E90Post
 


 
BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > E90 / E92 / E93 3-series Technical Forums > Tracking, Autocrossing, Dragstrip, Driving Techniques > Best Track Car < $10K?



Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      06-16-2007, 09:14 PM   #1
sdiver68
Expert Road Racer
59
Rep
1,329
Posts

Drives: 07 335i e90, 09 335i e93
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: St. Louis, MO

iTrader: (3)

Best Track Car < $10K?

OK, I was thinking about track cars.

Say you had $10K to spend and wanted to have the most fun at the cheapest longterm cost possible. What would you go for and why?

So far I've come up with:

90's MR2 Turbo - Mid-engined, reliable, decent power potential, relatively lightweight (easy on tires), tons of parts availability.
90's RX-7 - Except for mid-engined, see MR2, might be hard to find for <$10k unless really beat up.
Appreciate 0
      06-16-2007, 10:37 PM   #2
S4to335
Brigadier General
United_States
431
Rep
4,380
Posts

Drives: 2014 Audi A4 / 91 Track Miata
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: San Jose, CA

iTrader: (5)

Garage List
Spec Miata..I just sold mine today for $10K including the trailer.
__________________

Car is now gone .... :-(
Appreciate 0
      06-16-2007, 11:20 PM   #3
PSI Power
Twin Power Goodness
PSI Power's Avatar
United_States
50
Rep
664
Posts

Drives: '18 F80 M3 ZCP SO
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: NoVA

iTrader: (2)

Older Honda Civic with a motor swap.
I have '92 Honda Civic HB with a Civic SI motor and it is a blast at the track. I plan on putting in a Integra Type R motor or the Acura RSX Type-S motor. Imagine a 200+ HP engine in a car that weights 2k lbs.
The only thing I don't like is no ABS but I deal with it.

NASA racing has a series called Honda Challenge. Amateur racing for Honda and Acuras only.

The miata is a good choice as well. Not as powerful as a modified Honda though.

Don't get a turbo car for the track. Turbo lag is not good for the track and you could blow the turbo.
__________________
'18 F80 M3 ZCP, Sakhir Orange - 11/17/18
'07 E90 335i, Montego Blue - Sold 9/28/18
'15 X5 Diesel, Mineral White - Current
'06 Honda S2000, Laguna Blue - Current
Appreciate 0
      06-16-2007, 11:20 PM   #4
ward
Major General
151
Rep
6,158
Posts

Drives: F
Join Date: May 2005
Location: T

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by S4to335 View Post
Spec Miata..I just sold mine today for $10K including the trailer.
+1
Appreciate 0
      06-17-2007, 03:43 AM   #5
E90330iS
Major General
Germany
143
Rep
6,333
Posts

Drives: BMW M4
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Arcadia, California

iTrader: (56)

Garage List
2006 330i  [0.00]
Miatas are sweet and ready for the track with minor mods. But Civics need a lot of upgrades to be as track-ready and most of the time you will spend way over $10k.
__________________
Appreciate 0
      06-17-2007, 11:53 AM   #6
ward
Major General
151
Rep
6,158
Posts

Drives: F
Join Date: May 2005
Location: T

iTrader: (0)

and the miata is at least RWD
Appreciate 0
      06-17-2007, 12:30 PM   #7
spacedogg
Colonel
spacedogg's Avatar
Canada
194
Rep
2,816
Posts

Drives: Debadged
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Vancouver, BC

iTrader: (0)

Hmmm....tempting...

I've always thought about buying a track day car amongst 2 or 3 of my friends so we can share and beat the crap out of it...
Appreciate 0
      06-17-2007, 02:29 PM   #8
LOLrance
The Law.
LOLrance's Avatar
Taiwan
301
Rep
14,283
Posts

Drives: BMW
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: SF / OC

iTrader: (17)

+1000000000 on a spec miata. If you had a little more to spend then i probably would say e36 m3, but spec miata sounds like its what your looking for.
__________________
Appreciate 0
      06-17-2007, 02:30 PM   #9
S4to335
Brigadier General
United_States
431
Rep
4,380
Posts

Drives: 2014 Audi A4 / 91 Track Miata
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: San Jose, CA

iTrader: (5)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by l4wr3nc3 View Post
+1000000000 on a spec miata. If you had a little more to spend then i probably would say e36 m3, but spec miata sounds like its what your looking for.

