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Login to post Forums » Grassroots Motorsports » Dedicated track car under $10K (incl trailer). I'm 6'4" so the answer probably isn't Miata

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June 26, 2011 7:24 p.m. Teggsan New Reader
I was thinking of joining CMC and running a Mustang, but upon further reflection, including a weekend at MSR Houston, I think that's a couple of years away.

In the meantime, I want to stop doing track events in my '11 Mustang and get a dedicated track car.

I'm 6'4" so Miata is probably not the answer.

Goal: Move up to red run group within a year on a path toward becoming an instructor.

Wish list:
- soft limit of $10K including trailer
- 250 or so HP (a little more is better)
- something that's lighter and more tossable than my 3400 lb Mustang
- more or less turnkey but I could take on a prep job if I need to
I may get responses like "good luck finding all that" and if my expectations are unrealistic that's OK. I have looked around and as one option I could get a more or less prepped CMC Mustang for $5-7K that checks but not all of the boxes (kind of porky).

Thanks for any suggestions. Love the site; at MSR Houston this weekend there were a ton of cars sporting the GRM sticker.
June 26, 2011 7:34 p.m. CGLockRacer Reader

There are lots of tall guys racing Miata's with full cages and hardtops. You've just got to either find one built for a tall guy or plan the cage and seat around you.
June 26, 2011 7:39 p.m. mndsm SuperDork

C4 vette?
June 26, 2011 7:48 p.m. mad_machine SuperDork

250 is about ten more than the stock E36 M3...
June 26, 2011 7:51 p.m. LopRacer Reader

Lurk the classifieds on this board and maybe some of the more race oriented boards classifieds, NASA, SCCA and such look for a CMC car ready to go or one close to it. I knew of one CMC Camaro that was looking to go for 6k range leaving plenty of room for a trialer, I am sure with patience you could find a mustang in such condition. Good Luck
June 26, 2011 8:20 p.m. stroker HalfDork

Jeez, I'd think you'd be paralyzed with alternatives at that budget. All kinds of things available for sub $9K that would be fun as a track car. I couldn't even afford the gas or the tires but I'd be thinking 3 series...
June 26, 2011 9:27 p.m. DavidinDurango New Reader

My thinking (if you've see the drive way, you'd understand) is you are already invested in the ford stuff - stick with it.

there ARE other things, but unless you are rich and/or young (I'm neither) maybe starting another collection of parts isn't a good idea.

just my thoughts.
June 26, 2011 10:32 p.m. Javelin SuperDork
- FC RX-7, preferably with an LS1 swap.
- Porsche 944
- C4 Corvette, preferably an LT1/T56 car
- 94-95 Mustang GT or Cobra, then build to suit.
June 26, 2011 10:34 p.m. sanman Reader

E30, fox body mustang, third gen f body, or really look around to see what else is available. Have you thought about doing a spec series? Also, buying a finished track car is always cheaper so you may want to keep an eye out for cars for sale locally.
June 27, 2011 12:51 a.m. Apexcarver SuperDork

http://www.racingjunk.com/category/1077/NASA_American_Iron/post/2184108/1985-Musta...

http://www.racingjunk.com/category/83/GT/post/2241656/Monte-Carlo-Roadrace-Stockca...

http://www.racingjunk.com/category/83/GT/post/2224491/Porsche-944T-GT-RACECAR.html

http://www.racingjunk.com/category/1083/NASA_Camaro_Mustang_Challenge/post/2234535...

http://www.racingjunk.com/category/1081/NASA_Super_Unlimited/post/2180723/83-Mazda...

http://www.racingjunk.com/category/85/Other/post/2227028/Yellow-Thunder-Roadster-F...

http://www.racingjunk.com/category/85/Other/post/2210757/1986-Porsche-944-Turbo-95...

That should get you started.. lots to choose from in your price bracket
June 27, 2011 1:30 a.m. Salanis SuperDork

I will relay great advice I got from this board: Don't pick your race series based on what car you want to buy. Pick your car based on the race series you want to be in and the people you want to be competing with.

Go to some NASA or SCCA (or whatever your group is) events and hang out with different groups of racers. Decide what group gels with your own thoughts and feelings best. Buy a car to race in that series.

I have a fully prepped 944Spec car for sale now. http://944spec.org/944SPEC/forum/for-sale-944-cars/10715-944spec-1988-924s-in-norcal No where near your power desires, but you can go an entire season on one set of tires and brakes. You might actually find that you enjoy and learn a lot from driving a momentum car.

