hey autox guys

[mgarfias]

My dad's looking for a new car for my 17year old step brother (his was totaled by a girl with no license).

Anyways, dad wants something with a manual trans, that isn't going to have outrageous insurance costs (they already thought of an LT1 camaro), and handle good enough to autox.

Any suggestions?

[emf]

At the risk of getting shot . . . I started with older body-style Z's and RX7. Parts were cheap, it was easy to make decent HP, and the cars handled well enough to keep you from immediately killing ones-self.

[mgarfias]

I'd agree with you there, but insurance costs are going to be pretty harsh for a 17yr old in a Z28.

I found a 1990 1LE firebird for sale, looked like it'd make a great car, but again, insurance issues.

[Day]

I would not look for something that handles great from the start. AutoX is a driving sport. Get what works for his life style and learn to drive it well at autox. If he does well, then it is a bonus. AutoX is a small part of the cars daily life. My sons dream car was a 66 Mustang. He has built it up and drive in autox. It is not a car that does well in autox, but he now knows were and when it will loose control and what to do. AutoX for him is a learning thing. Maybe in a few years if he like it still, then a perfomance autox machine.

Just think what he will do in a car that does well in turns after learning to drive a 66 Mustang with stock suspension for a few years!

[mgarfias]

Well... The idea wasn't to get him the most capable car on the planet, but something that'll do pretty well, and not be a handicap to him. If it sucks, hes not going to want to autox, if it does ok, he will.

Also, I don't agree with the "drive a shitbox and you'll be faster when you get a real car" train of thought. I raced RC cars for a number of years, and for some of those I was racing an utter piece of crap (sponsor comitmants) - and it didn't help me one bit when I went to a real car.

What made me fast in the (relatively) slow sedans, was racing something faster (1/12scale mod).

[IceSabre]

well.... at great risk of fire damage....

Maybe an import? Wrx? or even one of the hondas? rx-7?

Sure they can be ricers... but there seems to be quite a few events that the bigger sports cars cannot qualify for that these are perfect for. "4 seat sedan with less than 3.1l displacement naturally aspirated" etc.

And best of all, they are cheap! That is the reason that there are a billion of them out there.

With an LT1, sure it is a much better car... but the classes he would qualify in could place him in a much tougher arena.

for example, from what I have heard... the scca events that the Z06 fits in is basically OWNED by the Z06 with a few vipers etc. even though many, many cars classify and would be forced into this category.


Of course I just get all of this second hand as I don't autox (yet anyway)... just talking to some SCCA friends.

[mgarfias]

Yeah, we're thinking rice. I initially suggested a WRX, but those are a bit out of their price range. An Impreza RS might be the way to go.

And yes, Z06s seem to pretty much own superstock.

[McRat]

I'd go with third/fourth gen Fbody. I know, insurance. Parts are cheap and plentiful, they are fun as hell to drive, and used parts are everywhere.
Other options?

Datsun 240/260/280's
Mazda RX3's, RX7's
Datsun rwd coupes (310?)
Miata's
Beemer's
PICKUPS!!! Lot's of guys are running lowered full size pickups and doing pretty good.

[emf]

Originally posted by McRat
Datsun 240/260/280's
Mazda RX3's, RX7's
Datsun rwd coupes (310?)

1st hand experience, you can stick a race-prep'd L28 in any of the Datsun chassis, make decent HP, with virtually no weight . . . RX7's handle great, but don't have good top-end speed. Normally would see L28s stuffed in 240z's [for weight] lead a pack, haul on straights, then get out cornered by the RX7 after they caught up again.

If you're up for a challenge, you can stuff an L28 into a 510 coupe, however from what I remember the raw chassis weight was higher than a 240Z. Later 280s had screwed Fuel infection . . 260s have a longer wheelbase, however weigh about 2-300 lbs than the 240s.

[BLEUBYU]

If you are looking at rice, you may wish to consider something like a Mazda Protege. Believe it or not, they are incredible handling cars - I have a Protege ES which is my daily driver. My daughter just got a Protege5, and with the the new wheel/tire combo - handles even better than my ES. The car magazines have also given these cars kudos for their handling.

Added plus - very reasonable price and reliable as hell, insurance is cheap..


Just a thought...

[Day]

I did not mean by my statement to get him junk. I was just saying at 16, most kids have a car in mind that they would love to have and drive. I think that the love and respect for the car is the most important I think. Alot of kids get little rice machine and drive the crap out of them and never change oil or wash it. If a kid finds a car they love, and are proud to drive it, thats the car to get. Then take it to AutoX and learn to drive better. If it is a good AutoX car then great, if not, then love it everyday you drive it and just have fun at AutoX.

[wvphoto]

buy him a big suv for safety...
...oh yea..
let him autocross the z..!!!
hey ...they are pretty good on the autox..