I really miss stock AWD rallycross. When I lived in DFW I used to drive my Subaru RS to north TX rallycross (in Ardmore OK actually) and run 6-12 runs a day and drive home. I usually won stock AWD, and usually placed in the top 1/3 overall too. I did have one person actually drive my car faster than I could once. That was a great learning experience. I tend to overdrive a bit, and in AWD that's actually a lot of fun! It's too much fun because it slows you down at times. I did win my class two years in a row and have the plaques and T-shirts to show for it which is cool. I won mostly because of consistency (being there and being relatively quick). I would love to do that again. Now I live quite a bit further away, and would need to drive there, get a hotel, compete and drive home. I have two great rallycross venues about 5-6 hours away and I'm right in the middle. I'd also love to make a rallycross event at the FIRM which I think is about 10 hours away. I might even want to do a hillclimb in the appalachians some day.
I am quick sick of having too many cars around. I am going to sell the full on rally car in the garage this winter or spring after I make it look amazing. I just don't have the time or space. I might even sell my trailer then too.
That will leave a Miata, an OBS, and whatever car I find to be my DD.
Cars I have considered.
I like lighter cars (3,000 lbs or less ideally), and like responsive cars. My commute is long. This car will need to eat up miles confortably, and often. I have the Miata and OBS as transportation backups and even my mother in laws CX-5 I can use too. My wife has a new Tahoe for family stuff and towing if I need to do that. My wife would love for me to get a sedan (4 doors) so that we can use it for some of the closer family things (like 1-2 swim event trips for kiddo). My Civic Si is a great daily driver, near perfect, but I'm scared to rallycross it as low as it is and FWD etc. It might really kick butt though, so I've considered that too.
1) Porsche 996 Carrera 4 (99-01) narrow body. I have a feeling these would kick ass on dirt. My worries are an engine rebuild at some point, the quality of the AC system, ground clearance, and upgrading the infotainment to something modern with bluetooth capabilities. I use my long low traffic commute to talk to my dad, listen to meetings at times, podcasts, and sometimes talk to others (boss, wife, etc.). Porsche maintenance is also a real expense (10 quarts of expensive oil, etc.).
2) Audi S3. This has all the modern luxury, and I enjoyed the S4s I have owned in the past. This too might kill it on dirt, but ground clearance might be a problem. Also no manual transmission. Audi's DCTs are amazing though. I just like rowing my own gears. My wife thinks this is a great idea. I think the balance might be way off on these though and it may plow more than my Subaru RS did. These are heavy about about 3400 lbs.
3) Audi TTS. This would probably do way better than the S3 since it is lighter and probably has a better weight distribution. The problem is it is essentially a 2 seater like my Civic Si (coupe). The family could not use this one. Audi maintenance is also a real expense. This is lighter than the S3.
4) Newer Subaru WRX. Yes, I know these engines have oiling issues historically, but Subaru engine rebuilds are a lot cheaper than Porsche engine rebuilds. And remember I am leaving the powertrain stock for stock class! Modded Subarus are the ones with the most issues in my experience. Not sure if I'd go 2.0 or the newer 2.4, but the newer ones are growing on me. I also found a video with a guy that had over 200k miles on his 2015 WRX with very few issues. Fuel mileage kind of sucks on these compared to the other cars on the list. These have manual transmissions, a good AWD system, room for 4 on short trips, etc. This is the wife's 2nd choice. Subaru even sells an aluminum engine undertray for these which would be added. The newer models apparently have even more suspension travel and a base WRX has 17" wheels which means more sidewall for rallycross (not a bad thing at all). These are lighter than the S3.
5) Let's say I go stock RWD and pick up a twin. This is my other thought. Maybe I should change classes. These cars are light, naturally aspirated, and seem to be like a Miata with a roof but look more like the old 240Z than most cars. I have yet to drive one as I'm afraid I will buy it.
I thought about new Miata too, but I really need a hardtop on my daily (lots of rain at times). My commute has lots of low traffic fun to drive (turns) roads too. So I want something that can be fun on the best days (not slowing down for the corners). The RF never has looked right to me, so I can't do it.
So any ideas? If you wanted to do stock AWD rallycross, drive to an event, do the event, drive home, wash the car and then drive to work 2 days later, what would you get? Did I miss anything obvious (probably)? Or would you just make the switch to stock RWD and get a twin? Or would you just do stock FWD in the Si (it is really low)?
Thanks!
edited to add pics