As for fun cars, you might decide you enjoy something with comparable acceleration through less power, but a lot less weight, like a Thunder Roadster or Legends car.
June 27, 2011 5:25 a.m. ddavidv SuperDork

Drop the HP requirement and get an E30. You'll learn better driving skills in a momentum car than something with a V8. You can buy a fully prepped Spec E30 for that kind of money and be racing in a few weekends. Far lower running costs than any V8 car and really close racing which makes it fun. Sort of like Spec Miata but without the teeny tiny interiors and demolition derby driving attitude.
June 27, 2011 7:01 a.m. Klayfish Reader

I'd agree with the others. Ditch the hp requirement. Find the racing groups you want to run with and find a car to go play with. Your budget is enough to overwhelm you with choices. I've been out of the track day game for several years and hoping to return this year. It'll be with a <120hp car that's almost 25 years old which I bought for under $1000. It's a former SCCA car, so it's ready to run. I won't set any speed records, but who cares. I'm out for some fun at the track. You can find tons of old SCCA cars from racers who are getting out of the game or upgrading.

Since you've run Mustangs, look at the Fox body or early SN95. You can get a fully race prepped one for well under your budget. If you insist on a super light car, maybe a race ready CRX? I think you'd fit in it fine.
June 27, 2011 7:26 a.m. tuna55 SuperDork

Klayfish wrote: It'll be with a <120hp car that's almost 25 years old which I bought for under $1000.

This guy wants to spend 10K on the car and trailer and get to his HP target, you're saying that you did it for 1K with less hp. Sounds to me like he can afford his goals, maybe we could just help him see what cars could get him there?

I have to real help here, OP, just that there are answers out there, don't settle if you don't want to.
June 27, 2011 8:00 a.m. N Sperlo HalfDork

Am I the first to say Mustang? Its worth looking at, eh?
June 27, 2011 9:10 a.m. Teggsan New Reader

Thanks for the responses, guys. Everything I've read and heard converges on 944, E30 or Mustang as the most viable choices within my price range. And of course each has a spec racing series for when I'm ready for that.

So really I'm no closer to a decision.
June 27, 2011 9:14 a.m. Teggsan New Reader

@Salanis: you're going to Germany to become a master brewer? Very cool.
June 27, 2011 9:15 a.m. 93EXCivic SuperDork

I would personally lean towards the 944.
June 27, 2011 9:52 a.m. itsarebuild Reader

just out of curiosity, what was it about the last weekend that made you decide CMC is a couple of years away?

if it is just your level of experience, going with a CMC eligible car will get you more relevant experience faster.

if it is not wanting to drive a mustang that fast in company. maybe you need to find a series with lower hp cars (E30, spec miata, or if it has good following there spec 944).

if it is a lack of comraderie with that group, find a group you click with.

building a racecar is kinda like lighting mone on fire, so whatever you go with, i'd either invest in soemthing you already have spares for (late model mustang), or something with a spec series attached to it so it has a real market (of some sort) later.
June 27, 2011 11:48 a.m. bravenrace SuperDork

This might be fun.
June 27, 2011 12:33 p.m. dj06482 Reader

+1 on the E36 M3 recommendation...
June 27, 2011 2:05 p.m. racerfink HalfDork

The first time I ran at the 13hr at VIR, my co-drivers were 6'6" and 5'8", and myself at 6'2". This was in a Spec Miata, so the seat had to be on a slider, which made it higher than the seat in my SM. Even the 6'6" 260lb guy had no problem.

You'll learn a lot more in a car with no power when you're starting out. The old quote is "It's easier to go slow in a fast car than fast in a slow car".
June 27, 2011 2:42 p.m. naparsei New Reader

I am 6'4", and I race SM.

It can be done. You need a roll bar that goes just inside the hard top, and you need a seat without tracks bolted directly to the floor of the car (reinforced, of course).

I used to track a 944 turbo, and there's more room, but still you need to bold the seat directly. It's considerably more expensive to run a Porsche than a Miata, IMO.

The best advice here is pick your series, then your car. I would say whichever series is biggest/funnest in your area of the following would be the one to do: Spec E30, Spec 944, Spec Miata.
June 27, 2011 4:10 p.m. Teggsan New Reader

itsarebuild wrote:

just out of curiosity, what was it about the last weekend that made you decide CMC is a couple of years away?

It was a realization that I have a lot to learn. Making good progress but the more I learn the more I realize there is to learn.

I don't want to join any series until I'm a good enough driver to compete. That's why I want as much track time as I can possibly fit into my schedule in a "disposable" car that I can build good fundamentals in.

That said, I am a bit of an HP junkie.
June 27, 2011 4:39 p.m. DaveEstey HalfDork

6'2" and I race a Miata.

Previously I raced a CRX.

Maybe I just like tight spots...

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