In reply to DLC:
For me I would want to completely go through all of the sub systems. Make sure all the cooling system is up for it. New brake lines and hoses. And basically go through everything so that I would never have to worry about a mechanical issue while on track or when out playing around a couple hours away from home. That's all before the track/street wheels and tires and brakes. Better seats and safety equipment. Hell, I could probably go through 5K before I even got to any mods.
In reply to Nick_Comstock:
That is why I didn't suggest a 944 turbo, even if it was free the budget would've been gone from refresh and pre track maintenance
E30. Good power, light, nimble, decent aftermarket and track support. Just be patient and you can find one. It doesn't look crazy hard to do a manual swap from an auto and there are a decent amount of clean autos around.
ZX2's or even better ZX2SR.
DLC wrote:ProDarwin wrote: 1) Buy STC Civic or CRX for $4500 or so 2) Engine swap of your choice with remaining $2500 3) Enjoy fast track car?That's an interesting idea also. Since the Civic is really popular in STC, there must be a big market. Where do those usually trade? I imagine on an SCCA or Honda board?
The 89si Civics pop up all the time on SCCA & autocross forums. Usually with a fresh motor + trans, many sets of wheels + lots of other spares in the $5K range. CRXs usually bring a bit more I think.
My 240SX coupe 
Needs TLC to get back on the road but has SR/coilovers/Z brakes/5-lug/etc. I have been stationed in different states than the car for about 4 yrs so fuel/battery are toast and it needs some grounds fixed and a PS hardline replaced (on the rack, like a brake hardline but diff diameter and fitting thread pitches).
Or an E36 M3, or a Miata, or an S14 240SX (prob not with a lot of power mods at that price, though), or an MR2. Or some other stuff... I'm not much help am I? 
DLC wrote:Nick_Comstock wrote: With a 7K budget I would be looking at 2K cars with 5K left for repairs/mods.I've never done heavy mods before. I've been wondering whether doing something like taking a $2K Neon and putting $5K of mods into it yields a much better car than, say, an SRT-4 you could by for $7K? Or is it more about being able to make it very track focused? I'm looking for something that will continue to be streetable.
FWIW, I'd rather drive a $2K Neon with $5K in work done to it than an SRT-4 I can find for $7K (I'm guessing stock or near-stock). The SRT-4 will have a ton more power, but you'll get the right suspension, wheels, tires and "little" things like bushings, endlinks, etc. all addressed on the cheaper car + more mod money.
I used to own an AW11 road race car, and can say without spending a lot of money, you aren't going to be making big power. Hoelscher's DP car puts out what, 160hp at the wheels or so, but it cost a lot of money to get there.
On my street car, I bought a blacktop motor for about $1,200, 10 or so years ago. They are sweet motors and sound awesome. You still get about the same 160 or so hp, but its much cheaper. The biggest bonus for the MR2 is that they are easy on tires and brakes, so your consumables aren't that high. They can out brake most other cars on track too.
2nd Gen MR2s are also well within your budget as mentioned. I did a few track days with my MR2 turbo, and although quite a bit faster, they will run you more on the consumable front, and you will need to deal with the intercooler. It heat soaks after a while and it needs to be addressed. Tires also wear a bit faster and without some suspension mods, it can get tail happy if you don't follow the slow in, fast out approach.
Another option if you don't mind FWD is a Cooper S. The early cars are within your budget, and they really aren't any more unreliable than some of the other cars listed, such as the ACR.
I'd also throw in a last gen Celica in the mix. I drove a showroom stock C version for a couple of events and it was an awesome road race car. One of the best FWD chassis ever made and very underrated. Because of that, they are cheap now. To me, this is the best option of the group for dual duty car.
I would also look at early WRXs, FC RX-7s, and C4 Corvettes.
Uncoiled wrote: E30. Good power, light, nimble, decent aftermarket and track support. Just be patient and you can find one. It doesn't look crazy hard to do a manual swap from an auto and there are a decent amount of clean autos around.
I was wondering why it took two pages to get to this, as it was the first thing to pop into my head (I'm behind on my reading).
In reply to Mr_Clutch42:
C4 'vettes are certainly within the budget but I'd expect consumables to cost a fair penny.
RX-8. Buy mine.
Know a cheap body guy.... $300 bucks right now, or more realistically a nice Na mr2 shell
iceracer wrote: ZX2's or even better ZX2SR.
I'm assuming you've seen this... http://chambersburg.craigslist.org/cto/4743340173.html
jsquared wrote: My 240SX coupe
Hrmm, which state is it in right now?
Uncoiled wrote: E30. Good power, light, nimble, decent aftermarket and track support. Just be patient and you can find one. It doesn't look crazy hard to do a manual swap from an auto and there are a decent amount of clean autos around.
