What Car? Low Dollar Rallycross Edition

After reading the numerous rallyx build threads and especially 95maxrider's e28 thread I have the itch. Luckily it looks like the DC area has a big rallyx contingent and I know many of them are on this board. I don't want to subject my M3 to the abuses of rallyx so that brings me to the What car portion.

I want to keep it RWD, manual, and close to challenge budget, but I am willing to go higher if needed. My main focus is just getting out there and having fun. I would like to not be way off the pace but reliability is absolutely the priority. I want to be out on course as much as possible.

I asked myself the same question around this time last year. I ended up with a 1st generation Toyota MR2. I am very happy with my decision so far although I have yet to hit the course. The mid engine design helps mitigate some of the issues with RWD cars in the dirt. It has also been surprisingly easy to work on with lots of room in the engine bay. Parts are fairly cheap since it shares much with the corollas of the time period. It is very light so less stress is placed on suspension components. Here's my build thread:

https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/build-projects-and-project-cars/maniacs-87-toyota-mr2-build-thread/106740/page1/

I just went through lots and lots of searches for this exact thing. Short list below:

E30, E36, Miata (need factory hardtop), MR2 (Mk1 or Mk2), Mustang GT, SN95 preferred, Old Corolla/Celica, 240sx (best of luck @ this budget), Volvo 240/242, Pontiac Fiero, Z31 300ZX Turbo

IMO, the E30, E36, Miata, and MR2 are going to be the most competitive, proven, and reliable. Second tier is the Mustang GT (rear suspension not ideal), RWD Celica, and Fiero. Third tier is all others. Everything on this list can win a national championship with the right driver, depending on class.

My rallyx miata was under challenge budget but finding one with a hardtop under challenge budget can be a challenge.

You already know BMW's somewhat so why not a regular E30/E36?

Also the next DC SCCA rallyx event is in Catlett, VA so a little closer to you than our normal events if you want to come out and watch even if you odn't have your car yet.

Maniac0301 wrote: I asked myself the same question around this time last year. I ended up with a 1st generation Toyota MR2. I am very happy with my decision so far although I have yet to hit the course. The mid engine design helps mitigate some of the issues with RWD cars in the dirt. It has also been surprisingly easy to work on with lots of room in the engine bay. Parts are fairly cheap since it shares much with the corollas of the time period. It is very light so less stress is placed on suspension components. Here's my build thread: https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/build-projects-and-project-cars/maniacs-87-toyota-mr2-build-thread/106740/page1/

Good read, thanks! Good buy at $400.

BTD wrote: I just went through lots and lots of searches for this exact thing. Short list below: E30, E36, Miata (need factory hardtop), MR2 (Mk1 or Mk2), Mustang GT, SN95 preferred, Old Corolla/Celica, 240sx (best of luck @ this budget), Volvo 240/242, Pontiac Fiero, Z31 300ZX Turbo IMO, the E30, E36, Miata, and MR2 are going to be the most competitive, proven, and reliable. Second tier is the Mustang GT (rear suspension not ideal), RWD Celica, and Fiero. Third tier is all others. Everything on this list can win a national championship with the right driver, depending on class.

The e30, e36, and miata were basically what I had thought of. I would love an e30 but it seems like they are hard to grab cheap now? I would like to stay away from the e36 chasis just because I already have one and want to try something different.

moxnix wrote: Also the next DC SCCA rallyx event is in Catlett, VA so a little closer to you than our normal events if you want to come out and watch even if you odn't have your car yet.

I definitely would love to make it out for that

The event information should be on the facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/wdcrrallycross/

Just set your search up on craigslist for RWD and manual a little above your price range and see what pops up in your area. Not that I run a search like that ever........

There are a bunch of E36's out there in that price range. Not that I would know.....

