What car would you buy for autocrossing?
 

I've enjoyed autocrossing on and off for many years. Considering becoming more active again, but am not kidding myself about being nationally competitive. Just want to enjoy regional events.

I'm not keen to use my 996 for a variety of reasons.

If you were going to buy an extra car to primarily use for autocrossing, what would you get?

At the moment, a 914, Boxster or a Miata seem like decent choices. In some ways, a Caterham/Lotus Super 7 would be cool....but that's starting to escalate the cost.

What would you get?

The answer is always Miata. Cheap to buy, cheap to run, and brilliantly honest between the cones.

The better answer is get the car you want, especially if you're not concerned about being nationally competitive. Nearly any car can be regionally competitive.

Miatas are cheap, reliable, and fun to drive. The Miata platform is also highly scalable -- at least in SCCA competition it's fun and reasonably competitive in stock form, and continues to be through the entire progression of classes if you're so inclined (CS / ES --> STR / STS --> CSP --> DP --> SSM).

If a Miata's a bit too slow for your taste, consider a Honda S2000 -- all of the above still applies to the S2000, except with 70 - 120 more horsepower. :)

Having said that, you should elaborate (or ponder yourself) on your goals -- how important is raw speed / power independent of competitiveness in class? What sanctioning body or bodies will you compete in? The answers to those questions and others will affect your car choice.

E Mod 914!

Miata. On a local sized course, I'm usually faster in a stock miata than a stock 996. Plus they are so cheap to make faster.

The Miata, particularly early ones, are listed on the SCCA website in the top 10 of good autocross cars. Seems like a lot of them available for around $5k. (2 sets of tires for the 996....) Until you screw with it too much, would be easy to drive to and from the events. Not having to start with a trailer is attractive.

Just bought my 99 Miata on coilovers with a hard dog roll bar for $4500. An absolute blast to drive... Might be as much fun as my 997 and it's definitely more fun than my 951. Cheap to run, cheap to fix, dynamically awesome.

I'd stick to the second gen "NB" if I were you for the extra displacement, 1.8L vs the NA's 1.6L.

What is the budget? I love Miatas, but another budget AX is a 924S. Learn to drive it and then drop a 944S2 or 968 motor in it when you get bored.

I bought a 944 for autocrossing. Then it kept breaking and good stock-legal parts were hard to find so I bought a 996. I do miss the ability to put race tires in the trunk of the 944, but seeing as how stock class and the r-comps are going away anyways, not a big deal now.

The tire budget on the 996 is not forgiving, but the 944, especially with a lowered m030 setup (still stock legal) has great static camber and is very easy on tires.

First gen Boxsters are cheap and fun to drive...just don't obsess about how the SCCA classes them, or stick to PCA autocrosses.

I have only been to Carolinas PCA autocross events, so I can only base my opinion on what I have seen there.

Only Porsche cars were classed by weight/hp/modifications. (Due to my 911 having a full cage for DE, I was made to run it in Improved 04, against 951s, 914-6s, Boxster Ss, and even a 930. I had to resort to winning by showing up for everything.) All other marques were lumped together, and while I enjoyed seeing them run, there was a huge variation in suitability for AX. When the SCCA guys showed up, all bets were off.

Looking at the non-Porsche standings at the end of the season, the top car was a 2008 BMW 135i, driven by a hot-foot instructor.

2nd was a Noble.

3rd was a 2010 Audi A-5 S-line

The SCCA guys really seemed to like WRX Imprezas.

There were several Miatas, but they didn't come to enough events to score well in the total points.

A S2000 beat the winning 135i the only event it ran. If Acura would put the S2000 running gear under a RSX coupe body, I would buy one in a heartbeat.

I'm changing my answer. If you've never autocrossed before, I'd recommend something fwd, low power, preferably both.

Nothing forces you to learn proper lines and maximizing grip better than a car that cannot cover up mistakes.

Not that you can't learn in another car, but progress will be much slower.

Buy what your heart tells you.
Sports cars are a passion. Unless you're racing professionally, buy something that makes YOU happy.
Any of us can rationalize any number of cars for all kinds of reasons. All that matters in the end is what you want. If you're a good enough driver, you can be competitive in club events in just about anything. I know guys who slaughter prepped Z06s and GT3s in $6K Miatas, but does that Miata driver feel passionate about his car (or even like it?) when his 6 runs are up?
Good luck with your decision. Curious to know what you choose!

I autocross my 2004 911 Turbo Cab and it is a blast. I have my own shop and do most all work on my car. I can swap the wheels/tires combo out easily, add the Traqmate, GoPro, and I am off and running! Going through serious withdraws now. Can't wait for the spring!

I plan to buy another 996 for autocross, track, and street use this year (end of year in reality). The airbox Porsches are tempting but I like to drive and work on cars I know. Why go backwards or learn another car?

The 914-4 was just added to STS in SCCA Solo. I think it can be competitive there, plus run it in PCA events. Have to find one that is still, or can be returned to, legal config for Street Touring in SCCA. I'm not sure how that works in PCA modification classes, but I think a reasonable compromise can be reached.