First of all I would like to say I am new here and happy to join the community.

I became interested in racing a couple of years back when I found out there is a road racing track not to far from where I live. I recently have been thinking of purchasing a vehicle to practice techniques with at the track as they offer lessons every other week. I was thinking of a stock 1991-94 eclipse non-turbo which is front wheel drive and not overly powerful. What do you guys think or, some with experience recommends?

P.S. I own a 91 laser non-turbo but, it is an automatic and wore out.

Welcome!

If your going to go FWD racing i'd recommend getting a Honda. A prelude, integra or civic SI would be your bet best. Low power and a great way to learn. + they'll be easier to maintain.

Mazda miata...

Its not to much power, RWD, but communicates back to the driver very well, so you learn your limits pretty easily.

Let me just start by saying thank you for having some sensibility. That was a very refreshing first post compared to most of the ying yangs we get on here. Amen to that.

So, a good starter car for the track will be something that you can replace parts easily on. Z3driver said the Miata, and I 100% agree with him. It's a fantastically fun car, and parts are plentiful, reliable, and cheap. I've said it before and I'll say it again, it may very well be the best sports car ever made!

Otherwise, I'd wholeheartedly recommend an EF Civic 3 door. My first track day experience was in one, and it was a great car for it. For something with a bit more personality, a Mk1 or 2 VW GTI would be a hoot, too.

Really, though, throw a couple ideas you have out there, and I'm sure you'll get lots of opinions. I'm sure you have some idea of what you want!

PS--I'd stay away from Eclipse's...they're generally worn on pretty badly from folks thinking they were on the Fast and Furious.

I like the sound of the miata or one of the hondas. If I choose the miata what year is the best for a used one, and are they all manuals?

I like the sound of the miata or one of the hondas. If I choose the miata what year is the best for a used one, and are they all manuals?

They are all manuals. The best year is any year, really. They are all crucial cars for some reason or another. As the years have gone along they have gotten a bit more refined and a bit more powerful, but they all hold true to the light, tight, fun scheme. My personal favorites are the first gens, and they are usually dirt cheap, but you can't go wrong with a second gen if they suit your fancy better. Find something with cloth seats that doesn't have any rust on it and you'll probably be fine. Of course, you need to do the usual used car checklist (someone on the forum made a really great thread about what to look for on a used car...I'd search for it, but I'm lazy), but Miata's in general are made of pretty sterner stuff and generally run for a long time with no problems.

They are gems.

For reference--
First Gen
http://www.automotiveblogger.net/wp-content/uploads/2006/11/1990-98-mazda-miata-96807091990101.JPG

Second Gen
http://www.autocity.com/latam/reportajes/img/01miata1.jpg

Good luck...if you have any other questions ask away!

Does the miata come in a hardtop version? I havent seen one but if it does Im probably sold. Not really a big fan of convertibles. Can i get a good deal on one of the hondas?

Preludes tend to be cheap. So do first generation Miata's. No i dont think the first gen comes in hardtop, but I know the second gen do. The second gen are not that cheap, so how does $18k plus sound?

It's actually the current Miata--the third gen/MX-5--that comes with a hard top, and they are on the pricey side.

Anyhow, good deals are easy to find on most of the good Hondas through the years. Do a cars.com search around your zipcode and I'm sure a pile of them will pop up. My personal favorite 'Lude is the third gen, but that's only because they're light, and they look great. Most folks prefer the 4th and 5th gen though, because they're a bit more luxurious and comfy. You can't go wrong with any of them, though. They're all fine cars for different reasons.

No, it does not come with a hardtop, you'll need an aftermarket hardtop to install. And yes, Miata's are one of the best cars to practice driving.

BTW, a manual transmission is a MUST.....

18k is out of my range. My limit is around 4k. Hopefully lower as I am trying not to spend to much on my first track car. There is a 91 miata on autotrader that seems to be a hardtop for around 2400.

What do you all think?

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=238677566&dealer_id=61999797&car_year=1991&model=MIATA&num_records=&systime=&make2=&start_year=1991&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&search_type=used&distance=0&marketZipError=false&search_lang=&first_record=251&make=MAZDA&keywords_display=&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchfor m&min_price=1&drive=&default_sort=priceASC&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceASC&address=70714&advanced=y&end_year=2008&pager.offset=250&doors=&transmission=&max_price=&cardist=733

18k is out of my range. My limit is around 4k. Hopefully lower as I am trying not to spend to much on my first track car. There is a 91 miata on autotrader that seems to be a hardtop for around 2400.

