A good HPDE car?

[EJ20]

My friend is selling his 95 stick for 3500 (for me 2500 :rockon: )with 130k miles...and im trying to get into HPDE in a few weeks and I need a car..hes had it for 4 years with only an alternator problem

Cant decide tween a civic or this bimmer

honda= cheaper, more aftermarket support, honduh challenge! saves gas!!
bmw= dont know much about em, aftermarket for 318ti? ...RWD!!

[MEDIA PUSHER"]

uhh, the bimmer

[madfronter]

F*ck a front wheel drive car.

[MEDIA PUSHER"]

sorry that was kind of dick, let me elaborate.

honda= cheaper, more aftermarket support, honduh challenge! saves gas!!
bmw= dont know much about em, aftermarket for 318ti? ...RWD!!

2500 is a good price for any running car, especially a bmw, the money that you'll be saving buying a civic is pretty negligable at this point. Parts, yes, good bmw parts are going to be a little more expensive than honda parts, some of this is attributed to the market saturation, more due to the precision of tolerances that bmws are tuned to. Saving on gas, the ti will get 25-30+ mpg. My girlfriend drives a civic, I spend maybe a few more dollars a month than she does. In comparing the two, the civic is faster off the line because its much lighter, the bmw will take it on the highway. We are constantly racing around town, cat and mousing. There is tons of aftermarket... stuff... out there for the civic, it was produced as a light weight, highly effecient and affordable economy car, the ti, was an attempt by bmw to steal away some of the youth market with an affordable compact. $20K base price, despite peoples slandering of the car as being offered as buying the bmw name, this car is built to the same autobaun rigors as all bmws, and its unpopularity was only popular in america. Hands down this car is sleeker, safer, and much more fun to drive than any comparable fwd asian car. You'll look better, feel better, and actually get excited getting into it every morning. I personally have found that all my conceptions of these cars i had before owning one were completely false, Theyre not outrageously costly, don't break down constantly, not only the rich can afford them, and they are not all that difficult to maintain, this forum alone can answer any question you could have and walk you through any upgrade, from the most mundane fluid swap to turbos and engines. I've never let a friend drive my car without after a few minutes hearing them say they want to trade theirs in for one. And lastly as far as aftermarket, the only answer you'll get to any question about performance upgrade for this car is how much do you want to spend? Getting alot of power out of this car will cost, but you'll get exactly what you pay for, and more than you might expect. You will never want to part with this car like so many clear tail half assed project civics flooding the classifieds. treat yourself to something special, you deserve it.

[city]

I agree with media pusher.. lol very well said. The handling on the car is amazing because its a bmw also I have been upgrading like crazy and its nice to stand out above lame civics and all the typical cars that are done up. I have people in awe when I drive my beemer and get compliments all the time. I think civics are overrated and I actually laugh whenever I see one done up, even if it could be faster than mine. I wouldn't trade my car for anything. I'm only 18 and already have owned 2 beemers + my current one and before that had a 2002 lancer, I have driven many many cars and Im already turning into a BM head for life. IMO nothing compares. Take it for what its worth, if you do end up getting the 318 im sure we'll be seeing you alot more on this forum because all the answers to your 318 questions are here.

[DustenT]

I had a turbo civic EX (1995 EG body style). It was fun, but I wouldn't trade my BMW for anything.

The doors on my Civic got dented really easily. My BMW is 8 years old and it doesn't have a single door ding. Something as simple as that can point out the quality that is put into these cars, compared to Hondas.

There is one down side to owning a BMW. You will never settle for anything less than a BMW once you own one. That is why so many people are BMW owners for life. I don't think that happens with Honda owners.

[1996 328ti]

Although a stock ti is underpowered compared to many other cars at a HPDE, when driven by a competent driver you would never know it was only 138hp. The ti is all about keeping the revs up and momentum. I've had 4 bangers pass me. :(

[m44ic]

FWD :x :no:

RWD :) :evil_lau:

[EJ20]

sounds great guys..lovin the atmosphere :weee:

does anyone know what car classes i can run in after hpde? i hope theres alot that I can compete in...right now im gonna join NASA and do the hpde..or does anyone have any other suggestions like scca or bmwcca

I hope im making the right discision...most suggested honda...but rwd, hatch, stick, 4 cyl, B M W, is soo tempting ...how hard is it to make these cars lighter? one reason i love hondas is cause of 1800lb CRX's and k20 swapped civic hatches that pull on STI's ... :o

[1996 328ti]

HPDEs are High Performance Drivers Education Schools.
They are not races. If you think they are you are quickly gonna be shown the gate.

[EJ20]

does anyone know what car classes i can run in after hpde?

:biggrin:

[1996 328ti]

Ooops. Didn't read the after. I'm perfectly content doing DEs.

[Dredder]

I would totally pick a 318ti over any Honda's out there. If swapping engine is your forte' then a 318ti can also have a swap. Search around the forum, you'll find 318ti with M3 motors. Pulling on an STI is not a problem if you put money for performance upgrade, with this car the only limit is your stash. Jump on that deal I would!!!!!

[EJ20]

M3 swap....gives me chills thinking bout it :dance:

[FMD]

Nasa's USTCC for the win.

[da9]

I own a 91 Integra that I autocross, and co-drive a E36 325is at autocross. They both have about the same amount of modifications, and they're about equal around an autocross track. The Integra costs A LOT less to modify, but the 325 is a little more fun to drive. I don't know too much about HDPE events, but I can say through personal experience that the Civic is not at a disadvantage compared to a 318ti. They both will make it around the track in about the same time. The handling advantage goes to the Civic mostly due to good suspension design, and a huge weight advantage. The only thing the 318 has going for it is it's RWD. It's not dramatically faster, but it's a lot heavier. Hondas are easy to work on and they're cheap. Parts area a dime a dozen, and if you check honda-tech.com's Road Race/Autocross section (ignore the other parts, they're mostly idiots) you can find used RR/AX parts for dirt cheap.

In a nutshell...for a track car I say the Civic/Integra.
Street car = 318ti