New to the area and to the sport

[Kevin McMahon]

So new in fact I don't even have a car yet. I just moved to Montgomery for the Air Force and my wife is here with me. She is in the process of getting a job, so I am in the process of picking up a car.

From what I have read, I will definitely be starting in the Solo 2 racing(solo autocrossing unless im mistaken). I have always been interested in trying racing and now I think I have my chance.

So for my actual question, I am looking for a car that will be daily driver, but that I will also autocross with. I am looking into prob a RX-8 or 350z. Mainly cause I love RWD, and like both of the cars stylings. Now i know they are completely different beasts, but for the purpose of the racing side, which has more potential for other classes down the road,(solo 1, club racing) or should I really be looking more miata, or even cooper S(even though I said I liked RWD).

I also plan on attending some events soon, and am willing to also volunteer for events after july 4th.

Thank you for your time,

-Kevin

[TouringBubble]

First off, welcome to ALSCCA.

Yes, you're correct with the Solo II/Autocross connection. They are one and the same.

About the car ... you need to weigh your definition of "competitive."

Yes, Miatas have TONS of potential and are excellent autocross cars. If you are aiming for being the fastest person at the event, that might be a valid choice.

However, if you really like the 350Z and RX-8, I'd suggest going that route for your car choice. You'll find that most autocrossers with Miatas do not drive them daily. Most are weekend autocross cars only ... especially the competitive ones. From what you've said, I feel that you'd likely be happier driving a 350Z daily than having a car that's awesome once a month at autocross. This doesn't even consider the (in my opinion) better drivability of a higher hp/tq car like the 350Z.

Also, look at the classes. The 350Z and RX-8 are B-Stock cars and B-Street Prepared cars where Miatas are C-Stock (or E-Stock) and C-Street Prepared, so you will not be directly competing against them for class points. You will however see them if you move to the Street Modified category (SSM) where all 2-seater street cars end up with enough mods. But, at that point a car like a 350Z could easily be prepared to simply bully the Miatas out of the running.

Consider the above, and also consider that there are 2 ways to build an autocross car ... pick a class and build a car for it, or pick a car, build it to suit what you want, and drive it in the class it falls in to. I've done the latter and am happy with my decision. I think most daily drivers fall in to that category.

Good luck with the car purcahse and I hope to see you at an event soon!

[JohnW8]

First off, welcome to ALSCCA.

Yes, you're correct with the Solo II/Autocross connection. They are one and the same.

About the car ... you need to weigh your definition of "competitive."

Yes, Miatas have TONS of potential and are excellent autocross cars. If you are aiming for being the fastest person at the event, that might be a valid choice.

However, if you really like the 350Z and RX-8, I'd suggest going that route for your car choice. You'll find that most autocrossers with Miatas do not drive them daily. Most are weekend autocross cars only ... especially the competitive ones. From what you've said, I feel that you'd likely be happier driving a 350Z daily than having a car that's awesome once a month at autocross. This doesn't even consider the (in my opinion) better drivability of a higher hp/tq car like the 350Z.

Also, look at the classes. The 350Z and RX-8 are B-Stock cars and B-Street Prepared cars where Miatas are C-Stock (or E-Stock) and C-Street Prepared, so you will not be directly competing against them for class points. You will however see them if you move to the Street Modified category (SSM) where all 2-seater street cars end up with enough mods. But, at that point a car like a 350Z could easily be prepared to simply bully the Miatas out of the running.

Consider the above, and also consider that there are 2 ways to build an autocross car ... pick a class and build a car for it, or pick a car, build it to suit what you want, and drive it in the class it falls in to. I've done the latter and am happy with my decision. I think most daily drivers fall in to that category.

Good luck with the car purcahse and I hope to see you at an event soon!

Miata hater.

Welcome to the area Kevin! We have a few members from the Montgomery area. If you are in the market for a car come to the next event on July 12 and go for some ride alongs with some of our competitors to help get an idea about what you're looking for unless you're in a hurry to get a car. We're a mostly friendly bunch so ridealongs are not a problem.
Hope to see you around.

[Kevin McMahon]

Thank you guys for the input.

JohnW8, I am not particularly in a hurry, but that will change when the wife gets a job and we still have one car;-) Ill keep an eye out for that next event and will definitely make plans to come out and see whats going on.

