Random musings...

[jaball77]

So after taking an involuntary break from autocrossing (due to work, family stuff, etc...) I've realized that I really do enjoy it, and I want to keep doing it. My car ('00 Civic Si) is back to stock (although my header is helping Jeremy immensely in STS ;-)), so I'm in GS with a not-all-that-competitive car. I don't know what I want to do.

I could get some Victroracers and run the Si in GS and get slaughtered by Albert every month... :-)

or

I could save some money and buy a CRX Si/CRX or EF Si for HS or GS. Although I'm not sure I want to deal with registering/storing/insuring another car...

or

I could sell the Si and get something else. Something that's okay to commute in (64 miles round trip every day :-( ), and competitive in a stock or SP class. Maybe an '02-'03 Protege LX 2.0 or something? I dunno.


Thoughts? Maybe other suggestions on a replacement for the Civic? Just no Neons and no Miatas (I don't fit. Yes, I'm sure. Really!). Just tossing some ideas around...

[flmcoupe]

If I was looking for a new car, daily driver, weekend autoxer, I'd get a Mini! N/A or S/C, both great cars, unbelievable handling! Even room for extra set of wheels.

[jaball77]

Sorry, I forgot to mention that I don't really want to spend any new money. I figure the Si is worth aboot $10k, so that would be the budget for a "new"/different car... :-)

[PseudoRealityX]

My thoughts on a double duty daily driver/autocrosser

EF Si (STS or HS), 2nd gen MR2 (like mine, for ES), LT1 Camaro (for FS) , Celica (every so often, there's a GS setup Celica in the 10k price range, could also do STS in it)

[jaball77]

EF Si (STS or HS)

Definitely a possibility. Cheap enough to be a 2nd car without too much extra cost.

2nd gen MR2 (like mine, for ES)

Too expensive as a second car, and not big enough for me... I gotta haul computer shit around so I kinda need a back seat and/or a trunk...

LT1 Camaro (for FS)

Yeah, I dunno about that... :mullet:

Plus, I think gas mileage would kill me...

Celica (every so often, there's a GS setup Celica in the 10k price range, could also do STS in it)

As much as I try to like the Celica, I just can't... Which sucks, because it fits my needs pretty well... But I can't get past the small size, goofy looks, and bad visibility. :-(


Any thoughts on the '02-'03 Protege idea?

[w0rd]

This car would suit all your needs...
Click Here (http://www.sccaforums.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php/topic/46/446.html)
:D

[OversteerS2K]

1)Retail the Si. A private salecould bring $12K.
Lease a base RX-8 (sounds like you'll have to do about 18K mi. per year on it, though). It'll suit your needs as a daily driver and you can throw an extra set of wheels in the back seat with an entire trunk to spare. With the almost certain bumping of the 2.0 S-2000 to AS, it'd be the car to have in BS (assuming to Boxster also gets bumped up). There was one in Atlanta with just an alignment, front bar, and Victo's and he was very close in times to the top 3 on Saturday and they were all on Hoosiers. He fell off on Sunday since his Victo's were shaved and it was a lot wetter out. I think it'll end up being a quicker car than the 350Z and MS Miata. One trophied at the Houston Tour a couple months ago. I know you've already driven one and liked it.

2)Keep the Si. Buy a 1.6L Miata or 1st gen MR2 and prep it for STS2. I'm guessing that $5 to $7K would give you a divisionally competitive set-up and a reliable car. It would also be a, relitively, inexpensive class to run.

3)Send Greddy a LOT of money and run SM in your Si.


Albert's not your only regional comp. anymore. Jason Minehart's RSX-S will be the car/driver to beat all year in GS.

[PseudoRealityX]

Jason....

have you seen the trunk of my MR2? It's actually pretty big. It was designed to hold 2 full size Golf Bags. And if you can find a t-top or hardtop, they've got more headroom than my sunroof car.

And gas mileage on any V8 isn't that bad if you don't rev the crap out of it. If you can get a LS1 car with the V6, they get quite good highway mileage.

[jaball77]

Originally posted by OversteerS2K
1)Retail the Si. A private salecould bring $12K.
Lease a base RX-8 (sounds like you'll have to do about 18K mi. per year on it, though). It'll suit your needs as a daily driver and you can throw an extra set of wheels in the back seat with an entire trunk to spare. With the almost certain bumping of the 2.0 S-2000 to AS, it'd be the car to have in BS (assuming to Boxster also gets bumped up). There was one in Atlanta with just an alignment, front bar, and Victo's and he was very close in times to the top 3 on Saturday and they were all on Hoosiers. He fell off on Sunday since his Victo's were shaved and it was a lot wetter out. I think it'll end up being a quicker car than the 350Z and MS Miata. One trophied at the Houston Tour a couple months ago. I know you've already driven one and liked it.

