[Dave-ROR]

Originally Posted by DarkSunrise

Thinking back, I probably shouldn't have been so succinct in my answer. If you're going to DD it, one major downside to a track-prepped Miata is that you'll be driving on the street with a roll bar and no helmet. It's up to you whether you want to take on that risk. Definitely something to consider since you said you'll need to DD it for 1-2 years.

I wouldn't be too concerned if it's just a roll bar vs a cage. I'd run a hardtop on any track Miata and the bar should be fairly high. Not ideal for sure, but not terrible.

Originally Posted by DAEMANO

Perhaps an MRS (underrated and forgotten, but very fast),
Track built Ranger (pure project but can FLY),
350z (dubious reliability)
240 (a lot 240s are hunks junk by now though).
An old Fiero could also work.
Also look into BMW Z3s from the late 90s early 2000s.
You might be able to score a Pontiac Solstice/Saturn Sky for 10-12k.
RX8 and you'll be rebuilding the motor as regular maintenance, remember that.

S2K and E36 M3 are out of that $7500 price range.

I thought about mentioning the MR-S also but I wasn't sure how much support there was out there for track parts (good dampers, etc). Based on 1st and 2nd gen MR2s I wasn't expecting much


350Z's are heavy pigs but decent on the track with the right mods. Any larger/heavier vehicle will have a higher consumable cost as well.