Fun AutoX Beater for $6k?

[onewhippedpuppy]

I've been kicking around the idea of getting involved in some sort of SCCA SOLO autoX for some time, but haven't had a car that either: a)didn't have to get me to work on Monday or b)I could afford to care and feed. So, the question I'll pose to the brain trust: what would be a fun autoX beater for $6k or less? My thoughts thus far:

Miata - no brainer, not sure if I could comfortably fit
240SX - great chassis but a truck motor
944 - preferably well set up. Parts aren't cheap though.
Alfa Spider - because I've always wanted an Alfa. A local shop has several nicely prepped Spiders used for racing. I would quickly regret this decision.
RX7 - eats motors
CRX - FWD, otherwise appealing. A buddy has an original rust free Si that is pristine that he'd unload for $3k.
E30 - more pricey parts
2.5RS Impreza - Rallycross?
MR2 - mid engined goodness.
323 GTX - rare rally car
Protege5 - had one, very fun little car
1st gen GTi - rust comes standard?
EDIT - Prelude SH - always a sucker for these

Of the bunch I'm leaning towards the CRX. I'm pretty sure that the Miata is too small for my fat ass, but I like the idea of a reliable Japanese car with dirt cheap parts. I'm just floating the idea right now because it's fun to talk cars, what would YOU buy?

[Embraer]

you can get boxsters out here for 6-7K. id get one, strip it, and go to town.

[Reg]

The first gen MR2s have quite a bit of legroom. I'd be going that way if you cannot fit in a Miata. Used to do this in both cars.

[Christien]

Miata, no question. Have you tried sitting in one? If not, try it before you dismiss it. Cheap, easy to mod, cheap, easy to find parts for, well balanced, cheap, and decent power. Did I mention cheap? I think a Miata might be a tad slow for an all-out race track, but for autocross I think it'd be awesome.

[porsche4life]

Mk1 GTi

[onewhippedpuppy]

I've driven one Miata, I think it was a 1991 model. I physically fit but felt claustrophobic. I've read that the seat foam surgery gains a few inches, but for 6'1" 230 it still might be cozy. Add a helmet and it could be a problem.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by Embraer

you can get boxsters out here for 6-7K. id get one, strip it, and go to town.

It's really hard to find a Boxster in that range without serious needs. If I could find one for $6k I'd be all over it.

Originally Posted by Reg

The first gen MR2s have quite a bit of legroom. I'd be going that way if you cannot fit in a Miata. Used to do this in both cars.

I drove a 1st gen SC MR2 last year, it was a really beat car but fun.

[Racerbvd]

Up your budget to $8,500 and I'll hook you up with this, no worrys as it doesn't need any parts..

1985.5 Porsche 944 Track Car..

1985.5 Porsche 944 Track Car..
This is a Semi NASA prepared car, still street legal, full cage, coil overs, big Welt Sway bars, (comes with 7X15 Cookie Cutters, so using the track wheels off my 914 to roll on) Pic are recycled from the 1st ad, but new ones included (the non meatball 55 ones) and more to come..

Drives well and has a tight susp..
Resent service....
New radiator k
Timing belt turbo upgrade water pump
Retensioned
Oil pressure relief valve
Gasket set
Chip
Almost new Toyo Proxy R1s
New hawk blues
New SS Brake line set .
High temp brake fluid...
Close to $5,400 has been spent since Nov 2010 (have the invoices to back up) as the former owner wanted to make sure nothing failed at the track. A very solid track car for only $8,500.. He bought this car from us last fall, but at the last DE he decided he really wanted the Track Prepared Z06, so we took this back in trade.
For Sale!!! 85 944 NASA Race Car | Facebook

[trekkor]

Get the Miata.

You can buy it, get it set up and have $2k let over.

My first choice before I saw your list.

You'll fit with a low mounted race seat.


KT

[Reg]

Not sure what class you wish to run but the NA MR2 may be a better choice if the have the SC MR2 in a class above, against much more quicker machines. The 944 was/is a great handling car but if it is against smaller cars like Miata's or MR2's it will be tough to win.

