What about the E36 series too? You can make pretty much any of those into nice little track cars for not a whole lot of money. The hatchback ones here go for very cheap, and people swap the 5.0s from the Foxbodys into them pretty easy.
What about the E36 series too? You can make pretty much any of those into nice little track cars for not a whole lot of money. The hatchback ones here go for very cheap, and people swap the 5.0s from the Foxbodys into them pretty easy.
Find an 89-95 SHO with a stick. $1k or less for a running one. Put 4 KYB's on it, a new clutch, fix any oil leaks, get some sticky rubber, track pads and scare those 944's.
At least you won't have any trouble getting in and out of it....
$6K should get you a pretty nice BMW E30 325is...
sergio wrote: Find an 89-95 SHO with a stick. $1k or less for a running one. Put 4 KYB's on it, a new clutch, fix any oil leaks, get some sticky rubber, track pads and scare those 944's. At least you won't have any trouble getting in and out of it....
Aren't those the ones that have yet to finish a LeMons race? They're also FWD and I have a well publicised dislike of FWD in track cars - just doesn't work for me. And for those who are now going to suggest that I just haven't owned or driven the right sort of FWD cars, I'd just like to point out that I've driven multiple M100 Elans and have owned an Integra Type-R that I did track.
docwyte wrote: $6K should get you a pretty nice BMW E30 325is...
$6k out here is almost the bottom end of the range for a truly nice 325is but yes, those would be an option. E36 M3s can be had for not much more, though.
blaze86vic (who bought my E30) has a pretty cool track car for sale for not much more than your asking price. Unfortunately, it's on the wrong coast.
I do know what you mean, to a certain extent. I've come to dislike buying cars about as much as I dislike selling them. The older I get, the more the whole buying/selling/wrenching-on thing is becoming less fun and more like work. Even if it's a car I like. If I had the funds I would absolutely do a arrive-and-drive set-up like the company recently profiled in GRM.
BoxheadTim wrote:sergio wrote: Find an 89-95 SHO with a stick. $1k or less for a running one. Put 4 KYB's on it, a new clutch, fix any oil leaks, get some sticky rubber, track pads and scare those 944's. At least you won't have any trouble getting in and out of it....Aren't those the ones that have yet to finish a LeMons race? They're also FWD and I have a well publicised dislike of FWD in track cars - just doesn't work for me. And for those who are now going to suggest that I just haven't owned or driven the right sort of FWD cars, I'd just like to point out that I've driven multiple M100 Elans and have owned an Integra Type-R that I did track.docwyte wrote: $6K should get you a pretty nice BMW E30 325is...$6k out here is almost the bottom end of the range for a truly nice 325is but yes, those would be an option. E36 M3s can be had for not much more, though.
I raced against a team more than once that ran a SHO (G.I. SHO) in ChumpCar. Our FWD turbo Shadow went head to head with them until we broke. They didn't. Like many things, it is all about preparation and a little luck. We dropped out due to a broken clutch disc (after losing 3rd gear and a drive axle).
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/cto/4308956681.html
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/cto/4306372655.html
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/cto/4303930101.html
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/4263748833.html
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/cto/4301198578.html
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/cto/4300535630.html
http://palmsprings.craigslist.org/cto/4280154406.html
http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/cto/4290778759.html
http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/cto/4295702251.html
http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/cto/4301266566.html
http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/cto/4286484617.html
http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/cto/4251421653.html
http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/cto/4267742572.html
This one is like 15 minutes away from me
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/cto/4306372655.html
BoxheadTim wrote:sergio wrote: Find an 89-95 SHO with a stick. $1k or less for a running one. Put 4 KYB's on it, a new clutch, fix any oil leaks, get some sticky rubber, track pads and scare those 944's. At least you won't have any trouble getting in and out of it....Aren't those the ones that have yet to finish a LeMons race? They're also FWD and I have a well publicised dislike of FWD in track cars - just doesn't work for me. And for those who are now going to suggest that I just haven't owned or driven the right sort of FWD cars, I'd just like to point out that I've driven multiple M100 Elans and have owned an Integra Type-R that I did track.docwyte wrote: $6K should get you a pretty nice BMW E30 325is...$6k out here is almost the bottom end of the range for a truly nice 325is but yes, those would be an option. E36 M3s can be had for not much more, though.
