Want to buy a car for this coming season

[Anamaria]

Any advice on where to go to get a good deal on a car for Solo1? Is somebody you know, selling one? a dealer maybe?
I'm trying to find a car, but not sure where to go.....
How does a Ford focus sound to you guys?
Any other good makes and models you can recommend ?

Thanks

[Greg F]

Are you sure you really want to jump straight into Solo 1 before going through Solo 2?

You seem completely green. Maybe you're mixing up Solo 2 and Solo 1?

[Dave]

I've never driven a Focus, but there have certainly been a lot of reliability problems with these and a record number of recalls. I think you'd probably be wiser to go with something with a better repair record.

www.trader.ca is an excellent website for searching for used cars. You can specify the make/model and price range and find cars for sale all over Ontario that fit your specifications. Or just browse around and see what's for sale in your area.

I think you'll get some better feedback from people here if you could give us an idea on price range, your preferences in terms of front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive, or all-wheel drive, whether this will be a track-only car or also serve as a daily driver, etc. The more details you can give us the better we'll be able to help.

Cheers,
Dave

[ScotcH]

Originally posted by Greg F
Are you sure you really want to jump straight into Solo 1 before going through Solo 2?

You seem completely green. Maybe you're mixing up Solo 2 and Solo 1?

I've never done Solo 2, and it didn't stop me ... I was (and still am a bit) green as well :)

If you take the Solo I school, you'll be fine.

[ADAM]

i would reccomend a nissan 240sx

1=cheap..... 1000-4000 cdn
2=RWD
3=looks neat
4=cheap parts
5=TONS of race parts available for futureupgrades

adam

[RacerRick]

240SX's are a good car to start with since they are very inexpensive and durable and rear wheel drive.

I would still look at a Miata for a good starting car and they can be found by the dozens in the autotrader. The older ones are lighter and handle better and can be had relativly cheap. They are also a ton of fun and have a huge aftermarket following with thier own race series.

If you are starting out I would try to stay away from exotic cars, or cars that do not have a large competition following.

Dodge NEON's are also very good, or their replacement SRT4. If you can find a few year old NEON ACR (American Club Racer) you will have a very fast and reliable car with just a set of tires and a alignment. They are a little harder to find but are out there and come with all the racing mods right from the factory.

As you can see a lot of us are proponents of rear wheel drive cars. They are easier to learn to drive (IMO) and tend to be better balanced than most front drivers. There are however some very good front drive cars like the Integra Type R, the Neon ACR, the CRX.

[Dave]

I'd say go for a car that is reliable and needs minimal modification to be a solid track car.

$50k+ = Corvette Z06...nuff said

$20-25k = lightly used Integra Type R...razor sharp track car that kicks serious ass in completely unmodified form. You could also go new in this price range with something like a Mazda 3, Toyota Echo RS hatchback, or a Honda Civic SiR. All of these will make decent starter track cars and should be very reliable given that they'd be new.

$10-15k = 2nd gen Mazda Miata...great handling car, but it will require a Solo 1 approved roll bar. A E36 (mid 90's) 3-series BMW can probably be had in this price range too and are very good track cars. Same with an Integra GS-R or 1999-2000 Honda Civic SiR.

$5-10k = 1st gen Miata or 1992-1995 Honda Civic Si. Both are great performance bargains. Miata will need a roll bar, Civic would benefit from upgraded shocks (ie. Koni yellows). A Dodge Neon ACR would be a great buy too, since they come with a race-oriented suspension. Not sure about engine reliability though.

Less than $5k = 88-91 Honda CRX Si (just make sure it's not a rusty one!) or a Neon

[silverwolfracin]

Or an '88 players Challenge Camaro IROC-Z for $7500!

[Shaman]

Sell you my WS6, full racing suspension + 520hp 422ci engine, blueprinted tranny, 6 piston Baer Extreme+ brakes. Engine and brakes are brand new, less than 500km on them. Car has full interior with an 8 point cage and frame braces - use of chromoly means it's lower than stock weight. Make me an offer if you wish.

[Dave]

yeah, that's a nice beginner's car, Steve :p

[Shaman]

Precisely my thinking. :)

[Silver Fox]

Honda....Nissan....Honda...Nissan......Hmmmmm

TOYOTA !!! MR2 ! :p


Silver Fox

[Nissan Racer]

Originally posted by Silver Fox
Honda....Nissan....Honda...Nissan......Hmmmmm

TOYOTA !!! MR2 ! :p


Silver Fox
If a girl buys it, is it a Mrs2?

[Dave]

1st gen MR2? The supercharged ones seemed like a cool little pocket rocket in their day. How do they handle? Never tired one.

[Nissan Racer]

Originally posted by Dave
1st gen MR2? Never tired one.
Oh? what kind of cars have you "tired" :D

[Dave]

Ive tired lots of karz! Now leave me alone, you internet spelling bully! :p

Speaking of tired...time for bed

[Doug P]

A friend has this one for sale.

For Sale - 1996 Neon ACR Solo 1 & 2 Championship Car

Three year Solo I CS Championship & 2-year Solo II BSP Championship 1996 Neon ACR for sale. 2.0L DOHC, 150HP. KVR slotted rotors, autoslalom brake pads, OMP race seat, fire extinguisher, 4 sets tires on rims.

Call Bobby Hanna, (905) 939-7501.

[Silver Fox]

Nope......it just means that she has good taste !!

Silver Fox :D

[Silver Fox]

1st gen. MR2's or MK1's are great, they are light, fast and you can get a mountain of parts for them. I work for Waterloo Toyota and one of the sales guys has an '85 MR2 with the Toyota Atlantic engine modifications.......248 rwhp in a 2250 lb car. This things go like you wouldn't believe and because of the almost 50/50 balance handles just as well.

Mine is stock and I'm looking forward to bringing it out this season to show you what it can do !


Silver Fox