Here is a nice 240 wagon http://richmond.craigslist.org/cto/5526467196.html

V6 firebird? http://richmond.craigslist.org/cto/5522250706.html

Mustang GT that needs work? http://richmond.craigslist.org/cto/5487425075.html

E46? http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/cto/5509841057.html http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/mld/cto/5520292830.html

Don't hesitate. Don't even care too much. Buy the first rwd, manual you find. It's rally. You WILL be fixing it. You WILL be maintaining. So "knowing how to work on it" is irrelevant. You're in this for fun right? You ARE in this for fun?!?!? Therefore, "competitive", is irrelevant. Everything is irrelevant. Buy car. Rally. Rumple that beer can. Repeat. Win at life.

Ours might be for sale soon. Its me and my buddy's car, but he's getting married and I have enough of my own projects. Would go for around the $1500 mark. Where are you located?

Volvo 240 is the route that I'd go. I'd add an insane 5.38 R&P, limited slip and oe turbo bits and enjoy.

I keep posting this; eventually someone'll listen.

volvoclearinghouse wrote: I keep posting this; eventually someone will find one that is more metal than rust.

FTFY

In reply to volvoclearinghouse:

If you find me one under challenge budget, I'll buy it myself. Love those !

In reply to IndyJoe:

I have somewhere around a dozen. All need work. Some even have titles. You can have your pick for $2016.

fiesta54 wrote:

Maniac0301 wrote: I asked myself the same question around this time last year. I ended up with a 1st generation Toyota MR2. I am very happy with my decision so far although I have yet to hit the course. The mid engine design helps mitigate some of the issues with RWD cars in the dirt. It has also been surprisingly easy to work on with lots of room in the engine bay. Parts are fairly cheap since it shares much with the corollas of the time period. It is very light so less stress is placed on suspension components. Here's my build thread: https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/build-projects-and-project-cars/maniacs-87-toyota-mr2-build-thread/106740/page1/

Good read, thanks! Good buy at $400.

Thanks, if you are in the Orlando area theres a Shell for sale for $650 and what looks like a pretty complete long block for $350 on Craigslist. I'm sure a bit of negotiations could drop those considerably. I also can say good things about E36, E46, Inline 6 with a straight pipe sound soooo good.

If you're DC area, just come to our next event and talk to people. There will be several of us with e30s (by far the most popular RWD model in this region so lots of people with knowledge and spares at every event), a few volvos, a couple e36s (including Nick's M3), and a few Miatas. Also a few other random things here and there like an MR2. In this region, the BMWs and Miatas have dominated historically. Corey's Volvo 240 is fast when it's running (it's a 740 Turbo swap). E36s just keep in mind you'll probably need to do some reinforcement of things, especially in the rear subframe/suspension. But all in all, the Miatas and e30s are pretty damn reliable and rarely do the ones that come out fail to finish (and some of them are real beaters). Four guys locally have been beating the crap out of an early ETA 325 with little maintenance for about 6 seasons now (3-4 drivers) and they can't seem to kill it. And they also finish on the podium pretty constantly. Mine has had almost zero problems in four years (though I do a lot of preventative upgrades).

I woudln't say e30s are hard to find cheap. We were just looking at a $1000 early 318i in running condition the other day. It won't be terribly fast initially, but I did ok in my first season with an M10 (and I won last year MR with the M42, also a 4-cylinder).

a bit over challenge budget, but not by much: http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/mld/cto/5528521673.html

another similar one http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/doc/cto/5515054849.html

http://baltimore.craigslist.org/cto/5527124710.html

There's also a mid-atlantic e30 facebook group and our page (dirty e-thirties) that you can join and people post cars FS there a lot.

alternately, if you want to go Nick's route, here's a good deal on an M30 e28 535 that shoudl be competitive on our big, open courses (at least as much as Nick's was)

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/cto/5491993829.html

In reply to Desmond:

I am in VA. I would be very interested. Where are you?

irish44j wrote: alternately, if you want to go Nick's route, here's a good deal on an M30 e28 535 that shoudl be competitive on our big, open courses (at least as much as Nick's was) http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/cto/5491993829.html