And there are spec miatas that are still street legal..so you can drive them to the track.
__________________

Car is now gone .... :-(
Appreciate 0
      06-17-2007, 03:58 PM   #10
kevbh
Private First Class
7
Rep
158
Posts

Drives: 2013 320i, E46 M3 track car
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: On Track

iTrader: (0)

-1 on the spec miata, only because a lot of clubs won't let a convertible run at their track days. Otherwise it sounds perfect.
__________________
2013 320i, 6sp Manual, Sport Package / 2003 M3 track car
Appreciate 0
      06-17-2007, 05:03 PM   #11
PSI Power
Twin Power Goodness
PSI Power's Avatar
United_States
50
Rep
664
Posts

Drives: '18 F80 M3 ZCP SO
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: NoVA

iTrader: (2)

Spec miata's are nice but I think that they are a little too slow. Not enough power for me.

Honda Civics with engine swaps are running lap times close to Porsches, M3, and whatever. A lot of the parts are OEM. The engine and engine swap will cost some money.

Another minus is that it is a Front Wheel Driver car.

Spec Miatas are easier to find though.
A civic will have to be built up.
__________________
'18 F80 M3 ZCP, Sakhir Orange - 11/17/18
'07 E90 335i, Montego Blue - Sold 9/28/18
'15 X5 Diesel, Mineral White - Current
'06 Honda S2000, Laguna Blue - Current
Appreciate 0
      06-17-2007, 05:22 PM   #12
ksfrogman
Major General
ksfrogman's Avatar
United_States
570
Rep
6,750
Posts

Drives: E90 330i 6MT
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Torrance, CA

iTrader: (12)

Garage List
2006 330i  [0.00]
2006 330i  [0.00]
RX7 Twin Turbo
Attached Images
 
__________________
Appreciate 0
      06-17-2007, 07:49 PM   #13
Digitalinkartist
MrSixSpeed
Digitalinkartist's Avatar
United_States
40
Rep
920
Posts

Drives: e92 Garage Queen
Join Date: May 2007
Location: ATL

iTrader: (4)

I know this sounds crazy....
But do some research on 6 spd shifter Karting. Best driving experience...Period!

Open seat, Hella Fast and true competition driving experience.

Should be able to break into the 125cc class with Kart, safety gear and trailer for between 5-7k (this will buy you a competition ready setup with room to grow)


BTW most the irl and F1 drivers started in shifter karts
Appreciate 0
      06-17-2007, 08:48 PM   #14
hotrod2448
grand poobah
hotrod2448's Avatar
United_States
254
Rep
2,253
Posts

Drives: F80 M3, F10 535i
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Charlotte, NC

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2011 335d  [0.00]
Shifter Kart FTW! Even a Rotax kart can be fun.

I would look for an old DSM if you want a car. Bulletproof turbo motor (unlike rotaries), AWD, tons of DIY go fast stuff, relatively cheap parts, will really sharpen your wrenching skills. There are also a lot of ready to go track sluts.
Appreciate 0
      06-17-2007, 08:49 PM   #15
sdiver68
Expert Road Racer
59
Rep
1,329
Posts

Drives: 07 335i e90, 09 335i e93
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: St. Louis, MO

iTrader: (3)

Spec Miata...great option...I assume the convertible exclusion of many track orgs does not include those with full roll protection.

Shifter karts...another great option , but since I retired from motorcycle road racing I'm not sure the wife would go for another open cockpit. I'm not sure shifter karts are any safer than cycles?...
Appreciate 0
      06-18-2007, 02:35 AM   #16
Tam@SupremePower
Tam@SupremePower's Avatar
United_States
165
Rep
2,184
Posts

Drives: BMW
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: So. Cal

iTrader: (2)

Garage List
2007 e92 335i  [7.00]
With the spec miatas you have to a full cage and sometimes a hardtop to track.
Appreciate 0
      06-18-2007, 11:06 PM   #17
S4to335
Brigadier General
United_States
431
Rep
4,380
Posts

Drives: 2014 Audi A4 / 91 Track Miata
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: San Jose, CA

iTrader: (5)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by kevbh View Post
-1 on the spec miata, only because a lot of clubs won't let a convertible run at their track days. Otherwise it sounds perfect.

