A little conjecture: Say you had $4K...

[Matt Harris]

With which to purchase a track car. The total price of the car is to be approximately $4K, this is car value with no modifications whatsoever. (So don't say i'd spend 2K on this car and 2K to swap out the suspension and motor.) What would you buy?

[VDUBZ]

nevermind...re-read post

[Alex]

I guess a miata would be the obvious choice. hmm, an NA MR2 would be nice too. You can almost get a turbo MR2 for $4k.

[Jess]

I'd say a miata, or a hatch, teg, or a 240sx

[Zx RaTeD]

I'd say a miata, or a hatch, teg, or a 240sx
Exactly what I would have said. but not in that order ;) Mine would go miata, teg, 240, hatch : )

[xamraci]

Miata...or perhaps a HACHI...however..those are hard to come by and the miata is a better "TRACK" car. Miata roxor my soxor:rock:

I want one:steering:

[PrimeredHatch]

Corolla or Miata. I'd go for the Corolla though cause it's cooler.

[Grider]

Miata is the cliche in this catigory, for very justifiable reasons. It cheap, relable, and there are tons of parts and options (5.0L v8 or 1.8L turbo) for getting more performance out of the car.

A AWD DSM would make a pretty good track car too. You are not looking for a uber clean daily driver material here, so finding an acceptable car should not be hard.

You could be different and get a Quattro Coupe (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=6055&item=4509497595&rd=1) if you can find one. Or a Audi 4000 with a the turbo motor from a 5000.

240zx or 280zx maybe?

Just depends on what your goal with the car is. I really dislike front wheel drive cars for track cars, so that throws out the tegs, qualudes, and a host of others that are fine cars, but are not what I want in what is basicly a toy.

Today, I would most likely end up in the Miata. Ask me again tomorrow and I would be in something else. I'm looking right now; I want a toy, and I do not want to fuck up my A4. :)

[AadosX]

I personally think rolla's are horrible track cars (solo 1, 2)... and a lot of people agree with me. It depends on what type of racing you want to do. Solo 1? Solo 2? Drifting? Gymkhana?

[ActiveAero]

The nicest 88 CRX you can find.

Reason: Lighest EF Rex, "better" rear suspension, can be made competitive in several different classes without major adjustments.

You already have an 88 hatch though so that would kinda be pointless.

[Matt Harris]

Yeah, i'm thinking about ditching the hatch because I don't have the time to 'build' a track car. I rarely have free weekends and am too busy with work to devote the time I need to to get it in any kind of shape that would make me proud. Thus the idea of just buying something to drive and not worry about modifying it or track-ifying it (at least for the time being).

[Drew]

Early 90's dodge spirit R/T :D

Teh win.

[Jess]

Oh yeah, what about a 1st gen RX-7? That'd be a kewl little racecar

[Drew]

Oh yeah, what about a 1st gen RX-7? That'd be a kewl little racecar
Yeah just axe sam collier. Theirs pwns.

[TylerW]

Depends. An old 240sx would be nice. One could be grabbed for under $1000 so that would leave a lot of money to spend on mods.

I'm sure I could find a nice VR-4 or Stealth TT with a blown motor for under $3000.

But if we are counting that it has to be able to drive off the lot, I'd get a non-turbo 3000GT and set it up with a huge freakin turbo and go balls to the wall. One person is already doing it with good results.

Of course for cheap you could also buy a fox body stang, but then you'd be like everyone else.

[Drew]

Of course for cheap you could also buy a fox body stang, but then you'd be like everyone else.
Yeah but the modding options on those cars are limitless (and cheap).

[xamraci]

for 4k...you are looking at a NICE! miata and the car is easily ready for track time with springs and shocks...that verbadem from one of the customers at my old job. He used to race his in solo events when he lived in CA. Granted he now sports a late 60 to early 70 Cobra Mustang...but hey...he was really knowledgeable and spoke very highly of the miata:partydanc

[TylerW]

Yeah but the modding options on those cars are limitless (and cheap).
Yeah I know, mods for that thing are dirt cheap and the engine responds nicely. I just couldn't ever bring myself to drive one. I like being different I guess. Fox body stangs are just too cliche for me.

[Frosty_DUB]

turbo miata.

or the ultimate, the iroc camaro.

[adam p]

Whoa, whoa. You can't talk track car without talking VR4. Save up for God's Chariot: The VR4 Spyder. :cheers:

[SK VR4]

why do you two have the same avatar?

what kinda track?

[CPMaverick]

5.0 'stang is a fun as hell track car. Easy to get sideways and can be competitive. Maybe its a typical car in the local trailer park but not at a Solo2. Much more common to see Miatas there for sure.

For me, if its a car strictly for fun, RWD is mandatory. Pretty much all the RWD options have already been mentioned....

[AadosX]

Hrmm I thought foxbodies were hard to slide. Maybe the guy just sucked... but there was actually one out at DG Trials having a lot of trouble.

[Jess]

i thought he had open diff

[Frosty_DUB]

The bmw had an open diff and he was kicking ass. I think he just wasnt very good.

[Drew]

Hrmm I thought foxbodies were hard to slide. Maybe the guy just sucked... but there was actually one out at DG Trials having a lot of trouble.
It's one of the easiest cars to slide. The back end weighs nothing and with an easy 300lb/ft tq, tire size/type/traction rating doesn't mean squat.

Heck, there's even a video that wasn't posted too long ago with 5.0 cop cars drifting.

[VDUBNDizzy]

Datsun 510

[quattro]

This might be a little off base, but for a project/track car I'd look at a 240z, I love those things. They're a blast stock and with a few engine and suspension updates they can be very quick.