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Thanks for all the suggestions I guess there are quite a few cars out there that fit my budget. Matt I have seen your 318i what would it cost to be competitve with it in H stock sway bar, extra set of wheels tires, shocks, anything I am missing? Or would I be better off get a higher mileage 328 and running that? Here is a 318 for sale locally http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/car/337897039.html

powersmx5:

Thanks for all the suggestions I guess there are quite a few cars out there that fit my budget. Matt I have seen your 318i what would it cost to be competitve with it in H stock sway bar, extra set of wheels tires, shocks, anything I am missing? Or would I be better off get a higher mileage 328 and running that? Here is a 318 for sale locally http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/car/337897039.html

Yeah well your stock mods are limited. The rest boils down to driver skill and talent.

What you need to do is go down the stock car list on the SCCA site, figure what you want and then figure out what parts are available for each car. I've been known to skip this step and spend time finding parts overseas and spending money to have them imported. Not cool if you asked me and more like stupid but well don't do the same crap I've done.

I almost did up a semi-Nationally competitive Camry for HS, which would have been plain stupid since the parts are hard to find and if you can they are not cheap. I said semi because it wouldn't be up front and I would be lucky if it got into the top 10.

powersmx5:

Matt I have seen your 318i what would it cost to be competitve with it in H stock sway bar, extra set of wheels tires, shocks, anything I am missing? Or would I be better off get a higher mileage 328 and running that? Here is a 318 for sale locally http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/car/337897039.html 

No, you have it about covered. The 328 puts you in D Stock (I think?). That 318 has traction control. Plus, you cannot trust those BMW owners.  :^)

What would it cost? Hmmmm, we should talk.

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Matt Murray

I am perfectly capable of learning from my mistakes. I will surely learn a great deal today.

mattm:

powersmx5:

Matt I have seen your 318i what would it cost to be competitve with it in H stock sway bar, extra set of wheels tires, shocks, anything I am missing? Or would I be better off get a higher mileage 328 and running that? Here is a 318 for sale locally http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/car/337897039.html 

No, you have it about covered. The 328 puts you in D Stock (I think?). That 318 has traction control. Plus, you cannot trust those BMW owners.  :^)

What would it cost? Hmmmm, we should talk.

I agree. Don't buy a BMW unless you're prepared to do parts hunting. I've got a 95 E36 and the only reason its still running good is because I took care of it from Day 1 I got it. Most used ones that old  require work. 

Honda Prelude. It not as competitive as Integra Type R, but has more torgue for everyday driving.

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'01 Prelude, STS

I never thought of the prelude the only one that autocrosses locally is an sm car so I have not scene to many actually run. How much do they weigh?

 I also found the Mazdaspeed Protege any thoughts?

I don't know about the BMW's, but any car with some years are going to have worn out and/or broke parts eventually.  It's just the way it is.

Going from a Miata you're probably going to want a RWD car, but again without direct experience with the BMW's or any other cars... the Celica and MSP some of the most neutral FWD's out of the box and some of the best cars you can get for ~ 10-12 grand.  The Celica is now a 2nd-tier car due to all the hi-TQ / LSD  cars in G-Stock, but if you're not concerned about hundredths of a second on the national level it's an excellent choice.  The 7-th gen is a really fun and roomy car to drive... IF you can find one; Toyota didn't sell a lot of these (that's why they canned it).  The hatch area is really big, perhaps able to fit a mounted set of 205/50-15's while still keeping one or both of the rear seats up?  Plus, from 00 - 02 a lot of top drivers ran these cars, and there's probably a few on this list who could inform on the hot setup.

The MSP will be faster, but doesn't have that hatch versatility. 

Speaking from experience, ANY car you're going keep tires inside will stink and gunk up, tire totes or not.  Tire Tail might be a better choice, as long as it's not vandalized / stolen and doesn't block your trunk.  Or, like you said, constantly lug the tires to and from your apartment.  Ahh, the joys of city living.   Maybe there's a safe place and way to park a tire / gear trailer?  If I still had an autocross car, I would be facing the exact same challenges, and I don't have any good answers.

