New to AutoX

I'm brand new to AutoX in PDX and need help choosing a car for a beginner. I was thinking about a '92 Miata or maybe a '87 Jetta. I have about $2500 to get started. I'm not sure what exactly I'm looking for. Any suggestions?

Whatever you have already.

A miata. A civic.

Check the after market support. It's more beginner friendly to have a car that is easy to find replacement/upgrade parts for.

It depends on were you live as to car prices. For example, Miatas are more expensive here in AL than in FL.

Do you prefer front or rear wheel drive?

Of your two choices, the miata is the best.

I live in OR. I prefer rear wheel drive but I'm not against front wheel. What about a VW? I'm trying to do this on the cheap and still have fun.

Then why are you asking about a VW? It won't be cheap. Miata or Civic are proven formula's. I've never gone that route, I prefer oddballs and one-offs and then again I'm not that fast....

In reply to Bobzilla:

I get VW parts very cheap and there are many VWs for sale in my area. I can't find any Miatas under $3000. I guess I will look into a Civic. Thanks.

Really, anything you bring make sure you do the following:

1: Make sure the car is sound. New pads, rotors, brake fluid, spark plugs, wires, and good tires on properly torqued wheels are a must.

2: Do NOT invest in R compound tires, coil overs, cold air kits, turbo swaps, big bore exhausts or anything else until you have mastered driving the STOCK car at 10/10ths.

3: After mastering a STOCK car at 10/10ths then add better tires and shocks before adding power.

Remember cars that are the fastest out of the box without mods are going to have the thickest fields. If you do not like losing then chose another car in a thinner class. If you like competition and do not mind coming in 6th all the time jump in with both feet.

The majority of 80s vws have too many worn out parts and run too bad to be good daily drivers, let alone autocross cars. Pretty much any car that has a manual transmssion, doesnt need have a bunch of stuff wrong with it, and has good (koni or bilstien) dampers available would be plenty good to learn with. Once you learn to be competitive, you will either need a newer car, or a more modified older one in one of the higher classes, at least if you want to win comptiting against alot of people.

much of what I have to add has already been said.

I started in a 99 Saturn SL2 with an Autotragic. It was still a ton of fun.

the only rule I have about autocross is "If you are not having fun, you are doing it wrong!"

Get a Miata. It's the perfect beginner autox car and also a great autox car at any prep level when you decide you want to go faster. A stock high mileage miata with worn out shocks is still a lot of fun and is easy to learn on. An old vw will probably need all the parts you get a good deal on and will teach you to deal with frusterating understeer. I started with a miata that was stock except for have cut stock springs so it rode on the bump stops. Even with crappy suspension I was able to get 1 ftd and many 2nd and 3rd ftd's at some local events once I bought a set of R's

Neon Sport or R/T should fall in that price range easily.

Miata. Really. If you stay on top of the Seattle and Portland area CL listings you should have no trouble grabbing a 1.6 Miata for under $3k. You just have to be vigilant and ready to pounce when they show up, 'cuz they go quick. I've seen at least half a dozen 1.6 Miatas and a few 1.8s for under $3k in Seattle in the last few weeks. Be patient...

NYG95GA wrote: Neon Sport or R/T should fall in that price range easily.

I agree with the Neon ACR (sport), dirt cheap, plentiful parts, loads of fun, and not to mention making a car that shouldn't go fast beat other "faster" cars.

Miata's are fun but unless you find a screaming deal on a clean one I think you'll be over your $2500 budget quick (car plus any maintenance required).

FWIW any safe car you already have will do. I've seen all kinds of cars from Crown Vics to a '80's Malibu wagon on the course. It's all about the fun.

most of the people on this forum will tell you... Miata.... great choice, but look at Honda.... if you can forget about all the ricers out there and remember Honda pretty much got all this (modern era) stuff going....

ducks as the flames start his way...

I would go for the Miata. There are plenty of them for sale in our area at your price range at any given time. Hope to see you out there next season!

