WWGRM do? Autocross content inside.

So 4 years ago I bought a 97 Answer and since then have learned a lot. Sharpened my skills as a driver and as a mechanic. But now I don't like the car very much any more. So I may have a buyer lined up for it. Obviously I'll lose money and probably regret selling it but I want something I can DD, autocross on street tires, something with cruise control and air conditioning.

So WWGRM do? Let's say I can get $5,500 for the CSPish car, what is out there that's fun? Reasonably non-sucky to autocross in a street class? Buy in for under 5 grand and not have catastrophic "gotchas" waiting around every corner.

SN-95 Mustang?

BMW 3-series of generation of your choice? I'm not anti-Sky_Render's-suggestion, mind you.

Maybe more to the point, what would you like more than a '97 Answer?

"Non-sucky to autocross and not a Miata" is pretty broad... What don't you like about the Miata?

Is it the Miata, or just the prep level that you don't like anymore? What about going back to ST* or even ES, or getting a car that's already set up for one of those classes?

In reply to cmcgregor:

...Alternatively, what about taking it up to SSM or XP?

In reply to KyAllroad:

C4 Vette comes to mind, though you may have more fun running it in CAM-S as-is, depending on your local competition.

It's a combination of things, mostly it either needs cubic money to go into SSM and have real power or aggressive attention to the little things (all expensive) to be a really good CSP car. But as a daily it no longer has AC. It never had cruise control. It's 20 years old and while it's stiff, it rattles and squeaks, and carries on too much for general comfort. A race seat and 5 point harness make dailying a chore. 700 lb springs are jarring. Poly bushings are abusive.

As many of you have experienced, ruining a car by making it "better" is a thing.

Also, my son is 15 and wants to get into autocross as soon as he's legal. I feel like learning how to control a car on street tires is a better choice than dropping him behind the wheel of something that can cover mistakes so completely.

WRX? ACR or SRT neon?

Maybe something that would run cam?

STX-lite prepped BMW or RX-8.

I don't think I would have much fun autocrossing on stock spring rates anymore(at least in that price range).

Once you've gone stiff...

https://cincinnati.craigslist.org/cto/6194658196.html

Speed3?

https://cincinnati.craigslist.org/cto/6153244985.html

Speed6?

KyAllroad wrote: https://cincinnati.craigslist.org/cto/6194658196.html Speed3?

The Speed3 would be a lot of fun to run in GS.

KyAllroad wrote: 700 lb springs are jarring.

Not with good dampers

I didn't daily mine, but my '90 answer was on R888s and 800/500 XIDAs (and fixed back seats and 5-pt harnesses), and even ex-SWMBO'd didn't have a problem with it.

How much do you care about autox class competitiveness? The only real competitive choices I can think of in that price range are the NB Miata and the MRS in ES.

Buy an ES 1999-2005 Miata. Keep the A/C. Buy a set of the more economical second-tier 300-200TW street tires. Keep stock type shocks. Add a front sway bar and go have fun.

You can probably find an already built STX RX-8 in that price range.

You can definitely find an already built STX E36 in that price range (although they're starting to become uncompetitive in STX).

You can find already built STS Civics and CRXes in that range, although most people don't want to daily a 30 year old car that has been essentially converted into a race car.

Any SN95 you find in that price range won't be competitive in any class. They're way uncompetitive in FS and once STP gets on solid footing, they won't be competitive there either.

You can find an EP3 Civic SI for that and run it in HS or STF (although that class is likely going away). You can likely find a high mileage 8th gen SI for that price, which is still a fairly competitive HS car.

Hmm other RWD options - maybe really high mileage 350Z's are falling that low? That would be a bit of a project probably.

Another vote for a 3'er

I've seen too many rotaries pop (full disclosure - owned an FD RX7 and two RX8s).

How about a thoroughly grown up version of the Miata: a 2002 BMW Z3 in minty fresh condition? M52 motor, 5 speed, hard top and convertible. Lower miles and maintained by a retentive enthusiast. Should run in D-Street already has Koni Sport shocks.

Parts will cost a little more. Classing is a little less competitive. For what you want it sounds like it would still be lots of fun.

moxnix wrote: How much do you care about autox class competitiveness? The only real competitive choices I can think of in that price range are the NB Miata and the MRS in ES.

MRS would be a fun car.

+1 on the E-Street NB Miata. Cheapest and most competitive autox car I can think of, plus your son will learn a lot driving it.

6 cylinder Z3's are in CS, not DS - so they're against NB and ND Miatas, RX-8's, and even the M Roadster/M Coupe, and FRSBRZ with the trunk kit.

So not really competitive anymore. The 4 cylinder Z3 is actually more competitive in ES.

Kart?

6 cylinder. Very, very nice condition and within $250 of what I'm getting for the CSPish Miata.

drdisque wrote: 6 cylinder Z3's are in CS, not DS - so they're against NB and ND Miatas, RX-8's, and even the M Roadster/M Coupe, and FRSBRZ with the trunk kit.

Z3 M Roadster (and I assume Coupe as well) is in B/Street.

What's your priority? Comfort or handling? The Z3 will be pretty comfy, but I'd imagine an MRS will be a lot more rewarding to autoX