If you were to buy another car, what would it be, To do what you currently do. RR or AX Options

[y5e06]

I would have to say Z06. I'm just a chevy guy.
However a super cool totally re-engineered classic would be ultra cool. something like the Mark Stielo (?) '69 Camaros.
Some of these cars are just amazing http://www.pro-touring.com/featured_cars/p...featuremain.htm

[Pat Newton]

I've watched several races with spec Miata and Legends ...
Those classes appear to redline the fun-o-meter

What I don't like about the F-Body (or most street type cars I guess) is the expense of keeping the car on the track, reliable and semi competitive.

From what I can tell, a $10K investment and $3-5K car budget can put a Miata on the track for 4 or 5 races a year.

It might not be the front runner, but again, it would be fun!

I've figured my per-weekend expenses, including "everything" (hotel, food, consumables, entry fees, gas for race car and tow vehicle, etc.) to be $800 for Portland races (tow and hotel involved) and $600 for Seattle races (stay at home). That is running both SM and ITE classes. For 2004, I will probably only run SM to keep the costs down, and that will cut about $200 per weekend off.

Pretty darn cheap racing when you can go an entire 10-weekend season on 1.5 sets of tires, two sets of rotors and two sets of pads. Plus, because of the lower horsepower and general reliability of Miatas, we spend the vast majority of time between sessions sitting under the EZ-Ups eating sandwiches, rather than wrenching on the cars like most of my f-body racing buddies do (unfortunately).

A good mid-pack SM can be built for around $11K inclusive, given ~$3500 for a donor car (with hardtop) and providing most of the work is done by the owner. It's difficult to do it much cheaper than that.

In areas where it is available, I think CMC gives SM a run for its money, both in car costs and per-weekend costs. The key is the Toyo tires. They aren't the stickiest out there, but who cares when everybody runs the same tires and they last several weekends?

[94bird]

AI also uses Toyo tires. Car preparation is a little higher with AI than CMC, but I think for most people the consumables would be comparable.

[AllZWay]

My first choice would be a Z06....then maybe a M3.

[GaryK]

For a fairly open class, like NASA SU1:
3rd gen RX7 with LS1/t56 (have a rolling chassis, but need to sell so I can race this year)

For more car specific classes:
C4 Corvette, for VVC or TCC (have a higly modified one now, also need to sell this one)
FFR Cobra (very fun car to race, had one and sold it)
Spec Miata, lots of people to race with

Others:
Any tube frame race car, to run SCCA GT2 - GT4, or a "stock car" which can run in a few different roadrace classes

[Nemesis]

My 62 year old mother has a 6-speed Miata 10AE car with Bilsteins, somebody's springs and front/rear strut tower braces. I LOVE the way that little car handles... I'm actually planning to sneak off with it to an AX sometime this summer. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

[LT4Firehawk]

I'm actually planning on going back to an LT1/4 C4 Vette for a race car. The Z06 is nice, but too much money for a dedicated track car, plus I really just don't care for the Z06 as much as the C4s. The Z06 is fast, but it feels more like a sport sedan, whereas the C4 feels like a "true" sports car. I'll probably end up going with a 96 LT4 Vette, and then putting another $5K or so in it for mods. Considering my 92 Vette would outrun most non-Z06 C5s around our local road course with only about $1k in suspension mods, I think I'll be very happy with an LT4 C4 that's maxed out on mods. As for a true racecar, I'd rather go with something like a Vette so that I have the option of driving it on the street occassionally.

[bruecksteve]

AND, if you can find me a LT4, let me know!!!! (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[Norm Peterson]

If you sold your car and had to buy a NON F-body what would it be. Think of working within your current budget.

I'm thinking "built" instead of "bought". As in something like an S2000 powertrain into an old British roadster for DM or a bit more displacement and torque against a higher minimum weight for EM.

Norm

[Racehead]

No doubt it'd be a Z06 for me. Probably an '01-'02 car.

[231go]

I would probably go w/ a classis 70's muscle car and make it turn. Something like a Chevelle or a C2 C3 vette. That is if money wasent really an option. Building a Cobra kit car would be fun to.

[94bird]

For any of you legitimately considering a Z06, wait just a little longer until the C6 Z07 comes out. The Z06 values will plummet even more than they will now with the C6 showing up. In a year or so an early used Z06 would be very tempting.

[rmackintosh]

yep....already planning for THAT deal....just gotta work on the wife!

(IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/ph34r.gif)

[LT4Firehawk]

If I was going to look at something like a Z06 again, I think I'd go with a 99-00 FRC (fixed roof coupe) instead. They are going REALLY cheap, and will just drop more when the C6 is out. I've actually seen a few FRCs go in the $22K range. Take the FRC, add some race wheels/tires in GS sizes (17x9.5" front/17x11" rear), add the 04 Z06 shocks, then do headers and a big cam and you'll blow stock Z06s off the track for substantially less money.

Of course, if I found a really good deal on a Z06 I wouldn't pass it up, but I think I'd want a 02-04 this time so it would have HUD. The nice thing about Z06s is they are so good out of the box. The only things you realy need are race tires, 04 Z06 shocks, and some better seats (the stock Z06/base C5 seats SUCK!!).

[ESPCamaro]

I really like the late 80's Street Mod Honda Civics too.

Slap in a Quaif, Integra GSR engine, 13x8's with 225 Hoosiers, and some weight reduction.

Some of the SM civics are at the weight minumum which is 1,900lbs I think.

Even with only 200hp it's gonna be pretty quick.

[y5e06]

funny that you mention Civics. A friend and myself just today started messing w/ an '89 CRX. Yep, we're going to gut it and use it as a track/autocross car. Can't wait. It needs work. But it runs and drives well for less than $350 purchase price. I'm excitec about it. need to bone up on the best budget mods for those cars. It runs so well, I'm amazed.

[ESPCamaro]

For that price I would consider driving all the way to Texas from MI. That same car near me would be about $3,200 more than your purchase price. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

[rmackintosh]

Yep, same here.....in California....EVERYTHING costs more.....why do you think my race car came all the way from Kansas of all places....Toto.....awwww nevermind....

(IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

[98_1LE]

Used Z06. By the time I modded my F-body to be as fast in a straight line and brake almost as well, and to handle very well (for an F-body), I had paid for a Z06 but didn't get the handling.

[y5e06]

The car didn't run when we got it but plugs, wires, and a push button start switch fixed that. gotta keep an eye out for the deals. Guy needed to get rid of it as was moving out of town. he didn't know how to fix it and it didn't run. When you show up w/ cash and a trailer to take it that second, its an easy buy. Oh, and for your cars in MI..... this one has ZERO rust!