Ok, fair enough you don't like FWD.
For the record our Sho(Red Rocket Ratnest Revival) won twice in Lemons in 2010. In 2011 our Team SHOTIME won the Lemons national championship.
I ran a ton of HPDE in my DD SHO without a failure. 20 minute sessions are nothing compared to Lemons or ChumpCar racing. In March we'll see how it goes in the World Racing League.
Step 1. Put your $6k in your sock draw for a few weeks
Step 2. Put your Miata on the market for $2k more than you think it's worth and sell to one of those starry eyed kids people were complaining about driving up the cost old cars and sell for $7k
Step 3. Do the track day in your Evo (Didn't you buy one recently?) and drive at 7/10, enjoy the experience but treat it as if your driving your DD, which you are!
Step 4. Spend time looking for a good already prepped track E36 M3 or similar to blwo your $6k on plus the profit from the Miata. If your $6k budget already assumes the sale of your Miata then shop further afield for a cheaper track rat.
Step 5. Join a yoga and meditation class to learn patience!
Adrian_Thompson wrote: Step 1. Put your $6k in your sock draw for a few weeks Step 2. Put your Miata on the market for $2k more than you think it's worth and sell to one of those starry eyed kids people were complaining about driving up the cost old cars and sell for $7k Step 3. Do the track day in your Evo (Didn't you buy one recently?) and drive at 7/10, enjoy the experience but treat it as if your driving your DD, which you are! Step 4. Spend time looking for a good already prepped track E36 M3 or similar to blwo your $6k on plus the profit from the Miata. If your $6k budget already assumes the sale of your Miata then shop further afield for a cheaper track rat. Step 5. Join a yoga and meditation class to learn patience!
I have to say the above post makes perfect sense and is utterly logical. So as a fellow GRM forum dweller I advise to do none of the above and instead embark on buying an old (insert something stupid here) and converting it to HPDE use in the short time frame you have with the inevitable failure at the end of it all with much bench racing from your fellow GRM forum dwellers.
Adrian, you'll need to consult your local pub to discuss your recent attack of logic and sanity, take two beers and repeat until logic and sanity are a blurry dream.
turboswede wrote: Adrian, you'll need to consult your local pub to discuss your recent attack of logic and sanity, take two beers and repeat until logic and sanity are a blurry dream.
Logic has left me, normality has returned. BAck from having a beer and burger and now I'm battling with the computer making posters for the kids school fund raisers. I've told my wife to hide the whisky or I'm done for.
New advice, go buy a cheap Lambo Countach after seeing how robust they are in the other thread!
Adrian_Thompson wrote: New advice, go buy a cheap Lambo Countach after seeing how robust they are in the other thread!
That's the GRM I know and love.
Corolla........... 
ebonyandivory wrote: In reply to mazdeuce: I recently sold a 94 S10 Blazer 4door, 4x4 Vortec V6, low miles, new tires, ran great, recent tune up. I asked $400.00. I get the first idiot to come by and try to talk me down to $250!!! I said "you do realize that I'm selling a running and driving 4x4 that you can drive off my property for $400.00 right?"
And I know someone who sold one a couple years ago with a bad engine (it stopped knocking when it locked up solid) and a floor you could eat through for $1500. The buyer didn't even try to talk him down, he was so happy...
oldeskewltoy wrote: Corolla...........
I wouldn't mind buying a nice AE86 hatch, they just seem to come up for sale at the wrong time.
Got one for sale by any chance?
Adrian_Thompson wrote: Step 1. Put your $6k in your sock draw for a few weeks
That's where they are right now.
Adrian_Thompson wrote: Step 2. Put your Miata on the market for $2k more than you think it's worth and sell to one of those starry eyed kids people were complaining about driving up the cost old cars and sell for $7k
It's advertised right now but Miatas don't sell well out here during snowstorms...
Adrian_Thompson wrote: Step 3. Do the track day in your Evo (Didn't you buy one recently?) and drive at 7/10, enjoy the experience but treat it as if your driving your DD, which you are!
