best Autocross cars

[RACER D12]

MR2 would be a good pick Rwd and mid engine but not in your 6k range. Have you looked at 240sx's thier cheap used. If it were me I would go germen used BMW, Audi, porsche,cough-VW-cough! but im a bit biased.

[rharris19]

I have thought about a good used mr2 because of the fact that they are Mid-Engine and RWD. Yeah i have been driving a VW Jetta the last 2 times that i went, but i need to get my own car to race with seeing as thought it is my friends.

[rharris19]

i will look into that 240sx idea too

[Fliquer]

If this is going to be a pure autocross car, then I'd suggest a miata or an older GTI (when leather was NOT an option). Basically anything with a very short wheelbase that is also very light and torquey.

[Cbass]

RWD is a big advantage, and the car matters a lot in autoX... A good driver in a Yugo is going to post much slower times than a decent driver in a Skyline.

The Miata is a very good pick, it's quite light, has a good suspension setup, but I would still prefer the 84-87 Corolla GTS, because many of them left the factory with a limited slip differential, which makes a massive cornering difference.

Both weigh around 2100-2200 lbs, with a slight weight advantage going to the Corolla. The GTS uses a DOHC 1.6 liter engine making 115 hp stock, and that can be tuned to aroujnd 140 fairly easily.

I don't think the Miata is really in the price range, because finding a good condition Miata, and going to town on the suspension is going to strain that budget.

The 240SX has a big advantage over either cars, in torque. It has a 2.4 liter 4, and similarly good suspension. However, the car weighs around 2800lbs, and if there is one thing an AutoX car should be, it's light.

A dedicated Corolla GTS would make the best autoX on a budget, if only because it comes with the LSD. You could pick one up for around $2000, spend $1500 on the suspension and good brake pads, $500 on the engine, get a good set of wheels and tires, and still make your budget. For that amount of money into a car, you're not going to get better braking and handling.

[Cbass]

Another good choice would be the first generation, second series, RX7. I'm not sure whether all GSLs came with 4 wheel disc brakes, or just the GSL-SE... either car is excellent, and it is the most popular cars in E production racing, and a perennial favourite at autocrosses everwhere.

Good power potential, around 2300lbs stock, the downside being it doesn't have independant rear suspension (which is killing me right now )

[RACER D12]

You could get a mini S right now mini's are a fad car in a year or so their should be ton for sale. Just like the VW beetle they were a fad still are kind of but for a while everyone wanted them then a year later their was a ton for sale used.

Mini has a 1.6 liter inline 4 115bhp (2300lbs i think)
Mini S has a 1.6 liter inline 4 supercharged 163bhp 2490lbs

However their is a turbo kit for the Mini gets it up to 200hp and their are more coming out a 250hp kit and a prototype 400hp kit

[Cbass]

Yeah, but they're FWD... understeer! It's better to have a RWD for autocross.

[rharris19]

400hp in a mini, that would be insane

[Fliquer]

IMO, unless the skyline has a driver who can swing the rear around the corners fairly well, its not going to beat a GTI or a Yugo in tight autocross. Same goes with the heavier 240sx's, FDs, etc. Big wheels + less than 2400 lbs + very short wheelbase = a LOT of grip. Even the earlier boxy civic hatches can whip thru a relatively tight course quickly.

Now if it was a longer, more open track-like course with uneven surfaces(insert mountain pass here), then RWD would be essential.

[Cbass]

Even on a shorter, tight track, RWD is an advantage, unless you have problems controlling the car. The Skyline would still have a major advantage in acceleration and braking, and the handling disadvantage would be minor.

If you race a 2200lb 120hp Corolla GTS against a 2200lb 120hp Honda Civic with equal drivers, the GTS is likely to turn faster times.

[fatninja19]

Originally posted by Cbass
Even on a shorter, tight track, RWD is an advantage, unless you have problems controlling the car. The Skyline would still have a major advantage in acceleration and braking, and the handling disadvantage would be minor.

If you race a 2200lb 120hp Corolla GTS against a 120hp Honda Civic with equal drivers, the GTS is likely to turn faster times.

Perhaps Fliquer means on ultra tight courses.. like the you-never-get-to-the-top-of-second-gear type of tight....

[Cbass]

Bah.

[Layla's Keeper]

Caterhams OWN autocross. They have since they were Lotuses. In order to get into the same league of extreme grip, ultra light-weight, and torquey 4 with tight first two gears, there is but one choice on the cheap...

Triumph Spitfire.

Seriously, it's the only one of the small (less than 1600cc) inexpensive British sports cars with all-wheel independent suspension. And I believe there's a bit more than 100lb ft of torque coming out of its engine (1100cc's, if I recall). That doesn't sound like much, but in a car that weighs in at around 1400lbs, is FR, and has a less than 100inch wheelbase, that'll get things moving and turning in a heartbeat.

They're fairly plentiful, though they can be needy. But the reward is a sweet driving car with a lovely Michelotti designed body that will never fail you in an autocross. Just get some slightly wider tires on 14inch Minilite wheels and bolt in your rollbar and you'll never look back.

[Cbass]

Damn, should have thought of the S7 first...

Yeah, either of those would fit the bill, and very well at that. You can pick up a california kept Spitfire for around $1500, and then put the rest of your budget into an engine rebuild, suspension upgrades, and a good differential.