AWD Track Car

[MrRoboto]

I am considering a winter/track car build. My initial thought was a Subaru STI. It appears you can get a ~2007 for a fairly good price. Any alternatives that come to mind? I want it to be street legal and perhaps double duty as a winter machine. Thoughts?

[Kgolf31]

only worries about a STi is ringland failure.

why do you want AWD? RWD with winter tires will do wonders unless you live in a place were you get feet and feet of snow (can't view location from mobile)

[lastMleft]

Originally Posted by MrRoboto

I am considering a winter/track car build. My initial thought was a Subaru STI. It appears you can get a ~2007 for a fairly good price. Any alternatives that come to mind? I want it to be street legal and perhaps double duty as a winter machine. Thoughts?

RS4

[IEDEI]

MK1 Audi TT quattro.

you can buy them affordably...they're beautiful...and you can tune them to the moon.

[Zombie1]

I think you'd be lucky to find a 2007 STI unmolested, I had an 2006 thing was a beast. For track it be great car however the rattles drove me out of the car after two years of owning one.

[WillisW555]

I had an 06 STI and tracked it regularly. It didn't take much to turn it into a competent car. I had no problems in the 3 years of ownership.

[3002 tii]

Originally Posted by IEDEI

MK1 Audi TT quattro.

you can buy them affordably...they're beautiful...and you can tune them to the moon.

I love them but I still have nightmares from 1.8T related issues back from my VW days (coilpacks, sludge, timing-belt, etc). Evo gets my vote.

[IEDEI]

Originally Posted by 3002 Tii

I love them but I still have nightmares from 1.8T related issues back from my VW days (coilpacks, sludge, timing-belt, etc). Evo gets my vote.

i've had mine almost 11 years now..126k miles....did my timing belt at 65k and 115k miles...regularly replace the coilpacks....and haven't had any sludge that i know of! they are VERY EASY to tune up to 300hp and also very easy to fix any suspension issues.

A thicker rear sway bar and some better steering control arm bushings dramatically change the dynamics of the car.....even able to pull the rear out in aggressive driving.

I think the worst part about the MK1 TT is actually the electronic system....too many sensors for stuff that tend to go at different times. That being said....the sensors are fairly easy fixes.

[r200ti]

Id go for a Lancer if the budget fitted. Out of the box they are way ahead of pretty much any other 4wd for track work. imo there handling and general performance is a benchmark.

[vanbmw]

A track/winter car? Seems like an unlikely combo. Being a track car you will probably have it with stiff low suspension...not good for snow clearance. Wouldn't you be better to have a AWD winter car and a RWD summer/track car?

I did some pro-racing in the 1990's and drove a Audi A4 1.8t for a few years. Very competent track car that produced good results. However, horribly boring and unsatisfying to drive! Brake early and go slower into corner...understeer thru the turn...jump on the gas super early and charge out of corner. Slow into the corner so I had to do lots of blocking! It did a GREAT job of putting the power down early and it charged out of the corners. Had no finesse or fun at all. I would take a RWD car (even a solid rear axle Mustang) as a track car. So many great RWD options...

I have done some laps in a street legal track prepped STI and a EVO. Both were surprisingly good track cars. Evo was the better handling car and was light on it feet but the engine was peaky...needed rev's for power. STI was a bit heavy handed but had more mid range power. Both set up fairly neutral for an AWD car. I know several guys that use them on the track regularly...don't recall any ever having reliability issues.

[kobeballer96]

sti's are slow. why not look at an evo. you cab make more power at the end with bolt ons and e85. also gearing is better.