Again thank you for the comments,

-Kevin

[ZX3Focus]

Actually, there's been an RX-8 for sale by an ALSCCA member in the last month. May still be available.

http://www.alscca.org/community/showthread.php?t=714

[Kevin McMahon]

ZX3Focus, thanks for the heads up, I did see that one and the only thing that turned me off was the mileage. 80k for something that will be my daily driver is just not what I want to get into right now. I have been finding some very reasonable prices within a couple hours drive so I wont have to hunt to much once I need to get one.

[dr_phatcity]

Might be 80K, but it's pretty!!!

-J

[EvoLady]

welcome to the area and our club! the great thing about SCCA and all the levels of racing is that you can take almost any car and be competitive. a major factor in who is faster has a LOT to do with the driver. so the more you race and learn in any car the faster you will become. good luck with your car search and we will be looking for ya in the future.

ps: ever considered going to the dark side of AWD..... i've been daily driving and racing my Evo for years and i couldn't be happier! LOL had to throw that in.

[Kevin McMahon]

welcome to the area and our club! the great thing about SCCA and all the levels of racing is that you can take almost any car and be competitive. a major factor in who is faster has a LOT to do with the driver. so the more you race and learn in any car the faster you will become. good luck with your car search and we will be looking for ya in the future.

ps: ever considered going to the dark side of AWD..... i've been daily driving and racing my Evo for years and i couldn't be happier! LOL had to throw that in.

Ah well i have considered the dark side, but right now price is kind of a hurdle. I dont want a super old car, looking for lower miles ish, and wont spend more than 15 at the very most. rx-9's fall in that category often, and a few good buy 350s do to. I havent really found any WRXs or evos in that kind of price range. But i do like evos nonetheless.

[TouringBubble]

You should be able to find WRXs all over in the price range ... not STis maybe, but WRXs, sure. there is also the elusive "Saabaru" to consider which can be found for even less.

[engled]

The answer to most all automotive questions can be answered with with one simple word, Miata.

But just like the answer to the question "what is the meaning of life?" which has an even simpler answer "42" do you really understand the question?

Which Miata? How many Miatas do I buy? Am I really gay because I want a Miata? Just how wide of a tire can you get under a Miata? Where do I store the Miata when I get it? Do I really have to wear one of those silly hats if I buy one? Wine and cheese, I don't like wine and cheese why do I have to eat it now that I have a Miata?

/not a fan boy
//well maybe just a little...

[TouringBubble]

The answer to most all automotive questions can be answered with with one simple word, Miata.

But just like the answer to the question "what is the meaning of life?" which has an even simpler answer "42" do you really understand the question?

Which Miata? How many Miatas do I buy? Am I really gay because I want a Miata? Just how wide of a tire can you get under a Miata? Where do I store the Miata when I get it? Do I really have to wear one of those silly hats if I buy one? Wine and cheese, I don't like wine and cheese why do I have to eat it now that I have a Miata?

/not a fan boy
//well maybe just a little...

To answer ...

The shiny one.
7.
Absolutely.
255 it seems.
At Darryl's house.
It depends on the hat ... and the Miata ... any how hot your wife is.
You don't have to drink wine ... buy you do have a whine a bit.

You're welcome.

[Cholewa]

The RX8 is a much more daily drivable car with more purpose built into it than the 350, but that being said, the passenger room in the 350 is far superior to the 8.

Why not look into a used volvo R, an s70 or s60 or even an 850 T5R. Allbeit fwd or awd, they put down great power, and have amazing practicality and safety to boot.

Also, welcome, and look at vw's.

[BoostedFD]

If you go RX-8 I'd strongly suggest an 05+ model, the 04's are the ones that had problems. They seemed to work them out in 05 and up. Although you can always find an 04 that doesn't have problems, plus most seem to be just little tedious stuff but still annoying.

[engled]

To answer ...

The shiny one.
7.
Absolutely.
255 it seems.
At Darryl's house.
It depends on the hat ... and the Miata ... any how hot your wife is.
You don't have to drink wine ... buy you do have a whine a bit.



You're welcome.

Wrong...

Shiny maybe but the second fastest in the country is flat black.
John thinks three I say two.
Not that it matters.
275s, the ALSCCA CSP group are a bunch of wannabes.
No more room, I'm going to pick up another this week. (but I am building another three car garage so you may be right on this one)
The wife is very hot and no hat other than a Wizzer Motorsports cap.
I never have understood the wine and cheese set of the Miata group, I'm more of a beer and wings guy myself.