Looking for the Best Cheap Race Cars! Any Recommendations?

Motorsports
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I’m diving into the world of motorsports and I’m on a budget. I’m really keen to find some affordable race cars that are great for track racing, autoX, or even some street racing.

What I’m Looking For:

  • Good Performance-to-Cost Ratio: I want something that won’t break the bank but still delivers decent performance.
  • Car Models: Any specific models you all would recommend? I’ve heard things about the Miata and Civic being popular choices, but I’d love to get more insights.
  • Tips for Entering Racing: If anyone has advice on how to start racing on a budget or what to look for in an affordable racecar, I’d really appreciate it.

Any Experiences to Share?

Let’s hear it! If you’ve got any resources or experiences to share, that would be super helpful. I’m excited to get into this, but I could use all the help I can get!

7 Likes
2

For a budget-friendly race car, I highly recommend the Mazda MX-5 Miata. It’s known for its excellent handling and lightweight design, making it a joy on the track.

3

Totally agree! The Miata is fantastic, but don’t overlook the Subaru BRZ. It offers a similar lightweight feel but with a bit more power.

4

If you’re looking for something a bit more aggressive, check out the Ford Mustang EcoBoost. It’s fast, has great handling, and is reasonably priced.

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5

The Mustang EcoBoost is a solid choice! However, some say the turbo can lag a bit. Anyone else experienced that?

6

I circled back to my roots and got a Honda Civic Si. It’s a classic in the racing community for great handling and reliability on tight budgets.

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Civic Si is awesome! The aftermarket support is huge as well. It’s a fantastic car for both tuning and racing.

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8

For something unique, consider the Pontiac Solstice. You can find them cheap, and they can be a fun project car to modify for racing!

9

The Solstice is interesting! Can anyone share how it performs on the track? I’m curious about its handling compared to others.

10

I loved the Solstice for auto-cross! It needs some work for high-speed tracks but handles twisty roads like a champ!

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Has anyone tried the Nissan 350Z? Great performance and there’s a strong community out there! Plus, they can often be found at good prices.

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Love the 350Z! It does emphasize horsepower, but sometimes it’s too heavy for track racing. What do others think?

13

I’d recommend the Volkswagen GTI as well. It’s versatile and offers pretty decent speed with great handling!

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GTI is fantastic all-round! The interior is better than most in this segment—very racer-friendly. Anyone thought of tuning it?

15

Don’t forget about the Fiat 124 Spider! It’s fun and definitely cheaper than some other options. Plus, it has that Italian charm!

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[quote=“hwhite, post:14, topic:1299”]Don’t forget about the Fiat 124 Spider!..] Sounds fun! But can the 124 keep up in a good race against the likes of the Miata or 350Z?

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Check out the Ford Mustang. It’s relatively cheap to buy and has a strong aftermarket support which can keep maintenance costs lower. Just watch out for rust issues, especially in older models.

6 Likes
18

That’s a great suggestion! I’ve also heard that the Mazda Miata is fantastic for both racing and maintenance. It’s lightweight and parts are pretty affordable.

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Don’t underestimate the Honda Civic! They’re cheap, reliable, and have great handling. Just be wary of the transmission issues on certain models, which could add to repair costs.

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Civics are definitely a solid choice! I would also recommend checking on the regular maintenance schedules to avoid surprises.