(asbestos underwear on)

'84-'87 Corolla Sport SR5.

Yeah, that's the AE86 chassis, but with the SOHC carb'd motor instead of the 4A-GE. It's also a slightly smaller rear diff with 3.90s instead of 4.30s (which makes it significantly more highway friendly).

You can pick them up for DIRT cheap compared to a GT-S (which would be my suggestion if you can find one in your price range, but GTS prices have been hit HARD by the drift tax; I can't find a clean one under $4k).

RWD, 50/50 weight balance, and all the GT-S suspension is identical (SR5 is stock with slight softer springs).

You'll want to snag some GT-S seats, though, the stock SR5s seats are miserable.

If you are just starting out, run whatever you have. Unless it is a jacked up 4wd. Buying a car especially for autocross. The choices usually end up in frustration trying to decide, did I buy the right one ? Do you want the "Car of the Month" or just something to have fun. The more popular the car, the more expensive.

In reply to CLNSC3:

Any suggestions where to look? I've been on CL for weeks and checking papers.

iskalla wrote: In reply to CLNSC3: Any suggestions where to look? I've been on CL for weeks and checking papers.

Try the features of www.craiglook.com as a way to advance search craigslists.

In reply to iskalla: I've seen a number of Nissan B-13/B-14's (including some SE-R's) a full grand below your price range. Some of the bodies are marginal (but everything is here in the Michigan), but that would allow you to get started and still have some cash left over for repairs or the "next" car. Inevitably, when you get into it, a certain car or at least class will jump out at you as where to want to run. (For me, I'd like to head towards a current gen Civic Si in stock form). There's too many variables to figure that out ahead of time: FWD/RWD/AWD, stock/modified, individual make/model, etc, etc, etc. There's simply no way to know where you'll want to end up, so spend as little money as you can to get started so that your next move in a year or two is financially easier. Besides, the first year or two it won't matter what you're driving, the sheer fun of driving like a maniac without losing your license will be enough. Or spend more and get a Miata, everyone seems to stick with those. Just don't expect to win anything anytime soon as there's TONS of competition in Miata classes (at least around here). Either way, welcome aboard.

First off, welcome!

As far as the car, drive what you got. We had a guy start last year with a Grand Marquis. He had a blast and learned a lot with that car. If you don't have one, show up at an autocross and watch. See what every one else is driving. Just about anything can be fun, but ending up in a class by yourself can be a little lonely.

Make sure the tires aren't dry rotted and cracked. Empty EVERYTHING out of the car and make sure the battery is tied down good. Show up early and offer to help set up and ask lots of questions. Some clubs have a novice chief to answer questions and help new people walk the course. If yours does use them. If not, pick someone and just ask for pointers. Most of them will be more than willing to help until you start beating them.

Have fun!! I have yet to find a better bunch of people than these guys. Though they do tend to be a little opinionated when it come to cars...

iskalla wrote: In reply to CLNSC3: Any suggestions where to look? I've been on CL for weeks and checking papers.

I see some nice examples on craigslist pretty often. You might want to consider looking at Seattle craigslist too, there are a lot more cars up there!

http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/cto/1478979031.html http://corvallis.craigslist.org/cto/1475058391.html

There are a couple more that are $3,000 but the owners might be willing to drop the price a little bit...

hey i started with a 82 olds delta 88 for a few years and one season i used a 95 subby leagecy wagon with stick. now i am biulding a c prepared beast.... but starts with something small and good on parts. anything will work for the first year or so. the big bet for your first year or two would be to learn to drive and have fun. after that then figure out which class to move up to and what to mod the car with. here is a couple of things to think about... stick or auto first.... rwd, fwd, or awd.... 4, 6, or 8 cylinder do you want and can afford.... what is going to be easy to find and fix.... what do you like the looks of and can you fit in it.... what is the insurane like.... which group are you ruinning with..a marqe group or an scca group and what is thier class system like...

hope this helps with things to think about from what i have learned in the p[ast few years i have been racing.

hope this ideas give