This, or a E36 M3. Your E46 experience should be dismissed. After the E36 BMW's got numb and dumb and expensive to fix. I absolutely grin from ear to ear each time I run my Spec E30 around the track. Most people wouldn't call it fast, but it's fast enough. Super-predictable, cheap parts, great network and it will always be worth something if you don't buy a rusty one. The E36 M3 is the same sort of package, just slightly uglier but faster if you want more power. Prices on these have bottomed. No Asian car provides the same kind of visceral feedback as one of these.
ProDarwin wrote:DLC wrote:The 89si Civics pop up all the time on SCCA & autocross forums. Usually with a fresh motor + trans, many sets of wheels + lots of other spares in the $5K range. CRXs usually bring a bit more I think.ProDarwin wrote: 1) Buy STC Civic or CRX for $4500 or so 2) Engine swap of your choice with remaining $2500 3) Enjoy fast track car?That's an interesting idea also. Since the Civic is really popular in STC, there must be a big market. Where do those usually trade? I imagine on an SCCA or Honda board?
This would be a really smart choice actually. Plenty of room in the hatch for extra wheels, tools, & a cooler for food/drinks. As much as I love my MR2 you can't really haul extra wheels, although a surprising amount of stuff will fit in the frunk & trunk.
DLC wrote: Now that is ridiculously cool looking. Are they road legal?
Yes, the completed prototypes are. They're titled in Alabama as Miatas and include eBay-sourced lights & mirrors. If your state requires a safety inspection, it may take a little more work to pass.
ProDarwin wrote:DLC wrote:FWIW, I'd rather drive a $2K Neon with $5K in work done to it than an SRT-4 I can find for $7K (I'm guessing stock or near-stock). The SRT-4 will have a ton more power, but you'll get the right suspension, wheels, tires and "little" things like bushings, endlinks, etc. all addressed on the cheaper car + more mod money.Nick_Comstock wrote: With a 7K budget I would be looking at 2K cars with 5K left for repairs/mods.I've never done heavy mods before. I've been wondering whether doing something like taking a $2K Neon and putting $5K of mods into it yields a much better car than, say, an SRT-4 you could by for $7K? Or is it more about being able to make it very track focused? I'm looking for something that will continue to be streetable.
So basically even with one of the factory specials, addressing those suspension parts is going to be a priority for an HPDE car? If that's the case then I see the point of starting cheaper.
ddavidv wrote:Uncoiled wrote: E30. Good power, light, nimble, decent aftermarket and track support. Just be patient and you can find one. It doesn't look crazy hard to do a manual swap from an auto and there are a decent amount of clean autos around.This, or a E36 M3. Your E46 experience should be dismissed. After the E36 BMW's got numb and dumb and expensive to fix. I absolutely grin from ear to ear each time I run my Spec E30 around the track. Most people wouldn't call it fast, but it's fast enough. Super-predictable, cheap parts, great network and it will always be worth something if you don't buy a rusty one. The E36 M3 is the same sort of package, just slightly uglier but faster if you want more power. Prices on these have bottomed. No Asian car provides the same kind of visceral feedback as one of these.
How are the spec E30s for someone who doesn't want to do spec racing and who wants the car to be streetable? I've heard that the spec Miata setup is not necessarily where you would want to go if you were just looking for a track toy.
DLC wrote: So basically even with one of the factory specials, addressing those suspension parts is going to be a priority for an HPDE car? If that's the case then I see the point of starting cheaper.
The suspension is going to be worn out on them by the time they make it into your price range. You can pretty much expect to have to put new at least new shocks and possibly bushings on any car you want to use for HPDE that's in your price range unless a previous owner has upgraded them very recently.
Junkyard_Dog wrote:Uncoiled wrote: E30. Good power, light, nimble, decent aftermarket and track support. Just be patient and you can find one. It doesn't look crazy hard to do a manual swap from an auto and there are a decent amount of clean autos around.I was wondering why it took two pages to get to this, as it was the first thing to pop into my head (I'm behind on my reading).
Agreed. I was going to say the same thing but you beat me to it.
DLC wrote: Right now, the Focus SVT is at the top of my list. What would you guys see as comparable or better choices?
I haven't priced out SVTs recently, but there are a few 2.3L\5 speed focus' out there. IIRC, they give up ~10hp, but make more torque, and don't require premium gas.
The SVT suspension is $400 brand new from Ford.
Proteges can be plenty of fun and have many options available if you want to take the time, just avoid the mazdaspeed protege, it was a great idea ruined by bean counters.
I'd almost forgotten how terrible the MR2 interior is. Damn it's ugly.
Miss that car though, soooo much fun
E36 M3
Firmly in your budget, that's what I would pick. Cheap spares, more spares than an E30, more parts than an E30, more performance potential, and it's slightly more of an ///M car.
You'll need to log in to post.
