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Tyler H
Tyler H GRM+ Memberand SuperDork
11/15/14 9:50 a.m.

My current travel schedule at work has left me with no time to race this year and probably not next. The unfortunate side-effect is commuting in a tow vehicle, which is hell. I'm on the prowl for a car that I can use to squeeze in some HPDEs next year, drive to work a couple days a week, and do occasional kid drop-off/pick-up duty (hence the sedan part.) $5-10k, ideally ~$6-7k and enough left over to catch up on deferred maintenance and track prep.

I'm homing in on E46 330i, and a buddy suggested modifying out of the Spec E46 catalog for when I inevitably want to go race with it or a target demographic if I decide to sell it.

What else am I not thinking of?

Ian F
Ian F MegaDork
11/15/14 9:53 a.m.

E36 M3/4/5?

WRX?

toad9977
toad9977 Reader
11/15/14 10:00 a.m.

This?

Tyler H
Tyler H GRM+ Memberand SuperDork
11/15/14 10:02 a.m.
Ian F wrote: E36 M3/4/5? WRX?

Had an '04 WRX, when it was 4 years old. Cobb AP, stage 2...just okay. I've never owned a car that resulted in more chest-beating from every other a-hole on the road.

Love the E36 M3/4/5 and that's what I was initially thinking. The 330i has similar performance, newer, same-price or cheaper, and the Spec E46 competition/resale possibility. The E36 M3 debuted when I was in high school and I'm sentimental toward it. If you're in a metro area, the E46 is about every 5th car, so it would definitely be a speed appliance.

I've got no love for aesthetics when it comes to track beaters. It will be immaculately maintained and maybe never washed.

Tyler H
Tyler H GRM+ Memberand SuperDork
11/15/14 10:03 a.m.
toad9977 wrote: This?

Amazing. Okay folks, nothing more to see here. It's a stance/stretch/poke away from being the perfect car. I'd like to see a quadruple-bubble hardtop, though.

JtspellS
JtspellS Dork
11/15/14 10:08 a.m.

As said an m3/4/5 would be the best bet.

If you can find a clean one a speed6 is great for that little bit of everything in any condition and is fairly stout minus bushings.

LanEvo
LanEvo GRM+ Memberand Reader
11/15/14 10:26 a.m.

I'm a huge fan of the Mercedes (W201) 190E-2.3-16 sedan. Twin-cam Cosworth engine, close-ratio dogleg gearbox, LSD, and tidy aero package. Can find a good example for $5-7k if you look hard enough.

maj75
maj75 Reader
11/15/14 10:38 a.m.

Good luck on finding a E46 sedan with a manual trans. Look for the ZHP package with the 6 speed. Forget about a limited slip diff though, it isn't available. You would have to swap in the M3 unit and those are pricey.

I suggest the E36 M3 which does have LSD. Aftermarket is great, factory parts are still available and prices for parts are a little cheaper. Around here, the 3/4/5 are definitely less than the coupe which works for you!

MadScientistMatt
MadScientistMatt UberDork
11/15/14 10:57 a.m.

While a 3 series BMW seems like the obvious answer, I thought I'd toss out a couple other ideas:

  • Mid '90s Integra GSR
  • Mercedes 190E with the 2.3 Cosworth motor
  • Mazda Protege
  • Ford LTD LX

Ok, I'd better stop before I start suggesting truly weird stuff like making a track day toy out of a Plymouth Valiant. BMW really seems the obvious answer here, and not because I'm biased because I own one.

David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens Editorial Director
11/15/14 11:00 a.m.

A friend used to track an E46--smaller engine, five-speed, four doors. Pretty sure it was stock except shocks and tires. Even without the LSD he was having fun. Plus it made a great daily.

JohnRW1621
JohnRW1621 UltimaDork
11/15/14 11:10 a.m.

If your up for a project, $500 would likely bring this home and less than $3k would have it outfitted with a whole lot of 300z/350z suspension, trans and more.
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/wat/cto/4714889198.html
Similar: http://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/cto/4754518388.html

mazdeuce
mazdeuce UberDork
11/15/14 11:18 a.m.

E46 ZHP is a mighty nice car.
First gen CTS-V is in this price range as well.

Trackmouse
Trackmouse New Reader
11/15/14 11:28 a.m.

Personal opinion- is300. A good chassis. Cheap parts. Can be had for as little as 8500$.

Tyler H
Tyler H GRM+ Memberand SuperDork
11/15/14 11:31 a.m.

ZHP have a standard LSD? Asking prices are often in E46 M3 range, but I have seen a few in the 6-7k range.

former520
former520 Reader
11/15/14 11:37 a.m.

What about the G35? 6-speeds regularly available, lots of mod pieces, rides under the radar in traffic.

Tyler H
Tyler H GRM+ Memberand SuperDork
11/15/14 11:37 a.m.
Trackmouse wrote: Personal opinion- is300. A good chassis. Cheap parts. Can be had for as little as 8500$.

Wife had one back when they were new. I agree they're a great platform, but not having much luck buck-to-buck with the e46. Literally every example within 400 mi of me on CL has a salvage title at best. Good idea though.

Anyone ever track a 3.2 tl-s with the 6spd lsd? FWD is a draw back, but they're in the zone.

Trackmouse
Trackmouse New Reader
11/15/14 11:43 a.m.

HPD still tracks the TL. It's heavy, but it's mostly nose weight which is what you want anyway for FWD. (Holy alphabet soup!)

SlickDizzy
SlickDizzy GRM+ Memberand PowerDork
11/15/14 12:07 p.m.
Tyler H wrote: ZHP have a standard LSD? Asking prices are often in E46 M3 range, but I have seen a few in the 6-7k range.

Nope. The only E46 that came with an LSD was the M3.

Also, I don't know about you guys, but the answer depends a lot on your local track. Mine is Road America. When I was running my E46 330ci there, I was dicing it with E36 M3's and the odd Spec Miata...and we were the slowest guys out there. Anything with a turbo or V8 was consistently lapping us. I certainly wouldn't want to be in anything slower than that E46.

GTwannaB
GTwannaB GRM+ Memberand HalfDork
11/15/14 2:20 p.m.

TSX? you did not mention RWD only. I have seen MKV GTIs under 10K.

pres589
pres589 UltraDork
11/15/14 2:53 p.m.

80's GM G-body with lots of raiding of the GM corporate parts bin & circle track parts catalogs.

mazdeuce
mazdeuce UberDork
11/15/14 4:25 p.m.

If you're open to FWD, the earlier of the current Civic Si should be close to your price. LSD, four doors, great mileage and quite frankly a brilliant car for what it is.

Mr_Clutch42
Mr_Clutch42 Dork
11/15/14 5:47 p.m.

You can also go for a regular E36 and throw a LSD in it or a RX-8 (it's technically a 4-door!)

Appleseed
Appleseed MegaDork
11/15/14 7:19 p.m.

Are IS300s good for track days?

Javelin
Javelin GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
11/15/14 9:00 p.m.

RX-8

/thread

unevolved
unevolved Dork
11/16/14 12:20 a.m.

E46!

Just kidding. RX-8.

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