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Adam Wosneski
91 240sx (S13) -- hopefully ITS/DSP in 09
Need funds, tow vehicle

powersmx5:

I never thought of the prelude the only one that autocrosses locally is an sm car so I have not scene to many actually run. How much do they weigh?

 I also found the Mazdaspeed Protege any thoughts?

 As Glick mentions, the MSP is a great choice. 

Skip the Prelude: I owned and autocrossed one for 2+ years.  Of the last two generations the 92-96 4th gen curb weight is around 2809.  My 90% prepped STS version made it down to 2822 with its $ wheel steer.  The 97-01 5th gen curbed at 3000+.  In our 1st year nationally competing a friend and I campaigned his 5th generation; prepped to the STX rules in 05.  IIRC it weighed in at around 3020, had a quaife LSD and was prepped about 95%.  We were trophy fodder everywhere, even for poorly driven, poorly prepped WRX, BMWs, ITR's and the like.  Irregardless of the generation, both were hamstrung (IMO) by the 65/35 weight distribution, the power to weight and classing with other cars.

For DD/street purposes: the back seat is a joke if you are looking to comfortably transport 3 adults. I used mine as parcel shelf.  Gas mileage isn't great and the engines suck/burn oil particularly if you like VTEC engagement.... which is where the fun is anyway.  

Just my opinion... I love the 4th gens, but love autocross more.

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Zack
# Whatever
Car: Who ever'll hand me the keys

The steering on the last gen Preludes reminded me of my 2nd-gen MX6's steering:  the pump couldn't keep up in the slaloms, and as such, intermittently cut out at the worst times.  Plus, both steering setups are lifeless and sloppy.  Steering is such an important part of an autocross car.

Much less important, but still, the VTEC of the last gen Prelude (maybe all?) was difficult to engage on anything but the end of straight, so bump on what mtbprelude said about them being down on power.  That paper peak HP mark upon which the car is classed is seen for a very short amount of time and usually in a useless area of an autocross course.

Just like the MX6, the last-gen Prelude is a fun, luxurious, quick street car, but you have a plethora of better choices for autocross cars.

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Adam Wosneski
91 240sx (S13) -- hopefully ITS/DSP in 09
Need funds, tow vehicle

Totally agree on the MSP, Spec V, & E36 318i Sport.  What about an Impreza 2.5RS?  Like some of the others, it may be competitive locally, depending on your competition. 

I don't know whether the ITR or the Celica would improve your storage situation as much as you'd like.  If I'm wrong, and that's enough storage, then maybe a Z28 would work for you as well.

 

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Aaron Hull
Northwest Ohio Region
Occasional co-driver of: STS - '91 Saturn SC; FS - '95 Z28 1LE

Primetime Glick:

the pump couldn't keep up in the slaloms, and as such, intermittently cut out at the worst times. 

I know people complain about steering, but mine doesn't have this problem. Only sometimes when I make serious mistake and try to quickly change directions several times after that.

Primetime Glick:

Just like the MX6, the last-gen Prelude is a fun, luxurious, quick street car, but you have a plethora of better choices for autocross cars.

I never thought of either of them as a luxurious car.

It is true that there are better cars for autocross. I just like it and use it as a four seat DD car (2 adults + 2 kids), enough trunk space to go to Costco, reliable (otherwise I'd take BMW), more unique than miatas or civics...

There was one guy in our region who was consistently competitive in his DS Type SH. I cannot beleive he only had KONIs and Falkens at stock rims. So, I know this car can be competitive and it depends more on driver than mods. But still I cannot learn how to make it (and I only have time to attend few events per year :( ). I have very minor mods - rear sway bar, KONIs and lightweight wheels.

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'01 Prelude, STS

I'll toss a couple other cars into the mix.  Acura RSX (base) for HS.  That will stretch the 10K envelope, but will be exceptionally reliable and fairly comfortable for a hatch.  Integra GS-R (2 dr or 4 dr).  Not a great stock class car, but a great daily driver, many similarities to the ITR, but MUCH cheaper and has tons of aftermarket support.  The sedan is great too is you need the extra doors.  Probably a better regional STS car.  Also, I don't think you can find an ITR for 10K without 150K on it and finding a stock one is a challenge. 

