Geekspeed wrote: 93EXCivic, I like British cars, I really do. However, just the hearing the word Lucas gives me nightmares for weeks. I DO have a dream about building a TR7 hardtop racer, but I would basically mean swapping out every part on the car for something made by another manufacturer.
IMHO add Pertronix electronic ignition ($100), replace the alternator and starter and you are pretty much there.
Also what about something like an old Dodge Dart?
Looks like panhard bar kits can be had for $200-400, lower rear control arms for under $200, bump steer kits for about $150. For brakes, I'd see if I could dumpster dive and pick up a set from one of the later models. There's some good advice out there - I really don't know much about them myself.
Hmmmm.... What to do...
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/cto/2550291650.html
Or....
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sgv/cto/2550113093.html
Or....
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/cto/2553350457.html
Or...
http://ventura.craigslist.org/cto/2491633536.html
Crap, I will never decide.
I would say the Mustang seems like a good deal. The last Focus is a bit iffy to me.
In reply to 93EXCivic:
Maybe this one? http://losangeles.craigslist.org/ant/cto/2562862988.html
Or this one? http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/cto/2562892045.html
I can't claim to be a Focus expert. The last of those first group of cars looks to have the same wheels my Civic came with which I wouldn't track for anything plus you would have to pull all the Dynamat out.
Good call. The good thing is that if I decide to go Focus, I seem to have some options.
Geekspeed wrote: Good call. The good thing is that if I decide to go Focus, I seem to have some options.
A hidden Focus gem is the first 4 door with the 2.3l Duratec motor in it. Yes, it's intended to be a PZEV vehicle, but what isn't told is that the 2.3l is just about as fast as the SVT focus.
And generally a lot less expensive.
that's IF you go Focus.
Which seems like a way out at the moment....
Ok, this thing is tempting me. The LAST thing I want is to be the guy driving the "Anal Probe," but this is calling to me.....
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lgb/cto/2564648166.html
Geekspeed wrote: Ok, this thing is tempting me. The LAST thing I want is to be the guy driving the "Anal Probe," but this is calling to me..... http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lgb/cto/2564648166.html
I personally wouldn't buy anything from a guy who thought a turbocharged car was supercharged.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMq3YQ8IJqE
I really could care less that he passes a Porsche, i just like watching it run.
A 102hp SOHC DX with 245K on the stock motor, and some suspension mods. The 99 Miata 'taking' the video clearly has more power, but he holds his own in the curves.
E30 http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/cto/2563427872.html
Integra http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/cto/2562613682.html
ZX2 http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/cto/2562563065.html
BMW 2002 http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/cto/2562267614.html
E30 http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/cto/2560561288.html
Another 2002 http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/cto/2564164170.html
E36 http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/cto/2541942200.html
300ZX http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/cto/2562294832.html
Alfa Spider http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/cto/2561262092.html
ZX2 http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/cto/2561055259.html
Neon http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/cto/2559079980.html
Audi GT coupe http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/cto/2564499423.html
Del Sol http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/cto/2564456089.html
Thanks!
The Audi GT is calling to me as well. You just HAD to throw that one into the mix.... 
While the Audi GT is indeed uberkuhl...I would not want to foot the maintenance bill on a track car.
The Focus is a great choice--the weakness on a track car is the front hubs, but as long as they are maintained, and you know about it going in, I see that as a non-issue. Its new enough that parts and aftermarket are still current and available; and as noted above, the 2.3 versions are very stout performers.
The ZX2 is a dime-a-dozen car meaning cheap cost-of-entry...and were made up through 2003, so all service/consumable parts are still readily available as well...and things like brakes are dirt cheap. They use a common 4x100 wheel too--which makes getting cheap CL/Ebay wheels a snap. (Focus is 4x108). Again, the Zetec is a non-interference motor and makes good power and very good torque for a 2.0L...and there is a ton of Zetec aftermarket--some of the stuff from across the pond is very 'exotic'--like ITBs and whatnot. They are also used in midget cars--again showing the performance potential. As for the transaxles, as long as you are not limited by rules, the G-Series can be made to be quite strong...and as noted above, even in stock form are adequate as long as you don't abuse them. Lastly--see the other BG (MX3/Protege etc.) handling thread for some inexpensive suspension ideas.
Screw it, i'd go with the Audi just for the "why not?" factor. 
ST_ZX2 wrote: The Focus is a great choice--the weakness on a track car is the front hubs, but as long as they are maintained, and you know about it going in, I see that as a non-issue.
Only the non-SVT hubs are a weakness. The SVT hubs are good.
A comment about the 2.3l Duratec Foci - "almost as fast as an SVT" is somewhat misleading. The SVT motor is good to go out of the box, with forged rods, two stage intake, well tuned exhaust header and piping, etc. The Duratec engine itself has potential to equal the SVT Cosworth, but only with a some mods ($$$). To be "almost as fast" on track, the Duratec Focus will need the SVT brakes and the larger SVT wheels/tires as well. The power steering in the SVT is also a substantial upgrade from the other Foci.
As for price, the 2.3l seems to cost more, when you find one, than an SVT. At least around here............
That $1600 Mustang was a steal. I'd go there. These others will never be as fast, nor will maintenance or consumables likely be as cheap.
Teh E36 M3 wrote: That $1600 Mustang was a steal. I'd go there. These others will never be as fast, nor will maintenance or consumables likely be as cheap.
Seriously this.
Geekspeed wrote: Emissions testing in CA is such a horrible pain. Also, don't forget that anything built after 1975 has to pass emissions. That is correct, there is no rolling exemption in CA anymore. Also, in order to register a used car in your name, it has to have passed a smog check within the last 90 days. If it doesn't, you cannot register it. In addition, if you cannot register it, or if you put is as planned non-op (which you cannot do if you are transferring title to another person), it can't have a single wheel touch a public road, even if it is parked. I can't stand damned this state. Anyway, I was not aware that the rotaries would be so hard to smog. I probably should have figured that, however. The car I get has to be smog legal, as I do not have a way to tow the sucker. I also want to be able to drive it more often than just on track days.
California will not be happy until all cars are electric. I refuse to live there.
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