What would be a good car to build as a dedicated track car

JPA · 03-15-2010, 08:58 AM

Curious on your thoughts as to what would be a good street car to turn into a dedicated track toy. Assume a total budget including mods of $30,000. So far I am thinking miata or s2k.

Thanks,
JOhn

mike-y · 03-15-2010, 10:19 AM

With that kind of budget, maybe an S2k, EVO 8/9. Do you intend to drive it to/from the track, or are you going to need a tow vehicle and trailer? Maybe a used lotus elise, but those are stupid expensive to repair if you get any sort of body damage.

There are lots of choices out there. I'd look at race car classifieds too, you might be able to get something that is already built and sorted for less than building your own.

FTS · 03-15-2010, 10:53 AM

Spec Miata; cheap to build, maintain and race.

n2bimmer · 03-15-2010, 12:00 PM

Miata or a E30

The HACK · 03-15-2010, 12:20 PM

With that budget, you're better off buying someone else's race car.

Find out what organization and class you're going to be driving with first, then see if any of your competitors are looking to sell their car. Or look on BimmerForum's auto-x/track classified forums for completed chassis.

If you're just buying a car for DE/track days and not for competition purposes, and you've progressed far enough as a DE student, I would still recommend picking up a race car that someone else has already built.

If you're asking because you enjoy the build process, then there really is no good answer. Because you can pick up a car for around $30K that requires very little work (MZ4 Coupe), or you can pick up a car for around $8K that requires $20K in additional work (E36 M3, Miata...etc). Really depends on what you want to enjoy out of the process.

Porschefile · 03-15-2010, 01:52 PM

E36 M3 fully built up to GTS3 spec

94is · 03-15-2010, 03:19 PM

E36 IP or JP car. Done.

JPA · 03-19-2010, 04:53 PM

At this point not looking to compete just track for my own pleasure, but it might be nice to build a spec car so I could choose to compete in the future. I do enjoy the build process, so I probably want to start with a stock car a build it myself. The main thing is to end up with a light, nimble car that is fairly bulletproof, that's why I was thinking MX-5.

I know Mazda made a turbo MazdaSpeed MX-5 from 2004-2005, and I thought that might be interesting. I talked to the guys at Flyin' Miata, and it looks like I could put together a pretty sweet, powerful, little car on my budget.

I hadn't really considered the issue of driving to the track. I think I would use a truck to tow it and carry wheels, jacks, tools, etc...

Where would I look for a used race car?

MiamiBimmer · 04-13-2010, 01:45 PM

save yourself $15K and get the fastest BMW ever (besides F1)...

[u2b]<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/RhW9nk-FrRw&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/RhW9nk-FrRw&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>[/u2b]

1:1 horsepower to kg weight ratio

kgb1637 · 04-13-2010, 02:12 PM

I'd prolly do an E36 M3 if I had $30k

mechanixhorseman · 05-18-2010, 05:41 PM

An elise would be awesome, just don't crash it.

03-15-2010, 08:58 AM	#1
JPA Private First Class 12 Rep 106 Posts Drives: German Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: USA iTrader: (3)	What would be a good car to build as a dedicated track car Curious on your thoughts as to what would be a good street car to turn into a dedicated track toy. Assume a total budget including mods of $30,000. So far I am thinking miata or s2k. Thanks, JOhn
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

03-15-2010, 10:19 AM	#2
mike-y just another bmw douche bag 202 Rep 3,639 Posts Drives: 1.9L of fury Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (4)	With that kind of budget, maybe an S2k, EVO 8/9. Do you intend to drive it to/from the track, or are you going to need a tow vehicle and trailer? Maybe a used lotus elise, but those are stupid expensive to repair if you get any sort of body damage. There are lots of choices out there. I'd look at race car classifieds too, you might be able to get something that is already built and sorted for less than building your own.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-15-2010, 10:53 AM	#3
FTS Enjoying driving 391 Rep 1,169 Posts Drives: 645 Join Date: May 2009 Location: MD iTrader: (0)	Spec Miata; cheap to build, maintain and race.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-15-2010, 12:00 PM	#4
n2bimmer Second Lieutenant 33 Rep 245 Posts Drives: E46 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Socal iTrader: (0)	Miata or a E30 __________________
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-15-2010, 12:20 PM	#5
The HACK Midlife Crises Racing Silent but Deadly Class 1860 Rep 5,339 Posts Drives: 2006 MZ4C, 2021 Tesla Model 3 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Welcome to Jamaica have a nice day iTrader: (1)	With that budget, you're better off buying someone else's race car. Find out what organization and class you're going to be driving with first, then see if any of your competitors are looking to sell their car. Or look on BimmerForum's auto-x/track classified forums for completed chassis. If you're just buying a car for DE/track days and not for competition purposes, and you've progressed far enough as a DE student, I would still recommend picking up a race car that someone else has already built. If you're asking because you enjoy the build process, then there really is no good answer. Because you can pick up a car for around $30K that requires very little work (MZ4 Coupe), or you can pick up a car for around $8K that requires $20K in additional work (E36 M3, Miata...etc). Really depends on what you want to enjoy out of the process.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-15-2010, 01:52 PM	#6
Porschefile Major 82 Rep 1,250 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Tennessee iTrader: (7)	E36 M3 fully built up to GTS3 spec
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-15-2010, 03:19 PM	#7
94is Kim 4 Rep 85 Posts Drives: E36(x2), E39, F80 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: San Diego iTrader: (0) Garage List 2017 BMW M3 [0.00] 1994 325is IP Race Car [0.00] 1999 M3 [0.00] 1999 528iT [0.00]	E36 IP or JP car. Done.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-19-2010, 04:53 PM	#8
JPA Private First Class 12 Rep 106 Posts Drives: German Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: USA iTrader: (3)	At this point not looking to compete just track for my own pleasure, but it might be nice to build a spec car so I could choose to compete in the future. I do enjoy the build process, so I probably want to start with a stock car a build it myself. The main thing is to end up with a light, nimble car that is fairly bulletproof, that's why I was thinking MX-5. I know Mazda made a turbo MazdaSpeed MX-5 from 2004-2005, and I thought that might be interesting. I talked to the guys at Flyin' Miata, and it looks like I could put together a pretty sweet, powerful, little car on my budget. I hadn't really considered the issue of driving to the track. I think I would use a truck to tow it and carry wheels, jacks, tools, etc... Where would I look for a used race car?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-13-2010, 01:45 PM	#9
MiamiBimmer Private 3 Rep 64 Posts Drives: 2007 335i Sedan, ZSP, Prem, CW Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Miami, FL iTrader: (5)	save yourself $15K and get the fastest BMW ever (besides F1)... [u2b]<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/RhW9nk-FrRw&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/RhW9nk-FrRw&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>[/u2b] 1:1 horsepower to kg weight ratio __________________ 2007 335i Sedan, Black with Saddle Brown Leather, Steptronic, Sport, Premium, and Cold Weather packages. Previous BMWs: 2005 Mini Cooper S, Sport Pkg. Pepper White/Black w/ Black interior (sold) .
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-13-2010, 02:12 PM	#10
kgb1637 Lieutenant Colonel 21 Rep 1,519 Posts Drives: RS5 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Baltimore, MD iTrader: (0)	I'd prolly do an E36 M3 if I had $30k __________________ Retired - '08 E90 335i Sparkling Graphite/Gray Dakota Leather, ZSP, ZCW, ZPP, Navi, ipod, Sat
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-18-2010, 05:41 PM	#11
mechanixhorseman Second Lieutenant 20 Rep 261 Posts Drives: 2007 335i Coupe Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: North County San Diego, CA iTrader: (0)	An elise would be awesome, just don't crash it. __________________ ///2007 335i Coupe Space Metal Gray///Sports///Premium///6AT///Piano Black Forgestar 18" F14 8.5" front 10" rear///JB3///Cooling Mist CMGS Methanol Kit///aFe DCI///Stett Chargepipe///Tial BOV///BSH Oil Catch Can
	Appreciate 0 Quote