Beginner Rallycross Car? (+Daily Driver)

[u/Ordinary-Ad5146]

I have a multiple sided question regarding beginner rallycross cars. To start, I currently daily drive a 1990 Mazda Miata, which is currently setup for street/track driving. I've been considering getting a new daily on the account that the Miata probably isn't the safest daily (front airbag needs to be replaced and everything driving around me is a lifted F150 or large SUV). Most of the time people just don't see me on the road.

I'm also taking this opportunity to get an entry level rallycross car. I've wanted to get into rallycross for a while now, but didn't have a reason to get a whole new car. I know I can rallycross the Miata, but it's purpose built now for the HPDE track days, which I do a couple times a year. All in all, my goal is to find an entry level rallycross car that has modern safety features (front, rear, and side airbags, etc.).

So far, my choices are as follows:

• 2008-13 Subaru Impreza Hatchback
  • I like the extra room in the back on the Hatchback for day to day use
• 2008-13 Subaru Impreza WRX Hatchback
• 2013-2020 Subaru BR-Z / Scion FR-S

I'm currently leaning towards the 2008-13 base Impreza as I've heard a non-WRX model is a good place to start in the sport. I also feel like the 265hp of the WRX is a bit overwhelming for me considering I'm use to about 100hp haha. I haven't seen many people use this 3rd generation Impreza in the first place, so I'm not sure if it's the best choice. If daily driving safety wasn't a concern I'd get a 2007 Impreza (Hawkeye), but it's kind of the whole reason behind the purchase (07 lacks in safety features). The rallycross aspect is a fun bonus.

Anyway, I'd appreciate any input on this topic! I know it's probably not a typical topic for rallycross, but I wasn't finding much online to help make my decision.

[u/wonder_brett]

The most important part in considering an RX car is availbility of inexpensive parts... you'll definitely be breaking stuff on the car so you'll want to ensure your vehicle of choice is well represented in local scrap yards.

Also, FWD (Jetta / Golf / Focus / Fiesta) and RWD (BRZ, BMW) cars have simpler drive-trains and are therefore there are fewer parts to break. FWD and RWD will also be easier to master than AWD making them a good starting point for beginners.

Ultimately, any car that gets you on course is a good car! Have fun out there! :)

[u/Ordinary-Ad5146 → u/wonder_brett]

I completely agree with you here. I've recently started leaning towards the base version of the Impreza to keep costs down.

Even more recently I started considering the VW Golf as an option. The 05 and up seem to have the safety feature I want for daily driving, but I don't know which year or trim is most sought after for rallycross. Also, I always thought VW was a bit more expensive to maintain because of being German cars, but this may be my lack of knowledge of the cars.

[u/wonder_brett → u/Ordinary-Ad5146]

MK4 and MK5 Jetta / Golf are very popular at my local club (CoRX) because they are durable, relatively easy to work on, and they have great parts availability at scrap yards and aftermarket new.

Being European, they are probably more expensive than a Honda or Ford would be if you took them to the shop but almost nobody who participates in RallyCross is having a shop work on their RX car. If you do the work on them yourself, they aren't any more expensive than any other car.

I race a 2001 1.8t Jetta and love it! It's been reliable and is straight-forward to work on. If it were to break down today, my short list of replacements would be a 2005+ Golf / Rabbit or a BRZ / FRS.

I hope you'll update us when you pull the trigger!

[u/Ordinary-Ad5146 → u/wonder_brett]

Thanks for the feedback on the Golf! Yeah, I plan to do most of the maintenance myself, to an extent. Engine rebuilds are a bit outside my comfort zone, but timing belts, radiators, suspension, oil changes are all things I have done myself.

I'll definitely keep you guys posted on what I get. I am definitely considering the 05+ Golf right now, but so far my top choice is an 06-07 NA Subaru Impreza. I was able to find 1 within a 200 mile radius of me that seems to be bone stock. I just got in contact with the owner. I think the Golf might be my plan B because it seems reliable, safe, and easy to work with.

Unfortunately, the BRZ/FRS is off my list because I need to be able to put a child's car seat in the back. Spoke with my wife and we agreed this car would be a backup for our main family car (21 Subaru Outback).

I was originally leaning towards the 08+ Impreza Hatchbacks, but they aren't my favorite styling and I've heard they are the least popular of all the Imprezas. I'd probably be settling for something if I got the 08+. However, my opinion is changing constantly, but I'm narrowing in on what I want.

Do you recommend the base Golf or the Golf R. I believe the R is AWD if I'm correct. However that would probably put me in a RX class with the Subarus. Also, I'm assuming you are recommending the Golf over the GTI because of maintenance simplicity, correct?