most economical track car?

rodney757 · 06-05-2009, 03:31 PM

I was curious as to which car is the most economical to run based on consumables and replacement parts? I was thinking a miata or e36. Are there any other cars? Thanks

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STi-MAN · 06-05-2009, 03:41 PM

miata.

kahunaking · 06-05-2009, 03:42 PM

miata for sure

trhoppe · 06-05-2009, 04:07 PM

Did someone already say Miata?

The E36 is the polar opposite of that

Robbie_B · 06-05-2009, 04:10 PM

Miata. Older Hondas can be quite cheap too.

MasterKwan · 06-05-2009, 04:14 PM

Yeah, EK civics are great track cars. I think a Miata would be better though. It's getting harder to get track parts for the older Civics (early/late 90's) the Chinese have killed off many of the parts manufacturers.

I tracked a Ek Honda with R swap for 2 years. Tires and brakes last forever and it was fast enough not to get stepped on.

brandonl · 06-05-2009, 04:26 PM

Another check mark for the miata.

goto_racing · 06-05-2009, 04:27 PM

Another vote for honda, though miatas are great too. one thing that some people don't think about is the convenience of being able to put tools, tires, easy up, etc, in the back of your hatchback honda. If you are driving to aand from your track days, this makes the hondas more practical for the hobbiest imo.

5 years of honda challenge racing might make me a little bias too. If I had a dollar for every miata I have passed in my integra

...

Chris Lock

Johnny Butane · 06-05-2009, 04:36 PM

Dont forget the neon for ultra affordability.

jeff

fliz · 06-05-2009, 04:44 PM

MKII VW, Same era Honda Civics, Miata.

misterwaterfallin · 06-05-2009, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goto_racing

Another vote for honda, though miatas are great too. one thing that some people don't think about is the convenience of being able to put tools, tires, easy up, etc, in the back of your hatchback honda. If you are driving to aand from your track days, this makes the hondas more practical for the hobbiest imo.

5 years of honda challenge racing might make me a little bias too. If I had a dollar for every miata I have passed in my integra

...

Chris Lock

you can fit 4 rims/tires in the passenger side of a miata. or a trailer would work to

of course a miata vote form me

goto_racing · 06-05-2009, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by misterwaterfallin

you can fit 4 rims/tires in the passenger side of a miata.

Oh, well that's where honda drivers put our girlfriends.

Chris Lock

STi-MAN · 06-05-2009, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goto_racing

Oh, well that's where honda drivers put our girlfriends.

Chris Lock

lies! I personally would like a ek hatch race car instead of a miata.

trhoppe · 06-05-2009, 05:22 PM

Kind of a good point by Chris. Since I've been too lazy to get a tire rack installed on my trailer, I've been dumping my wheels and tires into the hatch of my Integra. It fits 8 wheels/tires just fine

KB'izzle · 06-05-2009, 05:23 PM

I love my 94 ex coupe as well, JDM GSR'd all the way

goto_racing · 06-05-2009, 05:40 PM

speaking of integras, my DA street car is for sale. comes with shortened konis and 15" rotas.

Need a parts car Tom?

Chris Lock

trhoppe · 06-05-2009, 05:41 PM

Heck yea I do. $500 and drive it to Atl and I'm in

disturbedfan121 · 06-06-2009, 10:07 AM

miata+1 i'm bias tho cause i have one....if you get one for a track slut boost it and never look back

paultg · 06-06-2009, 10:12 AM

Miata's are great, but the convertible aspect requires a roll bar (for most clubs) and many have problems getting the correct clearance from the bar with their head (and stock seats).

As a beginner car (and as a student) most clubs require safety equipment equal for driver/passenger, so if you need to get an aftermarket seat (the need to be narrow too which limits the selection) and bolt it to the floor to fit; as a student you'll be doing that for driver and passenger. Also the stock seats on the older models do not have openings for harnesses either.

Other than that the car is a blast. I am just keeping mine more stock at this point (as it is a daily driver) until I can progress enough to not require instructors; then add more equipment.

So, it really depends on your size to be honest; try to sit in a few before you pull the trigger.

