I have been doing HPDEs for a few years now and I want to move on to something different. I started in an e36 M3 and had that for over 2 years and in that time I did a lot of modifications to it and spent a good amount of time on the track. I got a pretty good amount of experience and even tried my hand at instructing for PCA. Unfortunately I sold it earlier this year and since then have been messing around with this other car that is a waste of my time. Anyway, I want to get back out on the track but do not have a car to do it in. What I am asking for here is any recommendations for a car. I am thinking either Integra or Civic but to be honest I do not know much about either of them. Will I get bored with them after a while and is there any extensive modification I need to do for them to be track worthy (brakes, cooling system)?
Any opinions are welcome and appreciated.

 

Google search using your criteria and honda-tech in the search thread.
There have been many civic vs this or that threads to help you make an informed choice.

Welcome to HT.
Check out the FAQ and search stickies before posting.. chances are is been covered.

 

You won't get bored with this car and it's certainly track worthy. It's a Back-To-Back National Champion and doesn't need any modification (unless you want to, but why?). It's a turnkey racecar that's ready to go!!

It's for sale here:
http://nasaforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=47960

It was featured in the September 2011 issue of Honda Tuning Magazine and the cover car for the December 2011 issue of Grassroots Motorsports' coverage of the 2011 NASA National Championships. Here are some pics:
Honda Tuning Magazine Feature-Sept. 2011


Grassroots Motorsports-December 2011


At the 2011 NASA HPD Honda Challenge National Championship race

 

LOL Jonathon you used car salesman
Nice plug!

 

Jonathon, you dummie, you forgot to mention that it's going to be on TV next tuesday night

https://honda-tech.com/forums/road-racing-autocross-time-attack-19/2011-hpd-honda-challenge-national-championship-race-air-versus-channel-2999827/

 

But it's so ugly though...

 

Tempting offer but I'm looking for more of a dual duty car that I can also drive on the street. I'm mainly just looking for some information. I'll try to do some searching around and see what I find.

 

Whoops, OP here. I didn't realize I was on a different account. Sorry for any confusion.

 

Ugly is pretty harsh... maybe not very attractive?
Its a proven winner though!

 

LOL, I don't think it's that bad. I guess it's true what they say, "Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder." I love it because people associate me with the florescent orange on the car. Spectators can see me from afar, and racers see me catching them at an insane closing rate, and they get nervous. LOL

Oh yeah, you're right Andy:

The 2011 HPD Honda Challenge National Championship race will air on the Versus Channel, TUESDAY, November 29, 2011 at 5:30pm eastern/2:30pm Pacific

Set your DVR's (or VHS recorders) :D

Look for the UGLY Blue, Orange and White 4-door Civic. It should make for a good show :wink:

Thanks to NASA, Honda Performance Development, and everyone involved for making this happen!

 

I love that orange, might end up using it with black.

I would go integra if I had it to do over again.

 

throw a k swap in civic/integra and call it a day

 

IMO you won't get bored. Here is my experience. I had 2 e36 m3's that I tracked at HPDE. Cfirst was stock, the 2nd I did some track prep including suspension from TC Kline, align, yada yada.....

I then drove an S2000 on track for a year with R compounds and coilovers. Now I have a K swapped civic.

The e36 is so well behaved and easy to drive at speed. It has few character flaws and even seems to always correct it self when you lift. My Honda experience requires a new approach to driving at speed and it is far more engaging in my experience. The K swapped civic is a handful, the tail is wagging around and I keep locking up when I try to trail brack the way I have been able Toni the past.

Finally, I have a new appreciation for wrenching. Part of the Honda design goal seems to be simplicity. Not so with German stuff. Parts are cheap and the Honda track/road racing culture where I am is wonderful.

Go for it, and pick on the e36's that are on track with you.

 

Honestly, I'd get a Miata. Tons of aftermarket support, it's actually a very capable track car, reliable, and can grow into many different classed race cars. You'll spend a lot more time driving than wrenching.

 

Thanks for the advice this is exactly what I was looking for. I know the e36 is very easy to drive at it's limit so I was worried about that as well. I think I'm going to go ahead with the Honda/Acura.