliability. They seem to either hold up very well or have constant, serious problems. A couple of mechanics have told me that VWs and Audis in general are not easy to work on, either. I've never lived with one, however.
 
My suggestion is a Nissan 350z. Ample power in stock form, handles great, and looks great too. A suggestion from me also, is if youre a novice to racing, do some autocross before you head out and do any track days. It will help you get acclimated with the car, and teach you invaluable car control skills.
 
takethewall
My suggestion is a Nissan 350z. Ample power in stock form, handles great, and looks great too. A suggestion from me also, is if youre a novice to racing, do some autocross before you head out and do any track days. It will help you get acclimated with the car, and teach you invaluable car control skills.
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300hp RWD sports car != good learner car.
 
Hard to learn fast when you have too much car and you crash it though.
 
mef
Hi there,
I'd like to get into club level circuit racing and also do the odd hillclimb, but no rallying, and are facing a buying decision.

The car will have to function as a daily driver and I'd like to get a car that has less than 80000 kms for reliability's sake.
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There is a fundamental issue here:

Club racing and hillclimb both pretty much require a rollcage for safety.

A rollcage is incredibly dangerous in a street car unless you plan on wearing your helmet every time you drive it.

I would suggest buying a $5k street car to drive every day and $10k on the racer (or vice versa) and keep the two tasks separated. It is hard enough to have a competitive autocross/gymkhana car as a daily, let alone something that needs a roll cage. And that's totally leaving aside the question of getting to work on Monday after you inevitably bend your car at the track on Sunday.
 
For a hillclimb, you'll want an old Miata or an old Civic, giving you enough budget left over for brakes and a cage.
 
I'd follow what Duke has suggested, make it $10k for the racer and $5k for the road car. For the $10k over there (people in UK & US, let's get it clear....NZ is FLOODED with JDM Imports!!) you could get anything from an S13 or S14 Silvia/200SX, WRX (NOT an STi, just a normal Rexy!), Evo II or III, R32 or R33 GTS-t, or even something different like a Cefiro, Cima or Soarer.

You have plenty of options, the choice is which one will you go for.
 
I've decided to go for an Integra Type-R 96' spec DC2.

Found one that has low milage (118ks), engine compression close to being perfect. Hardly any mods on it.

Pictures here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mazepics/sets/72157623848659913/

By the way, I see the point of having separate daily drivers and track cars. The argument of having to get a rental after bunging your track car (= car you drive home with) is a strong one. Also I realized any track worthy car may not be as comfy as you'd like your daily. For example my ITR is setup on very low springs (James super lows) and 17" wheels, which means good cornering but a very hard ride and very low so watch those curbs..

I guess I really wanted a race bred car and ditched all arguments regarding practicality or comfort. From the test drives I knew already the WRX Sti is a more comfortable drive but I decided to take the ITR. In the end I think it's the engine and the sound that sold me on it :) I'm just waiting for next until I can run the first event with this car. 👍

M.
 
If only Elfin T5s were a little cheaper, just for a little of that Southern flavour.:) From your list, I'd probably recommend the Integra Type R, as they're pretty quick, easy to drive, and unlike the WRX and Evo, it will be much more reliable. Every man and his dog has an MX-5 for track use, be original! They're not the fastest cars in history either, but are supposed to be plenty fun.
Also, no matter what car you get you'll need to upgrade your brake pads to withstand that amount of punishment in one day. You'll also want to invest in some semi-slick track tyres. As some have said, keeping your regular track car and daily driver separate is a good idea.


Even though they're not a very original idea, the Nissan 200SXs will also be pretty good, and above all, very cheap to buy and (I assume) run.
 
A Chevy Cobalt SS or a Monte Carlo SS. Don't know if they're available in NZ. Also try an Infiniti G35.
 
Ermmm..

S1 or early S2 lotus elise. Not sure on availability in your area, but all the car above will get eaten round the twisties!

Also at 100mph you will think you are going to die.
 
$20k NZ would get a very nice picture of a S2 Elise.
Good call with the Type-R mate, they're solid cars. Have a read on nzhondas, they seem to be fairly helpful, and there are people on there that really know their stuff. Best of luck with it. Sedan as well, don't see that many 4 door Type-R's around. Change the rear lights though. NOW :p

Paulie, every man and their dog have MX5's for a reason. They make great track rats. Being original, and thinking outside the square are all well and good, but following the tried and tested path has many advantages, especially on a limited budget.
 
mef
I've decided to go for an Integra Type-R 96' spec DC2.

Found one that has low milage (118ks), engine compression close to being perfect. Hardly any mods on it.

Pictures here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mazepics/sets/72157623848659913/

I guess I really wanted a race bred car and ditched all arguments regarding practicality or comfort. From the test drives I knew already the WRX Sti is a more comfortable drive but I decided to take the ITR. In the end I think it's the engine and the sound that sold me on it :) I'm just waiting for next until I can run the first event with this car. 👍

M.
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Very nice, the DC2 Type-R is one of the best front-wheel-drive cars to drive and should be good fun for the track. And the VTEC engine is a real screamer. Hope you enjoy it.
 

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