Spec Miata has a full roll cage..and therefore isnt included in the convertible exclusion. You can run spec miatas at any event. You cannot run regular miatas at event unless they have a harddog roll bar, or equivalent, or better.
__________________

Car is now gone .... :-(
Appreciate 0
      06-19-2007, 05:04 AM   #18
SpecC
Completely obsessed with detailing
SpecC's Avatar
298
Rep
15,442
Posts

Drives: E90 SG 330i, white Scion tC
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: San Francisco and Davis

iTrader: (4)

Quote:
Originally Posted by ksfrogman View Post
RX7 Twin Turbo
you'd probably be rebuilding that after ever track event

i'm with the Miata people. Seen a lot of them at the autocross and they are pretty quick with the right setup and driver combination. One of them killed STis and Evos on a 60 second course by over 5 seconds! If they don't allow convertibles, you could always buy a hardtop for it anyway
Appreciate 0
      06-19-2007, 03:14 PM   #19
kevbh
Private First Class
7
Rep
158
Posts

Drives: 2013 320i, E46 M3 track car
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: On Track

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by S4to335 View Post
Spec Miata has a full roll cage..and therefore isnt included in the convertible exclusion. You can run spec miatas at any event. You cannot run regular miatas at event unless they have a harddog roll bar, or equivalent, or better.
I'm pretty sure the BMWCCA rules say no convertibles - period. The PCA seems a little more agreeable.

Personally, I would feel much safer in a spec Miata with a full cage than a regular car, but I'm guessing the BMWCCA isn't sure about the quality of the cage so it's easier to just say no.

+1 on any type of karting.
__________________
2013 320i, 6sp Manual, Sport Package / 2003 M3 track car
Appreciate 0
      06-19-2007, 06:03 PM   #20
the.phelp
New Member
the.phelp's Avatar
0
Rep
6
Posts

Drives: 335i
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Washington, DC

iTrader: (0)

Save another 5,000 and get a Spec Racer Ford!

Spec Miatas are great, but I think $10k will probably just barely get you in the door with a handful of spares - I'd confirm that with S4to335.

If you can't swing a Miata, look at a Spec RX-7 (if your local SCCA has that class) - you can pick one up for much less than 10k, they're supposed to be a blast, and some are street legal (but not nearly as nice on the eyes or ears as a Miata). Other than seeing a lot of those guys doing timing, they don't seem to need much work, and they go forever on a set of tires.

If you're going the pure racecar route, look into SCCA F500's. Big karts with snowmobile power. Pretty fast.
http://www.f500.org/

I also saw a '85 Honda Civic in a NASA race video that had a giant wing right in the middle of the roof and tilted down at about 45 degrees where it will create the most drag and generate the least downforce. Don't buy that.
Appreciate 0
      06-19-2007, 11:22 PM   #21
FirstClass
Brigadier General
41
Rep
3,200
Posts

Drives: 328xi
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Pittsburgh, PA

iTrader: (0)

125cc shifter karts = weak. Gixxerkart = pwn. (and death most likely, but you gotta pay to play)
__________________
328xi Coupe, Montego Blue on Black with Alum, Step, Sport, Premium, CA, PDC, Cold Weather (Damn Pennsylvania winters)
Current Mods: Heavy right foot - Planned Mods: Lightweight right foot

Quote:
Originally Posted by jh valley View Post
shit, if i had that kind of money id buy a gtstreet for monday, an ascari a10 for tuesday, a DBS for wednesday and id just ride jessica alba the rest of the week.
Appreciate 0
      06-19-2007, 11:23 PM   #22
///M3NACE
Banned
///M3NACE's Avatar
168
Rep
3,900
Posts

Drives: E36 M3, E36 Vert , E90 N52
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Downers Grove, IL

iTrader: (5)

e36 m3 i would get...944 turbo Porsche...or a brand new kia..
Appreciate 0
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:04 AM.




e90post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST