| gt9729b | 07-11-2006 03:28 PM |
Auto-x Your Daily Driver?
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The "What Will I Break First" thread got me thinking (and that's rarely good). After reading several good responses from some of the experienced drivers it seemed like the majority said the OP should get a dedicated track car. What are your thoughts about autocrossing your daily driver? I have (and auto-x) my daily driver, an '05 STi. I'm not good, and I haven't been doing it long, but I'm beginning to question my decision do beat the snot out of my not-so-cheap daily driver. This has been compounded by the fact that several of my friends who also autocross are also getting out of using their STi as well, opting instead for an old CRX.
What are NASIOC's thoughts on this one? Do you recommend (or not) autocrossing your daily driver?
I do apologize if this is a repost, but I searched and didn't find anything about this already. Either way, I'm curious as to what you all think.
What are NASIOC's thoughts on this one? Do you recommend (or not) autocrossing your daily driver?
I do apologize if this is a repost, but I searched and didn't find anything about this already. Either way, I'm curious as to what you all think.
| kiefer | 07-11-2006 03:33 PM |
I have been auto-xing my daily driver for 3 yrs now, and I haven't run into any problems from it. I really don't think auto-xing is that hard on a car. Yes you're pushig the engine hard, but only for 1 minute at a time. As far as being hard on the suspension, I guess it is, but again only for short bursts of time. If you were talking about bringing your daily driver to the track frequently, then I'd suggest getting a dedicated track car. But for auto-x, I don't think it's necessary.
...then again, I'm still a noob!!
...then again, I'm still a noob!!
| Tilt | 07-11-2006 03:39 PM |
Autox is fine IMO. If you HPDE or RoadRace you should keep them separate.
| flyboymike | 07-11-2006 03:41 PM |
I'm a big fan of autocrossing the daily driver. I still might kill my wheel bearings a little before your regular car, maybe replace brake pads and tires a bit more often, but it's worthwhile to know your car at its limits. It's also an interesting challenge to balance being a competitive autocrosser and comfy daily driver. That's where the real problems come in, I think.
| jcroy66 | 07-11-2006 03:45 PM |
I just stopped daily driving my car yesterday, because now that we have a 3rd vehicle, I didn't want to beat the snot out of my AUTOCROSS car by driving it on the STREET. :D
| rankink | 07-11-2006 03:46 PM |
I don't see a problem with it, especially if you are in stock or less modified classes. Been doing for 5 years now with no real bad experiences.
| RB5 Clone | 07-11-2006 03:47 PM |
if you AX for FUN, the driver is fine. Subies are tougher than ppl know.
if you AX to WIN, now that's a slippry slope if there ever was one.
in general, AX courses are set up to be safe and fun for unmodded cars.
Dave G
PS--same thing is true for rallyX
if you AX to WIN, now that's a slippry slope if there ever was one.
in general, AX courses are set up to be safe and fun for unmodded cars.
Dave G
PS--same thing is true for rallyX
| RB5 Clone | 07-11-2006 03:51 PM |
[QUOTE=jcroy66]I just stopped daily driving my car yesterday, because now that we have a 3rd vehicle, I didn't want to beat the snot out of my AUTOCROSS car by driving it on the STREET. :D[/QUOTE]
Surprising how widespread this approach is in the AX community!
what he really meant was, "wanted to quit beating the snot out of my BUTT by driving AX car on the street" :devil:
DG
Surprising how widespread this approach is in the AX community!
what he really meant was, "wanted to quit beating the snot out of my BUTT by driving AX car on the street" :devil:
DG
| Crash477 | 07-11-2006 04:00 PM |
I daily drive my autox car, and have been doing so for about 2 years. Eventually I will stop daily driving it, but thats because I am going to put a cage in it, and use for track.
| BlkWRXWag | 07-11-2006 04:17 PM |
[QUOTE=jcroy66]I didn't want to beat the snot out of my AUTOCROSS car by driving it on the STREET. :D[/QUOTE]
+1 :D!!
+1 :D!!
| Butt Dyno | 07-11-2006 04:19 PM |
My WRX is a garage queen now, but I daily'd it and autox'd it for 2 years with nothing bad happening. The real issue is when you start prepping your car for a class and you start making it less pleasant to drive on the street, like RB5 implies :)
john
john
| MFR Sweep | 07-11-2006 04:20 PM |
I autocross my daily driver. and just recently built a trailer to haul my race tires to the events instead of packing them in the car.
| Kitsune | 07-11-2006 05:19 PM |
Rallyx since '02 in my daily driver L, never broke anything cept a bent steel wheel which was a direct result of getting way to buck wild.
Which leads me into...
I'd recommend always using a dedicated set of race wheels/tires even for AutoX, you can really tear up the rubber even at the low-speeds, lots of cornering forces. My 89 Corsica used to shred tires, I was buying a pair of used ones from gas stations every other event. You also don't want to worry about busting your nice factory of aftermarket bling wheels.
Plus a set of race tires will help your overall times improve greatly, but I do not recommend a super sticky AutoX tire on any car with stock suspension, super sticky tires on soft suspensions can lead to big trouble. I've seen a Jetta roll itself first hand because of to much rubber for to little suspension. At most go with a hard compound road race style tire, they will last longer and less of a chance of pitching your car upside down.
An STi is meant to be driven hard, it can handle AutoXing all day, just get some good dedicated race day tires. As far as a CRX, that is a good cheap option and I would'nt rule it out. Old Hondas are a ton of fun and bullet proof. I got myself a '90 Civic for hillclimbing and love the thing.
It really comes down to which car would you rather race.
Which leads me into...
I'd recommend always using a dedicated set of race wheels/tires even for AutoX, you can really tear up the rubber even at the low-speeds, lots of cornering forces. My 89 Corsica used to shred tires, I was buying a pair of used ones from gas stations every other event. You also don't want to worry about busting your nice factory of aftermarket bling wheels.
Plus a set of race tires will help your overall times improve greatly, but I do not recommend a super sticky AutoX tire on any car with stock suspension, super sticky tires on soft suspensions can lead to big trouble. I've seen a Jetta roll itself first hand because of to much rubber for to little suspension. At most go with a hard compound road race style tire, they will last longer and less of a chance of pitching your car upside down.
An STi is meant to be driven hard, it can handle AutoXing all day, just get some good dedicated race day tires. As far as a CRX, that is a good cheap option and I would'nt rule it out. Old Hondas are a ton of fun and bullet proof. I got myself a '90 Civic for hillclimbing and love the thing.
It really comes down to which car would you rather race.
| desertaero | 07-11-2006 05:23 PM |
Since you have an STi, I don't think you have to worry about anything at all. I was just thinking about the same thing and was thinking that the launches probably aren't too good for my car, but again, you don't have to worry about that. I think that earlier replacements of pads/tires is assumed when you auto-x your dd.
| AndrewSS | 07-11-2006 05:30 PM |
I autox my daily driver... I guess it helps I dont have to drive it too much. I did about 11,600mi in a year. Anyway I assume some wear items to go faster (tires!!!!!!) but I am happy that the 05+ STi has beefier hubs so that makes me a bit happier there. However if you start modding you gotta assume some possible problems and struggles - but its all good and fun for the most part, and I am not modded much at all, but I can see the slippery slope there. Anyway dont be afraid to autox your daily driver STi at all!
For HPDE's I would be more wary, I will do about 4 or 5 this season with it and I dont worry too much.
For HPDE's I would be more wary, I will do about 4 or 5 this season with it and I dont worry too much.
| leecea | 07-11-2006 05:40 PM |
I haven't been kind to my car so I have some autox related issues - lots of cone marks that I can't seem to get out, broken mounting tabs on the front bumper trim from hitting cones, plus collapsed jacking points from using a small headed floor jack all the time. I'm sure a more careful person could have avoided these, but I see them as minor issues.
On the other hand, my other cars have endless dings from parking lot encounters and stones, dents from being hit by shopping carts and a falling b-ball net, plus assorted other cosmetic issues! I just can't keep anything looking nice.
On the other hand, my other cars have endless dings from parking lot encounters and stones, dents from being hit by shopping carts and a falling b-ball net, plus assorted other cosmetic issues! I just can't keep anything looking nice.
| omaha03wrx | 07-11-2006 05:46 PM |
I�m going on 3 and a half years of autoxing and 2 years of rallyxing my WRX which is currently my DD. I finally got my Zzyzx coilovers this spring and with that I hope to retire the WRX to just racing and to drive once in awhile this winter when I get a different DD. Plus that way I can add some mods that I�ve been waiting a long time to do that wouldn�t be too DD friendly to me at least. :p Other than that the car is holding up fine w/o any major repairs. I say go for it.
| Patrick Olsen | 07-11-2006 06:20 PM |
I've been auto-xing (and open tracking) my daily driver since late 2000. I'm about to roll 170,000 miles on it. As others have said, you'll wear out brake pads more quickly, and I've had some issues that may or may not be attributable to the added abuse (wheel bearings, steering rack boot that tore, a couple CV boots that tore). I wouldn't worry about it too much.
