Help me pick a car and racing events?

I'm considering getting out of my full bolt on 440rwhp BMW 135i that's too fast, too expensive to break, a severe lack of gear heads doing their own work, too little/expensive aftermarket for, and is too much of a shame to beat on. I've been to the dragway a few times and I really love the idea of cleaning up my driver's license and keeping the speed at the track. I'd also like to do more than drive straight.

I'm not really feeling the idea of completely downgrading into a beater and having to buy a truck and trailer to get to events, but at the same time I don't want to end up with another expensive car that lacks a crowd of people actually working on them themselves and lacking aftermarket support and cheap parts. Who wants to pay 1200 for a headlight? Anyway, I'd like to stick to RWD or maybe AWD. I'm thinking something that's middle of the road like low-mid-high teens as far as price goes. Right now I'm kind of in the S2000-350z-RX8 circle. Perhaps I'm going the completely wrong direction? I'm just thinking a decent medium amount of power, a limited slip differential, etc.

I also realize that I should probably base my decision on what specs or classes or organizations are available in my area. I'm from Flemington, NJ and I have no idea about anything that's not a drag track other than NJ Motorsports Park which is an 1hr45min away. I know a lot of autocross events happen in parking lots and I'd surely be down for that.

Any input is appreciated.

Miata is the answer

For some reason, my brain went STi. Autox, drag, rallycross, track days, it can do it all. Though I suppose a Miata can, as well.

Have you looked into the driving events the BMW CCA chapter in your area puts on?

In reply to grunyon:

how tall are you? I'd go miata or E36 since the toyoburu is out of the price range. There isn't much outside of the 2SK and 350Z in the sweetspot RWD budgetwise that doesn't have crazy $$$ parts, so I'd undershoot the budget and have more for car development and event cost.

I'm about 6'2" and it's uncomfortable to drive my 135i with a helmet on, that's for sure.

The e36v8.com seems like an awesome little project, but it doesn't get me into anything but "for fun" races

If you have never been on a track, you will find the learning curve takes longer the more power your car makes. Start with something that is more of a momentum car and then work up to something with a V8. Find a used track car for $5K, buy a trailer and go for it.

C5Z06 would be perfect except for the too much power concern, and fiberglass bodies get banged up faster then metal. I'd honestly get a well sorted prepped inline 6 e36 and cut your teeth on that for a few years and take what you save away for the next car (which cam have big power)

E36 M3. You can get these for a song right now, the aftermarket is huge, they are easy to work on and there are lots and lots of people playing with them.

I would not move to AWD; it's a weird thing to drive on the track and they tend to be less forgiving at the limit.

In reply to grunyon:

When you say you're looking for racing, you mean autocross? Track days? Time trial events on race tracks? Full wheel-to-wheel racing? All of the above? Any of the above?

97-2004ish C5 Corvette is an awesome car for street, track and general motorsports usage. Just scanned central NJ craigslist and I'm not sure they are in your price range though. Seems like it would be a high teens low 20s car. Then again winter is coming and the C7 is coming out so some deals may appear and prices may drop further in the next few months.

Another interesting car in the high teens is the 5th gen Mustang 2005+. Surprisingly capable car and a Spec Mustang race class in SCCA and NASA with the 4.6 is in the works.

I like the RX8 but I don't think I'd want to DD one. They can be found cheap enough to use as a track only car once you fix whatever may be wrong with them. This would probably be a terrible car for drag racing. There are a couple of places in NJ to get a rotary fixed if you find yourself over your head in rotary stuff.

I feel the same way about the S2000 as the RX8.

The Z and Infiniti G are interesting cars. A bit heavy but they do make fun cars. I've seen a couple at the track but not as many as the Mustangs.

Are you wanting a car that can/will become your DD? Or just something that you can expect to go to/from events under its own power 99% of the time? Do not take a car to open track events that you really care about and will rely on to get you to work on Monday. You want multiple cars in your stable. The important question is: will this be primarily a toy with something else as a DD, or will this be your primary car with a work horse of some sort in reserve?

2 hours away to do open track is not too far. That's a good distance. Do not base your car decision on a future wheel-to-wheel series. You do not know what you really want yet.

I am also going to assume that you care about learning how to be the best driver you can. If so, you want a car that will not coddle you or bite you. Something that makes you drive it well in order to go fast. Ideally a momentum car. For this reason, I would recommend strongly against an Evo, STi, or Vette. These cars are actually too good. The Evo and STi teach poor driving if you start in them. The AWD covers your mistakes, and power lets you go faster than other beginners even if you make a mistake. This is a bad thing. It means you can not see where you actually need to improve, so you don't. The Vette has the same thing with power, but can also bite if you ham hand it. Consumables on a Z06 are also expensive.

So, I would say E36 M3, Miata, or S2000, RX8, or 350Z as you suggested. (In that order.) Maybe consider a Boxster.

The E36 M3 is just one of the most well rounded cars ever. It will do exactly what you are looking for a car to do. Only trouble is finding one nice enough to satisfy you if you are looking to use this as your DD.

Miata: If this is primarily a toy, get an NB. Beat on it mercilessly, and learn how to be the best driver you can. If it will be your primary DD, get a NC and still whup on it. An NA/NB Miata is hands down the single best car you can start in to learn to be the best driver you can be. Handling is text book. It does exactly what you tell it to. Not necessarily what you want it to, but what you tell it to. It will show your mistakes but not bite unless you get really stupid. When you learn to drive it fast, you will be rewarded tremendously. (I have used a totally DD-able Miata to horribly embarrass $100k Porsche's at an auto-x before.)

S2000: If you can find an AP2 ('04+) in your price range and do not need a back seat, that is what I would get. Low teens will probably get you an AP1 though. They are great. I own one and love it, but am glad I started HPDE in an old Miata. The AP1 is not the best beginner car. The back end is very lively. The reputation for beginners spinning them out is not just Honduh kids who don't know how to drive RWD. If you can reign yourself back a bit, it would still be a good car to learn in and offers much more class and reliability than anything else on the list here.

RX8. Great car like the S2000. Another bad drag car. They have a bad reputation for reliability. My Fiancee has one, and we have not really had any issues. I like my S2000 better. This will be a more beginner-friendly than an S2000 and offer a back seat, but require more money and work in maintenance.

350Z and Mustang: covered better by other people. I will second that I see a lot more Mustangs than Z cars at events. That is probably significant.

Boxster: Price is right now. Not the easiest to work on. Good for a DD that sees toy duty. Seems like you really need to hunt and research and find the right example to minimize the chances of getting one that leaves you with really expensive repairs. I suspect you are also tired of general costs on late-model German cars. PCA is a great organization, and it looks like they do a lot of events at NJ Motorsports Park.