AP1 S2000 Lemons Car?
Joined: Jun 2010
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From: Near Philadelphia
It's a cool idea but I don't see it working due to the $500 thing. S2000s are crazy expensive and hold their value no matter what happens to them. Even just a high mileage drivetrain from one is worth significantly more than $500, even with no body at all.
You mention that it should be fine because you see miatas and 3 series BMWs but those are way, way cheaper. Those actually are feasible to get for $500.
So I agree with the others here. If you want to race an s2000, race it normally. If you want to do lemons I think a different car is the only way to go.
You mention that it should be fine because you see miatas and 3 series BMWs but those are way, way cheaper. Those actually are feasible to get for $500.
So I agree with the others here. If you want to race an s2000, race it normally. If you want to do lemons I think a different car is the only way to go.
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From: in my garage
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From: Savannah, GA, USA
When I ran my AP1 stock with just a swaybar and 255 street tires (3000lbs with driver) round roebling road I could run low 1.23's.
The chumpcar we have a 87 300zx, 400lbs? lighter, -50HP? less on same size tires (255 dz's) we've turned low 1.22.5 in colder weather.
I'd like to think I could match the chumpcar in a stock s2k now driving a bit better but you can build a legal chumpcar thats RWD and good fun and fast I think.
300zx is by no means most competitive
The chumpcar we have a 87 300zx, 400lbs? lighter, -50HP? less on same size tires (255 dz's) we've turned low 1.22.5 in colder weather.
I'd like to think I could match the chumpcar in a stock s2k now driving a bit better but you can build a legal chumpcar thats RWD and good fun and fast I think.
300zx is by no means most competitive
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,045
Likes: 1
From: Chicago
As soon as I can get an S2000 ENGINE alone for $500 I'm gonna blow a load in my pants. I'm getting tired of of the cost of engine replacement (#WIERDPROBLEMS #ATYPICAL) 
As soon as S2000s hit $500-ish I'm going to make a Chump-Stook.
There was a team that had a freaking LEXUS SC400 with a V8.
But for now, you could buy a crapped out AP1, cage it and run enduros in ITR (regional SCCA class) without really doing much performance-wise to it.
I think $500 for an S2000 currently is a stretch due to the cost of parts. I'd worry that the car would be slated for the crusher.
There was a team that had a freaking LEXUS SC400 with a V8.
But for now, you could buy a crapped out AP1, cage it and run enduros in ITR (regional SCCA class) without really doing much performance-wise to it.
I think $500 for an S2000 currently is a stretch due to the cost of parts. I'd worry that the car would be slated for the crusher.
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[quote name= 'CKIT']As soon as S2000s hit $500-ish I'm going to make a Chump-Stook.
There was a team that had a freaking LEXUS SC400 with a V8.
But for now, you could buy a crapped out AP1, cage it and run enduros in ITR (regional SCCA class) without really doing much performance-wise to it.
I think $500 for an S2000 currently is a stretch due to the cost of parts. I'd worry that the car would be slated for the crusher.[/quote]
Great responses gents. With your feedback and a few days to mull it over it seems the world is not yet quite ready for an AP1 Lemons car!
Mleach really had the bottom line I think - if bargain basement salvage values are still in the $1500 range then I really have no chance of getting a Lemons car through BS inspection. Even though other Lemons cars I know without question will have more money in to them than a stock POS AP1, the value of the Chassis still remains the limiting factor.
Charles - that would be AWESOME on all your ideas/points. Some team had an SC400?!?!?!?! lol
A caged AP1 enduro car would be cool. That's something that may be more feasible but that would bring in other issues with my Lemons teammates not wanting to spend the money or go through the hassle of getting an SCCA competition license. I love the fact that you can show up and just run a Lemons race with a drivers license. The lack of talented drivers and safety issues arising from that are addressed by the very strict rules on safety/contact/passing/yellow flag awareness, reduced cornering speeds by 200TW street tires and running course configurations biased as much towards safety as possible (at least from what I have seen and heard of -perhaps that is BS in some situations). I also really love the laid back atmosphere at Lemons. Anyway, rant.
Andrew- an AP1 on pogostick 195's would be fun
Jon - roger that. The Ford Taurus SHO thing got me looking on craigslist
DanUk-
Roger that. The pace of that much lighter Z on similar tires relative to the AP1 really reitterates the importance of weight. Pretty cool stuff that a strong running Lemons/Chump car can outrun stuff you wouldn't expect huh? I've heard the same stories comparing lap times of other cars.
I'll keep everyone posted with my future Lemons career
There was a team that had a freaking LEXUS SC400 with a V8.
But for now, you could buy a crapped out AP1, cage it and run enduros in ITR (regional SCCA class) without really doing much performance-wise to it.
I think $500 for an S2000 currently is a stretch due to the cost of parts. I'd worry that the car would be slated for the crusher.[/quote]
There should be an "open wheel" spec S2000 series for AP1s with no front bumper or fenders.
I don't see how an S2000 with a working engine could ever be considered to be within the rules of Lemons though unfortunately. Maybe you could convince them if you ran tiny tires or something? AP1 with 195s all around anyone?
