safe but fun

[esunbaboon]

Hello I,m looking for a first car and I have about 5-6000 to spend. I want something that has really good handing or the potential to without too much expense and kinda quick. Baseically for Autocross. But my parents want me to be safe, so name stuff bigger than a miata. I was thinking about a volvo 850 or 3rd gen Maxima. Thanks

[Zachp911]

'94-'01 Acura Integra GSR

'97-'01 Honda Prelude

[Andydg]

Neon, CRX, and MR2 are pretty good AutoX cars from what I hear.

[esunbaboon]

My parents didn't like how small the crx was. But my dad likes the MR2.
I also should have metioned that I'm 6,3 so i have long legs. Preludes are nice but there's none with low milelge.

[drdisque]

'94-'97 Camaro/Trans Am (suprisingly good at autocross)

[curtis73]

I autocross my 96 Impala SS People call it "The Whale."

BMW E30 is my vote. You can easily get it to outhandle most of the autocross cars you'll encounter. Buy a 1990-ish 325i coupe. You'll be able to find some already lowered, and most of the lowering springs available are very high quality. H&R sport springs are the best IMHO. You should get upper strut mounts for the front to correct camber and caster, and you should get offset bushings for the rear to be able to adjust rear camber and toe. Save $600 for all those mods. Put 215/50-15 rubber on the factory BBS basketweave wheels and that car will out handle you for years.

Here is a picture of the one I had for a few years. It was a floppy cabrio, dropped with H&R sport springs and KYB shocks, no camber/caster correction, and H-rated Michelins. I consider myself an experienced driver and it outhandled me. Had I kept it, I would have corrected the camber since it did have a tendency to oversteer a little more than I liked, but what a rush. Incredible steering, handling, and a very nicely spaced Getrag 260 gearbox that was about as nicely spaced gears as you could expect for a street car. They really thought of everything. A true driver's car.

[esunbaboon]

I was thinking about a e30 but i forgot to put it down. They are one of my favorite styles of BMWs. What to the different numbers refer to, like 318,320,325. I saw some on autotrader in my price range. Is there any year to stay away. Are they expensive to insure and repair? Thanks

[planet_keeper]

the numbers stand for the model and engine litres. for example a 325i is a 3 seriers with a 2.5 litre engine that is also fuel injected (i). i dont know what all of the letters stand for but the numbers are easy. 4 of my friends have e30 325s and they love the heck out of em and i guess parts are plentiful. good gas too especialy on the 318's but those are a little underpowered.

[Sx2]

Honda cvic 92-99 is your best bet

[SuperHighOutput]

95-99 Mitsubishi Eclipse

[Sx2]

Originally Posted by SuperHighOutput

95-99 Mitsubishi Eclipse

nah those are at lest 7K

[SuperHighOutput]

Originally Posted by Sx2

nah those are at lest 7K

Maybe for turbo models, the GS and RS are going to run 4-6 grand.

[drdisque]

he said safe but fun. An eclipse GS isn't very fun.

[honda_racing101]

Originally Posted by ludespeed501

'94-'01 Acura Integra GSR

'97-'01 Honda Prelude

Both of those cars, especially the lude will be hard to find for that price, especially in a good condition.

[DigitalQuirk]

I 2nd the vote for a Neon. Go for a first gen. R/T or ACR. Why Neon? Because when you autocross, things are gonna break...and parts for the Neon are cheap, and most of the work you can do yourself with standard tools. Plus they handle well, have good power, and have been known to own much more expensive cars at the autocross. They have plenty of potential and take well to aftermarket mods.

Cheap to buy, cheap to own, cheap to replace, but are also fun and quick. Exactly what you were looking for.