I read his thread beginning to end and was very sad how it ended but sounds like he has a new toy now. I've actually been talking to the owner of that car for a week or so. It's pretty rusty and it takes him awhile to respond.

irish44j wrote: If you're DC area, just come to our next event and talk to people. There will be several of us with e30s (by far the most popular RWD model in this region so lots of people with knowledge and spares at every event), a few volvos, a couple e36s (including Nick's M3), and a few Miatas. Also a few other random things here and there like an MR2. In this region, the BMWs and Miatas have dominated historically. Corey's Volvo 240 is fast when it's running (it's a 740 Turbo swap). E36s just keep in mind you'll probably need to do some reinforcement of things, especially in the rear subframe/suspension. But all in all, the Miatas and e30s are pretty damn reliable and rarely do the ones that come out fail to finish (and some of them are real beaters). Four guys locally have been beating the crap out of an early ETA 325 with little maintenance for about 6 seasons now (3-4 drivers) and they can't seem to kill it. And they also finish on the podium pretty constantly. Mine has had almost zero problems in four years (though I do a lot of preventative upgrades). I woudln't say e30s are hard to find cheap. We were just looking at a $1000 early 318i in running condition the other day. It won't be terribly fast initially, but I did ok in my first season with an M10 (and I won last year MR with the M42, also a 4-cylinder). a bit over challenge budget, but not by much: http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/mld/cto/5528521673.html another similar one http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/doc/cto/5515054849.html http://baltimore.craigslist.org/cto/5527124710.html There's also a mid-atlantic e30 facebook group and our page (dirty e-thirties) that you can join and people post cars FS there a lot.

I missed this post. I am actually talking to the owner of the blue e30 right now. May be taking a trip up to DC on Sunday to check it out

Well, drop me a message if you do, especially if it's in the morning. I may be headed down that direction to hit the pick-and-pull if you want a second set of eyes.

fiesta54 wrote:

irish44j wrote: alternately, if you want to go Nick's route, here's a good deal on an M30 e28 535 that shoudl be competitive on our big, open courses (at least as much as Nick's was) http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/cto/5491993829.html

I read his thread beginning to end and was very sad how it ended but sounds like he has a new toy now. I've actually been talking to the owner of that car for a week or so. It's pretty rusty and it takes him awhile to respond.

I personally think how well he did was because Nick is an excellent driver, not because the car was exceedingly capable necessarily. It was cool to watch it, but in the end he had it as fast as he could get it to be, really, and it wasn't enough in the end. It was better in our big open Frostburg course but I think would have not been as competitive on some of the tighter courses that many regions run (and that we may run in Catlett). Plus parts availability for performacne stuff is way less on the e28 than an e30 or e36.

irish44j wrote: Well, drop me a message if you do, especially if it's in the morning. I may be headed down that direction to hit the pick-and-pull if you want a second set of eyes.

Consider it done. I could definitely use someone that know what they are looking at.

irish44j wrote:

fiesta54 wrote:

irish44j wrote: alternately, if you want to go Nick's route, here's a good deal on an M30 e28 535 that shoudl be competitive on our big, open courses (at least as much as Nick's was) http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/cto/5491993829.html

I read his thread beginning to end and was very sad how it ended but sounds like he has a new toy now. I've actually been talking to the owner of that car for a week or so. It's pretty rusty and it takes him awhile to respond.

I personally think how well he did was because Nick is an excellent driver, not because the car was exceedingly capable necessarily. It was cool to watch it, but in the end he had it as fast as he could get it to be, really, and it wasn't enough in the end. It was better in our big open Frostburg course but I think would have not been as competitive on some of the tighter courses that many regions run (and that we may run in Catlett). Plus parts availability for performacne stuff is way less on the e28 than an e30 or e36.

Yea I could definitely see it not being as nimble. I'm currently working my way through your 110 page thread over on r3v

lol....btw I have the same thread carbon-copied here ;)