Take a beating....

[VTEC]

Originally Posted by PetrolioBenzina

Race prep the car, go racing. Otherwise, drive it like you stole it.

^This. My car has been through everything from harsh winters to road trips to summer track days. It's my daily driver and I rev the shit out of it any chance I get. It's been just as reliable as I would expect from any other Toyota.

But I do keep up with regular oil changes and make sure the engine is warmed up before I rip it. I also use the recommend 93 octane fuel.

As for race prep, I just did really basic things: Wider wheels with sticky tires. Brake pads and fluid. Lowered it slightly. Better flowing air filter and exhaust. But you don't really need any of that for autocross. They only allow one car on track at a time. So even if you're slow as shit, you won't be holding up traffic. It's just faster and to me, a lot more fun, with a few basic mods.

[Dake]

Five years, 44000 miles, a half dozen or more AutoXes per year plus a couple track days, nary an issue. Heck, I'm still on the original brake pads (I changed the pads and fluid for the track - not AutoX though - changed them back to the OEMs after).

[Tcoat]

If you abuse it you will break things often. They can be fixed.
If you take care of it you will break things less often. They can still be fixed.
It is a car and will stand up as well as any other all depending on how well you maintain it.
It is not made of glass nor sugar.