2)Keep the Si. Buy a 1.6L Miata or 1st gen MR2 and prep it for STS2. I'm guessing that $5 to $7K would give you a divisionally competitive set-up and a reliable car. It would also be a, relitively, inexpensive class to run.

3)Send Greddy a LOT of money and run SM in your Si.


Albert's not your only regional comp. anymore. Jason Minehart's RSX-S will be the car/driver to beat all year in GS.

Yeah, what kind of bullshit is that? How the hell did the RSX-S get dumped to GS? No fair!

I would LOVE to get into an RX-8 6-peed. I drove one at the dealership over on Florida and I absolutely loved it. The main reason I can't lease a car is because I put almost 25k a year on my car now, and I don't think that would go over too well, haha... And I'm looking at buying a house toward the end of '05, so I definitely don't want to start any more of this car payment crap. :-)

I'll have to check out an MR2... But I think Jesse just wants more competition. :-P

[Leonard]

I'll second Jesse's suggestion of the MR2. It's a bit cramped for someone of my size (6'2" 280lbs) (okay.. alot) BUT it was an absolute BLAST to drive. I nearly decided to pick one up while I build my Cobra Replica. REALLY.

[oilleak]

If a miata were not on my list, I'd go ES MR2. But... CSP is looking pretty lonely at the moment so how bout a CRX? I've seen a couple of CSP prepped cars for sale for around $5K.

[jaball77]

This car would suit all your needs...
Click Here

d00d... That's sweet! What class would that even be in?

Originally posted by oilleak
If a miata were not on my list, I'd go ES MR2. But... CSP is looking pretty lonely at the moment so how bout a CRX? I've seen a couple of CSP prepped cars for sale for around $5K.

I dunno if I could daily drive a CSP car, heh. I'm not that hardcore. If I'm going to get a second car my budget would probably be ~$2000... Preferrably less, so I'd be looking at a stock class for sure.

[PseudoRealityX]

you can pickup a setup ES car for 5 grand... im sure you've seen me post on the yahoo group about a few. And if you dont want an already setup car, the setup of an ES car is easy.

[Muddy]

1990 miata+turbo kit+suspension= :D
It could be done for $5k, but it can be an ongoing project. Start with the suspension and run sts2, or CSP if you want race rubber. I really should have done this rather than buying the poopra.

[jaball77]

Originally posted by Muddy
1990 miata+turbo kit+suspension= :D
It could be done for $5k, but it can be an ongoing project. Start with the suspension and run sts2, or CSP if you want race rubber. I really should have done this rather than buying the poopra.

Yeah, I wish I fit in Miatas, but I just don't. I was all set to buy this beautiful white '99 with a hardtop this dude was selling over in St Pete, but it turns out I don't fit. :-(

No matter how I adjusted the seat, the steering column was pointing at my crotch, and the wheel was between my knees. So unless the seating arrangement is different in M1's, Miatas are out. :-(

[Muddy]

Try a 90 if you get a chance. The seat is smaller and can move further back than a 99. People much larger than you are driving miatas with no problems. If you still find that seating arrangement to be a problem, removing some of the seat foam is a popular modification or you can install a racing seat.

Believe it or not, the amount of room the driver has changes from year to year. I was convinced a miata was too small for me as well, based on my experience driving a 97. As it turns out, mazda added some bracing behind the seats that year and the seats could not move back as far as previous models.

The 99-00 has some of the worst seats that mazda ever put in a miata. They make you sit higher, they are harder, and have less support than any other miata seat.

[mofugga]

go the ES MR2 route or buy a 240. the 240 can double as a drift machine if you get bored with autoxing :lol:

[w0rd]

Can't IT cars run in Street Prepared?
Or am I way off base.

http://www.geocities.com/redhouse_48114/ITCFORSALE.html?1083532390727

[oilleak]

Yeah they can. Have to run under the IT rules though so IT legal tires/wheels for example instead of any wheel/tire you want. Bigger issue is using an IT car as a daily driver although that CRX is cheap enough to use as a second car.

[King_Of_Spades]

danI was gonna put that car in also. I am prepping a CRX right now for ITC and this is about what it will be set as. Not quite gonna go the same route but my car will be close.

http://www.geocities.com/redhouse_48114/ITCFORSALE.html?1083532390727

[OversteerS2K]

OK, how about STS2 with this car: http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=161988483&dealer_id=&car_year=1985&make=TOYOTA&distance=75&max_price=&model=MR2&end_year=1989&advcd_on=n&min_price=&address=33606&search_type=used&advanced=n&start_year=1984&color=&cardist=75

plus some Azenis's?

