It's slow. Ok, got that out of the way. Now we can move on the the stuff I care about. Looking at one of these for a slow track/autcrosser. 6spd for tighter ratios. 1,800lbs. About 98hp with the 1.3.
so why not?
It's slow. Ok, got that out of the way. Now we can move on the the stuff I care about. Looking at one of these for a slow track/autcrosser. 6spd for tighter ratios. 1,800lbs. About 98hp with the 1.3.
so why not?
Berkeley me. Title was supposed to say "IQ", not "IM".
scion IQ is the subject folks.
Bear in mind, they are excluded from competition in some classes due to the short wheelbase/rollover risk. So make sure you clear that up with the groups you run in before committing to the idea.
Some close friends of ours have one. Long story short: meh. They only came as a CVT in the US and it is an absolutely dismal CVT. I do see that a 6-speed was available outside of the US for some engines but I don't know if they're swappable with any ease.
In reply to pointofdeparture :
Just read about the CVT only crap. Oh well, onto the next. I was trying to find a cheap "Kei" car in the USA without buying a Japanese only import (for parts availability.) can't pick up a kei import for less than 10k.
anything newer, USA sold, and less than 7k in the "kei" category?
What about a Toyota Yaris? It's a bit bigger than a kei car, but still quite small/light. I'm not sure about the USA, but we got the 2-door versions here in Canada.
Ford Festiva might not be quite small enough to qualify, but it's pretty small. And pretty slow...but people BP swap them to be faster.
In reply to mainlandboy :
Definitely on the list.
In reply to slowbird :
On the list too, but I don't want to do any engine swapping. Run it as is. I had a buddy that rebuilt his festiva engine on a picnic table. He also removed it by himself (burly Viking genetics). So that's appealing.
mainlandboy said:What about a Toyota Yaris? It's a bit bigger than a kei car, but still quite small/light. I'm not sure about the USA, but we got the 2-door versions here in Canada.
In reply to ebonyandivory :
Oh god, why did you do this to me... must have.
_ said:In reply to ebonyandivory :
Oh god, why did you do this to me... must have.
It's ok, I did it to myself too!
In reply to ebonyandivory :
Well that's a nice looking yaris.
There's also the Fiesta. I think those are creeping around the $7k mark finally.
Or a Matrix XRS/Vibe GT with the 2ZZ.
The Fit is pretty small from what I remember when I test drove one, but I drive a big 5 series wagon.
Can't think of any other pretty small cars that will be cheap and decent to look at it.
Mazda 2 I think is as close as you will get. The newer Yaris iA is a Mazda 2 in sedan form and I see some on Cars.com for 8k.
Both of these are right on the edge of track width:height for autocrossing, but they are legal. I have not heard stories of these on 2 wheels unlike the Fiesta ST, but I am sure its possible. My first step would be to lower the car.
They are light and on 4x100 and 23" tires, which is a win for cheap consumables.
I'm disappointed in the general dissatisfaction with the IQ, as at first blush it would seem to have the potential both to be fun and practical. Possibly the ultimate vehicle for dense urban environs. But no, it would appear that they whiffed.
In reply to ProDarwin :
The mother-in-law has a Toyota I a. It's an automatic, but when you put it in sport mode and manually shifted it's actually not too bad. Not sure if the transmission is a CVT though
Aston Martin Cygnet. Do it a lookup.
_ said:In reply to pointofdeparture :
can't pick up a kei import for less than 10k.
Honda Beat are definitely at the $7k pricepoint in TX. Not sure where you are located.
ProDarwin said:Mazda 2 I think is as close as you will get. The newer Yaris iA is a Mazda 2 in sedan form and I see some on Cars.com for 8k.
Both of these are right on the edge of track width:height for autocrossing, but they are legal. I have not heard stories of these on 2 wheels unlike the Fiesta ST, but I am sure its possible. My first step would be to lower the car.
They are light and on 4x100 and 23" tires, which is a win for cheap consumables.
Mazda2 is probably the right answer. $1-2k of bilstein coilovers, a rear sway bar, and brake pads and they actually drive really well including being competent and fairly fun to autocross (as long as you can tolerate the throttle pedal not being connected to anything). And still make a good street car. Higher mileage used ones should be basically free by now, but beware that the base model didn't get cruise control so you need the higher trim model. Fiestas aren't legal for autocross in stock form, but applying the same parts as for the mazda2 should get similar results in a car with a little more power and a nicer interior, but heavier and probably not quite as cheap.
In reply to cdeforrest :
Kinda hard to come by. None of the 300 seem to have shown up on Craigslist. Especially not the one they made with the V8.
Oh, maybe a Mitsubishi Mirage? There has to be a few manuals around here in America- and since they're so plentiful (and are Mitsu's) they've gotta have SOME aftermarket.
I also vote MR-S, though the prices are WACK here in the Midwest. I don't think i've ever seen one for less than 4 grand, though each one was listed for months at a time...
cdeforrest said:Aston Martin Cygnet. Do it a lookup.
^ +1
Just remember the secret life of a Yaris :
Meet the Yaris Cup Car
How much is a 500 Abarth going for these days?
Surprised I haven't seen the Fiat 500 Abarth yet as a tiny 2 box handling car.
I know in SCCA Solo the non-Abarth 500 models are banned.
Mike said:Surprised I haven't seen the Fiat 500 Abarth yet as a tiny 2 box handling car.
I know in SCCA Solo the non-Abarth 500 models are banned.
To me a 500, even Abarth is about the closest you can get to a Reliant Robin on the autox course. I'm very surprised these are allowed.
Note that this one was lowered also:
ProDarwin said:Mike said:Surprised I haven't seen the Fiat 500 Abarth yet as a tiny 2 box handling car.
I know in SCCA Solo the non-Abarth 500 models are banned.
To me a 500, even Abarth is about the closest you can get to a Reliant Robin on the autox course. I'm very surprised these are allowed.
Wow. Ouch.
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