The search for the most economical track car

Kevin's dream Porsche job - • I get paid to launch &...
How Kevin got a free race car - • I got a free racecar!
His epic 8k mile Miata Road Trip - • 8k Mile Roadtrip in My...
His crazy Miata track crash - • I crashed my Miata tra...
The right way to track prep a Miata - • What does it really ta...
Kevin Bandy (IG: @bandygram) loves going to the track but has struggled to find the right balance of speed and cost. Here are his thoughts.
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#TrackCar #Consumables #CarShopping

[@davidkelley751]

“Im 5’8, 5’9 on a good day, 6 foot on tinder” what a legend.

[@wtflip620]

I burst out laughing! Love this guy

[@TheWhills]

Reminds me of Lil Dicky’s song, Pillow Talking

[@carlsegerstrom3989]

yea, tinder... I don't think he is a legend.... Tinder is for people who got no game.

[@nick_bag]

Alex Cardenas thought of the song too 😂😂

[@andrewbryl4879]

Lol I can totally relate to this guy

[@fcpeuro]

So youuurrrrreeee the guy sending us back stacks of melted 1 series rotors and pads all the time..... 😂 Glad we could be a help, our lifetime guarantee is put in place for people to use just like this. Also, good call on going with the 128i, no one wants those N54 problems no matter how fun bein boosty is.

[@bandygram]

Guilty! Lol

[@DaleK828]

Hahaha these guys are cool

[@aaronwright561]

😀

[@gvit001]

FCP Euro just earned my business!

[@luckydrifts4871]

Man I wish I was into euro cars you guys seem stand up please do toyota/Nissan things. Honestly pretty good strategy to bet your parts will last longer than any euro car lol.

[@AIBustos]

"5'8, 5'9 on a good day, 6' foot on tinder" I felt that 😩

[@Truth_Spoken]

Try being 6’3 and struggling to fit in any of the cool cars.

[@TheG60528XiJinPing]

@@Truth_Spoken TRY BEING 6'5" AND LOVING THE ALFA 4C AND CAYMAN haha

[@mattevans4377]

Somedays, I hate being only 5'7. Then I look at all the tiny cars I can fit into, and I don't care anymore.

[@CarsMeetsBikes]

​@@mattevans4377 seriously, 5'7 is the best height for anything motorsports imo

[@alex10294]

@@TheG60528XiJinPing If you're a "just" 6'5", a Cayman 981 (NOT 987) with a near-racing seat might work. I'm 6'3" and fit into the 987.2 fine with the stock seats. I could get another 1.25" with a more aggressive seat. The 981 added more leg room. Neither of us will fit a helmet though.

[@EATYOURVITAMIN5]

This guy looks like he's disguised as someone else

[@thechumpsbeendumped.7797]

EATYOURVITAMIN5 He was, that’s Rich of Rich Rebuilds.

[@DegeN.YNation]

A woman because he only drives women's cars

[@EdBolian]

Having known Kevin for over a decade, it has been awesome to see his thought process play out with each of these choices. He is certainly getting closer to the perfect option.

[@KF2NationalKartcrg]

Great story Ed, maybe a Caterham 7, Lotus Evora/Elise or something similar should be Kevins next move because if there is one thing he has thought out completly right, a car that weighs less, consumes less. I've been racing Lotus 7 based kitcars with bike engines for the past couple of years, and it's by far the perfect option for being on track for cheap (I'm a student in Denmark, so money needs to be spend wisely) and we drive much, much faster than any regular track used cars. Especially on smaller tracks where we are talking 3-4 seconds if not more faster than a Porsche GT3 or similar sportscars. Bike engines are just not great in terms of noise regulations, and open cockpit might not be the greatest for instructing + you would have to build it yourself. But really.. If I have learned anything from my experience, then it's what Kevin has learned about weight. So thank you for featurering Kevin - It's a really great lesson, that I hope more people will understand before buying a track car (..or maybe any car).

[@opieg7333]

Shh... its a myth... the track is a dynamic environment the perfect car for turn 11 might be different than the perfect car for turn 3 and its likely there is also a third better option for the straights. I totally get the idea of a light weight track car - I too lament the demise of the light weight "performance" consumer car. But staying light while being a Swiss army knife is just not viable (short of a purpose built race car, maybe something like the SLC which will punish you on the road). Perfection will have to make do with fewest compromises if you are looking for the track/street car. All the after market parts and fabrication you throw at a compromised by design street car will never perfect it, many a dollar has been blown trying to disprove that fundamental reality.

[@MrWorkinguy]

Has Kevin's thought process moved towards having a fire extinguisher in your car as a perfect option yet?

[@roodick85]

It’s definitely a Boxster or an early egg 911

[@zoomped]

i love you

[@stephen3164]

He’s wearing a Porsche shirt. I kept waiting for him to say “early Boxster” or “944”...

[@bandygram]

No time for a costume change 😅

[@augustsawzak5401]

The 944 has the same problem as the miata: tough to add power. Unfortunately turbo models are now very expensive.

[@chewylewy1714]

August Sawzak my friend bought a pair of 944s for 500, is selling the running and driving one for 1500, and has an ls2 engine and a full conversion kit on the way. He’ll end up with a 400+ horsepower 944 for maybe $4k everything considered. He was lucky to find such a good deal on the cars originally, but swapping an LS into a 944 is cheap enough where it’s almost worth it

[@RyanInSD]

@@augustsawzak5401 Im kicking myself. I had a turbo version in 2005 for 7 grand :(

[@jayjones9125]

I thought boxter too.

[@JumboFPS]

By the end of this video I earned a lot of respect for this guy. He really isn’t messing around. Has a ton of passion for driving and you can really tell how important it is to him. Get help but to appreciate someone doing whatever it takes to do what they love.

