Building a "Toy"...your thoughts please

[Bugeater]

Building a \"Toy\"...your thoughts please

For all the road racers out there -
If you could build a road racing "toy" on a budget, how would you do it?

I caught the road racing bug last year and would like to get involved a little more, like joining SCCA or some other org. I would like to learn and drive more frequently, and would like to make my "mistakes" and "experiment" and perform the "what happens when you do this" in a less expensive car. I want to build a cheap, good, fixable and roadworthy car that could compete in SCCA or ??? Rearwheel driven with some power, so driving characteristics and gained experience could translate over to the Viper. Would like a smaller car, so was steering away from the Domestics. Maybe a Fox body Ford, but not my first choice....

Heres the fun part - advice on starting platforms for such an endeavor that wouldnt surpass 10,000. My initial thoughts:

Datsun 240Z - 260Z
RX7 - up to 1985 with obvious mods needed in motor & susp.
RX7 - 86 - 91
BMW 2002 or 1989 M3
Early year Miata (with modded motor of course)
Nissan 240SX?
1988 or 89 Honda CRX Si - Were they rearwheel those years?
Porsche 944 (late 80's)

Thoughts????? What would you do?

 

[v8huntr]

Re: Building a

89 or earlier E30 M3. 89 or earlier cars are lighter with out airbag.

NSX: i found lots of high mileage nsx for less then 16G. add a rollbar and you are ready to race.

93 or newer mazda rx7. buy extra engine with the car because you'll blow apex seals soon or later.

93 or newer toyota mr2 turbo. inexpensive mid engine car with toyota reliability.

90 or newer 300z twin turbo. it's not the best handling car on my list but easy and fun car to drive.

have fun.

 

[Fred(DrivingSchool)Kinder]

Re: Building a

If you want to move up the skill tree quickly start with the Skip Barber Racing program. This program is discounted 10% to VCA members and I think they have a special being offered for the race series.

Advantage:
1. Great instruction
2. You race their car-arrive and drive
3. If you change your mind you have no investment in cars tires etc.
4. You can get a SCCA driving permit


Another option:
Go to a SCCA regional event. Watch the event to see how it is run. Talk to drivers(top) to get a feel for their opinion and ask for advise. There will likely be cars for sale and perhaps an arrive and drive opportunity.

Good luck!

 

[Bugeater]

Re: Building a

v8huntr - all of those cars I have considered, but all but maybe the M3 would come in higher than 10,000 prepped. I would love a last gen RX7, or MR2 turbo, but initial cost, plus roll cage/prep would get put it over I'm sure.

As for skip barber, I planned on taking some (more) instruction from them since they are considered one of the best to learn from. I already have the investment in cars so thats really not the advantage.

Keep em coming...

 

[Frank Parise]

Re: Building a

The Bob Bondurant School in Phoenix is selling all of their race-prepared Mustangs since they have changed over to Corvettes. They have some cars that will fit within your budget. They are used, but very well-prepared.

 

[Bugeater]

Re: Building a

Thanks Frank - any place to get info on them?

 

[onerareviper]

Re: Building a

NSX: i found lots of high mileage nsx for less then 16G. add a rollbar and you are ready to race.

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NSX for less than $16,000? Can you elaborate on 'high mileage'? I never saw an NSX sell for under $20,000, but I haven't looked in a few years....

 

[v8huntr]

Re: Building a

nsx with over 120k miles. i saw few of them end of last year. some had rebuilt title but i don't thank that really matters if you are going to race the car.

i saw 88" m3 for 8g in autotrader last week.

BTW, i used to own m3,rx7 and 300zxTT and i have to say that m3 was great track car. i had group N suspension with r1 racing radials and car drove like it was on rail.

good luck finding your toy car.

 

[Bugeater]

Re: Building a

with nsx, parts will be a higher cost issue. I like the E30 M3 idea, but what about parts on that car? Can they be replaced near the cost of replacing, say parts on a Miata, 240SX, 2nd gen RX7 or Datsun (240/60/80)?