Best car to track with under 20k

warzilla · 11-19-2009, 04:33 PM

Ok, so I'm going to ask you guys for some track advice here. I want to start taking track lessons and prepare myself for track trips starting next year. Don't really want to use my e92 M3 for now. So what I'm thinking of is buying a 2nd car to use for track and here are my requirements:

- must be under $18k-20k
- light and nimble to drive
- manual
- prefer rear-wheel drive

Here are my early selection of cars I'm thinking of. If any of you guys had these cars now and used them on the track, please give me your opinion on them. Anything would be appreciated. Thank you in advance.

1. Porsche 944 turbo - maybe a turbo s version (89-90)
2. Mini Cooper S (drove one today, and liked it but was weird driving front-wheel drive)
3. e46 M3 - a early version (01-03)
4. Porsche Boxster S - 1st gen (00 - 03)
5. Mazda Miata - latest model, soft top

noxredna · 11-19-2009, 04:41 PM

You might want to consider a high milleage E46 M3 which you could get about 14-15k, leaves you with 5 k or so for mods.

I'll do a roll cage, gut out interior, bucket seats and invest on tire and wheels..

plus I'm sure you can sell parts of the interior when you gut out and OEM wheels.. you can probably raise another 1k to 2k.

Or maybe consider a high milleage Lotus Elise too

skim · 11-19-2009, 04:43 PM

not on your list, but i vote for s2k.
had one and it was the best, for following reasons, car i've owned to date
- cheap (relatively), ap1 can be had for low 10s, ap2, mid 10s
- reliable
- easy to maintain, just oil/fluid changes
- a lot of mods available for cheap whether new or used
- BEST manual transmission ever

edit: best as in as a fun car, not as best car ever

MrHarris · 11-19-2009, 05:01 PM

S2k all the way, plus u get a droptop!

FStop7 · 11-19-2009, 05:12 PM

C5 Corvette

rjd598 · 11-19-2009, 05:13 PM

m3

Nawaaz · 11-19-2009, 05:25 PM

Give a used Evo 8/9 a shot.

Even though you prefer a rear wheel drive vehicle, the Evo is still a SUPER fun track car.....And it has tons of potential.

bavarian19 · 11-19-2009, 05:25 PM

Why not your current car? I would see it as a waste to purchase another car just for fun in tracking if you are just starting out. Pay for the new rubber...

HappyNDing · 11-19-2009, 05:29 PM

If it's solely for track only then I'll take the Miata. It's RWD, very light and is known to be quite the handler with track enthusiasts. Also, the other cars on your list will cost way more than a Miata to maintain annually (except maybe the Mini but reliability isn't its strong suit) so it's up to you how much you are willing to spend to keep up a track-only car.

In addition, I've seen some used Elises go for around $25k and that is no doubt (IMO) the best track car for the money.

RENN Spec · 11-19-2009, 05:29 PM

S2k track car!

sehrgut · 11-19-2009, 05:32 PM

A nicely modded RX7 fd could be on the toplist as well.

RedlineMotorworks · 11-19-2009, 06:17 PM

E36 M3!!

You'll have plenty of cash left for suspension, wheels and tires, roll cage, etc.

TRZ06 · 11-19-2009, 06:27 PM

01' Corvette Z06

von_zoom · 11-19-2009, 07:16 PM

Look around. You can get a fairly good E36 ready for the track with cage, tires and wheels, 15K plus/minus. I also agree with the Miata. Great roller skate - momentum car.
vz

warzilla · 11-19-2009, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skim

not on your list, but i vote for s2k.
had one and it was the best, for following reasons, car i've owned to date
- cheap (relatively), ap1 can be had for low 10s, ap2, mid 10s
- reliable
- easy to maintain, just oil/fluid changes
- a lot of mods available for cheap whether new or used
- BEST manual transmission ever

edit: best as in as a fun car, not as best car ever

I totally forgot about the s2000, thank you for pointing it out.

Thank you guys for the responses so far, its been great.

M3V8Driver · 11-19-2009, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HappyNDing

If it's solely for track only then I'll take the Miata. It's RWD, very light and is known to be quite the handler with track enthusiasts. Also, the other cars on your list will cost way more than a Miata to maintain annually (except maybe the Mini but reliability isn't its strong suit) so it's up to you how much you are willing to spend to keep up a track-only car.

In addition, I've seen some used Elises go for around $25k and that is no doubt (IMO) the best track car for the money.

+1 !!!

Subw00er · 11-19-2009, 11:10 PM

c5 z06, s2000, miata. In that order.

I've owned the first two and tracked both. z06 is very fast and cheap to run - try to get 405hp version. s2000 will only work if your shorter - rollbar eats up 3-4 inches of seat recline.

j0k3r · 11-20-2009, 01:02 AM

S2K. Fantastic car, great tranny, high revving like the M3. Very fun drive.

consolidated · 11-20-2009, 08:46 AM

After looking into Spec 944, I was told parts are becoming harder to find.

