Posted: March.24.2010 at 10:47pm | IP Logged

Hello. Noob here. 

I'm interested in purchasing a recreational car that will also serve as a daily driver.  My budget and ambitions are slight.  In short, I'd just like to have some fun cheaply.

So far my auto searches have been limited to Autotrader and Ebay.  I would like to buy a car in LA.  Though I am thinking of moving to the Mountain Region.

I would like to buy a car for around 4500$ and invest from there (slowly). 

I would like a car that would be reliable, inexpensive, easy to work on, fun to drive, as new as possible, and practical- in that order. 

I like motorsports in all forms, I also see some of them as being pre-requisite to others, for instance you should probably be well versed at Solo before getting into Club Racing.  I do however see Club Racing as the ultimate goal for a car that is well invested in.

I am a little confused with the categories and car classifications.  Are the cars that are listed in the rules or the class bulletins the ONLY cars that are permitted in those classes? 

Also how long will these specific cars be listed for those classes? 

Will cars that are not currently listed be listed at some point for certain classes?

In my price range and type of car that I am interested in it appears that many of the most available cars are not listed for these Production or Improved Touring classes.  Does that mean I would have to do STU? 

Posted: March.25.2010 at 10:29am | IP Logged

A recreational car that serves as a daily driver will be pretty much limited to Solo.  In a stretch it is possible to club race a daily driver, but it's usually not a good idea, and it's almost impossible to associate the phrases "club racing" and "cheaply."

Before investing a dime, get the rule books - and yes, only the cars listed are the ones you can race.  But with a little effort it is possible to get other cars classified.

Also a good purchase is the book "Go Ahead Take The Wheel."  I wish it had been around when I raced - would've skipped a lot of problems.

Posted: March.25.2010 at 9:54pm | IP Logged

Well the idea is that it will serve as a daily driver up until the point where the modifications make it either unstreetable or impractical,  at which point I will buy another cheap car-  I should have mentioned that. 

Thank you for the reply. 

I guess my main concern is with how the cars are classified.  What trouble should you go through when trying to select a car that will become a long term project? 

Also where do the most inexpensive cars, fwd saloons,  go to race?

Posted: March.30.2010 at 7:53am | IP Logged

Usually the Improved Touring classes - what make/model are your racecar candidates?

Posted: March.31.2010 at 2:13am | IP Logged

I have some interest in VW Jetta and Passat, Audi A4, Saab 900, Subaru Legacy, Toyota Camry, and Mazda 6 as far as saloons go.  I realize that it takes a lot to make these cars competitive with the hatches and coupes,  but I've always been interested in touring car classes.  I'm also 6'3" which is a factor. These cars seem to be popular and inexpensive, as far as their tuning potential I don't know so much.  I am also interested in Mustang and Camaro.There are also a host of other sporty cars that interest me,  but seem to be out of my budget. 

Posted: April.21.2010 at 5:04pm | IP Logged

On the main page, there is a link "What Can I Do With My Car" submit the data for the make and model.  It gives you the possibilities in Solo, Club Racing, etc.

Posted: June.22.2010 at 8:04am | IP Logged

You can easily do what you want with an '88 to '91 Honda CRX and this model CRX will easily accommodate drivers even taller than you.

I started with HPDE/ PDX events in such a car.