BlueEyes

Well, actually 50,000 canadian dollars. But since most here are american, we will convert.

So, I have a freind who has long since graduated university, and grown bored of his 97 tercel. Shocking, I know. He is looking to take up track days, SOLO I, and maybe some autocross. He wants to replace the tercel with 2 cars. One for the daily commute, and one for summer/tracks. The daily driver must have 4 doors, and be reasonably economical and reliable. The summer car is pretty much open, though nothing ancient (mid 90's on), prone to blowing up, or something in need of mods to make track worthy. He would also like to keep the distribution roughly equal, he doesn't want some **** box to drive daily.

I keep pushing for a used S2000 (30,000 CDN) and a TSX (25,000 CDN) But that's a little over budget and possibly a little optimistic on price. Can't blame me for trying , it would be a nice garage. E36 M3 has crossed my mind, MkII MR2 etc

For some reason, I've got writers block for car shopping or something, so I wanted to canvas you guys for some ideas.

Ike

For a stock trackday performer it would be pretty tough to top a used STi or S2K, Evo would be better but you guys don't get them in Canada, after that an RX-8 would be a good choice. If he wants new the Civic SI would be a fun little car to toss around on the track. For the daily driver there are a plethora of cars that would fit the bill, Maxima, Accord, TSX, Legacy, Mazda 6 all come to mind.

millyard

get one STI in the US, can be had for about 42k CAD imported, and use it for both, thats what I'd do. Subaru warrenty is valid over the boarder.

Spend the rest on mods.

Did you US guys know a STI costs us over 50k CAD here, rip off city? He'll havea hard time finding a used STI under 40k here.

Ike

It's possible to get a used STI here without a ton of miles for low 20s (USD), so if that's not the case in Canada disregard my suggestions...

TeamRX8

iTrader: (25)

he should invest the money towards his future and allow himself several more years establishing his career before dumping money into cars

like most people he'll probably consider that too practical to be realistic ...

BlueEyes

I think he'll be fine. When I said long since graduated, I meant long since graduated. As in he is in his 30's. He's more than established enough to spend 50k on a couple cars.

The STi is what I originally wanted him to get, but he really wants two cars.

Redshift

iTrader: (2)

Before he makes any decisions, he should look a little deeper into the rules of the events he wants to participate in.

For example, the S2K.
Most Solo1, and some lapping day organizing bodies will require SCCA approved rollover protection in any open-top cars. I know of a guy locally (big Honda fan) who traded his Accord for an S2K, all excited to do lapping days etc. The requirement for rollover protection (the optional hard top is NOT protection) scuttled that. He was more than a little pissed.

FIA Canada is working on new national lapping-day regulations right now. It's looking like the rules might go the rollover protection route.

Just a word to the wise to do the due dillegence before parting with your money.

Given the requirements, if it were my money, I would go for an E36 M3. I've always loved those cars, they are good out of the box (if you address a few known weak points) and can be turned into monsters.
For a daily driver, take your pick of whichever brand you like in the class: TSX, Accord, Maxima, A4, 3 series etc.
You could also go with an RX-8, they they are now dirt-cheap used. (I've seen 04 GTs asking 28K CDN. for a car that was $40K+) and they make a pretty good track car.

I was in a similar situation to your friend. I used my RX-8 for both street and track for a couple of years.
Now, I have my truck and RX-8 for daily driving (and HPDEs that require a street car.) And I recently picked up a 1st Gen. Nissan 240SX Improved Touring track car (with full cage, harness, seats etc.)

Now, I know it's not totally on-topic, but I would be looking at spending a bit less on the track toy.
After seeing an E46 M3 go backwards into a guardrail, having a Porchse 911 spin in front of me right on the Apex of a corner etc., I've adopted the mantra a dedicated racer told me last year... "Don't take it on the track if you can't afford to push it over a cliff."

alnielsen

iTrader: (4)

I have to agree. Cars in general are a depreciating asset. Pickup a used Hundei Santa Fe AWD for the daily car. You'll have quite a bit of time left on their 10 yr. warrenty.

DARKMAZ8

What about a used Z06?

I've seen some in the mid to high 30's. Not to mention that this is a great month for someone that wants a great deal on a car. 400hp would be really fun on track days.

Tell him to buy another Toyota product with the rest.

Feras

iTrader: (1)

tell him to do what im planning to do after the 8. Brand new Civic Si and 99 BMW M3.

globi

No offense, but I don't see how anybody could seriously consider a less powerful and more expensive TSX over a Mazda 6s.
With a CAI the 6s delivers even 240HP for far less money. Also for the price of a TSX you can easily get a 6i with a Turbokit.

Rhawb

Well, I don't think you're buying the TSX for speed. You're buying it because they're damn nice inside and out. The 6 interior doesn't really hold up to those Acuras, unfortunately.

As far as what he should get, why not a Honda of some sort for daily driving and then grab a Miata for fun? The Honda is going to give you reliability and gas mileage, while the Miata is going to give you lots of different racing clubs/leagues to get involved in. Though, you probably will have to install some sort of roll protection, but I'd imagine those can be had for relatively cheap thanks to the Miata's popularity in autocross and other forms of racing.

BlueEyes

Did you read my reply to that comment?

BlueEyes

Yup, a good rule. I think 25-30k is reasonable for a summer/track toy. That's also one of the reasons he wants two cars; incase something happens to the fun car.
Might be an idea, I never thought of that.
99 was the last year of the E36 M3 right? The only thing I worry about with the Bmw's is cost to fix.

BlueEyes

It's pretty easy, he doesn't like them. I don't think he cares how much hp his commuter car has or it's modability; he's coming from a 90 something hp tercel. It's a non-factor.

Feras

iTrader: (1)

yep 99 was the last of the E36 M3s

Redshift

iTrader: (2)

A valid concern, BUT, if this is his summer/track toy, the miles probably won't get too high on it, which should help keep the reasonable. Well, reasonable for a BMW.

Depends how much work he can do himself. (i.e. bleeding and changing brake fluid on a track car)

Redshift

iTrader: (2)

Another option for the track/summer toy (although how much better from a mainteneance perspective it is than the E36 M3 is open for debate) is you could get a really nice 94 or 95 RX-7TT for $20-25K CDN, especially with the current USD exchange rate.

Rhawb

Problem with the RX7 is that it's a lot of upkeep for a guy who is brand new to racing. He'll probably want to get the engine rebuilt or something shortly if he's getting a 95 since it's super hard to find one that's been well taken care of. I think a used RX8 or a new Miata, S2000 or Solstice would be the best choices, even despite their lack of rollover protection. Though, I'm pretty sure you can buy bolt on rollover kits that are up to spec.