new car blues - racing for under $15,000

I can't drive two kids (in carseats) around with two Miatas, no matter how hard I try.

I can wrench. I am not afraid, but I want something that will be reliableish once it's dialed in.

Can't afford the parts cost for the 924/944, don't want to touch an alfa not yet - this car is dd.

I like live axles - so sue me - that's another discussion for another thread though.

I also considered a Corrado but the FWD thing really isn't my game, and if it was the reliability kinda scares me off. The Suzi is pretty much the only FWD in the running now.

No matter - I am still looking for E30s and E36s, I am even entertaining E34s. I'd rather a wagon. I am in South kakalaki, so anything goes for registration if I could find an E30 wagon illegally. A hatch might suffice, even with the 4 banger, in anticipation of a bigger engine later. Plus the 318Ti looks nice in my opinion.

Yeah, the Miata was the first choice but for the seating arrangement.

-Brian

I'm really thinking a Volvo 240 series turbo wagon would be the answer. Similar vintage and body style to the E30. RWD. Live Axle. And can be made to produce additional horsepower by turning up the boost.

And you can do eeeevil engine swaps into them later. I would love a Volvo with an LSx.

Speaking from experience, allow me to make an attempt at being the voice of reason:

There is no proverbial "hooker with a heart of gold." If there was, she'd certainly be a two-seater.

I.e. Leave the DD a DD, and the track slut a track slut.

Treat the DD right. Take care of her. Drive her like you love her, occasionally allowing her to stretch her legs out, and she'll treat you right in return.

Once a month or so, beat the track slut like she owes you money, knowing you won't have to rely on her to carry you to work the next day.

I can't drive two kids (in carseats) around with two Miatas, no matter how hard I try.

Luckily for all of you, I don't have any rugrats running around, but I'm pretty sure they don't sleep too well with 900lb. springs bouncing their brains around in their mushy little skulls. Also, while a gurgly grumbly exhaust might do great things for your naughty bits, chances are they will do the exact opposite for the little lady.

poopshovel wrote: Treat the DD right. Take care of her. Drive her like you love her, occasionally allowing her to stretch her legs out, and she'll treat you right in return. Once a month or so, beat the track slut like she owes you money, knowing you won't have to rely on her to carry you to work the next day.

That's golden. And very true as well. Trust me, someone who lived with a compromise car for several years...you will want a dedicated track car. You can have two cars that do seperate things very well or one car that does neither well. When would you not go for the multi-car option?

This time it's not a multi car. Period. It's gotta be one ride. It's all that I can afford, and it's all my wife can stand. It's not going to see a lot of track time - no crazy loud exhaust, no crazy springs. I've not done a lot of track stuff before, so I am not diving in headfirst. Sorry guys - I know it makes a lot of sense to most people, but not this time.

The turbo brick is an interesting option. They're butt ugly. How does it handle compared to an E30 stock for stock?

-Brian

Q: How much are you looking to spend "all-in?"

you had asked for the 2door 4door E30 comparo.. its only like 50-60lbs ive seen 4 door spec racers.

tuna55 wrote: Good points, all of them. I still can't afford an M3 though. 4K is pretty much the limit for a mostly running driving "nice" car.

Are the 318Tis any lighter?

-Brian

I'm confused. So you're planning on buying and building a Spec E30, and hauling the wife and kids in it? Or you're buying a DD that you'll occassionally autocross?

tuna55 wrote: In other words, if I was going to go road racing on track days and still wanted to maintain streetability, was still on a budget and didn't care about classing the car, what could I do to the little E30?

Just trying for a DD with track day capability. -Brian

Gotcha. I guess from the mention of the Spec E30 class, I ASSumed that's what you were going for. Just trying to keep you from having to ask these troublesome questions :

http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/converting-spec-racer-to-street-legal/7032/page1/