Choosing a race car

[DDY RCKT]

Hey guys! I am in some serious need of some help choosing a car.

I'm trying to build up a weekend cruiser/track day car for me and my dad to share. I live in Atlanta, he lives in VA. Road Atlanta is convenient for me, but he's getting to the point that he doesn't want to drive the 9 hours down on a Friday to hit a track weekend. So if I have a car available, he can fly in and we can take the car up and I'll drive my Z06.

So now comes the real problem: What do we get?

I have some ideas here, but I know I'm not looking at all the options, so I thought I'd open it up to you for suggestions.

The criteria are pretty much what you'd expect. Since this thing is going to see a lot of track time, it needs to be relatively cheap to maintain. It needs to be able to handle well enough. We're not going for competition, just track time. It also needs to be able to fit us. I'm 6'4" and 170 lbs, my dad is 6'1" and about 250. I'm a better than average driver (not an expert by any means, I've had a few classes) and my dad has been at the track once. It needs to be a tough car to handle the abuse.

Here are the car I have on the idea list right now. Please weigh in with anything you have to offer. If you can include suggestions to sourcing/configuring suspension, etc. that would be awesome, too!

-C3 or C4 Corvette (height may be an issue here)
-First Gen Mustang (I know where I can get a complete rolling chassis '64.5 for $500. I'm going to look at it today. No interior, no motor, clean slate?)
-Third Gen Camaro or Firebird
-Mid-80's GM (Regal, Monte Carlo, etc. I know, heavy, but unique and fun?)
-Early Chevy, like a Nova, Chevelle, El Camino(!). (Hard to find a good one cheap enough to thrash on the track?)

Thanks, all!!!

Will

[NOT A TA]

Pick a car you see lots of at the track. That way if you have a problem there's a whole bunch of nice folks willing to help ya out who have trailers stocked with tools and spare parts.

BMWs and Miatas come to mind first since I see the most of them when I go to tracks. If dad flys down and you get out on the track for your first session on Sat and have a problem that requires a part or special tool or something with a 1st gen mustang, 80's G body or other old car you'd be limited by the number of people to go to for help. So the whole weekend might be shot for that car just because you had an off and bent a wheel or something where if you had a car like a Miata or BMW there's a bunch of guys that have a spare wheel they'd let ya borrow.

There's plenty of track ready cars for sale for sale right now you could buy ready to go for less that half of what it would cost you to build a car and you wouldn't spend time building it. A track car should be something you're prepared to walk away from if you wreck it.

[MSchu]

Pick a car you see lots of at the track. That way if you have a problem there's a whole bunch of nice folks willing to help ya out who have trailers stocked with tools and spare parts.

BMWs and Miatas come to mind first since I see the most of them when I go to tracks...

Miatas and BMWs would be my first choice as well. If you want something with a V8, I'd look for a Camaro Mustang Challenge prepped 3rd gen Fbody or Fox Mustang. Check out the CMC Forum (http://www.camaromustangchallenge.com/forum/), you can pick up a race ready car cheap. I agree, buy don't build, for a track car.

[JamesJ]

Get a Spec Miata

[GregWeld]

What James said -- just run a Miata... they're a hoot to drive - easy to work on and they're go karts with doors.

[DDY RCKT]

I like Miata's a lot, I used to have one. The only issue there is my dad. He might be a bit too large to drive one effectively.

[DDY RCKT]

By the way, thanks for the replies. I really appreciate it!

[GregWeld]

Next cheapest - easiest choice -- Fox bodied Mustang.... they're a dime a dozen and have 1000's of race parts all ready to bolt on.

[96z28ss]

Older Mazda rx7 or older BMW 325 make good race cars.
See them alot in scca racing

[DDY RCKT]

Next cheapest - easiest choice -- Fox bodied Mustang.... they're a dime a dozen and have 1000's of race parts all ready to bolt on.

So what does the collective think of Fox Body 'Stangs, or even the next generation, mid-90's for road racers. Seems like room won't be an issue for either me or my dad there.

[Beach Cruiser]

My buddy just picked up a C5 Z06 that we are turning into a dedicated track rat. You would be surprized at how cheap you can pick one up for these days, If you are willing to do the work to gut it and upgrade the parts for the track you'll have a fast car with tons of available parts. Otherwise, I'd go over to the Miata or BMW camp. Rock solid reliable with tons of suport at the track.

[deuce_454]

Im with the fox body mustang recomendation... bodypanels are cheap and abundant.... its tried and tested.. a C5 is not a cheap aquaintance.. its almost cheaper to but a used GT1 corvette and just run that as is..