Suggestions on Used Cars

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Dec 13, 2002 | 11:12 AM
  #1  
It's there a nearby road course around Rowland or Ontario, CA?

I am looking for a used car that I am intented to use on the track mostly, but will drive it on the streets too. I will not consider racing my C32. I am looking to spend $2000 - $4000 max. Any suggestions?

My current list of cars:
91' MR2 Turbo @$6000 or NA-stick
89' MR2 Supercharged-stick
88' Supra Turbo-auto
89' RX-7 NA-stick
91' Prelude Si-stick
93' Prelude Si-stick
93' Prelude V-Tech-stick @$6000
96' Integra GSR-stick@$6000
91' 240SX-stick
91' 300ZX NA-stick@$5000
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Dec 13, 2002 | 11:20 AM
  #2  
Is an MR2 a Miatta?? If not, look into those cars, very good specially for autocrossing and road racing.
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Dec 15, 2002 | 05:54 PM
  #3  
The MR2 is only worth getting as a turbo model. Driving a mid-engine car can be challenging, but once you get it, probably the best handling car on the list by far.

The Miata is also good, especially if you consider turboing one, lots of power, great handling, fun to drive!
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Dec 15, 2002 | 06:18 PM
  #4  
If you are planning on competing with the car, you really must 1) figure out what sanctioning body you intend to compete in, and 2) research which classes are popular, 3) research what modifications are allowed in each class and see if it fits within your budget.

You don't want to be in a class with no other cars - that is no fun, plus the bigger classes usually are the cars that offer the most bang for the buck (and are therefore the most popular).

You also want to find out what mods are allowed (even the lowest "Production" type classes allow some mods), and whether your budget will allow those mods. It is difficult to compete in a class if you haven't maxed out the allowed mods, or at least come close. You don't want to be in a class where it's going to cost big bucks to even compete.

You also should figure out what you have to do to get a competition license from the sanctioning body.

If you don't want to compete, but just want to do drivers' ed type track stuff, it doesn't really matter which one you buy. Buy the one you think you'd like best as a street car. The 2nd Gen. MR2s are a lot of fun and a good buy right now.

I ran an SCCA G Production Triumph Spitfire (among a couple of others) for many years, mostly on the western tracks and mostly at PIR. It was a lot of fun - not what I'd call cheap $$-wise, but not outrageous.
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