Yes ladies and gentlemen, the Teen Car Guy is back! Let�s not get carried away now in excitement shall we. I am here today to talk about the joys of autocross. I myself am just starting to get into the sport and now have a great interest for it and can't wait to get started, although I should give you some buying tips. When looking for a car, try and find a salvage vehicle, they tend to be less expensive and you might end up wrecking this car anyway. I also recommend doing a great deal of research on the car you are willing to buy, make sure that it fits in the rules and regulations of your track and SCCA. Don't forget that tires and wheels will make the absolute biggest difference in you driving experience. (This list is in no particular order; the car that is the best, is the one that best suits you)
10. Porsche 944
This is pretty much a fantastic autocross car. First let�s cover the goods. 50/50 weight on all sides, a must for good handling, more positive things about the 944 is that you can find them in good running shape for under 6k (you're going to be tracking it, so if a few dings here and there, and if the radio doesn't work it won�t matter to you) It�s also light, although I recommend taking your car to the scales to get an exact number, different model years and options vary the factor, but expect it to be between 2700 & 3100 lbs. The bad include parts can run a bit high, so try and find an engine in respectable shape when you buy. Check out this link for further information,
944 buying guide.
9. Mini Cooper
One of my all time favorite cars of all time has to be the Mini Cooper. It�s built for handing, and of course, fun. While I do have quite a bit of firsthand experience with Minis, this works on all autocross cars. Just remember the less powerful your car is, the more important weight reduction is.
- Back seat removal can reduce around 60 lbs.
- All glass needs to go. (Depending on what class you are racing in)
- Passenger seat removal, and replace driver�s seat with lightweight tack seat.
- Taking out the A/C unit saves about 10 lbs
- Sound system and interior trim.
- Cold air intake- 8-12 hp gain
- Full Exhaust system- 10-14 hp gain
8. 1990 Nissan 240sx
I grew up around Nissans so it�s hard not to include the 240sx. The good side about the 240sx is that it is dirt cheap to buy, and own. Parts are easy to find, and can often be had at a good bargain. While its 140hp and 152 ft-lbs, isn't impressive, it�s only hauling 2684 lbs around, and after some serious weight reduction, that number can get down to 2500 lbs. After a few performance modifications, you have a serious track contender.
7. 1990-99 Mazda Miata
Let�s get this straight; I do not like the Miata, at all. Although there are plenty of people that do, in fact love the Miata, so for its street reputation, it has made the list. For a quick memory jog, the Miata is powered by a 1.8L 4-cyl engine that produces around 128 hp @ 6500 rpm, and 110 ft-lbs. @ 5000 rpm. So you're probably thinking "Only 128 hp? This car better be light as a feather" And in fact it does, with only a mere 2300 lbs curb weight. So why don't I like this car? Generally Miata�s are classed in the same class, so if 50 guys are driving the same car, its hard on the novice driver who relies on the certain strong point of his or her car.
6. 92-95 Civic SI
If you want something inexpensive to buy, like $1,000 inexpensive, The Civic SI might be for you. It only makes a mere, 125 hp & 106 lb-ft. So the engine specs are not to overly impressive, but this hatchback only carries around 2390 lbs and after some simple weight reduction, you should be clocking in at under 2250 lbs. If you have not already realized, the specs on the Civic are just about the same as the Miata, but don't be fooled, they are completely different cars. While the Miata is a rear wheel drive car, the Civic is a front wheel drive car, so if you're a novice driver, or you're new to autocross, I recommend purchasing a front wheel drive car, just because it is much more easy to push a front wheel drive car to it limits.
5. Mitsubishi Starion
The Mitsubishi Starion is like the nerdy kid in high school, nobody really pays attention to him, then get gets sick of it and goes to the gym for four years straight, and now everybody loves him. So what I am trying to say is that the Starion it needs to go to the gym to lose some weight before people will pay attention to your scores. First off this car is very eltronic heavy, remember the 80's when it was cool to have everything digital? Well being cool comes at a price, electric seat belts, digital dash, power windows and a eight set cassette player weigh a lot, so first thing you need to do it strip down the interior. After a decent weight reduction, you know have a lightweight car, that produces 188 hp, and should tip the scales at 2600 lbs. Plus you get pop-up headlights.
4. 1997 BMW M3
Why is a full size sedan on an autocross list? I don't really know either but I do know that this is a popular car to bring down to the track on Sunday. For starters it makes 240 hp and 236 lb-ft. So it�s pulling out the most impressive numbers, but before you get too excited, you are going to have to do some serious work to get that base 3175 lbs weight down. Now what's good about getting a large car is that small things make a big difference. Those nice leather seats can be replaced with super lightweight Recaro seats, and you can throw out the back seat all together. Those modifications alone should knock off 150 lbs. After getting rid of the sound system, glass, A/C, trim, and radio, you should be around 2750 lbs. I reckon this would be an awesome track car. (I highly recommend updating the brake rotors for this car)
3. Mazda RX-7
You might have a hard time finding one, but its well worth the return. With drop dead gorgeous looks, 255 hp and only 2858 lbs of meat to carry around, makes this car one of my favorites of all time to drive. The only problem I would have if I bought this for track use, is the tear down of the interior, and most of the OEM parts. So try and find one that is not quite the best looking car on the road, but mechanically sound. Otherwise you will end up turning it into a garage queen and forget the reason you bought the car in the first place.
2. Subaru BRZ
For the people out there that can afford to put down $20k on a second car, the BRZ is for you. With only 2763 lbs of steel to carry around and a 200 hp Boxster engine, it will fly around any track. Instead of weight reduction for the BRZ, go for some engine modifications (check your SCCA class first) best things I can think of are as follows
- Cold air intake 7-10 hp
- Full Exhaust system 10-13 hp
- Chip 5-8 hp
All of these parts should run you about two grand. Well worth the amount of smiles they will generate.
1. Honda S2000
This 240 hp machine of awesome is just about as good as it gets for the autocross world. Its very light, weighing in at 2835 lbs, with some simple weight reduction, and a little work you can get that curb weight down 2700 lbs. While being the downright quickest car in the lot, it is also dirt cheap to own and drive. With parts being very widely available, and an easy to work on engine makes this car one of the most reasonable to purchase. Expect to pay around 10 grand upfront for a decent looking S2000. Also expect lots of fun owning one of the best autocross cars of all time.
