Chris GTO TT

Wheels look good storm S1s are a good Miata wheel.

Someone is supposed to come look at the Miata tomorrow, and I'm slightly hesitant to sell it now

For under $10k, you've already got the best choice...

 

$10-15k - NC2/3, BRZ/FRS. Push the budget a bit more, and you're into ND1 territory.

 

For under $10k, you could probably pick up an NC1 with a blown engine and do a 2.5 swap, but that would be a project, and IIRC that was the problem with your NA.

 

The other possible option is to pick up a complete/finished race car. You could probably pick up something interesting (maybe vintage?) in that price range, but you'd lose street capability, which means towing it to the track.

 

I can't remember, do you still have the Expedition, or did it get totaled?

I'm not opposed to giving up track/autox ability for more street use. Part of why I was looking at the Mazda3.

Yeah I was looking at earlier NCs and even think about an NC3. If I could find a white NC3 Club with cloth top local I'd probably be willing to go to that 15k mark. I'd leave it stock and just run it in the stock autox class.

I had an explorer that was totaled, but I replaced it with a 2007 Sequoia so I can still tow.

Among those choices, I'd definitely go NC.

 

Our NC was pretty good on track... still easy on consumables, and can fit 255 rubber. With the PRHT, it was a pretty good daily, but still a bit spartan and noisy compared to an actual coupe.

 

Are the Twins (FRS/BRZ) dropping into your price range yet? Not a very inspiring motor, but still a great low cost track toy.

 

A C5 'Vette could be had for the same kind of money, but you're looking at more costly repairs, consumables and insurance. Order of magnitude more performance, though...

I'm really aiming to try and stay below $10k, but if I find something I can't resist I'm willing to push it to $15k but really not sure about going that far above budget. FRS/BRZ are usually $13k+

Hopefully not too OT.. I'm also wanting to try some auto-x (did it once last year) and some HPDE stuff. But, I can't justify a car JUST for that, since I could do that max 10 times a year, and then 1-2 days a week to work and back. Meanwhile, every day I drive kids to school, and drive the family around on weekends. So, I'm looking for a fun sedan that can stretch to do some auto-x/track duty. If I end up doing it a lot, THEN I can look at a beater DD + fun track car..

Honestly if you think you'll do 10 events a year you should look at separate cars. Even if you're doing 5 a year I'd still recommend a separate car. Can I interest you in a Miata?

Yeah I've thought about it but I have this vicious feedback loop. I don't feel like I do enough track days to justify making it a real track only car, but it's not good enough for me really want to spend more time on the track.

One of my thoughts is to pick up a 6spd manual Mazda3. Yes it's FWD but it'd be a hoot on the track or autox while not punishing me on the street. Other options include tracking down a 6spd LSD NC, or a 2.0 WRX.

For now it looks like I'll be keeping the wheels and the seat based on the interest I've gotten thus far.

I'm honestly not sure what I want to do next. I'm just tired of how much road noise it has and how it mostly just sits. I actually drove it for the first time in almost 2 months yesterday.

Gotta love Laguna pipes!

And holy crap what does the Stealth mode do with the exhaust?

nooo!

I'm kinda bored/annoyed with it lately. It's loud, uncomfortable and kinda difficult to use for anything other than track days/autox. And really I only have the coilovers on it now with the Marrad seat.

I'm thinking of throwing mine up on CL/FB to see what kind of trade offers I get

Yeah I watched a bunch of the race. I'm glad I stayed up till midnight last night to see the end of the coverage on NBCSN. Then this morning was red flagged. I'm bummed the Mazdas had trouble again.