Pat
Pat
| mccanixx | 07-11-2006 06:30 PM |
[QUOTE=jcroy66]I just stopped daily driving my car yesterday, because now that we have a 3rd vehicle, I didn't want to beat the snot out of my AUTOCROSS car by driving it on the STREET. :D[/QUOTE]
uh-ohs' Here's to JCroy getting teh faster, and your mechanic......maybe. The airtank's on the way. ;) By the way what'd you pick up, a new Elise perhaps? :p J/K
To the OP. You can rack up years and miles auto-xing your DD. The consumables yes, brakes, tires. But other than that, have at it. It's not that abusive.
uh-ohs' Here's to JCroy getting teh faster, and your mechanic......maybe. The airtank's on the way. ;) By the way what'd you pick up, a new Elise perhaps? :p J/K
To the OP. You can rack up years and miles auto-xing your DD. The consumables yes, brakes, tires. But other than that, have at it. It's not that abusive.
| Zoinks | 07-11-2006 09:43 PM |
[url]http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=949586&highlight=daily+driver[/url]
You're four months late. :)
Strangely enough I'm still on the same set of tires I mentioned in that thread, plus 2 more schools... but now they're bald enough to be truly scary in the rain.
You're four months late. :)
Strangely enough I'm still on the same set of tires I mentioned in that thread, plus 2 more schools... but now they're bald enough to be truly scary in the rain.
| bl_easy | 07-11-2006 11:45 PM |
I autox my daily driver. :D
| PhilC | 07-12-2006 09:30 AM |
[QUOTE=mccanixx]uh-ohs' Here's to JCroy getting teh faster, and your mechanic......maybe. The airtank's on the way. ;) By the way what'd you pick up, a new Elise perhaps? :p J/K
To the OP. You can rack up years and miles auto-xing your DD. The consumables yes, brakes, tires. But other than that, have at it. It's not that abusive.[/QUOTE]
We bought a '95 Civic LX with 170k on the clock, Honduh power baby. At any rate it gets 30+MPG instead of the 14 the truck was getting on my 75 mile a day commute and it cost not much more than two sets of Yoks for the WRX would have. The next fun car we buy will more than likely not have doors or fenders and will either race in CM or F125 for autocross. :)
When you do get serious about autocrossing you will probably eventually break something that may require a few days of public transportation use, but a lot of what might break might have broken on the street anyways. But like Jen said we were more worried about our high-$ shocks on a daily commute than we are about our daily driver at an autocross.
To the OP. You can rack up years and miles auto-xing your DD. The consumables yes, brakes, tires. But other than that, have at it. It's not that abusive.[/QUOTE]
We bought a '95 Civic LX with 170k on the clock, Honduh power baby. At any rate it gets 30+MPG instead of the 14 the truck was getting on my 75 mile a day commute and it cost not much more than two sets of Yoks for the WRX would have. The next fun car we buy will more than likely not have doors or fenders and will either race in CM or F125 for autocross. :)
When you do get serious about autocrossing you will probably eventually break something that may require a few days of public transportation use, but a lot of what might break might have broken on the street anyways. But like Jen said we were more worried about our high-$ shocks on a daily commute than we are about our daily driver at an autocross.
| DrBiggly | 07-12-2006 10:35 AM |
When your shocks cost more than your beater, then you're big pimpin. You guys are such ballers. :lol: :)
-Biggly
-Biggly
| rautox | 07-12-2006 11:21 AM |
[QUOTE=PhilC]The next fun car we buy will more than likely not have doors or fenders and will either race in CM or F125 for autocross. :) [/QUOTE]
The latter is the path I took. And it's worked out very well, so far.
Down side:[list][*]tough to share the ride (one size doesn't fit all)[*]more time wrenching[*]fitness has become an issue[*]availability of parts and expertise, depending on region[*]chassis set up is eff'ing voodoo[*]drunk people want to talk about the kart[/list]
Upside: [list][*]fun challenge, if you like that sort of thing[*]cheap, long-lasting tires[*]relatively cheap entry (for the cost of a prepping a car for ST*... )[*]auto insurance is irrelevant[*]fitness has become a priority[*]peace of mind (I can wad the kart and the impact on my worklife remains pretty minimal)[*]DD choice is a lot more flexible[*]issues surrounding the unfavorable/wildly favorable classing decisions of any given mi* car don't impact me[*]minimized course dependency in a spec'ish class.[*]holy crap fast :)[/list]
I'm happier with a dedicated race car. YMMV.
The latter is the path I took. And it's worked out very well, so far.