Really I wonder how long it will be until we see a Spec S2000 series?
I don't see how an S2000 with a working engine could ever be considered to be within the rules of Lemons though unfortunately.
Maybe you could convince them if you ran tiny tires or something? AP1 with 195s all around anyone?Really I wonder how long it will be until we see a Spec S2000 series?
I've heard that contentious cars are valued with published salvage values that are trended by auctions, insurance companies, and wreckers. A substantially wrecked AP1 with 230,000 miles on it has an ACV of $5500, and the "salvage value" is anywhere between $2500 and $1500. granted, you can probably find a shell in a JY, but it will probably not roll, and probably not have any running gear.
Good luck.
Good luck.
It's a cool idea but I don't see it working due to the $500 thing. S2000s are crazy expensive and hold their value no matter what happens to them. Even just a high mileage drivetrain from one is worth significantly more than $500, even with no body at all.
You mention that it should be fine because you see miatas and 3 series BMWs but those are way, way cheaper. Those actually are feasible to get for $500.
So I agree with the others here. If you want to race an s2000, race it normally. If you want to do lemons I think a different car is the only way to go.
You mention that it should be fine because you see miatas and 3 series BMWs but those are way, way cheaper. Those actually are feasible to get for $500.
So I agree with the others here. If you want to race an s2000, race it normally. If you want to do lemons I think a different car is the only way to go.
When I ran my AP1 stock with just a swaybar and 255 street tires (3000lbs with driver) round roebling road I could run low 1.23's.
The chumpcar we have a 87 300zx, 400lbs? lighter, -50HP? less on same size tires (255 dz's) we've turned low 1.22.5 in colder weather.
I'd like to think I could match the chumpcar in a stock s2k now driving a bit better but you can build a legal chumpcar thats RWD and good fun and fast I think.
300zx is by no means most competitive
The chumpcar we have a 87 300zx, 400lbs? lighter, -50HP? less on same size tires (255 dz's) we've turned low 1.22.5 in colder weather.
I'd like to think I could match the chumpcar in a stock s2k now driving a bit better but you can build a legal chumpcar thats RWD and good fun and fast I think.
300zx is by no means most competitive
As soon as I can get an S2000 ENGINE alone for $500 I'm gonna blow a load in my pants. I'm getting tired of of the cost of engine replacement (#WIERDPROBLEMS #ATYPICAL)
Originally Posted by CKit' timestamp='1383091298' post='22852735
As soon as S2000s hit $500-ish I'm going to make a Chump-Stook.
There was a team that had a freaking LEXUS SC400 with a V8.
But for now, you could buy a crapped out AP1, cage it and run enduros in ITR (regional SCCA class) without really doing much performance-wise to it.
I think $500 for an S2000 currently is a stretch due to the cost of parts. I'd worry that the car would be slated for the crusher.
There was a team that had a freaking LEXUS SC400 with a V8.
But for now, you could buy a crapped out AP1, cage it and run enduros in ITR (regional SCCA class) without really doing much performance-wise to it.
I think $500 for an S2000 currently is a stretch due to the cost of parts. I'd worry that the car would be slated for the crusher.
Mleach really had the bottom line I think - if bargain basement salvage values are still in the $1500 range then I really have no chance of getting a Lemons car through BS inspection. Even though other Lemons cars I know without question will have more money in to them than a stock POS AP1, the value of the Chassis still remains the limiting factor.
Charles - that would be AWESOME on all your ideas/points. Some team had an SC400?!?!?!?! lol
A caged AP1 enduro car would be cool. That's something that may be more feasible but that would bring in other issues with my Lemons teammates not wanting to spend the money or go through the hassle of getting an SCCA competition license. I love the fact that you can show up and just run a Lemons race with a drivers license. The lack of talented drivers and safety issues arising from that are addressed by the very strict rules on safety/contact/passing/yellow flag awareness, reduced cornering speeds by 200TW street tires and running course configurations biased as much towards safety as possible (at least from what I have seen and heard of -perhaps that is BS in some situations). I also really love the laid back atmosphere at Lemons. Anyway, rant.
Andrew- an AP1 on pogostick 195's would be fun
Jon - roger that. The Ford Taurus SHO thing got me looking on craigslist
DanUk-
Roger that. The pace of that much lighter Z on similar tires relative to the AP1 really reitterates the importance of weight. Pretty cool stuff that a strong running Lemons/Chump car can outrun stuff you wouldn't expect huh? I've heard the same stories comparing lap times of other cars.
I'll keep everyone posted with my future Lemons career
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Joined: Sep 2005
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There are lots of options out there. If you have anyone who can watch the auctions for you, you pretty much have your pick. I ended up with a Subaru wagon simply because most on my team know them. Unfortunately Im the one who is building it! Should be a fun experience learning a new car, a winter project and something to keep me busty while the black car waits in the back of the line for SM parts. Maybe we will face each other. I highly recommend these for anyone looking to have fun and lots of seat time. Just make sure you are with a fun group of guys as most the time will be spent goofing off and/or repairing your car!
-Marc
-Marc
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,045
Likes: 1
From: Chicago
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