[OversteerS2K]

This one's nicer, and not much more, but you'd be eternally known as the "guy who drives the pumpkin": http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=161988417&dealer_id=&car_year=1986&make=TOYOTA&distance=75&max_price=&model=MR2&end_year=1989&advcd_on=n&min_price=&address=33606&search_type=used&advanced=n&start_year=1984&color=&cardist=75

[jaball77]

Holy crap, man! I would TOTALLY rock that orange one! :-)

You really think an NA 1.6 MR2 would be competitive in ST2?

[PseudoRealityX]

Originally posted by jaball77
Holy crap, man! I would TOTALLY rock that orange one! :-)

You really think an NA 1.6 MR2 would be competitive in ST2?


define competitive? Locally, sure...

at Nationals, nobody knows yet, since the class is all of about 5 months old.

I think it would be a heck of a lot of fun to drive, as ive driven a bone stock MkI MR2 and it was fun. Some bolt-ons would make it really neat.

Honestly, I'd, for now...get a set of Kumhos for the Civic, and stick to working on your driving rather than thinking about another car just yet. You're still in your learning phase, especially since taking a break.

[jaball77]

Honestly, I'd, for now...get a set of Kumhos for the Civic, and stick to working on your driving rather than thinking about another car just yet. You're still in your learning phase, especially since taking a break.
Yeah, the more I think about it, that's probably the best for now. I'd like to think my driving has gotten a bit better in the 3 years I've been doing this, but I realize I have a long way to go.

I've never run on anything stickier than a 205/50/15 S-03, so I'm sure it'll be an interesting experience. :D

Off to eBay to look for wheels. :-)

[mofugga]

with a good driver behind the wheel a civic si should be able to hang with the rsx as it's a porker w/ mcmuffin struts :lol:

[PseudoRealityX]

Honestly...he's close. Once you dialed it in for GS, and really got a handle on driving it, you shouldn't be more than a half second back from Jason in his RSX.

[jaball77]

So what would you recommend? ECSTA V700 or Victroracers? Heat cycled? Shaved?

[Muddy]

v700, shaved.

[w0rd]

I hated my car in stock form. Get the MR2...




















and let me co-drive it. :)

[PseudoRealityX]

if you do Esctas, they really should be shaved. If you get victoracers, get them full tread.

The Esctas are faster, but won't last as long. Simple as that. The Esctas also like more pressure.

[Muddy]

Originally posted by w0rd
and let me co-drive it. :)
You are really whoring yourself out lately. Tired of the Si? :D

[w0rd]

Originally posted by Muddy
You are really whoring yourself out lately.
You taught me everything I know. ;)

Jason, hurry up and get your wheels, SEDIV is only 24 days away.
Also, I don't know if you heard but Eliott is thinking about running a Cooper S in G-stock. Have fun with that.

Just kidding.

[OversteerS2K]

Another STS2 possibility: http://www.autocrossforum.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=476&hl=

[jaball77]

We'll see how it all shakes out in a couple of months... I've got a little more debt to get rid of, then I'll have some money to play with. :-) In the mean time I'll do what I can on my ES100's :-/

One appealing thing about getting a 2nd car to run in ST2 is that I wouldn't have to store tires in my 1 bedroom apartment, and wouldn't have to change them for events, heh. The laziness is strong in this one! :D

[OversteerS2K]

May the laziness be with you Luke, uh, Jason.

I'm really interested in STS2 for the same reasons. I had an '88 CRX Si and loved it. I'm partial to RWD's now, though, and think a Mk1 MR2 would be a blast. It seems like a class where you may see heavy local participation within a year or so. I know I could use reduction in autocross expense.

[PseudoRealityX]

fwiw....my car *MAY* be for sale really late this year or early next year...


we shall see...

[jaball77]

Originally posted by PseudoRealityX
fwiw....my car *MAY* be for sale really late this year or early next year...


we shall see...

You're really thinking about an EF Si for STS, eh?

[PseudoRealityX]

benefit = cheaper to own, cheaper to race, more practical

disadvantage = older car requires more maintence, suspension is a bit beyond street friendly

[Muddy]

make sure to get some vtech stickers too, ya damn ricer! :lol:

[PseudoRealityX]

VTEC silly...

I'll beat up on you and your Jap Camaro anyday;)

[Muddy]

vtac, vtek, vtech, vtec, what's the difference? :lol:
Despite my dislike for civics, I respect their autox abilities. You don't need a fast car to beat me. Last season proved I have a long way to go yet. ;)