Picking my next track car.

I've always been a BMW guy, but I'm trying to be brand neutral with my next purchase.

I like the E36 and E46 M3's, but they are just so heavy, and expensive for the E46. Porsche Cayman too, but still quite heavy. I like the 350Z and 370Z too, but again, the weight. I really like the toyobaru twins, but I think they are on the high side of my budget, and I've never driven one hard. I really like the new miata, but its a convertible, and again, expensive. I really like the S2000, but its a convertible too.

Basically I want BMW to make a 2500# car with ~200hp with a fixed roof, rwd, 3 pedals... 17" wheels would be cool, I hate buying track tires for 18's, but my last track rat had 400hp, so maybe less of that will make tires last longer. I will hopefully be moving back to Germany (read: the place with the nurburgring) next year, so feel free to include euro/j-spec cars in your suggestions. Also, I am not really into rotory engines, just because I know nothing about them. I don't like ragtops because I perceive coupes to be safer.

Which cars do you all think I should look at?

A three-pedal, 2500-pound car making 200 horsepower? Sounds like a BRZ/FR-S. I'm seeing repaired cars with salvage titles down here for $12k-ish.

Buy E30, strategic weight loss, swap in an S52 and enjoy a 250-270hp 2600lb rear drive car that can still use 225/45/15s, even though a tad short.

Otherwise BRZ + oil cooler + pads/fluid.

Alfa

captdownshift wrote: Alfa

And I've got one of those. But lighter than 2500lb. And I know people who put out ~200hp with the 2.0l

Can be used for vintage rallies, too.

Unless you were thinking of something considerably more modern.

Would you be all right with a 2500 lb, full four seat hardtop, if it didn't have 200 horsepower?

A TVR Cerbera meets the specifications and has 350 hp.

Isn't that a 318TI slicktop with a stripped interior and a S52 swap? 2850 range fully dressed and 2550-2600 stripped.

derago wrote: Basically I want BMW to make a 2500# car with ~200hp with a fixed roof, rwd, 3 pedals... 17" wheels would be cool...Which cars do you all think I should look at?

I know I'm a fanboy, but the Mercedes 190E 2.3-16 fits the bill. Stock, Euro-spec cars are 2800 lbs and make just under 190 hp. Handling is phenomenal. Excellent chassis. Here's mine at NJMP:

Track only car? How far are you willing to go with mods? No a/c or radio with a gutted interior? plastic windows? carbon fiber hatch+ hood? Many of your to heavy list could be made much lighter if you are willing to give up street use.

There are plenty of track E36s that are weighing in at 2500lbs after weight stripping and adding lightness. I think E36 is your best bet.

gut a 928

If you want a serious track car, you should be able to find some open wheeled, affordable, caged, purpose built track cars or kit cars a little easier there vs. here. One example is the Miata based Exocet.

How "track car" are you trying to go? Road legal? 1/2 interior? Fully stripped, swapped and tubbed?

Let me tell you, we have a lot of fun track cars at FM. But the Exocet is one of the staff favorites. Fast, cheap to fun, huge fun. It can have 200 hp with a turbo, but you'll never get it up to 2500 lbs

I still prefer the V8 Miata (2400 lbs, 525 hp) but I think the Exocet has it beat for sheer joie de vivre.

For track cars, I'm a Ford 302/T5 swap man. I only do hard-tops so the Miata platform is out. That pretty much leaves me with E30 or E36. E36 strips to 2700# pretty easily, and the Ford 302 is anywhere from 220hp to 380hp, naturally aspirated, so I can balance the package wherever I want it. E36 also means no rust problems and greater parts availability than E30. Many people will say the LS is a better way to go, I don't know, but I do know it costs a lot more to get it running, unless you are a pretty skilled fabricator/welder.

It's not a 2000# track missile, but you can register & insure it just like any other sedan. So at least you can store it curb-side in front of your home.

If we're talking swap candidates, there's always the FC RX7, 240SX, Volvo 240's, etc.

In reply to Jamey_from_Legal: If you're doing that swap, you should also consider swapping into an FC RX7. Seems like it would be a great combination.

EDIT: RX8 driver beat me to it!

So, have we reached a decision yet?

In reply to LanEvo:

For real only 2800 lbs?! Well that certainly changes my opinion that all Mercedes are overweight hunks of iron.

Desmond wrote: In reply to Jamey_from_Legal: If you're doing that swap, you should also consider swapping into an FC RX7. Seems like it would be a great combination. EDIT: RX8 driver beat me to it!

RX7 is an awesome chassis. I owned one (first owner!) in the late 80's/early 90's.

I'm more familiar with the BMW stuff so I'm going that way out of convenience. Plus I have the chassis, so . . . .

sesto elemento wrote: gut a 928

Yes, yes and yes. I have long been a proponent of the 928. V8, RWD sport coupe. It's a German hot rod

Find someone that has already made a track car and buy it. E36 M3s are good choices and lots of people have already made track cars out of them. You take out the interior bits and sound deadening and it gets a lot lighter.

Either that or C4 Corvette or C5 Corvette.

I have a fantastic Shelby cobra replica that is a full track car that happens to be street legal. 2000lbs and 300hp and dirt cheap to put tires on. It's in he classifieds right now

Zzw30 chassis mr2 with a 2zz swap or a turbo kit is a great way to go. Mine is hilarious, super cheap to run and reliable and Very capable. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=yRIliyQ3PGw