Help me pick new track car - Miata Turbo Forum - Turbo Kitten is watching you test compression.

jacob300zx · **Help me pick new track car**

This car will get beat hard. I need to be able to drive to the track rip on it and drive home. What ever I pick will probably get wheels, tires, suspension, pads and very little power mods like $500. My budget is around 10k with 3k in mod money right off the bat. Below is what I feel I can get for 10k and the pros and cons I've come up with.

S2000 2002-04 around 80k
Pros
confirmed by Emilio to beat spec miata lap records bone stock
great motor/trans/suspension
lots of track info on forums

Cons
rotors/axels/bushings go pop with hard track use
cant best stock suspension without dropping 2k (maybe springs/sways)

350z 2003-2005 around 70k
Pros
more comfortable for long trips
cheap upgrade to brembo's

Cons
needs oil cooler/diff cooler to track
may not have lsd/brembo's on some models
heavy
non existant track info

RX8 2005-06 around 70k
Pros
awesome handling out of the box
4 seats
best guage display
100k/8y engine warranty

Cons
reliablility
non existant track info

Mazdaspeed Miata 2004-05 50k
Pros
low mileage
cheap wheels/tires/brakes
comes with bilsteins for diy coilover
easy 200whp for cheap
has sways
great track info

Cons
turbo heat issues (IC/oil cooler/etc)
tip in
slower than s2k/rx8
oil puke with stock catch can

rharris19 · 10-21-2010, 02:58 PM

Dont get a 350 for the track. They are pretty damn heavy and from what I have seen, don't bode well on the track. I wouldn't really get a mazdaspeed for the track either as those turbo setups where crap to begin with. I would get an S2000 or even look at older BMWs like an E30 or E36.

Splitime · 10-21-2010, 02:59 PM

Of that group... S2k.

mx5ideways · 10-21-2010, 03:06 PM

id go with the s2k too

JayL · 10-21-2010, 03:24 PM

I'm going through the same thing right now and I ended up deciding that the S2000 was the smart way to go.

**Savington** · 10-21-2010, 03:40 PM

Off that list, I'd have an S2k as well. Put all your money into safety equipment, though, because they are fast enough to injure you off the showroom floor.

jacob300zx · 10-21-2010, 03:41 PM

I was leaning towards the s2k as well. I think I can play with some of the miata challenge unl/fast mod guys with some springs, sways, tires, pads.

Sav, whats the difference between s2k modified times and miata modified times in Cali?

ZX-Tex · 10-21-2010, 04:10 PM

V8 Miata. That can meet your budget if you can find one already built in good shape. A Ford 5.0 in an NA (Monster Miata) can be had for less than $10K from what I have seen.

+1 on the E30 or E36. From what I have heard they do well on the track in mostly stock form. I have an E36 M3 but I do not plan on tracking it. I know a NASA instructor that had one briefly (until some dumbass rear-ended him and totalled it) and he thought it was great on the track. It is a comfortable car to drive on the street as well.

jasonb · 10-21-2010, 05:39 PM

you guys are going to laugh... but you can get a really nice 240sx for 10k. should be able to get one with a sr20det or rb20det, coilovers, and aluminum calipers for < 8k i think.

start w/ something like this: http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/2015586185.html

i'm a refugee from bmw e36, so i'd have to -1 the e36 idea. mine is a '95 m3 and it pressurizes the coolant system when on track and leaks water. having that fixed is similar cost to buying a miata....

EDIT: i think the s14 chassis can be brought down to at least low 2400's without spending money.

**hustler** · 10-21-2010, 05:48 PM

S2k w/5100's. Budget 5100's for whatever you buy.

I dated a girl with a CR that I lapped for one session at MSR...I got out of that car and wept, they are so fast out of the box. I've been reliable for the last two years on my car and you know I drive it...so don't leave the Miata out of the mix. You will not find cheaper consumable on any car.

18psi · 10-21-2010, 05:55 PM

240 is by far the shittiest car mentioned yet. absolute pile of ****. only thing those pieces of **** are good for is doriftoing.

I would also suggest s2k. Or gutted/well sorted e30 bimmer.

**hustler** · 10-21-2010, 05:56 PM

Quote:
	Originally Posted by jacob300zx Sav, whats the difference between s2k modified times and miata modified times in Cali?

The S2k is faster...but not by much considering the multi-link rear, ability to stuff 275's all they way around, grossly superior power plant, and much slicker factory aero. You have to remember that 20-year old Miata's don't have that modern tech. Its a bigger car too so I imagine its much easier to drive at speed; I don't know about cars with aero like Savingaids or TSB, but I'm afraid of my car in 5th gear when loading it up.

wayne_curr · 10-21-2010, 05:57 PM

E30s have not been mentioned enough yet. Fucking awesome track car.