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Jeff B
98 Integra Type R - STX
07 Civic Si Sedan

 

 

             I'm not sure if they have ever been competitive but I will throw in my vote for a first gen Protege lx (90-94). Very fun to drive, decent backseat, good handling, decent power/tq/powerband, disc brakes. I just picked up a 91 with 78k on it for $1250. Even a fully loaded one with sunroof, power windows and locks like mine, you are still under 2700 lbs.

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93 Escort lx (DD duty)
91 Protege lx (sold)
92 Civic hatch (sold)

I sold my 99 Miata last year for similar reasons.  I got tired of the wind noise on the highway, lack of A/C, and generally felt a little vulnerable in such a small car.  I bought a 98 BMW 328is to replace it and am very happy with it.  I have it prepped for STS with lots of suspension goodies.  My 328 dominates our STS class with a good driver (not me). I don't think you'll find a decent E36 M3 for under 10K, but a 328 may be closer to your price range.

 Dave

Deproulx:

I sold my 99 Miata last year for similar reasons.  I got tired of the wind noise on the highway, lack of A/C, and generally felt a little vulnerable in such a small car.  I bought a 98 BMW 328is to replace it and am very happy with it.  I have it prepped for STS with lots of suspension goodies.  My 328 dominates our STS class with a good driver (not me). I don't think you'll find a decent E36 M3 for under 10K, but a 328 may be closer to your price range.

 Dave

 

That's probably because your car isn't an STS car.  Should be in STX (or STU?) if I'm not mistaken.

No problem with a 328is in STS, as long as it doesn't have an LSD. The displacement is under the 3.1 liter limit, and it is not on the exclusion list.

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Keith
'90 Miata with a really big roll bar
www.chaserace.com
www.tightntidyracing.com
www.vorschlag.com

Thanks I am considering all the suggestions. I am really looking diligently at the Mazdaspeed Protege its looks like a competitive car that I could build pretty cheap.

motoring:

No problem with a 328is in STS, as long as it doesn't have an LSD. The displacement is under the 3.1 liter limit, and it is not on the exclusion list.

I've been researching BMW's (don't ask) and none of them ever came with an LSD except the M3's.  Not even the special ZHP models.  (I was very surprised)  Maybe some of the older E30 models did, but I don't think so.
 

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2007 Mazda MX-5 MRS (C-stock)

mitchman:

I've been researching BMW's and none of them ever came with an LSD except the M3's.  Not even the special ZHP models.  (I was very surprised)  Maybe some of the older E30 models did, but I don't think so. 

The early E36 chassis (non-M series) had slips. About the mid-nineties, BMW changed over from a slip to traction control (boo-hiss).

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Matt Murray

I am perfectly capable of learning from my mistakes. I will surely learn a great deal today.

I would say that the 2002-2005 Honda Civic Si suits your criteria to the T!

Price Range: $7000 (2002-2003) to $15000 (2004-2005)

Weight: 2840lbs.

 HP: 135WHP Stock

TQ: 125lbs.

Cargo Space is plenty!

All in all it's a fun car to cruise the city or to compete in local events. A couple mods like; race header, exhaust, intake, and kpro and you'll easily be at the 160WHP 135lbs TQ. I personally drive one of these rides. They don't get much respect from the other Hondas or Acura RSX's. But they have no idea how much fun they are to drive!

 If you consider purchasing one of these let me know! I know a place where you can pick one up real cheap!! Probably some with some basic bolt-on power adders already installed. Otherwise there are completely stock cars available as well!

 
Differences between the '02-'03 and '04-'05

'02-'03

- 4x100 lug pattern

-stock 15x6.5 wheels

'04-'05

- 5x100 lug pattern

-stock 16x6.5 wheels 

- different headlights

- larger front grill

- sideskirts

- Clear Tail Lights (Hideous) 

- laser cut key ('03 came with this as well)

 


 

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Jake Kaminskis
2002 Honda Civic Si STX
SCCA MKE Region

www.MidwestTuning.com
www.Datatoys.com