I recall some organizations are not allowing Mini's in DE's anymore, might look into how they lose their doors in a roll.

attila · 11-20-2009, 09:30 AM

I would go for the MX-5!
They are really fun on the track! I was suprised how responsive that small car is. Pluss very cheap to mod compare to our M3. if you put a supercharger or a turbo on it, you would got a really fast car. Brakes, exhaust, coilovers etc way much cheaper and you will have a great selection.
However the cheapest solution is to use your 20K on your M3 and take it to the track.

attbimmer · 11-20-2009, 10:24 PM

I vote S2K for same reasons mentioned above or E36 M3. There are plenty of E36 M3 track cars available for under 20k and they are a lot more fun on track than an E9x M3.

JC919 · 11-20-2009, 11:06 PM

I'd say if you can find one e46M all the way. Other than that I'd go the S2K route

11-19-2009, 04:33 PM	#1
warzilla Lieutenant 148 Rep 598 Posts Drives: E46 M3, f31 330, f31 328d Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: NYC iTrader: (-1)	Best car to track with under 20k Ok, so I'm going to ask you guys for some track advice here. I want to start taking track lessons and prepare myself for track trips starting next year. Don't really want to use my e92 M3 for now. So what I'm thinking of is buying a 2nd car to use for track and here are my requirements: - must be under $18k-20k - light and nimble to drive - manual - prefer rear-wheel drive Here are my early selection of cars I'm thinking of. If any of you guys had these cars now and used them on the track, please give me your opinion on them. Anything would be appreciated. Thank you in advance. 1. Porsche 944 turbo - maybe a turbo s version (89-90) 2. Mini Cooper S (drove one today, and liked it but was weird driving front-wheel drive) 3. e46 M3 - a early version (01-03) 4. Porsche Boxster S - 1st gen (00 - 03) 5. Mazda Miata - latest model, soft top __________________ 2006 M3 ZHP in IB (Crashed) \| 2005 M3 ZHP in IB (Sold) 2004 M3 in IR - Current 2018 330ix Wagon - Current 2017 328d Wagon - Current
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11-19-2009, 04:41 PM	#2
noxredna Captain 63 Rep 672 Posts Drives: E92 M3, E30 M3, 1M, F10 M5 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Singapore & San Fransisco iTrader: (0)	You might want to consider a high milleage E46 M3 which you could get about 14-15k, leaves you with 5 k or so for mods. I'll do a roll cage, gut out interior, bucket seats and invest on tire and wheels.. plus I'm sure you can sell parts of the interior when you gut out and OEM wheels.. you can probably raise another 1k to 2k. Or maybe consider a high milleage Lotus Elise too
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11-19-2009, 04:43 PM	#3
skim Captain 142 Rep 660 Posts Drives: 07 Z4MC Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0)	not on your list, but i vote for s2k. had one and it was the best, for following reasons, car i've owned to date - cheap (relatively), ap1 can be had for low 10s, ap2, mid 10s - reliable - easy to maintain, just oil/fluid changes - a lot of mods available for cheap whether new or used - BEST manual transmission ever edit: best as in as a fun car, not as best car ever __________________ Future mod consideration: exhaust, pulley otherwise, very happy with how the m3 was born
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11-19-2009, 05:01 PM	#4
MrHarris yodog 197 Rep 5,026 Posts Drives: '86 Corolla Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Diamond Bar, Ca iTrader: (5) Garage List 2009 BMW [10.00]	S2k all the way, plus u get a droptop! __________________ 2009 E92 M3 \| Alpine White \| Black Extended \| Advan RS \| Turner Test Pipes \| Dinan Axle-Back \| OETuning \| Eibach Springs \| UUC SSK \| VRS Front Lip \| VRS Type I Diffuser \| Matte Black \| RPi Scoops \| MS Filter \| Yokohama AD08 \| F1 Pinnacle Special Thanks: Gintani \| OETuning \| eAs
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11-19-2009, 05:12 PM	#5
FStop7 I like cars 329 Rep 5,052 Posts Drives: M6 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Newbury Park, CA iTrader: (3)	C5 Corvette __________________ My photostream: http://www.flickr.com/photos/racelap/
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11-19-2009, 05:13 PM	#6
rjd598 Banned 1770 Rep 6,696 Posts Drives: F30 340i Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: San Diego,CA iTrader: (2) Garage List 2016 BMW 340i [0.00]	m3
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11-19-2009, 05:25 PM	#7
Nawaaz Brigadier General 221 Rep 4,643 Posts Drives: . Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: . iTrader: (0)	Give a used Evo 8/9 a shot. Even though you prefer a rear wheel drive vehicle, the Evo is still a SUPER fun track car.....And it has tons of potential.
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11-19-2009, 05:25 PM	#8
bavarian19 General 517 Rep 18,858 Posts Drives: Car Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: VA iTrader: (23)	Why not your current car? I would see it as a waste to purchase another car just for fun in tracking if you are just starting out. Pay for the new rubber...
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11-19-2009, 05:29 PM	#9
