Best Dirt Cheap Winter autocross Cat

CaR, not "cat" as I mistyped in the title.

Lime Rock offers winter autocross sessions, some even in the snow. I see these low traction events as an opportunity to become a better driver, but none of my wide-tire RWD stuff seem like a good choice. My friend, "carbon" says taking the Boxster or 944 would end in a day of me doing more snow shoveling and waiting for tow trucks than honing my skills. I'm open to a crapcan Subaru, despite my distain for the marque. Some sort of DSM (especially AWD) could work, but what did they build that's both cheap and actually worth paying money for to drive? I'm leaning toward a terminally rusty MR2 with snow tires. Ideas?

I did this last year. Your Boxster is too low. You need more ground clearance or you will tear the front spoiler off. Get a Miata or go fwd/awd. Maybe a Volvo 850.

In reply to Woody:

Thanks, Woody! I actually really like Volvo 850s (especially non-turbo/manual transmission ones), so the search is on

Volvo 240 with an insane rear end, like a 5.38, from diffwizard. Bonus if you add in oem turbo bits from a 7/9xx and a 16v headswap.

I think you want light, rwd, well balanced/eager to change direction. Miata or MR2.

The Miata was loads of fun on the Lime Rock Wintercross course, but I often had to take a less than optimal line to avoid tearing the oil pan open.

E30 or e36 should also be considered, bonus on an E36 is that you may be able to find one with heated seats

I'd go with an AW11 MR2. Weight is over the drive wheels. Low polar moment of inertial.

I wanted to set up a tintop FC RX7 with convertible springs for rallycross. There's a lot of options for LSDs that I can see, and I think they have pretty decent parts availability. Shells here are pretty expensive though.

SN95 Mustangs have gotta be getting close to the bottom of their depreciation curve, but the V6 sucks so much that I don't think there are 'deals' per se.

If you wanted to float outside of narrow-tire RWD, the other car I was thinking of was an early B15 Sentra SE with the SR20DE. They're pretty unknown compared to the later-year SE-Rs and the engine and transmission are well travelled with plenty of partsbin options.

Manx?

In reply to captdownshift:

My fist thought was BMW E36, but I've owned several, and they were all pretty fragile. Is there a year and/or configuration that's more durable than the rest? Mine were: 94 325i, 93 325iS, 98 323iS, 98 328!and a 1995 M3. All manuals, two with limited slip. With the exception of the M3, none could be trusted to get me to work and back with any consistency

No FWD? A $300 Neon or Cavalier will kick everything (except the 850) that's been mentioned so far on snow and ice.

I'd say subconsciously, you do want an autocross cat. Which is handy that there's a snow cat build going on.

Just put 4 snow/ice tires on your DD and have fun.

As Streetwiswguy said. the FWD cars will run all over you.

Streetwiseguy wrote: No FWD? A $300 Neon or Cavalier will kick everything (except the 850) that's been mentioned so far on snow and ice.

I was thinking Neon as well. Cheap, disposable and fairly competent.

M030 wrote: In reply to Woody: Thanks, Woody! I actually really like Volvo 850s (especially non-turbo/manual transmission ones), so the search is on

What is it with you people and 850s today Just finished posting that a 5 speed 850 was my first car in another thread.

Here you go:

https://harrisburg.craigslist.org/cto/5298227513.html

Shameless plug, I've got a pair of Konis for the rear sitting in my garage that could be obtained cheaply.

https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/build-projects-and-project-cars/miata-wintercrosser/97775/page1/

That might be the one time in all of motorsports where an air cooled VW might be a good choice.

In reply to oldopelguy:

In thirty one years of ownership, I've never gotten my 72 Super Beetle's heater to do anything more than try to asphyxiate the occupants. I parked it in 1995 because I was sick of scraping ice off the inside of the windshield. Maybe in the last twenty years, someone has developed a heater that really works for air-cooled VWs? If so, maybe I'll make grandpa proud and resurrect the freezing death trap he bought in 1973. Far tougher generation, his was.

Alternator and electric heater?

Copper tube wrapped around the exhaust and a VW/Audi/GM/Ford coolant afterflow pump (Ford supercharged V8 intercooler pump) running to a heater core?

Eberspacher?

Smarta$$ McPoopyPants wrote: Manx?

LOLOLOL. Two thumbs up for this.

Smarta$$ McPoopyPants wrote: Manx?

We have a tabby. Was free, already fixed, and arrived with a months fuel. Costs $4/year for registration. But she's more of a drift kitty as she can't maintain rear traction on curves.

Civic, accord, integra, prelude, neon, corolla, etc. Built before the year 2000. I held my own snow autocross events in my 1988 accord and that car was silly fun. Hand brake everywhere.

+1 on clutchsmoke's suggestions. I will add a Miata.

clutchsmoke wrote: Civic, accord, integra, prelude, neon, corolla, etc. Built before the year 2000. I held my own snow autocross events in my 1988 accord and that car was silly fun. Hand brake everywhere.

This. Small cheap older FWD. I have owned half this list.