Paul G.

leecea · 06-06-2009, 11:58 AM

Once you choose a car - Miata, Honda, etc - how do you decide how much of your budget to put into the initial car purchase?

Let's say you have $10K to spend, do you buy an $8K car with the theory that it will require less work, or buy a $4K car with the theory that you can spend the other $4K upgrading the old worn out parts?

disturbedfan121 · 06-06-2009, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paultg

Miata's are great, but the convertible aspect requires a roll bar (for most clubs) and many have problems getting the correct clearance from the bar with their head (and stock seats).

As a beginner car (and as a student) most clubs require safety equipment equal for driver/passenger, so if you need to get an aftermarket seat (the need to be narrow too which limits the selection) and bolt it to the floor to fit; as a student you'll be doing that for driver and passenger. Also the stock seats on the older models do not have openings for harnesses either.

Other than that the car is a blast. I am just keeping mine more stock at this point (as it is a daily driver) until I can progress enough to not require instructors; then add more equipment.

So, it really depends on your size to be honest; try to sit in a few before you pull the trigger.

Paul G.

really easy to find the right bar.....

www.harddog.com

problem solved

DirtyBanana · 06-06-2009, 01:15 PM

Hmmmm I guess you could go with a:

Miata
Old Civic
Old e36
Type r

All fun cars

Crawdads · 06-06-2009, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goto_racing

Oh, well that's where honda drivers put our girlfriends.

Chris Lock

If the woman isn't mad at you, then you aren't spending enough time or money on the race car.

ptclaus98 · 06-06-2009, 01:26 PM

What's your budget?

I'd get an FVee

ptclaus98 · 06-06-2009, 01:26 PM

Nothing to see here.

06-05-2009, 03:31 PM	#1
rodney757 Scooby Newbie Member#: 200315 Join Date: Jan 2009 Chapter/Region: BAIC Location: Bay Area, Ca Vehicle: 2006 WRX TR Grey	most economical track car? I was curious as to which car is the most economical to run based on consumables and replacement parts? I was thinking a miata or e36. Are there any other cars? Thanks * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

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06-05-2009, 03:41 PM	#2
STi-MAN Scooby Guru Member#: 70252 Join Date: Sep 2004 Vehicle: 05 STI blue	miata.

06-05-2009, 03:42 PM	#3
kahunaking Scooby Specialist Member#: 183497 Join Date: Jun 2008 Chapter/Region: International Location: Phoenix AZ Vehicle: 1998 2.5RS Unicorn	miata for sure

06-05-2009, 04:07 PM	#4
trhoppe Scooby Guru Member#: 7492 Join Date: Jun 2001 Chapter/Region: South East Location: Hotlanta, GA Vehicle: No race cars www.tomhoppe.com	Did someone already say Miata? The E36 is the polar opposite of that

06-05-2009, 04:10 PM	#5
Robbie_B Scooby Specialist Member#: 137728 Join Date: Jan 2007 Chapter/Region: RMIC Vehicle: 93 MR2T 87 924S Teal and Black	Miata. Older Hondas can be quite cheap too.

06-05-2009, 04:14 PM	#6
MasterKwan Scooby Guru Member#: 98961 Join Date: Oct 2005 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: NOVA Vehicle: 2003 WRX Black	Yeah, EK civics are great track cars. I think a Miata would be better though. It's getting harder to get track parts for the older Civics (early/late 90's) the Chinese have killed off many of the parts manufacturers. I tracked a Ek Honda with R swap for 2 years. Tires and brakes last forever and it was fast enough not to get stepped on.

06-05-2009, 04:26 PM	#7
brandonl Scooby Specialist Member#: 3341 Join Date: Dec 2000 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: NJ Vehicle: 04 STi track rat black	Another check mark for the miata.

