Track/daily drive car suggestion - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

ayau · 01-29-2013, 02:19 PM

I'm looking to purchase an affordable track car that I can also daily drive. I'd like to get some suggestions on which car would meet my requirements. The following are my requirements (not in order of importance).

1. Cheap (<6k or less)
2. Reasonable cargo (no S2000 here)
3. Better than average MPG (>= 28MPG)
4. Availability of aftermarket parts. I'm just looking at wheels/tires/coilovers. Nothing extreme as far as tracking goes since this needs to be a daily drive car too.

Keep in mind speed/power isn't important. This will most likely be a 90% daily driver and 10% track time.

As of right now, I'm leaning towards an EP3 Honda Civic SI. Are there other suggestions?

7thgear · 01-29-2013, 02:23 PM

you can track any econobox and you can get tires for ANY car

you don't need coilovers

so just buy whatever you want and bomb around in it on the track

Dave-ROR · 01-29-2013, 02:26 PM

EP3 sucks IMO. Integra GS-R, EG Civic, Miata, CRX...

GTM_Challenge · 01-29-2013, 02:36 PM

Civic EG or EK Hatch. I wish my miata DD could haul stuff like a hatch (like tires to the track!)

1. Cheap (<6k or less)

CHECK!

2. Reasonable cargo (no S2000 here)

CHECK! CHECK!

3. Better than average MPG (>= 28MPG)

CHECK! CHECK! CHECK!

4. Availability of aftermarket parts. I'm just looking at wheels/tires/coilovers. Nothing extreme as far as tracking goes since this needs to be a daily drive car too.

Better than any other car out there! CHECK!

track_warrior · 01-29-2013, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTM_Challenge

Civic EG or EK Hatch. I wish my miata DD could haul stuff like a hatch (like tires to the track!)

1. Cheap (<6k or less)

CHECK!

2. Reasonable cargo (no S2000 here)

CHECK! CHECK!

3. Better than average MPG (>= 28MPG)

CHECK! CHECK! CHECK!

4. Availability of aftermarket parts. I'm just looking at wheels/tires/coilovers. Nothing extreme as far as tracking goes since this needs to be a daily drive car too.

Better than any other car out there! CHECK!

I agree its pretty hard to beat a Civic hatch for the value it provides!

ayau · 01-29-2013, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTM_Challenge

Civic EG or EK Hatch. I wish my miata DD could haul stuff like a hatch (like tires to the track!)

1. Cheap (<6k or less)

CHECK!

2. Reasonable cargo (no S2000 here)

CHECK! CHECK!

3. Better than average MPG (>= 28MPG)

CHECK! CHECK! CHECK!

4. Availability of aftermarket parts. I'm just looking at wheels/tires/coilovers. Nothing extreme as far as tracking goes since this needs to be a daily drive car too.

Better than any other car out there! CHECK!

The tough part is finding one that isn't molested or rusted.

ayau · 01-29-2013, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave-ROR

EP3 sucks IMO. Integra GS-R, EG Civic, Miata, CRX...

What makes the EP3 inferior in your opinion? Is it the extra weight/strut suspension?

whitejdm · 01-29-2013, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ayau

What makes the EP3 inferior in your opinion? Is it the extra weight/strut suspension?

The Strut suspension is not the only problem, there is also an issue with the rear suspension geometry that makes it hard to tune properly. You end up with a lot of rear end "hop" on hard cornering and street driving. Now everyone will say "yes, but you see plenty of DC5 and EP3 race cars" and that's true, when you have the full weight of a race team prepping a car anything is possible ( the Buddy Club and Spoon DC5s come to mind, they essentially had very little left of the original suspension). But for a one man show on a budget you will be MILES ahead with the EG/EK/DC2 cars. Hell, even the CL7 TSX is a better base (Real Time Racing and Spoon both gave up on DC5 development and switched to the TSX/Accord)

ayau · 01-29-2013, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whitejdm

The Strut suspension is not the only problem, there is also an issue with the rear suspension geometry that makes it hard to tune properly. You end up with a lot of rear end "hop" on hard cornering and street driving. Now everyone will say "yes, but you see plenty of DC5 and EP3 race cars" and that's true, when you have the full weight of a race team prepping a car anything is possible ( the Buddy Club and Spoon DC5s come to mind, they essentially had very little left of the original suspension). But for a one man show on a budget you will be MILES ahead with the EG/EK/DC2 cars. Hell, even the CL7 TSX is a better base (Real Time Racing and Spoon both gave up on DC5 development and switched to the TSX/Accord)

