I miss autocross and really want to get back into it. What's the best "regular" car to do it in?

It's been two and a half years since I last played in the cones, and I'm starting to miss it dearly. I've got my third gen Camaro, but it needs a complete refresh, and I've got a big ole line of house projects that need to be done before I can even think to start working on it.

So, the tentative plan is to replace my TrailBlazer with a "regular" car.

The priorities here are this:

1.) Four doors (five passenger)

2.) Midsize or larger.

3.) No bench seat.

4.) Be very reliable and easy to repair.

5.) Little to no modifications.

6.) Be between 10 and 15 years old.

Right now the candidates are cars like the Camry, Accord, Mazda6, Altima, etc.

I literally want to do nothing besides maintenance to the car, I'm not changing seats, I'm not upgrading sway bars or swapping engines. I don't even plan on buying sticky tires. I want to take what most people would consider a boring daily driver, and take it to the races. I know I won't win, I know I won't be competitive, and I don't care. I just want to get back in there.

P71s have E36 M3ty seats, most European cars are expensive to maintain, and I'd rather not spend my time picking through trying to find a manual transmission Maxima, there rare as hen's teeth and the wife cannot drive stick anyway.

So yeah, I guess I'll be the guy racing a 4 cylinder Camry on all seasons.

What do you suggest?

Manual, V6, Accord. End of thread.

IS300
G35
G8
 

Or literally anything front wheel drive, but that would be boring.

First gen Mazdaspeed3's are in the $5000 range right now

Infiniti M56

Maybe doesn't tick the "midsized" box, but we've got a locally successful HS driver who runs a 2.5 liter Golf/Rabbit.  

Back in 2008-09 I could beat HS Minis in a 2.3 Mazda6 (2007 sport).  They have wishbones, not struts.  Handle quite good.

GTI all day would be my pick

I would get a 3.7L Mazda6. They haul ass even with automatics and are completely normal family cars with just that 'mazda touch' of sportiness. 

If those aren't fast enough for you, that M56 is a hell of a suggestion. Disable the traction and stability control and I guarantee you'll stay busy behind the wheel. Nice luxury sedan the rest of the time, too. 

Two Miatas. 

FWD and automatic is likely gonna mean a lot of tire spin.  Any interesting AWD offerings?  That Saab 9-3X seems pretty zippy.  My VR6 Passat is no slouch.

G8 was my first thought, I'm sure the GTs haven't depreciated much.

I did entertain a Mazda 6.

Didn't they only make the sedan V6/6MT Accord for a couple of years?

I'm not sure if GTIs are big enough. Kids are growing bigger and I haul them all often enough that it's a concern. Same deal with the Mazdaspeed3.

I like the M45, but I have seen exactly three in my lifetime. I'm not ruling it out, but I think it might be a tad bit too obscure for what I'm looking for.

In reply to BoostedBrandon :

Refresh the Camaro

G8 GTs still aren't that cheap, but Caprice PPVs are...

MTechnically said:

Manual, V6, Accord. End of thread.

Almost this... swap for a Manual 04-06 TL instead of an Accord. All the good stuff of the Accord with a mechanical LSD to boot! 

I had a ton of fun playing with my dad mobile. 

I don't see any mention of your budget for this. Was that intentional?

E39 M5

A new-ish Focus isn't a bad idea. The basic chassis is good and they are quite good as a car. I'm also a fan of the 2.5 VW Rabbit which you might be able to get with a DSG to make the wife happy without giving up much if anything in AX. Both of these are at the small end of midsize, and that's for a reason. Weight and lack of camber and tire death. 

I came in here to say Infiniti G35, and see Mazdeuce has already said it.

I'll third the G35 Sedan. They can be had for very little money. They can also be had with a 6 speed. The wife is looking at those to replace her Mustang. 

So I would suggest looking over the solo nationals results to find something that is really good.  Just look at the stock results- https://www.scca.com/pages/solo-archives

One easy standout, if you can find one, is an M3.  Those show up all over the stock classes.

The other one, that I didn't expect, in HS that trophied in 2nd place is a Honda Accord,

The gross majority of 4 door cars are compact- lots of Focuses and Civics and GTIs.

 But it sure seems that you can find a 2010 Accord that should fit your budget.  And if you are lucky, a BMW M3.

BTW, it's interesting to note that in the entire GS field, there was not a single BMW in it- even though the 3 series from '84-'13 all are there.

When you are starting (or re-starting) with an empty plate, I always suggest to copy instead of invent.

Pick a car you can live with every day and fits those needs first. Then take it to an autox. Seriously I've autox'd some of the WORST auto-x ready cars on the planet and they were likely some of the most fun. 

bobzilla said:

Pick a car you can live with every day and fits those needs first. Then take it to an autox. Seriously I've autox'd some of the WORST auto-x ready cars on the planet and they were likely some of the most fun. 

This. Which is why an accord seems obvious. V6 and 3rd pedal are nice, but very optional for having fun. 

Sla/multilink is my fav, but sucks when all the rubber in your 10yr old beater all evaporates at once. For 'dont touch it' ownership, go with a mcstrut car imho.

Most engines are fine with regular oil changes. I'd make sure whatever trans is happy with abuse. Some early 00s honda v6 trans are suspect, but apparently fixed around 07, 4cyl were ok iirc. 

I agree with Bob, sort of. Almost anything is fun, but there are standouts that make you sad after a year of events. Something with good DNA is helpful to your enjoyment long term. 

bobzilla said:

Pick a car you can live with every day and fits those needs first. Then take it to an autox. Seriously I've autox'd some of the WORST auto-x ready cars on the planet and they were likely some of the most fun. 

Echoing this.