Decision point - FX16 GT-S content

Having an internal argument in my brain, and just want to think out loud. Anyone who wants to whisper sweet nothings in my ear, feel free to jump in.

Haven't done HPDE in 6 years, maybe 7. Starting a family and all the associated expenses and time demands have kept me at home. Been trying by hook or crook to get back on track. Here's my current situation.

• '96 Volvo 850 wagon. My DD. Love the car, super useful with my family, but it's an autotragic. Not too high on the fun to drive meter.

• '87 Corolla FX16 GT-S. Former SCCA ITB car, log book shows last raced in 2007. 100% converted to race car. I bought it 18 months ago, but for various reasons (time, money, lack of passenger seat for instructor) have never used it.

• '91 Geo Tracker - just bought it. 5spd, doesn't run right now. Fueling issue, I think.

I think and hope this year I'll have the time and budget to take the FX16 to 2 or 3 track events this year. Of course, that's what I said last year... I love the fact that it's a dedicated track car. Would love to keep it and acutally use it.

Or I could sell it. Replace it with a fun weekend toy that I can acutally drive, but still could be tracked "as is" a few times. Budget would be $2k plus whatever I get for the FX16. For several reasons, the Volvo is going to stay as my DD. So whatever I got would be my second car, only to be used on nice days or for track duty. Doubt I'd autox much...too far away and can't justify an entire day out for 5 short runs in a parking lot.

I go back and forth. I'd love to keep the FX16 and actually use it. But, even though I really like my Volvo, I sure miss having a fun car to drive whenever I want....

Sell them all, get one fun daily that the fam will fit in (e46), and get your track and wrenching fix racing lemons with us!

On that news I'll be sending an email to the group shortly setting up work days for the next 2 months.

If only there was something small, light and reliable that was fun for spirited drives on local windy roads but also capable of an occasional autox or track day^. Even better if those cars could be bought cheaply in the off season dues to the fact that convertibles have less allure in cold weather.

^: Be sure that your local tracks allow convertibles!

Actually, flip the Geo. Turn those dollars into some "fun" street car.
Keep GTS for future track. It seems to me that your reason for not tracking is not money but rather lack of time. If you think the time may be freeing up then invest some or all of the $2k into the things the GTS needs like passenger seat.

I find it very hard to justify you selling the track car unless you NEED the money.

Otherwise, it is there and ready when the time comes. Also, as we all know, race cars have notoriously poor resale value. So, again, unless money is the need, keep it. You'll also become a better driver not worrying about balling up your DD or something on track.

In reply to HiTempguy:

^^^^ What he said...

Flip Geo, install passenger seat in FX16 and make it street-legal with proceeds?

Sonic wrote: Sell them all, get one fun daily that the fam will fit in (e46), and get your track and wrenching fix racing lemons with us! On that news I'll be sending an email to the group shortly setting up work days for the next 2 months.

Having a live in nanny requires a car that I feel comfortable handing the keys to for her occassional personal use. Volvo fits that bill nicely (plus the wagon is great). Looking forward to another work day! I'll be there as much as my aforementioned time issues will allow.

If I did sell the FX16, a NA would certainly be at or near the top of my shopping list. Had a few of them and love 'em. While I'm nowhere close to rolling in money, I don't NEED to sell for cash. It just gets frustrating driving an automatic wagon daily, and walking through the garage past a car under a cover that I've never driven. On the other hand, it would be cool to get that thing on track. I can run it as is now. Tires are usable, but old. Since I only have a drivers seat, it would be hard to do a novice school. Have a Kirkey seat in the basement. To install, I'd need an I/O Port seatback brace and floor mounting hardware, plus paying a shop to install (not comfy doing that myself yet). That'll definitely eat into my budget somewhat.

Do you have trailer/towing capability to get the FX-16 to the track?

szeis4cookie wrote: Flip Geo, install passenger seat in FX16 and make it street-legal with proceeds?

+1 its not difficult to add enough to get it tagged, it is your back up car anyway

szeis4cookie wrote: Flip Geo, install passenger seat in FX16 and make it street-legal with proceeds?

also put in some capet to keep the road noise down just a little, but make you can take the carpet out for once you can get to the track

jrw1621 wrote: Do you have trailer/towing capability to get the FX-16 to the track?

Yep. '06 Sedona minivan with a hitch installed, and I have a former U-Haul tow dolly. Not an ideal tow vehicle, but works.

The FX16 is so far on the race car side, don't know it could be brought back to street use. Full cage (not sure that's legal in PA), stripped interior, open exhaust, etc... Great for the track, but not sure how fun it would be on the street.

Good on the towing then. If not then I would say get rid of the GTS because you need to buy a truck as well.
Keep GTS. Invest to make it track capable. Fix and flip Geo then continue to buy a series of fun, cheap, beater street cars.
A Mk1 GTI or Rabbit might be a fun place to start.

Klayfish wrote:

jrw1621 wrote: Do you have trailer/towing capability to get the FX-16 to the track?

Yep. '06 Sedona minivan with a hitch installed, and I have a former U-Haul tow dolly. Not an ideal tow vehicle, but works. The FX16 is so far on the race car side, don't know it could be brought back to street use. Full cage (not sure that's legal in PA), stripped interior, open exhaust, etc... Great for the track, but not sure how fun it would be on the street.

Harden the berkeley up, I love street driving a race car, just not every day.

Add a flange on the exhaust with a bolt on muffler and drive it

Everyone has forgotten the important thing here....is the live-in nanny hot?

Well, when she first arrived almost a year ago from South Africa (yes, she's caucasian), I'd have called her "curvy", just bordering on the chunky side. She has since discovered Red Robin, Burger King, Sonic, and cheese curls. 30+lbs later, well beyond curvy... She leaves in a few weeks and her replacement arrives. This one is into fitness and exercise. We've Skyped with her and exchanged pictures. Looking niiiiiice.

Hoping to have that Tracker running soon. Curious to see how much fun it is to drive. 5spd, manual everything, 2WD. Weighs around 2100lbs.

i've driven that combo. meh.

Klayfish wrote: Hoping to have that Tracker running soon. Curious to see how much fun it is to drive. 5spd, manual everything, 2WD. Weighs around 2100lbs.

It sounds like you are doing things right. That is, a responsible wagon DD and a "fun" in its own ways cheap Geo. I suspect that your real frustration comes from the fact that the Geo is not running.
In the time/money equation, use that frustration as good reason to justify paying to have work done on the Geo rather than waiting to find the time to do it yourself.

I'm very partial to FX16's. If it is possible to get it streetable. do it. At least you would drive to the parts store occassionally. Mine is a street car set up for autocross. It is not comfortable. There is something very good about driving a car that you can play with in the corners. That WILL motivate you to get on track this year too. What does it need? • Emmission sniffer? (not good); • Lights; • Horn; • Passenger seat for track schools.
At least put a plan and budget to get it on the road and decide from there. FX16's are fun cars. Hate to see you sell it.

Flip the Geo and spend your $2K on a fun DD project. Hmm maybe another FX16. GTI, Focus, etc... If it turns out you are still not taking the race car to the track in another year reassess then. This will give you the occasional grm therapy you need.