Down side:[list][*]tough to share the ride (one size doesn't fit all)[*]more time wrenching[*]fitness has become an issue[*]availability of parts and expertise, depending on region[*]chassis set up is eff'ing voodoo[*]drunk people want to talk about the kart[/list]
Upside: [list][*]fun challenge, if you like that sort of thing[*]cheap, long-lasting tires[*]relatively cheap entry (for the cost of a prepping a car for ST*... )[*]auto insurance is irrelevant[*]fitness has become a priority[*]peace of mind (I can wad the kart and the impact on my worklife remains pretty minimal)[*]DD choice is a lot more flexible[*]issues surrounding the unfavorable/wildly favorable classing decisions of any given mi* car don't impact me[*]minimized course dependency in a spec'ish class.[*]holy crap fast :)[/list]
I'm happier with a dedicated race car. YMMV.
| ratt_finkel | 07-12-2006 11:29 AM |
[QUOTE=Kitsune]
Plus a set of race tires will help your overall times improve greatly, but I do not recommend a super sticky AutoX tire on any car with stock suspension, super sticky tires on soft suspensions can lead to big trouble. I've seen a Jetta roll itself first hand because of to much rubber for to little suspension. At most go with a hard compound road race style tire, they will last longer and less of a chance of pitching your car upside down.
[/QUOTE]
Um, yeah :lol:
Plus a set of race tires will help your overall times improve greatly, but I do not recommend a super sticky AutoX tire on any car with stock suspension, super sticky tires on soft suspensions can lead to big trouble. I've seen a Jetta roll itself first hand because of to much rubber for to little suspension. At most go with a hard compound road race style tire, they will last longer and less of a chance of pitching your car upside down.
[/QUOTE]
Um, yeah :lol:
| gt9729b | 07-12-2006 11:57 AM |
[QUOTE=Zoinks][url]http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=949586&highlight=daily+driver[/url]
You're four months late. :)[/QUOTE]
Well hell, I don't know how I didn't see that in my search. Sorry about the repost.
Thanks anyway for all of the responses. See ya at the next event.
You're four months late. :)[/QUOTE]
Well hell, I don't know how I didn't see that in my search. Sorry about the repost.
Thanks anyway for all of the responses. See ya at the next event.
| Jaxx | 07-12-2006 02:02 PM |
not any more .. found that i had too much confidence in my road car and was driving stupid on the road
| ghschirtz | 07-12-2006 04:42 PM |
^^Sorry, Jaxx! Are you okay? Cars are just stuff, y'know, but people are valuable.
George
George
| Blue98leg | 07-17-2006 02:04 AM |
I have been autoxing and rallyxing my old high mileage legacy for about a year and it has remained dependable. I deliver pizzas with this daily driver and the car still seems to take the abuse in stride with no real damage. I love subarus.
| TheWRX | 07-17-2006 08:44 AM |
I autocrossed my daily driver (and only vehicle) for 3 years. It's certainly possible. I decided to go in a different direction for a number of reasons:[list][*]Having only one car can cause issues. It can break at an event (yes, it happens...). If you want to work on it, you have to be certain that it's running again on Monday morning. If you took something apart, and notice that you're missing a tool, you can't drive to the hardware store. :o[*]While I could live with the driving "comfort" of the STX car, getting my kidneys tested on every pot hole was starting to get a bit old.[*]I wanted to auto-x a different car, and that one is not practical as a daily driver.[/list]So yes, I used to make fun of the weenies who trailer a Stock car to events, and only drive them on weekends. Now I'm one of them. :lol: I use my tow vehicle as daily driver.
| Mykl | 07-17-2006 08:54 AM |
I can't imagine daily driving a car that's been prepared to the max for SP or higher classes... but if you just slap on some basic suspension and engine upgrades and go out to have fun, why not?
The STi is a pretty crappy daily driver anyway. I wouldn't have bought it if I didn't plan on enjoying it.
...that said, I do have a backup car in the form of a crappy old '99 Hyundai Tiburon. But even that car is about to get turned into a rally-crosser. All it needs is a manual gearbox.
The STi is a pretty crappy daily driver anyway. I wouldn't have bought it if I didn't plan on enjoying it.
...that said, I do have a backup car in the form of a crappy old '99 Hyundai Tiburon. But even that car is about to get turned into a rally-crosser. All it needs is a manual gearbox.
| Scooby Freak | 07-17-2006 08:59 AM |
[QUOTE=DrBiggly]When your shocks cost more than your beater, then you're big pimpin. You guys are such ballers. :lol: :)
-Biggly[/QUOTE]:lol: The shocks on my subaru cost more than my daily driver, even including all of the maintenance I've done on it over the past year. The desire to be competitive makes us do some pretty strange things. :alien:
-Biggly[/QUOTE]:lol: The shocks on my subaru cost more than my daily driver, even including all of the maintenance I've done on it over the past year. The desire to be competitive makes us do some pretty strange things. :alien:
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