'Ring Weapon of Choice?

[Wh33lhop]

Maybe a 323i with a dogleg or something cool.

[Raxe]

E30

yep

[MikeLenoch5]

yup, also has AWD, supercharged motor. easily modified to 200bhp, but the G-Lader charger is an old design and people either yank the supercharger for a Lysholm charger or turbo. or even a 16vT, 20vT. things can get really interesting...

As many BJs as I'd get in the parking lot of any VW meet, I want some money left over so I can spend it on upgrades, maintenance, repairs, etc.

[2mAn]

huh....that thing has boxed fender flares.

yup, also has AWD, supercharged motor. easily modified to 200bhp, but the G-Lader charger is an old design and people either yank the supercharger for a Lysholm charger or turbo. or even a 16vT, 20vT. things can get really interesting...

[flyboyx]

Rallye Golf, they are just turning 25 now

http://www.ebay.de/itm/Volkswagen-Go...item51ad6f78b2

huh....that thing has boxed fender flares.

[evandael]

I vote for some Peugeot hot-hatch, followed closely by a TVR.

[2mAn]

Rallye Golf, they are just turning 25 now

http://www.ebay.de/itm/Volkswagen-Go...item51ad6f78b2

[MikeLenoch5]

190e 2.3/2.5-16.

Almost bought one here in the states. I'll have a look to see how their prices are in Germany. They should be lower given [I believe] there were more released there.

[Tisoc]

190e 2.3/2.5-16.

[Berkut]

I've never driven an Escort Turbo RS, but I've had the displeasure of having a normal one of that generation for a week, and they handle so bad it's unreal. Do drive before buying :)

Have a look in a Lancia Thema Turbo as well, it's got the same engine as the Delta but much cheaper. Still unreliable but it's really good fun.

Regarding turbo cars and the ring, it's got steep climbs that are full throttle, so although there are a lot of turbo cars going round, watch those temps as I've seen them go bang, especially if you plan on engine tuning later on.

[MikeLenoch5]

The E36 M3 is quite the weapon of choice for RWD, but can bite if you're not careful. Doesn't really fit the other specs though.

You might consider the small french hatchbacks like the 106 GTI or the 306 GTI6, 205 GTI if you're going to get something older, only a couple in the US as far as I know, so value would go high up there.

Citroen Saxo is the same as the 106 but usually cheaper, but both have been a bit done do death by ricers so they have a reputation in most places. You can try a Citroen Xsara xsi which is almost the same as the 306 but much cheaper.

Maybe a Renault 5 if you fancy going old, the GT Turbo is getting rare, but Turbo cars usually don't fare very well on the ring.
A Williams is a good car as well, but they might start to be more expensive than what you're willing to spend, but on the other hand the 182/187/... Clios are getting cheaper and they have amazing chassis, but maybe too recent?

Going to Italy you can get stuff from Fiat Uno turbos or Autobianchi Abarth's if that's up your alley or something like a Fiat Barchetta as a convertible or the Coupe 20V Turbo, no idea if they sold in the us. They don't handle that good though.
An Alfa Romeo is a good shout but you got most of them in the US I reckon.

Go on www.mobile.de or http://www.autoscout24.de/, get your details in and good fun searching.

Just found what seems to be an ideal car: the Ford Escort RS Turbo. http://cgi.ebay.de/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?...tchlink:top:de

The issue will be hunting down a better one than this.

About an eight-second hike to 60, but a fast car on the Ring [for a pure newbie] won't be the safest thing. It also weighs a little more than 2,300lbs.! http://www.carfolio.com/specificatio...7#a_dimensions

But hearing what you say about turbo cars, I'll continue to search for those NA hatches you mentioned. I fell in love with the Escort the second I saw it, but I can't get hung up on one car here!

Thanks for your insight -- and yeah, I think I'll end up going with a car 25 years or older due to how [relatively] easily they can be imported.

I also use Mobile.de, but eBay is more user-friendly. I'll try out AutoScout too!

[Berkut]

The E36 M3 is quite the weapon of choice for RWD, but can bite if you're not careful. Doesn't really fit the other specs though.

You might consider the small french hatchbacks like the 106 GTI or the 306 GTI6, 205 GTI if you're going to get something older, only a couple in the US as far as I know, so value would go high up there.

Citroen Saxo is the same as the 106 but usually cheaper, but both have been a bit done do death by ricers so they have a reputation in most places. You can try a Citroen Xsara xsi which is almost the same as the 306 but much cheaper.

Maybe a Renault 5 if you fancy going old, the GT Turbo is getting rare, but Turbo cars usually don't fare very well on the ring.
A Williams is a good car as well, but they might start to be more expensive than what you're willing to spend, but on the other hand the 182/187/... Clios are getting cheaper and they have amazing chassis, but maybe too recent?

Going to Italy you can get stuff from Fiat Uno turbos or Autobianchi Abarth's if that's up your alley or something like a Fiat Barchetta as a convertible or the Coupe 20V Turbo, no idea if they sold in the us. They don't handle that good though.
An Alfa Romeo is a good shout but you got most of them in the US I reckon.

Go on www.mobile.de or http://www.autoscout24.de/, get your details in and good fun searching.

[MikeLenoch5]

So you want to get a european-market only car that is impossible to federalize and import it into the US? You may want to rethink this strategy...

Furthermore, how experienced of a driver are you? People crash on the ring. A lot. I might suggest a rental the first few times around, with full walkaway insurance.

Not especially experienced, but I do TT with NASA.

This is why I'd prefer to get a slower car for low money, then I can modify it as my skills improve.

[MikeLenoch5]

25 yo and you won't have to federalize it.

Precisely.

[2mAn]

I rented a Polo GTi and it was a blast, a little too much understeer but that was my fault