SCCAForums.com

atechnica:

My friend races a focus SVT and he was nipping at my heels in a basically stock car. This season he'll waste me, plus his car is nicer ;)

 

The SVT is geared rather poorly as well...it goes like 65 in 2nd.  The regular 2.0 Zetec/Duratec cars are geared more favorable to autcrossing.  The other car that is the best of the bunch would be about a 2004 2.3 in a ZX3 shell with as few options as possible.  That is a 2500-2600 pound car with 150+ factory HP...and a very good chassis.

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Erik B.
Wisconsin Autocrossers, Inc
www.waiautox.org ___/\___/\___/\___/\___/\___
2007 Mazda6
2000 "Fozda" ZX2 S/R--STS Anti-Civic

He had a zx3 as you described and he's faster in the SVT. We're just a local club though, so this isn't representative of what would happen at nationals.

I'd say spend $5-6k on a prepped 89 Civic Si and then spend the other $7-8k on a daily driver. You'll thank yourself in the long run

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Brian Davis, 89 Civic Si, 158 STS

A lot of suggestions here (some rather quirky), but to me it sounds like a 94-01 Acura Integra would do what you want.  It doesn't even need to be a GSR--the LS or RS will do just fine.  Huge aftermarket, good knowledge about setup.  Parts are easy and cheap to find, easy to repair, ultra reliable, etc.  And the SE and (some) GSR models come with leather if you want an 'upscale' interior.

Much like the 89-91 Civic Si, the Integra is full double-wishbone, so it doesn't take a lot to get it to handle well.  A decent driver and a moderately setup car could easily take the top spot in some regions.

Another suggestion would be a 96-00 Civic Ex.  It's similar to the Acura, but with a little less power and a little less weight.

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Todd
Too many ST cars

"Restricted Area Racing"

turbohappy:

I'd say spend $5-6k on a prepped 89 Civic Si and then spend the other $7-8k on a daily driver. You'll thank yourself in the long run

 

That's good advice there. . .except the civic part!    If $13k is your limit (would KILL for a limit like that right now) pick up a competitive car of your choice and a nice comfy DD. . .The Elantra for me goes back to DD status next year and gets repleaced with the Swift.  Any DD car is just too much of  compromise on the track, especially living with the craters we call potholes and a picky wife (who loves me very much).

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"Drag racing is for fast cars, autocrossing is for fast drivers"

mtownneon:

I'm partial but 1st gen Neons still do pretty well and they're about as inexpensive as they get. For half of your budget you could build a pretty killer STS car. I have under 3 grand in mine and run well locally.

Now addimittedly, I'd get crushed at a national but 10 grand would be more than enough to step up my game.

Well supported by the aftermarket, plentiful, and easy to work on, they aren't a bad deal.

 

Thank you for the advice.  If I go the two car route, the Neon would work out nicely.  I'm looking at all of the different years and models and I am a bit confused about the differences between each.  What year and model should I be looking for? 

Thank you all for the other suggestions as well.  Looking for a 240sx is quite a challenge as the drift crowd or hack swap jobs have destroyed most of them.  I can work my way around suspension, brakes, and typical engine work, but pulling a swap out is beyond my desire.  The 1992 - 2000 Civic EX might be a great choice as a second car (do any of them come without power options or a sunroof?).  I've had two GS-R's and loved both, but one was stolen and the other I sold with 305,000 original miles.  It is hard to find a reasonable priced one because of all the ricers willing to pay 3 grand over book for them.  I do keep my eye out for a stripped down RS model with no power options and no sunroof.  The Scion TC is a possibility and I should probably go test drive one.  I like the idea of the Focus, since there are so many to choose from at a reasonable price, but once again I am confused as to what model I should be looking at.  Any help here would be greatly appreciated.  

Keep the ideas coming!

And for all you diehard '89 Civic fans, sell me yours!

 

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This season:
#9 GS/STS 2000 Nissan Maxima SE - sold
#9 STX 2006 Honda Civic Si - for sale
#? HS 2006 Honda Civic LX - driver mod needed

cincy94max:

I like the idea of the Focus, since there are so many to choose from at a reasonable price, but once again I am confused as to what model I should be looking at.  Any help here would be greatly appreciated.  

 

The SVT is clearly the nicest of all Foci, but as I said they are geared a little tall; if you go that route, definately run a tire that is 23.5" tall or less...like a 215/45-16.  The model I would look for would be a 2004 ZX3 with a 2.3 Duratec motor.  It is 15hp shy of the SVT, but out torques it...and is nearly as fast, but wont command a premium price.  They also made a 2.3 ST Sedan, but it will be a bit heavier--but again is nicely appointed as a driver...better seats than the basic car.  There is nothing wrong with looking for a nice, older 2.0 Zetec car either...just stay away from the 2000's as there were alot of first-year bugs.  I'd say 2002+ would be best in that respect.

Go to the autocross forum on www.focaljet.com and snoop around.  There is a ton of info there.

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Erik B.
Wisconsin Autocrossers, Inc
www.waiautox.org ___/\___/\___/\___/\___/\___
2007 Mazda6
2000 "Fozda" ZX2 S/R--STS Anti-Civic

Yeah the focus is a good car but to be fair I'd still get a 325 or 328

Mugenlude:

Mid 90's BMW 325i can be found for under $10k, that would leave some decent money to spend on shocks/springs/wheels/tires.