I had a first gen GTI (as well as Mini Cooper - not BMW) but prefer the rear drive for autoX.

[rattlsnak]

Neon.. and an ACR if you can find one..

[Racerbvd]

What I like about the 944s is that I can drive it to Home Depot and toss stuff in the back, as there is plenty of room for "Stuff" and if it will be a "true" beater, you need to be able to carry stuff.. I also like 83-84 GTIs, those are a blast..

[Rob Channell]

I think the Miata would work fine.

I am 6'1" + a little and 230lbs here. I had a 1990 Miata for a couple of years. You get used to "putting on" the car to drive it. I did the seat foam removal trick and kept the stock seats. I drove it as far as North Florida on a trip once and it wasn't uncomfortable except for the heat (mid summer, no A/C). I enjoyed getting somewhere between 28-32mpg. It was a fun car to drive and to autocross. Parts are for the most part cheap and plentiful. I replaced the timing belt when it broke. The non-interference engine was a blessing in that case. The only reason I sold it was I kept having to pick up two kids from activities after work and would have to leave early enough to drive home to swap cars first. I sold it and picked up a 1987 BMW 535is instead so I could carry more people. I already had another two seater fun car, anyway (roll bar in the 911).

On the BMW I have upgraded the bushings, springs, shocks, anti-sway bars, brakes, and wheels on it but it needs paint, an exhaust, and perhaps either a guibo or driveshaft(feeling a vibration under high torque) and could use some interior parts and a working A/C system. I have driven it on the track a couple of times but it would be more fun with another 100hp and limited slip. Given the current market value of the 80's 535 cars and the fact I need new paint, A/C system, and an exhaust I think it is totaled.

CRX'es are pretty competitive but I just have trouble getting excited about ANY FWD car. They are just not that fun to drive for me.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Thanks for the feedback guys, I expected lots of Miata love. It's hard to argue with a RWD sports car that is cheap to buy, reliable, and has nearly unlimited aftermarket support. I need to go try one on I guess.

[stuartj]

The the middle year Miatas make brilliant little auto crossers and are a bit bigger and deeper than the original series. A racing shell might sit you a bit lower. CRX, FWD. You can do club sport in anything but.....FWD...

Ive been around around racing and rallying 12A and 13B rotaries in various guises for some years, and whatever else you can say about rotors (love em or loathe em) they are very reliable, are cheap horse power and when you hear one pulling 10.5k and bellowing off a canyon wall, you may even grow to love the noise....

[Paul_Heery]

You need to identify what class you want to be in. If you go with a '90 & up Miata, that is going to put you in CSP if you need to change the seat.

That can be a fun class with a lot of competition. You'll be up against 944s, Civics, Miatas, MR-2s...

SCCA Solo II Car Classifications: Stret Prepared by Class

From that list, I would definitely go with a Miata. Most bang for the buck.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by stuartj

The the middle year Miatas make brilliant little auto crossers and are a bit bigger and deeper than the original series. A racing shell might sit you a bit lower.

Hmm, really?

I'm 6'2" and 200#. I had a '97 miata (first gen) as a daily driver for many years. My wife has a '99 (second gen), and I'm now driving a 2004 turbo (also second gen). The 1st and 2nd gen have the same interior room, at least to me. The stock seats have very low bottoms (dip between the sliders) but lots of padding. It's a common mod to take the upholstery off and carve a bunch of the padding out to get lower into the car. The biggest size difference to me is that the 1st gen cars seem to have a little more foot room than the 2nd gen models.

[stuartj]

Maybe my memory is failing me. We had the original 1.6 (pop up lights) and then the 1.8, the next body shape. My recollection is that is was deeper, and if you put in a light weigh shell type seat, you'd probably gain some head room. We have the current 2.0 Mx5 now and its definately deeper. Dont like that car.

[onewhippedpuppy]

No love for the MR2 Spyder? It's cheap, mid-engined, RWD, and reliable. I'm surprised it isn't used more for autoX.

[Zeke]

If you think fitting in a Miata will be any kind of problem, forget the Boxster. A race seat would help in both, but they are tight.