**hustler** · 10-21-2010, 05:57 PM

Quote:
	Originally Posted by 18psi 240 is by far the shittiest car mentioned yet. absolute pile of ****.

**hustler** · 10-21-2010, 05:58 PM

This car is pretty stout and located in Austin:

Quote:
	Originally Posted by UNvisible I've come to the realization that I will never have time to race this car, and have decided to put it for sale. I built this car to compete on a national level in GTS-2. It's very quick already, it just needs to be finished. here is a break down of most of the parts. Engine: Stock 40k mile M52 purchased from BavAuto. I got this motor from a crashed car, complete with transmission and driveshaft for the swap. Treehouse racing wiring harness adapter S50 OBD1 intake manifold K&N intake (with restrictor plate). This car makes 200whp or 180whp with restrictor plate. 100% maintained and ready to go with new water pump, serpintine belt and wired oil pump nut. Have numerous receipts. Transmission: Stock ZF320 and stock clutch Suspension/Diff/wheels Fully built diffsonline.com 3.73 rear end. This is a $3k dollar diff. Mix/Mash of TCKline and GC parts. GC Coil overs / TCK springs Tree house lollipops The car includes two sets of 15x8 TR motorsports wheels, and two sets of hoosier R6's in 245/50/15. I built the car around these tires, and they may look silly, but they have an enormous contact patch. Aero - Custom 15 chord fulcrum aero rear element, tied into trunk floor, with 12 and 14 inch stanchions. Complete from splitter and under tray that goes just behind the oil pan and is adjustable. Video of the car at TWS before the aero, and before the steering wheel http://www.vimeo.com/7973718 asking $12k

Let me know if you're interested and I'll contact the dude selling it. It ran consistent high 1:20's, low 20's on the hot lap at MSR-C.

18psi · 10-21-2010, 06:26 PM

Quote:
	Originally Posted by wayne_curr E30s have not been mentioned enough yet. Fucking awesome track car.

I'll just keep quoting this til they've been mentioned "enough" lol

also, what about mr-s or mr2?
cheap, fairly light, MR powerplant. toyota engine.

they look gay stock much like miatas but with some pulled fenders or widebody kit or something outrageous I think it would look badass and tuck some meaty tires.

jasonb · 10-21-2010, 06:58 PM

Quote:
	Originally Posted by 18psi 240 is by far the shittiest car mentioned yet. absolute pile of **. only thing those pieces of ** are good for is doriftoing.

i knew i was gonna catch something... but boy, tough crowd. the only thing i could see myself trading my miata for is a lotus (exige/elise/elan), old 911, or a track day car like an atom or radical. everything else has a worse $/fun ratio than a NA miata (if not considering AWD evo/sti). actually, the 911 has a worse $/fun, but i like them.

if you would just give a decent budget, i would say go historic f1 racing with something like this: http://carclassic.com/stock.asp?Ref=DF36&Lang=en

EDIT: Re: E30's, don't those toe out when loading rear suspension? (trailing arm suspension). if so, i think you will be disappointed in their track manners as compared to miata.

bellwilliam · 10-21-2010, 10:15 PM

Quote:
	Originally Posted by jacob300zx Sav, whats the difference between s2k modified times and miata modified times in Cali?

I've ran both Miata and S2K challenge.

at buttonwillow #13

Spec Miata record - 2:05
fastest Miata Challenge Mod is 2:03s, Emilio's rental

fastest bone stock S2000 (not CR) with good street tires (RSR595) - 2:05
fastest street class S2000 (not CR), this is street tire, single adjustable shock, small rear wing, lowering spring (but not stiff), this is basically a CR - 2:03 in summer, so probably 2:02s in winter.
fastest street tire mod class S2000 (big wing, front splitter, coilover, but streetable - full A/C, radio, etc..)- 1:59s
fastest r-comp mod class S2000 - 1:57s

kaisersoze · 10-21-2010, 11:10 PM

Probably the only other relatively cheap trackday car that would meet your needs is a corvette earlier model Z06 say 2004. Sacrilege, I know.
Yes it is heavier and tires aren't cheap but brake rotors are. The drivetrain is pretty reliable out of the box. More so than most FI miatas. They don't handle too bad either.

turotufas · 10-22-2010, 12:10 AM

Quote:
	Originally Posted by 18psi 240 is by far the shittiest car mentioned yet. absolute pile of **. only thing those pieces of ** are good for is doriftoing.

My brothers 240sx would own you. And its on stock power. How about that one. Jerk my dick...