What do you all think?

Yeah, man! Looks great! Like I said, make sure you give it a really good look-through, and make sure you can give it a spin and check for noises or weird things, but that looks like a winner to me.

not a good practise car but a GREAT practise car

http://derbynut.com/DerbyCar1.jpg

oh damn, nvm. I thought you were a newby driver. seeing how you CAN drive, and desire to better learn to race, well it's a different matter entirely. but I hope you laughed anyways

pretty much, quite frankly, I believe ANYTHING that is called a car, that doesnt weigh too much, or have too little power, would be a good learning vehicle, simply because your limits are pretty low right now, and any car will take you to those limits right now, really.

however, when your limits do increase, and perhaps exceed the car, my only suggestion is to get a car with a decent after market so that as your limits increase you may upgrade the vehicle to suit your needs.

also, i would not go fwd in a racing vehicle. even just to learn. fwd simply not meant for racing. it has it's purpose on the road, but on the track it simply can't compare to rwd. and im not being a biased dumbass, the physics of acceleration are on my side, as well a few other things.

just my two cents, do with them as you will.

It looks cool. That could be a very good choice. But like VTEC said, go have a look at it out before you take out the checkbook. 135k miles isn't bad for a $2k car either.

also, i would not go fwd in a racing vehicle. even just to learn. fwd simply not meant for racing. it has it's purpose on the road, but on the track it simply can't compare to rwd. and im not being a biased dumbass, the physics of acceleration are on my side, as well a few other things.

just my two cents, do with them as you will.

Either way, the Miata is going to be the way to go.

However! If he can figure out how to go quick in an "inferior" FWD car, then he'll be able to spank out loud in something better balanced. Besides that, Preludes are far from nose plowing, understeering pigs. Ask anyone who has taken one to a track. I guarantee our friend here would oversteer off the track at least once sorting it all out. I know I sure as hell did in my pipsqueak Civic, and I know for a fact that if I didn't know what I was doing the Fit could come around on me when I drive in anger.

Besides, a bit of predictable understeer is far safer than a bunch of unpredictable oversteer for a beginner. You know that!

I swear man, you don't give FWD cars enough cred! Once you get that Civic (and figure out how to drive it quickly correctly) you'll understand! ;)

The car in the pic would make a fine practise car. Reminds me of my friends avalon.

How about using a 1987 Mitsu Colt?! It has a manual, FWD, about 40HP, uses $1 of brake fluid a day, a clutch with about 90lbs of resistance, and a transplanted motor with only 45k miles on it; sound good?

I don't know. That Miata sounded pretty sweet.

You don't want too much power, but don't you think 40 HP is a little too slow for anyone?

Yeah, you can get 40HP out of lawn equipment these days.

It looks good to me too and only $2.4k. I will follow up on it tomorrow and let yall know what I find out.

A 1995 E36 M3 would be a no-no right?

Oh no, by all means, try it!

Old Bimmers are perfect little speedsters, but they are rare and on the expensive side nowadays.

Try any BMW within price range, they will probably suit your needs.

I saw a 95 m3 coupe with a manual for 5k and it had a VIN too. Sure it will not be to powerful?

Awesome! You should go check that out too.

On the last part, I'm not really sure about. Go ask some of the more M3 experienced people.

for a track car, I would be looking for RWD. I am biased, but what abut a datsun 510 or an early Z car? For lack of these I do like the miata.

I thought about a Z but, are they reliable? I have heard stories.

I thought about a Z but, are they reliable? I have heard stories.
The later ones are NOT. The early ones with the inline six were nearly indestructable

So the 280zx should be considered?

So the 280zx should be considered?

The ZX added on a lot of extra weight in 79. The good part is that the chin spoiler really helped the high speed handling. I would look for a pre ZX model and add a chin spoiler, but that is mostly because I prefer the appearance of the first generation Z cars. Ignore the power differences in the books. The drop from 186 to 135 hp was do to a difference in testing, not a real difference in power.......JUST. FYI....I have owned a number of them and the 240 has lowest hp numbers, but is the quickest of the old Zs, because of it's lighter weight