Anyone have a feel for an all around track car (both road courses and

 

You're asking an awful lot for $10K, aren't you? It may be a little more, but I'd go for a 3rd gen RX-7 to meet all your reqs. @ a reasonable cost. Just beware that they're not the most reliable cars (apex seals seem to be the trouble spot), but are lots of fun.

 

Yup. I'd agree on the 3rd Gen RX-7. Gorgeous to look at, fast, nimble. I'd love to have one as my hardtop track car.

 

I'll stay with the theme and recommend a Mazda, but say get a 92 or 93 1.6l or 94 or 95 1.8l Miata throw a Flyin' Miata Turbo system on it and you're doing alright. Might put you around 12 or 13k but for a combo of speed and handling, you cant do much better.

 

You guys are going to hate me for this, but oh well. You can't beat the bang for the buck of a 4th generation (93+) F-body. I'm sure you could pick up an LT1 car and modify it to outperform 95% of the cars out there for $10,000. Mustangs are notorious for that same thing as well. I've talked to guys who have less than $5,000 invested in their 5.0s and are running low 12s. They look like sh*t but they run. Throw some cash in for suspension work and you've got a great performing Stang. Because I bought my car new, it's not really a good example. But for relatively little money, I've improved the handling and horsepower of my car enormously. You may hate the way they look or the way they are put together, but if you are looking for affordable performance... there is no comparison.

Chris (NJ)
1997 Z28 M6

 

I would have to go with the Mustang option. Low maint,
bullet proof (sort of) and low cost. My personal favorite
would be the Mustang SVO. A easy 300hp can be had from the turbo 2.3. The car is simple to work on and there are gobs of performance parts available for it.

How do I know all this? I did some SCCA roadracing in the eighties. My SVO was very competitive, made about 340hp (crank). Top speed was 162 mph, pulled redline in 5th. That car was so much fun. I won a couple races. Of course, I had some corporate help from Special Vehical Operations. It didn't hurt to have Bob Riley as a neighbor either. The only people who cheated more than me was the 944turbo guys.

Those bastards!

Anyway,
check out... http://www.mustangsvo.org/

 

Is that the "riley & Scott" guy??? I think I just spoke to him on the phone about a EVO VI he is selling for $45k. It is located in indianapolis right now.


[QUOTE]Originally posted by Roceye
[B]

 

How about a 1984 GTI? (weighs 1800lbs) $1500. spend $3k on an engine swap with 180hp (i forget the name of the place up in Massechusets), $1k on a limited slip, $1k on suspension, $1.5k on tires & wheels, $1k on brakes.

$9,000 power to weight of 10lbs per HP (same as M5), lightweight, etc.....?????

sound like a plan? Probably not as bullitproof as a Type R engined Civic though... they are more $$$ though.

Scot

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Scot
[B]Is that the "riley & Scott" guy..


The one and only...

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Scot
[B]How about a 1984 GTI?

Good choice if you don't mind three wheel cornering...