EricJ17 Posted April 15, 2015 Share Posted April 15, 2015 Hello! So I'm looking for a new car that I would ultimately like to road race. My goal is to buy something cheap, autocross it (I have experience), go to HPDE and then build it to road race. My main concern is cost. Spec Miata is probably the best choice, as it is for most people, but I'm quite tall (6'3") and after doing research it looks like I might not fit in the car. Even if I could fit in a spec Miata, I would probably be too tall to be legal in Solo, unless I cage the car. So I'm wondering what the most economical (rwd) car would be to ultimately road race. I really like light cars, but I understand I can't necessarily have it all. Reliability isn't a major concern. I live really close to my local autocross venue and I have a very reliable DD. Thanks for any advice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
getfast Posted April 16, 2015 Share Posted April 16, 2015 In before someone mentions that you'll easily fit in any 3-series BMW from 1987 to present E30 chassis 325i/is can be a Spec E30 E36 chassis 325i/is can be a Spec3 E46 chassis 330i can be a Spec E46 Running driving cars to start with for all above are typically $1500-$4500. And all are wonderful autocross & HPDE cars in the meantime. Hope it helps! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
t500hps Posted April 17, 2015 Share Posted April 17, 2015 What region might you be in? You'll want to find a class where there is competition instead of running around by yourself. I'm in mid-Atlantic, 6'1" and about 220lbs.......fit in a CMC mustang without issue. SN95 mustangs are cheap!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kbrew8991 Posted April 17, 2015 Share Posted April 17, 2015 try and also see what's popular in your region - there are quite a few non SM spec or semi-spec (like CMC) classes that have good car choices for tall drivers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustinPSI Posted October 20, 2015 Share Posted October 20, 2015 What region might you be in? You'll want to find a class where there is competition instead of running around by yourself. I'm in mid-Atlantic, 6'1" and about 220lbs.......fit in a CMC mustang without issue. SN95 mustangs are cheap!! Beat me to it..SN95's are great...with any seats besides the stockers. They get claustrophobic with the OEM leather la-z-boy seats in them, with with some good buckets and low brackets they're lovely Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bpanther Posted December 4, 2015 Share Posted December 4, 2015 NASA NP01..... Not inexpensive, but it meets all your other requirements. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ILIKETODRIVE Posted December 4, 2015 Share Posted December 4, 2015 NASA NP01..... Not inexpensive, but it meets all your other requirements. Lol. The ol' Fast/Cheap/Reliable. Pick 2. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wpbcobra Posted December 4, 2015 Share Posted December 4, 2015 You can also look into Spec Iron. Very reliable and also not to expensive class to build a car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
n80 Posted December 17, 2015 Share Posted December 17, 2015 I'm 6'4" and long waisted. I fit comfortably in my 350Z but just barely. It is not light. It is not particularly fast by today's standards and the Spec Z class does not seem to be catching on. So a Z might not be your best choice. However, I have toyed with the idea of going the WTW route and Thunder Roadsters are popular in the SE region. I was at an event in October and there was a fairly tall guy with a TR there........I've forgotten his name, it was at CMP in SC. Anyway, he was kind enough to let me get in it and I fit pretty well. I could have used a tiny bit more leg room and he indicated that his seat would probably go lower and a little further back. So at 6'3" you'd probably fit in a TR. They are cheap, light and reasonably fast. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D Algozine Posted January 26, 2016 Share Posted January 26, 2016 Hello! So I'm looking for a new car that I would ultimately like to road race. My goal is to buy something cheap, autocross it (I have experience), go to HPDE and then build it to road race. My main concern is cost. Spec Miata is probably the best choice, as it is for most people, but I'm quite tall (6'3") and after doing research it looks like I might not fit in the car. Even if I could fit in a spec Miata, I would probably be too tall to be legal in Solo, unless I cage the car. So I'm wondering what the most economical (rwd) car would be to ultimately road race. I really like light cars, but I understand I can't necessarily have it all. Reliability isn't a major concern. I live really close to my local autocross venue and I have a very reliable DD. Thanks for any advice! What region / area are you from? Go to some events in your region before choosing a race class. Go talk to as many racers as you can from the various race classes, and ask questions. Fitting in the car is important , but racing/hanging out with the group of racers that you are comfortable with, is just as important. I hear the CMC guys are pretty cool Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ev Posted January 29, 2016 Share Posted January 29, 2016 Drive what you like for now (HPDE, Autocross), then when you're ready to go wheel to wheel, look for something already built. Building a car is fun, but much more expensive than buying one already built. I have a friend who just HAD to build his own car, and ended up selling it for 60 cents on the dollar spent, and he was ecstatic about it. FWIW, I race a PTE Honda Accord, and at 6'1", with the seat bolted to the floor I couldn't see over the dash. More than enough headroom in that car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OffsetMotorwerks Posted December 1, 2017 Share Posted December 1, 2017 I'm 6'5" and can squeeze into my wife's Spec Miata just fine! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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