Ah, thanks for elaborating. As a one man team, I wouldn't go further than coilovers, so the EG/EK/DC2 makes more sense.

goldenfri · 01-29-2013, 04:45 PM

I'm surprised there is so many recommending a civic hatch. Unless you upgrade the engine with something more powerful they are just too slow to be fun on the track in my opinion. You would be directing traffic around you all day long.

GTM_Challenge · 01-29-2013, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goldenfri

I'm surprised there is so many recommending a civic hatch. Unless you upgrade the engine with something more powerful they are just too slow to be fun on the track in my opinion. You would be directing traffic around you all day long.

Its all up to the driver. Id say experienced drivers would wheel a well prepped, stock powered civic around a track faster than most people here could in their FRS/BRZ

And I enjoy driving my miata over my s2k on track. Its slower yes, but I can run circles around other s2k drivers in a stock 94 miata at full weight with cheap coilovers and 225/45/15 RS3s. Its not always about the car. The civic offers everything he wants and then some.

Can you think of anything better that meets ALL the criteria?

ultra · 01-29-2013, 05:16 PM

For that money a EG or EK Civic hatch is a good, safe bet anywhere in the world.

Especially if you can find one that already has a decent B or K series swap done. Saves $$$ and they can be pretty quick!

Warning: potentially deep rabbit hole on the mods with the Hondas.

ayau · 01-29-2013, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ultra

For that money a EG or EK Civic hatch is a good, safe bet anywhere in the world.

Especially if you can find one that already has a decent B or K series swap done. Saves $$$ and they can be pretty quick!

Warning: potentially deep rabbit hole on the mods with the Hondas.

Hopefully the fact that it will also double as a daily driver will restrain me.

Gearhd79 · 01-29-2013, 07:56 PM

define cheap?? Some guys I know have new boxters or cayman S or Vettes and Our FRS or BRZ cars are cheap daily driver track now and then cars compared to them. I also know many guys running around in hondas (Great for AutoX) but I think I am officially too old to be alowed to drive a Civic. lol I just could not be one of "them".

01-29-2013, 02:19 PM	#1
ayau Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Drives: Some rust bucket Location: Polar ice cap Posts: 3,058 Thanks: 312 Thanked 1,045 Times in 556 Posts Mentioned: 37 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Track/daily drive car suggestion I'm looking to purchase an affordable track car that I can also daily drive. I'd like to get some suggestions on which car would meet my requirements. The following are my requirements (not in order of importance). 1. Cheap (<6k or less) 2. Reasonable cargo (no S2000 here) 3. Better than average MPG (>= 28MPG) 4. Availability of aftermarket parts. I'm just looking at wheels/tires/coilovers. Nothing extreme as far as tracking goes since this needs to be a daily drive car too. Keep in mind speed/power isn't important. This will most likely be a 90% daily driver and 10% track time. As of right now, I'm leaning towards an EP3 Honda Civic SI. Are there other suggestions?

01-29-2013, 02:23 PM	#2
7thgear i'm sorry, what? Join Date: Jan 2012 Drives: Canada Location: I rock a beat harder than you can beat it with rocks Posts: 4,399 Thanks: 357 Thanked 2,506 Times in 1,268 Posts Mentioned: 40 Post(s) Tagged: 3 Thread(s)	you can track any econobox and you can get tires for ANY car you don't need coilovers so just buy whatever you want and bomb around in it on the track __________________ don't you think if I was wrong, I'd know it?

