Can't tell if you're serious about the RX8? My car salesman I have a standing agreement that he'll text me pictures of any sports cars up for trade. They have an RX8 that the SM put too much in trade at their Buick dealership and it's been on the lot > 1000 days.
Only rotary I've owned was a 85 GSL-SE. Can these keep up at a modern track day? (Reference Road America post earlier in the thread.)
Dismal fuel economy isn't a concern for my application...
In the last HPDE in the RX8 i was keeping up with the 944s but not much else tbh...
former520 wrote: What about the G35? 6-speeds regularly available, lots of mod pieces, rides under the radar in traffic.
This.
I just bought this e46 330i ZHP, with an aftermarket LSD from diffsonline.com already installed, for just under your price point. 147k miles on the odo and in great shape.
If we are using road America as the track, then I would have to second the cts-v.
Seriously, that track rewards hp. The one time I drove there my e36 was seriously outgunned. I'm not a great driver, but I'm sure I was slower than the guy in an Evo 9 with 50k in mods. He could hardly drive a manual and stalled multiple times in the grid, but holy crap would that car eat straights.
But back to the original question, I would be hard pressed to recommend anything other than the cts-v.
Apparently the first gen ones tap the antenna on the rear window at about 140. So if the rear glass has a bunch of little chips in it you know it's been driven hard. Ha!
dyintorace wrote: I just bought this e46 330i ZHP, with an aftermarket LSD from diffsonline.com already installed, for just under your price point. 147k miles on the odo and in great shape.
Oh damn, that's awesome. I didn't know you pulled the trigger on that one. Looks like a great car.
In reply to Tyler H: Some other good handling sedans are bigger than the RX-8, like an E39, E60, or an early 00s S4.
I was going to say Maxima, but a G35 would be even better and available as a 4 door.
I am surpized no one said a p70 crown vic squad car which is always the answer with e30 and miata......
ckosacranoid wrote: I am surpized no one said a p70 crown vic squad car which is always the answer with e30 and miata......
Well since he needs a horsepower track, I was actually just about to post... 03+ P71 with a blower.
MadScientistMatt wrote: While a 3 series BMW seems like the obvious answer, I thought I'd toss out a couple other ideas: - Mid '90s Integra GSR - Mercedes 190E with the 2.3 Cosworth motor - Mazda Protege - Ford LTD LX Ok, I'd better stop before I start suggesting truly weird stuff like making a track day toy out of a Plymouth Valiant. BMW really seems the obvious answer here, and not because I'm biased because I own one.
Same here. But the '90s Integra seems like a good answer too.
ckosacranoid wrote: I am surpized no one said a p70 crown vic squad car which is always the answer with e30 and miata......
2003+ with the Watts Link.
I don't know, a P71 doesn't handle all that good, plus they only come with slushboxes. Not to mention that they are heavy cars.
Mr_Clutch42 wrote: I don't know, a P71 doesn't handle all that good, plus they only come with slushboxes. Not to mention that they are heavy cars.
I've won regional SCCA autocrosses in STU with an 01, and the 03 has a vastly superior suspension. The 03+ actually has a setup most like the 4th Gen F-bodies, and has the potential to handle better than any Mustang with a live axle. Factory Watt's Link, too.
The slushbox is a 4R70W which has a semi-manual valve body in it (won't shift out of gear) and can be upgraded to handle over 1000 Ft/Lbs of torque very easily. You can crack off faster shifts than a manual and have torque multiplication.
As for heavy, well yeah compared to a Miata, but not to most "pony cars". My 01 was 3990 with a full tank, and that was on cop steelies with the push bar, power seats, etc, etc. Take all the extra junk out, put on a set of alloys, go with the 03+ (lighter frame and suspension and steering), and 3750 should be easy.
Add boost (and/or 5.4 and/or DOHC swap) for however much HP your wallet can handle, and voila.
Honestly, the same recipe would work with a 9C1 Caprice and the LT1 is a better motor.
unevolved wrote:dyintorace wrote: I just bought this e46 330i ZHP, with an aftermarket LSD from diffsonline.com already installed, for just under your price point. 147k miles on the odo and in great shape.Oh damn, that's awesome. I didn't know you pulled the trigger on that one. Looks like a great car.
I did! Good so far. Rides and drives like it has 100k fewer miles on it. The interior and exterior have cleaned up nicely so far. Still sorting some small issues that my automobile OCD won't let go. Then on to figuring out if an s54 swap can be done! 
E36 M3 and $3-4000 worth of wheels, tires and suspension?
Think of the sedan version of your favorite coupe or hatchback. The longer wheelbase means more stability. A VW would be awesome because once it is caged, people would want it for the track or rally or rallycross. A Civic would benefit from all the Honda parts out there, and could run in several series.
dyintorace wrote:unevolved wrote:I did! Good so far. Rides and drives like it has 100k fewer miles on it. The interior and exterior have cleaned up nicely so far. Still sorting some small issues that my automobile OCD won't let go. Then on to figuring out if an s54 swap can be done!dyintorace wrote: I just bought this e46 330i ZHP, with an aftermarket LSD from diffsonline.com already installed, for just under your price point. 147k miles on the odo and in great shape.Oh damn, that's awesome. I didn't know you pulled the trigger on that one. Looks like a great car.
Fantastic. Hope you enjoy it! Let me know if you do that swap.
But back to the original question, I would be hard pressed to recommend anything other than the cts-v.
But...under $10k?
Regal T-type with a Hotchkis TVS and a ball-bearing turbo + EBC.
The E46 330i is a great platform but you have to throw a couple dollars into it as soon as you buy it. (shocks/springs/LSD).
E36 M3 you need shocks/springs but can get away with the stock LSD for a little while.
E46 330i = NASA GTS2/Spec E46/SCCA STU
e36 M3 = preferred NASA GTS2/easy ls1 and s54 swaps/cheap cheap cheap parts and everywhere.
poopshovel wrote:But back to the original question, I would be hard pressed to recommend anything other than the cts-v.But...under $10k?
quick search: http://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/622130591/overview/
Though this add looks sketchy enough that I don't fully believe it is real.
I would agree that 10k is likely a stretch for CTS-Vs still.
Or you can buy this rebuilt one from "nate"
http://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/621094207/overview/
If you're buying a 3-series, make sure all the pixels in the displays work (not trying to de-rail thread, just FYI).
Charger SRT? Only has an auto, but it seems like it would make a nice one. Or find an ex-police version.
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