92 318 convertible - A fun autocross / track car?

[txleadfoot]

I second that.

My current car: 318ic
Last car: 318is

The cabrio is a tank in comparison. IIRC the cabrio is 300 lbs. or so heavier. The roll bars I have seen are ugly.

i don't see the point of buying an e30 vert and sticking a cage in it. just get a coupe or sedan.

[Hallen]

you will spend so much making a miata fast. i forget the exact $1-hp ratio but it isn't very good.

And you think it is any cheaper with an E30? Assuming both cars are chipped and have competent track suspensions. How are you going to make either quicker?

1) lose weight. The Miata is already lighter to start with.
2) Add power. Uh, new engine?? Turbo?? It's the same for both.

I do know that you can buy a ready to race Miata for somewhere around 10k to 12k (well sorted for 14k). To get a PRO3 car, it would cost you 14k for a junker to 18k for a well sorted car. So from that perspective, an E30 is more expensive. (in both cases, way more money was put into the car than they get out of them... but that is always true anyway)

[deutschman]

you will spend so much making a miata fast. i forget the exact $1-hp ratio but it isn't very good.

[iwantspeed]

One of my favorite convertibles

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=107147

['90 325is]

get a porsche 914 if you can find a nice one

[Mossman]

i have a 318ic and hard top and I'm nearby. Wanna chat? :)

[OrganicMechanic]

E30 cabrio---

way more fun than mazda. LSD being clutch pack is reason enough.

[Charlie]

I currently drive a 91 M50 powered e34. I am looking for a fun track car for this summer. I am also looking for a convertible. I've been investigating e30 verts, and I have a few questions:

Are 318 verts too underpowered for track duty?

Yes. 130 hp pushing what, 3000+ lbs?

Are e30 verts too heavy to be fun at autocross?

Fun? No, they can be fun. Competetitive in anything? No, they won't be.

Are convertibles too much of a hassle to bring to track events?

Most BMWCCA chapters won't allow them in. PCA usually does, NASA pretty much doesn't care.

How hard is it to find a hard top for the e30 convertible?

Not hard if you don't mind dropping 1500-2000 bucks.

Would I be better off with a Miata?

Yes.

Disclaimer: I'd love to build an S50 swapped cabrio with a bar/cage for a track car.

-Charlie

[Charlie]

If I were to build a track day car, I'd probably start with an ETA since they are cheaper and modify away. If you want a vert that can see track time, I'd go with a miata hands down...cheap and easy to work on.

Um, why? They're not really any cheaper than an "i" car once you get down to replacing everything you will need to do to make it a reliable track car, and it's still a 120 hp 2800 lb slug with terrible gearing.

-Charlie

[Alkasquawlik]

On the topic of hardtops for E30 verts, they pop up every so often on Craigslist and whatnot, but expect to pay $1000+ for one.

[MikeM]

i would buy a honda del sol or porsche 914 before i got a miata.

[Miatamania]

what's the hardest thing about driving a miata?

telling your parents you're gay.

dont kid yourself a miata is still gay. hahaha

I'm not here to argue, but I suggest you find a modified (or even stock) one and drive it, then get back in your boxes and realize how shitty the steering is in an E30...how archaic the rear suspension is, and how dumb you sound.

I love my E30, but without significant modifications, they just aren't as enjoyable of a car to drive. Will that stop me from trying? Probably not. A newer motor, suspension, a new steering rack and some loving all around and these things are tits also.

If I were to build a track day car, I'd probably start with an ETA since they are cheaper and modify away. If you want a vert that can see track time, I'd go with a miata hands down...cheap and easy to work on.

But yeah, turbocharged miata ares about homo as hell.

[bmw325csi]

Well im just saying because I have a vert now and was wondering what can be done to make it more stable?

[rThor432]

^^Yes, but you could get a Festiva or Justy for a fun canyon carver. Why bother with an E30 vert.

[bmw325csi]

^What he said. Would a vert ever be able to be a fun canyon cruiser though?