01-29-2013, 02:26 PM	#3
Dave-ROR Site Moderator Join Date: Dec 2010 Drives: Stuff Location: Florida Posts: 10,317 Thanks: 955 Thanked 5,965 Times in 2,689 Posts Mentioned: 262 Post(s) Tagged: 8 Thread(s)	EP3 sucks IMO. Integra GS-R, EG Civic, Miata, CRX... __________________ -Dave Track cars: 2013 Scion FRS, 1998 Acura Integra Type-R, 1993 Honda Civic Hatchback DD: 2005 Acura TSX Tow: 2022 F-450 Toys: 2001 Chevrolet Corvette Z06, 1993 Toyota MR2 Turbo, 1994 Toyota MR2 Turbo, 1991 Mitsubishi Galant VR-4 Parts: 2015 Subaru BRZ Limited, 2005 Acura TSX Projects: 2013 Subaru BRZ Limited track car build FS: 2004 GMC Sierra 2500 LT CCSB 8.1/Allison with 99k miles

01-29-2013, 05:16 PM	#12
ultra Curious cat. Join Date: May 2012 Drives: 86 GT base M/T - Red Location: Dubai Posts: 775 Thanks: 840 Thanked 383 Times in 191 Posts Mentioned: 31 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	For that money a EG or EK Civic hatch is a good, safe bet anywhere in the world. Especially if you can find one that already has a decent B or K series swap done. Saves $$$ and they can be pretty quick! Warning: potentially deep rabbit hole on the mods with the Hondas. __________________ 2013 Toyota 86 GT M/T 2009 Renault Clio Sport R27 Team F1 Edition (sold) 1991 Mazda MX5 Miata (sold) 2007 Mitsubishi Evo 9 RS (sold) 2006 VW Golf R32 (sold)

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Forum suggestion.	Style	Site Announcements / Questions / Issues	50	12-07-2012 12:36 PM
Just a suggestion...	PuGZoR	Off-Topic Lounge [WARNING: NO POLITICS]	33	12-08-2011 02:57 PM
Suggestion to Toyota: Cheap steelies on a track model	DrunkenMime	Scion FR-S / Toyota 86 GT86 General Forum	90	12-07-2011 12:56 AM
Road & Track Test Drive Review of 2013 Subaru BRZ	Hachiroku	BRZ First-Gen (2012+) -- General Topics	39	12-05-2011 09:45 AM
Suggestion.	Negative	Off-Topic Lounge [WARNING: NO POLITICS]	1	07-08-2011 12:59 PM

01-29-2013, 02:36 PM	#4
GTM_Challenge Join Date: Aug 2012 Drives: On track Location: Chicago Posts: 527 Thanks: 120 Thanked 284 Times in 166 Posts Mentioned: 5 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Civic EG or EK Hatch. I wish my miata DD could haul stuff like a hatch (like tires to the track!) 1. Cheap (<6k or less) CHECK! 2. Reasonable cargo (no S2000 here) CHECK! CHECK! 3. Better than average MPG (>= 28MPG) CHECK! CHECK! CHECK! 4. Availability of aftermarket parts. I'm just looking at wheels/tires/coilovers. Nothing extreme as far as tracking goes since this needs to be a daily drive car too. Better than any other car out there! CHECK!

01-29-2013, 04:45 PM	#10
goldenfri Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Drives: 2017 BRZ Limited PP Location: Maryland Posts: 208 Thanks: 72 Thanked 130 Times in 60 Posts Mentioned: 2 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	I'm surprised there is so many recommending a civic hatch. Unless you upgrade the engine with something more powerful they are just too slow to be fun on the track in my opinion. You would be directing traffic around you all day long.

01-29-2013, 07:56 PM	#14
Gearhd79 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Drives: Scion FR-S Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 203 Thanks: 0 Thanked 14 Times in 13 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	define cheap?? Some guys I know have new boxters or cayman S or Vettes and Our FRS or BRZ cars are cheap daily driver track now and then cars compared to them. I also know many guys running around in hondas (Great for AutoX) but I think I am officially too old to be alowed to drive a Civic. lol I just could not be one of "them".

User Name		Remember Me?
Password