getfast

If you go that way, try to find one with a limited slip diff. I believe the first year came with an open diff, which is not good for autocross.

getfast

+1 to this, just get what you like and play with it as much as you can.

leolo007

I do also believe you can autocross anything but I want something I can be competitive in. In another forum they recommended a Mazda 3... never really thought of that but I guess I can consider that too.

getfast

Locally, regionally, or nationally competitive? Those are three very different things. Also, there is a whole lot more to having a competitive autocross car than just buying something and/or bolting some parts on. Most of it is about the driver.

I'd recommend going to some events, checking some event results in your area, and asking some fast drivers what they think...

zeenon53

I think they meant miata.

DisturbedFocus

maybe, but a mazda 3 or a focus would be as good or better.
Any fwd manual car on good tires is more than enough to have fun/do well in autocross.

the mazda 3 and some focuses have the 2.3l duratec motor which makes enough torque low to be fun but not roast thru tires.

leolo007

Locally, this is a "just for fun" type deal but I want to be good at it. I know I have the skills as I was reasonably good with my civic although I was competing in SM due to the engine swap yet I was running on street tires, where that class allowed much higher performance tires.

I understand that seat time is more important than anything but I dont want to go and race a buick roadmaster... if you know what I mean.

I am looking forward to attending an event in the Phillie area this weekend

getfast

LOL, did you seriously just imply that a nose-heavy understeering open-diff FWD econo-sh!tbox is a better autocross car than one of the best-handling and most nimble RWD sports cars ever built?

Yes, with the right driver... and if you can get rid of the horrible, terminal, front-tire-killing understeer. Oh, and the aforementioned open diff too.

Aaaaaand the "motor" is about 10% of the equation when it comes to a fast autocross lap time (add to that... 40% chassis/handling/braking, and 50% driver.)

Just my opinions of course. I have been to a few autocrosses in my time.

getfast

Miata, seat time, Konis, seat time, front swaybar, seat time, Hoosiers, seat time. Done.

bumada

I've driven a SVT focus at an autocross before and it was not a very delightful experience. It didnt have very good tires but that wasnt its only problem. They feel really top heavy through corners and it plows really bad. I seriously thought i was going to flip it through a slalom.