Experience with old VW Rabbits as track day cars?

As I mentioned in another post, I'm looking for a really cheap track day car. I'm hoping to do about 4 or 5 HPDE days per year. Don't want to risk wrecking the daily driver, so I want a real cheap car I'm not afraid to push hard on the track.

I've read the other threads discussing the pros and cons of using a Neon, Civic, EGT, NA Miata, etc...and I'm considering those. But I've seen some old ex-SCCA VW Rabbits really cheap. They're late '70s, early 80's vintage. They're appealing to me because they're race ready, have a cage, etc....plus they're super cheap.

Has anyone tracked these cars before? Fun? As race cars go, are they relatively reliable? Parts easy to get? Easy to fix?

I had a Rabbit a few years back that I Megasquirted, turboed and autocrossed. I now have a MkII GTI that I track and auto-x. The CIS injection system works great when everything is functioning, but otherwise it's a PITA. Carbs, or Megasquirt would be my suggestion. The later MkIIs came with Digifant ( a variant of Motronic) which is pretty reliable and easy to trouble-shoot. MkI's can go through wheel bearings. The motormounts are pretty flimsy, and the front suspension mounts can snap if not reinforced. All of those problems are easily fixed. MkIIs have a subframe at the front, so none of those problems are there. The biggest driving difference is the wheelbase - the MkIs are hard to catch when they spin - the wheelbase is really short and is less stable at speed. Parts are fairly easy and cheap to come by for both. Engine swaps and upgrades are easy and generally pretty cheap.

They rock.

They have their good and bad points just like any other car. Find one for the right price and pull the trigger. Both of my cars were put together for challenge money and I'm very happy with the silver/blue/black car. The yellow one was just purchased by a fellow Vdub'r locally for $600. That's a fully caged race car with log book and title. Add your drive line of choice and hit the track.

Rabbits have the biggest draft I've ever found. But I don't have anything useful to add. ;-)

David

1st gen RX7s as former race cars are dirt cheap as well.

There were three old Rabbits at our recent high speed auto cross in varying states of condition but all ran well.

I've been running a Ford Escort ZX2 for over two years. Cheap, available, 140HP.

Just logged 1031 miles this passed weekend in the 24 Hours of LeMons race. Our third race we finished. http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/6807337

I must have at least 4500 track miles on the car by now!.

KT

I've had several Rabbits over the years. They seem to work well.

I've not tracked one, but a friend of mine does and he's fitting 9" Goodyear slicks on custom made 13" rims for NASA GTS.

I'd do the same.

KT

I had a MkII Jetta. Lots of fun. Not fast, even with an ABA 2 ltr. As much fun as they are, there are better cheap choices. I had a NX2000 at the same time as my mod'd Jetta. Stock NX was way better car. My Focus is way, way, way better still. FWD cars have come LONG way in 20 years - there is a huge difference.

When you are considering choices, don't leave out the Focus (Zetec) for cheap and capable.

That said, you said you wanted "really cheap", but keep in mind that safety gear ain't cheap - if you are doing 4-5 HPDE events a year, invest the $2k in fixed seats, 6pt harnesses and a roll bar/cage if your car doesn't come with one.