06-05-2009, 04:27 PM	#8
goto_racing Scooby Newbie Member#: 69261 Join Date: Aug 2004 Chapter/Region: BAIC Location: Scotts Valley, CA	Another vote for honda, though miatas are great too. one thing that some people don't think about is the convenience of being able to put tools, tires, easy up, etc, in the back of your hatchback honda. If you are driving to aand from your track days, this makes the hondas more practical for the hobbiest imo. 5 years of honda challenge racing might make me a little bias too. If I had a dollar for every miata I have passed in my integra ... Chris Lock

06-05-2009, 04:36 PM	#9
Johnny Butane Scooby Newbie Member#: 95618 Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Swamp Vehicle: '05 Evo8, S2K, Z06 Black - Black	Dont forget the neon for ultra affordability. jeff

06-05-2009, 04:44 PM	#10
fliz Scooby Guru Member#: 30342 Join Date: Nov 2002	MKII VW, Same era Honda Civics, Miata.

06-05-2009, 05:22 PM	#14
trhoppe Scooby Guru Member#: 7492 Join Date: Jun 2001 Chapter/Region: South East Location: Hotlanta, GA Vehicle: No race cars www.tomhoppe.com	Kind of a good point by Chris. Since I've been too lazy to get a tire rack installed on my trailer, I've been dumping my wheels and tires into the hatch of my Integra. It fits 8 wheels/tires just fine

06-05-2009, 05:23 PM	#15
KB'izzle * Banned * Member#: 169955 Join Date: Jan 2008 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: PhatBotti'd/Phatron'dAnaheimCA Vehicle: 30R BUILT STI /AREA P no limits/ALLIANCE FABn	I love my 94 ex coupe as well, JDM GSR'd all the way

06-05-2009, 05:40 PM	#16
goto_racing Scooby Newbie Member#: 69261 Join Date: Aug 2004 Chapter/Region: BAIC Location: Scotts Valley, CA	speaking of integras, my DA street car is for sale. comes with shortened konis and 15" rotas. Need a parts car Tom? Chris Lock

06-05-2009, 05:41 PM	#17
trhoppe Scooby Guru Member#: 7492 Join Date: Jun 2001 Chapter/Region: South East Location: Hotlanta, GA Vehicle: No race cars www.tomhoppe.com	Heck yea I do. $500 and drive it to Atl and I'm in

06-06-2009, 10:07 AM	#18
disturbedfan121 Scooby Newbie Member#: 193557 Join Date: Nov 2008 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: CNJ Vehicle: 90 Miata Classic Red	miata+1 i'm bias tho cause i have one....if you get one for a track slut boost it and never look back

06-06-2009, 10:12 AM	#19
paultg NASIOC Supporter Member#: 437 Join Date: Oct 1999 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Londonderry, NH Vehicle: '91 Miata MX5 (Red) '09 Impreza OBS (Blk/Gry)	Miata's are great, but the convertible aspect requires a roll bar (for most clubs) and many have problems getting the correct clearance from the bar with their head (and stock seats). As a beginner car (and as a student) most clubs require safety equipment equal for driver/passenger, so if you need to get an aftermarket seat (the need to be narrow too which limits the selection) and bolt it to the floor to fit; as a student you'll be doing that for driver and passenger. Also the stock seats on the older models do not have openings for harnesses either. Other than that the car is a blast. I am just keeping mine more stock at this point (as it is a daily driver) until I can progress enough to not require instructors; then add more equipment. So, it really depends on your size to be honest; try to sit in a few before you pull the trigger. Paul G.

06-06-2009, 11:58 AM	#20
leecea Scooby Guru Member#: 37359 Join Date: May 2003 Vehicle: 2003 WRX	Once you choose a car - Miata, Honda, etc - how do you decide how much of your budget to put into the initial car purchase? Let's say you have $10K to spend, do you buy an $8K car with the theory that it will require less work, or buy a $4K car with the theory that you can spend the other $4K upgrading the old worn out parts?

06-06-2009, 01:15 PM	#22
DirtyBanana Scooby Newbie Member#: 211802 Join Date: May 2009 Location: ny ny Vehicle: 2003 Wrx Sonic Yellow	Hmmmm I guess you could go with a: Miata Old Civic Old e36 Type r All fun cars

06-06-2009, 01:26 PM	#24
ptclaus98 Scooby Specialist Member#: 87888 Join Date: May 2005 Chapter/Region: South East Location: Chattanooga, TN Vehicle: 1991 Nissan 240sx Ghetto-stance	What's your budget? I'd get an FVee