I promised my wife the Evo wouldn't go near the track until it's both paid off and out of warranty, so that's not going to happen even though it's going to be paid off much sooner than the end of the warranty 
.
Adrian_Thompson wrote: Step 4. Spend time looking for a good already prepped track E36 M3 or similar to blwo your $6k on plus the profit from the Miata. If your $6k budget already assumes the sale of your Miata then shop further afield for a cheaper track rat.
Fortunately the 6k exclude the sale of the Miata in the sense that I have the money without selling the Miata, but I need to make sure I've got some money left over to have a cushion for when (not if) I blow up the car.
Adrian_Thompson wrote: Step 5. Join a yoga and meditation class to learn patience!
Ever since they made me a manager at my workplace I've been foregoing patience and expect to have E36 M3 done right now 
!
The problem isn't necessarily patience, it's the fact that I'm unwilling to spend every Saturday for months looking at overdescribed crapcans.
Adrian_Thompson wrote:turboswede wrote: Adrian, you'll need to consult your local pub to discuss your recent attack of logic and sanity, take two beers and repeat until logic and sanity are a blurry dream.Logic has left me, normality has returned. BAck from having a beer and burger and now I'm battling with the computer making posters for the kids school fund raisers. I've told my wife to hide the whisky or I'm done for. New advice, go buy a cheap Lambo Countach after seeing how robust they are in the other thread!
Now that's much more like it. Anybody got a cheap one for sale?
BoxheadTim wrote:oldeskewltoy wrote: Corolla...........I wouldn't mind buying a nice AE86 hatch, they just seem to come up for sale at the wrong time. Got one for sale by any chance?
I do.... 
and it is for sale.....
briefly... 1986 GTS full option car(electric windows, rear wiper, cruise)... it is a repaired car - a few signs are some repaired sections - like rad support, my wife has been using it as her daily for nearly 3 years now..... with no problems. It has about 130k miles
problem is... it is not a track rat... and I want all of what you are looking to spend.... <
I DO know where you can pick up an SR5(sohc version)coupe(not hatchback) for under, or about $1000......
its a Portland city car so the body has a few small dents, but the chassis is sound....
oldeskewltoy wrote:BoxheadTim wrote:I do....oldeskewltoy wrote: Corolla...........I wouldn't mind buying a nice AE86 hatch, they just seem to come up for sale at the wrong time. Got one for sale by any chance?
Actually, I don't want a track "rat" - I'd much rather have a nicer condition car and take care of it (plus bolt on some nicer part). I've been driving ratty cars for a long time and it's getting old.
If it's a GTS hatch, in good shape (especially mechanically - I hear you might know a little about these cars, especially the engines 
) I'm definitely interested. Very much so, actually. Bonus points if it's neither rusty nor red. Just might have to wait putting more track oriented suspension on it until I get the tax return money.
Portland isn't that far from here either .
Downside is you might get the head back at some point in time.
Check your email, I sent a note through the GRM system... its carbon blue (nearly black)... and has the later style interior...
a few pics for you
BoxheadTim wrote:gofastbobby wrote: I'd be thrilled to have a sub-6k budget. I spend a lot of time in junkyards scrounging for parts for my $1500 mustang gt.Well, I have a decent job that allows me to have a 6k track beater budget, but said job also puts a limit on the time I can spend wandering around junkyards and/or fixing up my cars. TBH I couldn't afford a $1500 Mustang if I had to be able to drive it in the next two years.
Dude, good for you. I understand the time constraints with work, it'd be great if I could put work off until I was old and worn out. I hope the first post didn't come off as me being a smartass. I was merely admiring your budget.
In reply to oldeskewltoy:
You should have a reply to your PM by now.
Looks like a nice car to bolt my Momo Prototipo to .
gofastbobby wrote: Dude, good for you. I understand the time constraints with work, it'd be great if I could put work off until I was old and worn out. I hope the first post didn't come off as me being a smartass. I was merely admiring your budget.
Nah, didn't take it like that and I hope I didn't come across that way either. I've been in a place where a $1500 car was more than I could afford, but I had more time to work on my own vehicles. I know how fortunate I am to be where I am now - without coming over all sanctimonious, 20 years ago there were months were I barely had enough money to pay the rent for a single room and have enough left over for food.
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