 How about a 2001 330i for $10k? It does have a salvage title, but only 82k miles.

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David Avard
89 Honda Civic Si black (STS)
07 Mazda 3s (HS?)

cincy94max:

The 1992 - 2000 Civic EX might be a great choice as a second car (do any of them come without power options or a sunroof?). 

 All 92-00 Civic Exs came with power windows, locks, sunroof, power steering. The later ones came with ABS. The younger the year the lighter the Civic of course. Although my 00 Civic Si in STS trim (but didn't install seats, or remove AC and had a stereo system and alarm) weighed in around 2450-2500lbs.

My 93 Civic Si with just an exhaust, Enkei RPF1s, and coilovers weighs 2220lbs right now.

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KAM Racing Sports, Falken Tires, Progress Technology, Brady's High Performance, Taggart Performance Engineering, Rotora Brakes
Autocross is: 90% driver, 5% car, & 5% CRAZY MOJO!
Buy my Civic parts!

Another recommendation for the Integra. There are so many trim levels and options you can choose, from a lightweight non-AC/sunroof/ABS/cruise RS hatchback to a GSR sedan with every convenience and option you could want (mine weighs 2600 with no lightweight mods at all, not too bad). They look great and are comfortable (both IMO), 27-35mpg, more off the shelf performance parts available than probably any other import car, easy to work on, a wealth of online resources and forums. Sedans are about 80lbs heavier, slightly longer wheelbase, but more structurally rigid. GSR's came with all options, but I think the weight is a worthwhile tradeoff for the highend VTEC power, 8100rpm rev limit, and short trans gearing- all very useful for autox. I prefer the 94-01 teg but 90-93 are certainly cheaper (slightly lighter) and have their charm.

The major con of an Integra is the theft-potential. Budget for a quality alarm install and cross your fingers.

In any case, I think the new crop of ST- tires out now could help the competitiveness of some different cars. I'm really liking 215/40-17's Dunlops on my Integra.

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-Kelly
Rocky Mountain Region Solo / Time Trials - 94 Integra SM.
Apex RacingGroup.com

I know it's already been dismissed, but the Elantra just took 1-2 for the second event in a row in STS. I'd say it's fairly competitive at a local level.

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"Drag racing is for fast cars, autocrossing is for fast drivers"

gtitronic:

The major con of an Integra is the theft-potential. Budget for a quality alarm install and cross your fingers.

In any case, I think the new crop of ST- tires out now could help the competitiveness of some different cars. I'm really liking 215/40-17's Dunlops on my Integra.

On all my cars I usually have a good alarm system with a back up battery and the Autolock (which locks onto a pedal to prevent it from being used). I clip onto the clutch.

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KAM Racing Sports, Falken Tires, Progress Technology, Brady's High Performance, Taggart Performance Engineering, Rotora Brakes
Autocross is: 90% driver, 5% car, & 5% CRAZY MOJO!
Buy my Civic parts!

cincy94max:

...And for all you diehard '89 Civic fans, sell me yours!

 

 Strickland has his for sale for $6K.  That leaves you $7K for a daily driver / tow vehicle. 

isn't there a civic in Milwaukee for $4k?

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STX? #313 | the rolling couch of doom | La-Z-Boy Racing

murph1379:

isn't there a civic in Milwaukee for $4k?

I don't know of a prepared car from this area that is for sale at this point, at least not one that has been running here.

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Jason Frank
Bridgestone / datatoys.com / Redshift Motorsports STS Civic Si

TeamUndercoatRacing.com

turbohappy:

I'd say spend $5-6k on a prepped 89 Civic Si and then spend the other $7-8k on a daily driver. You'll thank yourself in the long run

I agree. There have been a few well prepaired Civics for sale lately for under $6k. IMO, there isn't a better value than an 89 Civic, other than a 90-93 STS2 Miata.

There are lots of good, fun daily beaters that could be bought for less than $6k.

Edit: Another vote for the Mini Cooper as my 2nd choice. I think it would make a fun locally competitive STS car.

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90 Miata/89 CRX - STS2 #90/190

GChambers:

IMO, there isn't a better value than an 89 Civic, other than a 90-93 STS2 Miata.

An ES MR2 is a pretty good one, too. Mine was $3600 (1991) and I have seen some incredibly nice ones with tons of spares, highest being 8K but plenty in the 5-6K range.

My vote for this thread would be for a 240SX.  

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John W: 2003 WRX (#7 STX) | 1998 ///M3
Washington, DC Region

How about a Mazda3?  I have been thinking it could make a decent autox/daily driver type car and it could be run in STS. 

I would pick a 92-95 civic si.  They are a decent daily driver, as they have power steering, cruise control, and airbag(s).  They have a wide selection of aftermarket parts, and with the right setup and driver, they should be able to keep up with the 89 civic si.  It would at least be regionally competitive.  Slap some sps3 konis on it, some GCs and a big rear sway bar, and you should be set.  If I understand the rules, the ASR 32mm rear bar is legal now?

I am trying to find one for a DD, as my 89 civic si is not a good DD.

-Brian

 

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Brian Bell - Atlanta Region
197 STX '97 BMW 328is
189 STS '89 Civic Si (now my wife's)