HappyNDing Private First Class 4 Rep 161 Posts Drives: It drives me Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: E. Bay iTrader: (0)	If it's solely for track only then I'll take the Miata. It's RWD, very light and is known to be quite the handler with track enthusiasts. Also, the other cars on your list will cost way more than a Miata to maintain annually (except maybe the Mini but reliability isn't its strong suit) so it's up to you how much you are willing to spend to keep up a track-only car. In addition, I've seen some used Elises go for around $25k and that is no doubt (IMO) the best track car for the money.
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11-19-2009, 05:29 PM	#10
RENN Spec Major 141 Rep 1,314 Posts Drives: 488 Pista, M2CS, Tundra Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Arcadia, CA iTrader: (3)	S2k track car!
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11-19-2009, 05:32 PM	#11
sehrgut Major 33 Rep 1,033 Posts Drives: emthree Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: socal iTrader: (1)	A nicely modded RX7 fd could be on the toplist as well.
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11-19-2009, 06:17 PM	#12
RedlineMotorworks Banned 189 Rep 2,502 Posts Drives: 6.2L F-150 Raptor Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Redline Motorworks iTrader: (19)	E36 M3!! You'll have plenty of cash left for suspension, wheels and tires, roll cage, etc.
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11-19-2009, 06:27 PM	#13
TRZ06 Lieutenant Colonel 629 Rep 1,755 Posts Drives: 16' M3 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (0)	01' Corvette Z06 __________________ 18? Camaro 2SS 1LE 16' M3 MG Ext. /SO Int. (DCT, Ohlin R/T, 19" wheels) 15' Audi S4 13' Audi TTRS (APR stage 1, MSS springs) 09' C6 Z06 08' M3 Interlagos Blue: 6sp, Tech.
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11-19-2009, 07:16 PM	#14
von_zoom Captain 30 Rep 915 Posts Drives: 2010 Z06 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: North Carolina iTrader: (0)	Look around. You can get a fairly good E36 ready for the track with cage, tires and wheels, 15K plus/minus. I also agree with the Miata. Great roller skate - momentum car. vz __________________ Previous Track Toy
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11-19-2009, 11:10 PM	#17
Subw00er Bates '08 Interlagos Launch 126 Rep 1,230 Posts Drives: 440i xGC, ZL1, JCW Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: NY iTrader: (2)	c5 z06, s2000, miata. In that order. I've owned the first two and tracked both. z06 is very fast and cheap to run - try to get 405hp version. s2000 will only work if your shorter - rollbar eats up 3-4 inches of seat recline. __________________ Custom Exhaust Project: Bates Valvetronic exhaust: http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=253661 -- Exhaust Mod pics in here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/40236795@N03/ DON'T BUY Race Ready Performance electronic cutout valves. Here's why: http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthr...40#post9589740
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11-20-2009, 01:02 AM	#18
j0k3r E90 soon... 1 Rep 43 Posts Drives: E46 M3 Join Date: May 2009 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (0)	S2K. Fantastic car, great tranny, high revving like the M3. Very fun drive.
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11-20-2009, 08:46 AM	#19
consolidated Lieutenant Colonel 205 Rep 1,864 Posts Drives: F80 M3 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Texas iTrader: (2) Garage List 2016 Porsche GT4 [0.00] 1999 Porsche Spec B ... [0.00] 2014 Ram 1500 Laram ... [0.00] 2007 Porsche GT3 RS [10.00] 2013 Tesla Model S 85 [0.00]	After looking into Spec 944, I was told parts are becoming harder to find. I recall some organizations are not allowing Mini's in DE's anymore, might look into how they lose their doors in a roll.
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11-20-2009, 09:30 AM	#20
attila Captain 83 Rep 629 Posts Drives: 2015 Mclaren 650s, 2015 GTS4, Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Omaha, NE iTrader: (0)	I would go for the MX-5! They are really fun on the track! I was suprised how responsive that small car is. Pluss very cheap to mod compare to our M3. if you put a supercharger or a turbo on it, you would got a really fast car. Brakes, exhaust, coilovers etc way much cheaper and you will have a great selection. However the cheapest solution is to use your 20K on your M3 and take it to the track.
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11-20-2009, 10:24 PM	#21
attbimmer Second Lieutenant 13 Rep 260 Posts Drives: '08 E90 M3, '88 E30 M3 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: socal iTrader: (5)	I vote S2K for same reasons mentioned above or E36 M3. There are plenty of E36 M3 track cars available for under 20k and they are a lot more fun on track than an E9x M3. __________________
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11-20-2009, 11:06 PM	#22
JC919 Lieutenant Colonel 72 Rep 1,804 Posts Drives: CSL Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Aberdeen, Scotland iTrader: (0)	I'd say if you can find one e46M all the way. Other than that I'd go the S2K route __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] 2007 GT3 Clubsport w/CGT buckets in Scotland 2003 CSL, SG, Alcon BBK SOLD 2002 M5, SSII/Blk and bone stock. In storage back home in TX 2008 M3, AW/Blk 6MT, lots of track stuff SOLD
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