What's the Best First Track Car? (Grip Driving)

To follow up on our video from last week, this week we answer the question of which car is the best first track car. Like last week, there's tons of different variables, so I'll list out my top 4 picks that are best for most people interested in getting into grip driving.

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Panasonic S1h with MC1 adaptor
Panasonic S1
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[midnight_drive_media]

Man says the honda scene isn't always "adult", proceeds to open up his lambo door.

[hdd]

Honda Fit definitely earned the honorable mention. Cheap, reliable, great handling, and fun to toss through corners.

[jmedina]

When i watch gears and gasoline i feel like I’m watching a movie

[Jlemus]

In my opinion Is better to drive a slow car fast, especially if you're in the process of learning get something cheap and affordable to fix.

[TheDaemon]

The best first track car is anything with zero power and requires momentum to be fast. That’s how you learn to drive properly and with precision.

[DeViceCrimsin_]

Green s2k guy had the real answer. Point blank period. Edit: Miata guy had a good tip too to supplement s2k guy.

[TheCarPassionChannel]

Stoked to see the E36/E46 chassis on the list. The only little budget vs. performance fact I'd add is that the M54 (E46 330i/330Ci engine) makes essentially as much power as the E36 M3, making the E46 330 just as good, or even an M54 swapped E36. Great power without the additional maintenance/worries of the S engine. I daily drive a 5-speed 330Ci and I feel they're so underestimated overall.

[timephire]

Is this a trick question? Isn't Miata always the answer or was I lied too all this time?! (Keep up the great work guys)

[josephrainey]

S2000 owner here who started tracking regularly just over a year ago. We go every 1-2 weeks so thankfully seat time has not been a problem. Started in a Porsche Cayman S, moved to a C7 Grandsport, then a ZL1 1LE, and now the S2K. The 6 months so far with the S2K have done more to develop me as a driver than any of the other cars by far. It’s easy to go fast in a fast car. It’s another thing to have to drive a slower car fast. Anyways, could not recommend an S2000 highly enough to anyone looking for a first track car.

[buddahae]

What that last guy said is so true, get out there and give it a crack. Don’t be the person that’s constantly doing that next modification before the cars “ready” for the track. All you’re doing is eating into seat time. Have the essentials done, brakes/tires/safety/fluids and go turn some laps.

[The_Professional_Hobbiest]

Honda civic cheap and inexpensive,
Ben "this is how i spent 30k on my civic

[spencersgarage]

My first track car is my 1991 Honda Civic DX. Totally stock engine besides a DC sports header, test pipe, and a mild full suspension rebuild. Once this COVID-19 blows over I plan to do my first track day. My Civic is also my 38.5+ MPG, 100 miles a day daily driver.

[nevoyu]

There's never a good time to go tracking, besides next weekend." So true as I get ready for the noon sprint race we're doing in a 2002 Toyota Corolla track car.

[thatonebeone]

5:32 NAILED IT!!! track time is the best mod... dont matter what car you are in fwd / rwd whatever suits your style, track time is what makes you a good driver

[mhpchan]

Wow - the guy that talked about s2k and Miata did an amazing job. I keep telling my friends how there’s never the “right” time or “right” car/setup. They just need to go do it. But those guys really hit those points well! Well done!

[sirniko]

If you are in the U.S.A. I would put up the SN95 and Foxbody on this list. You can get a good example for track use easily around $5k or less and just clean examples in general for less than $10k. Parts are beyond cheap and availability is everywhere. You get cheap power and you can put ALOT of tire under the car if you want. The Foxbody in particular is a very compact package that can grip like crazy with the proper setup. As they are over 25 years old I can mod them without having to worry about anything other than a safety inspection (seatbelts, lights, signals, wipers, horn, structural integrity). This is also personal preference as sound is subjective but I wouldn't give up my flowmaster 40s and H-pipe setup for anything. I would like to compare it to the C8 corvette I ordered if that ever arrives (thanks C7 production, UAW strike and the present pandemic...)

[dbracing]

I hear Honda Fit, I raise you Suzuki Swift Sport for fun driving

[milesdean]

What I’ve gotten out of this is that I can and should race the family minivan.

[ruthlesson-site]

One of the most underated car channels out there

[Osprey]

Honda S2000 is a great car but it's incredibly hard to get, and it's getting more expensive every year.

Update: Checked local listings today and we are now consistently above 20k in my area. I found one that is cosmetically rough with 87k and an absolutely fucked top for 13k but it claimed it was garaged for it's entire life... So already off to a bad start with that one.