Delema w/ life.

[David]

So I'm 14 and would love to start racing at least auto-x right when I turn 15. So I really don't know what I should do to accomplish that. If I do somehow get an oppurtunity to do this, I would want it to be in a toyota so I could have suggetions from all you guys. So I need advice from all you guys that might have been in this situation before. I'm not rich, so I can't just go out there and buy a car with top notch stuff on it, but I can't see myself doing anything else than racing. So now I need your help MR2 Board. What should I do??

[canadam]

Originally Posted by David48

So I'm 14 and would love to start racing at least auto-x right when I turn 15. So I really don't know what I should do to accomplish that. If I do somehow get an oppurtunity to do this, I would want it to be in a toyota so I could have suggetions from all you guys. So I need advice from all you guys that might have been in this situation before. I'm not rich, so I can't just go out there and buy a car with top notch stuff on it, but I can't see myself doing anything else than racing. So now I need your help MR2 Board. What should I do??

What exactly are you asking?

[David]

What is the best thing I can do to have an oppurtunity to race when I'm 15.

[PHOENIX]

Save up some money, and find an MR2 that you can afford. I see MR2's all over the internet for $500 to $800 dollars in non working condition. Purchase one.

Congrats, you have an MR2 that is probably not working or road worthy.

This is where you learn your car. Your 14, so you probably don't have a legit job. Mow some lawns, turn in some cans (if your in the right state), skip lunch and save your lunch money, try to get some funds going to put into your car and get it running. You have time to do this since your so young.

[canadam]

Joing a karting league/club is probably your best bet.

[David]

Originally Posted by PHOENIX

Save up some money, and find an MR2 that you can afford. I see MR2's all over the internet for $500 to $800 dollars in non working condition. Purchase one.

Link please? I already look a lot.

Originally Posted by PHOENIX

Your 14, so you probably don't have a legit job. Mow some lawns, turn in some cans (if your in the right state), skip lunch and save your lunch money, try to get some funds going to put into your car and get it running. You have time to do this since your so young.

Already mow lawns (pays $6 a lawn), already skip lunch(pays $3 a day), but what do you mean by "turn in some cans"?

EDIT:I have a bank account going devoted to the future purchase of an MR2. Currently at $130. Always accepting donations

[kbrew8991]

if you aren't already winning major kart races, you in all honesty won't make F1 and the likes

the good thing is you can get good anyway and race in "lesser" but just as fun series if you do well in school, get a good job, etc, etc

[David]

I know I'm not going to be the next Jeff Gordon or anything, but I would like to have a place in racing throught my life.

[kbrew8991]

get a cheap reliable car, build it for a cheap to compete in class (low or zero modifications), and focus on learning and having fun

[PHOENIX]

for example....

Rescued an AW11 in the shenandoah valley

some of these cars are not in the best condition, but you have lots of time before you get your official license anyway, and it would be a good first project car. But yes, they are out there.

[David]

Thanks. I check all the local classified adds, MR2trader, MR2Board market place, Ebay etc. but can never find anything.

[PHOENIX]

actually, a really good resource (even though the site itself sucks), is craigslist. I found an 88 MR2 in portland, oregon for $500 bucks that was a hell of a deal.

[David]

Just checked, Cheapest is a couple of MK1's for $1500 a piece. Thanks anyway, I'll keep looking in other florida areas on Craigslist.

[PHOENIX]

you have time

keep saving, and eventually, a mk1 (or mk2) will fall into your lap, and you will have the money for it.

[Jaicvc]

sup kid...first of all your young.. and again what PHOENIX said just wait and don't rush! while ur at skewl u could go a mech tech class then just save and save then get a mk1 or mk2 (fixer upper) at least u'll have the mechanical stuff so u could just fix the mr2 upper.. u get... well good luck... and once your der on da top pls don't forget to look back and be thankfull for this board........

[Davis]

Yeah David, once you get into highschool, take that automotive class!

[sickof5sfe]

find a good group of friends that are as passionate about cars as you are... Those friends will help you with all the major projects you're going to do with the car and you will have a great time doing it. For instance I've got a buddy who is part of the best professional drift team in minnesota and he got his start just hanging out with his buddies building up cars. You learn a ton that way and just like everyone else is saying...you have LOTS of time..don't rush into anything and make your decisions carefully...you will be much happier that way

[4W4K3]

Have you told your parents your undying passion for all things racing?

When I was growing up, I had a few hobbies my parents supported both financially and just "in general." Other hobbies, they did not. But I found that by simply keeping them up to date on my interests, gave them a chance to be a part of my hobby and sometimes they would front the cash if I needed it. Even if they couldn't pay for something, they just wanted to be a part of my experience.

I would "start small", and try to get experience karting. I don't honestly see how buying a "real car" is going to help you right now. Can you even legally drive it? I think it would just sit in your driveway, you could work on it I guess, but it would be a money pit that hardly ever got driven let alone "raced."
Joining a karting league gives you the opportunity to learn inexpensively, get real world experience, and actually "race" and learn. You can easily apply your knowledge to a car when you have the time and money to purchase one and legally drive it.

Regarding what someone else said about Craigslist, I agree. I purchased my 1986 Hartop MKI off Craigslist with no issues or regrets. I exchanged over 30 e-mails with the owner at the time, and met him in person twice before making the deal. I think communication is key, and getting all the facts too. A lot of people tend to rush a car purchase, and then later find out history or repairs that really affect the value or reliability of the car later on.

[PHOENIX]

1986 Toyota MR2, must sell immediately!

1989 toyota mr2 project car

1988 Toyota MR2

FREE MR2 Chassy <-- would be expensive to fix though

Red Toyota Mr2 GT with T-tops For Sale!


You can't just look locally, gotta look in your region. Even if you have to rent a u-haul and go pick up the car (which you would probably have to do anyway).

[Recklesss]

i can only give one small piece of advice...

DONT get impatient!

its been the death of me, I also was trying to race cars as soon as i got my permit, and i ran into many troubles (overconfidence/trusting wrong people/ignorance/"luck" or lack thereof)

your young, start small. mr2 is a great choice, its the kind of car that will teach you to drive quick.

someone else mentioned kart as well, i would definitely reccomend that as well.

just my 2 cents, good luck buddy