[@bandygram]

Thank you! I definitely have a passion for it and I’m far from done!

[@a-smash8927]

So he started off with a slow miata, bought a fast expensive to maintain bmw, bought an expensive s2000, then bought a cheap slow 86, then bought a fast expensive to maintain bmw again, and at the very end is reconsidering the economics of the miata. So he just explained why the miata is the most efficient track car.

[@bandygram]

I may not have it all figured out but I’m having a blast trying to “crack the code”. As a follow up: the 135i brakes did the trick and held up brilliantly at Road Atlanta!

[@fast.biking_freddy]

Those glowing brakes are mind-blowing

[@kkiwirocks]

Always great hearing your stories, Kevin!

[@von...]

have you considered getting another 135i and just replacing the HPFP & index 12 direct injectors with FCPEuro? I did that on my N54 car and I dont think I could give up the power that this motor allows me to make reliably just to simplify the setup! The only way I think I could buy a 128i right now would be if i got a deal like yours (or better) and then went to aluminum block LS swap it. That would be worse for finding classes to race in vs just doing supporting mods and maintenance with FCPEuro on the 135i though.

[@bandygram]

Von Hassen is still be woried about heat issues from the turbos and the turbos are known to fail. The price just goes up astronomically at that point for a track car. If I motor swap it I’d be more interested in making an s65 work than LS

[@KF2NationalKartcrg]

Hi Kevin, great story :-) I wrote a message directed at Ed, having not seen you in the comments, but I'll direct it at you instead :-) Maybe a Caterham 7, Lotus Evora/Elise or something similar should be your next move (?) because if there is one thing you have thought out completly right, a car that weighs less, consumes less. I've been racing Lotus 7 based kitcars with bike engines for the past couple of years, and it's by far the perfect option for being on track for cheap (I'm a student in Denmark, so money needs to be spend wisely). We drive much, much faster than any regular track used cars. Especially on smaller tracks, where we are talking 3-4 seconds if not more faster than a Porsche GT3 or similar sportscars. Bike engines are just not great in terms of noise regulations, and open cockpit might not be the greatest for instructing + you would have to build it yourself in USA. But really.. If I have learned anything from my experience, then it's what you have learned about weight. So thank you for featurering - It's a really great lesson, that I hope more people will understand before buying a track car (..or maybe any car).

[@FormulaJuann]

This guy is Milhouse from the Simpsons

[@Janiix89]

Once you see it you cannot unsee it

[@CheechElMexicano]

😂 damn it your right

[@dannycar25]

my god you're right

[@lunchboxproductions1183]

My first thought the instant the video started. Not disappointed I only had to go through four comments to find this

[@RILEYLEIFSON_UTAH]

I always wondered where he ended up! Would've never guessed!!🤔

[@franksterp3477]

"135s are pretty cheap in the used market" 135i in Germany: let's start at 13.000€ in Ed Bolian condition

[@m1l3s27]

Still pretty cheap imo. About the same in America for a not utter shitter. Esp if you want a manual, way more in Germany I'm sure. Lots of auto steptronic 135s for cheap, who wants one of those tho for the track? My buddy did almost buy an auto (torque converter) 135i with precision turbos installed by a good shop for 10k. That was a pretty damn good deal tho.

[@terminator4652]

@@m1l3s27 so it's not a DCT, just a torque converter?

[@djmills8929]

@@terminator4652 It's a ZF auto. It's a good trans, they're using them in the new M5, but it's not a DCT. Torque converter is almost always in lockup, so no slushiness

[@xanthopoulos1825]

135 manuals are relatively rare in the US so paying 12-16k isn't unreasonable. 2 years ago I bought one for 14k with 100k miles

[@spazda_mx5]

Miata is too slow, buys GT86 🤔

[@bandygram]

🤣 I didn’t learn my lesson

[@RoadOdyssey]

Have an 86 gt. Love it. Easy to play with. Very much needs mods though...

[@roodick85]

Lmao!

[@nathanchildress5596]

It does have like 70hp on an NA Miata. An ECU tune, intake, exhaust, and flywheel could do wonders.

[@cullenrennie5693]

@@nathanchildress5596 i saw a lot with 98-116 hp, a lot more common than the 70 hp

[@garythecyclingnerd6219]

The real solution is to buy someone else's track prepped Miata or 86.

[@emotionz3]

Gary The Cycling Nerd that’s how I landed my track car, an SVT Focus, for 5 grand. The assortment of wheels and tires, and the roll cage alone, probably eclipsed what I paid. Now if I can get it to stop breaking every time I go out lol

[@suzumr2754]

Tim Give it the good ol hammer treatment. It won’t break anymore after that ;)

[@The_sinner_Jim_Whitney]

Tim My SVT Focus and the 2005 Focus ST that replaced it, are the two best-driving FWDs I've ever driven by a lot. I've driven Honda SIs, VW GTIs, all the good ones, and none of them feel as good or are as fun as those Focuses (Foci?). I'm just a spirited drive on mountain country roads guy, I've never been on a track that wasn't a dragstrip, so I don't know if they're genuinely fast, but they sure do feel like they are. I know I can leave a lot of Miata, BMW, etc. drivers behind with relative ease. I'd love to have a newer Focus ST to replace my trusty '05 (it's rotting out and not worth fixing), but they're mighty pricey and I don't know about head gasket dependability and such. I think I've decided to buy a Chevrolet HHR SS instead for a daily/fun in the country car because I'm a GM guy at heart and I'm into weird stuff. We'll see.

[@lilelf1075]

Would Ecoboost Mustang work?

[@John1911]

This guy has an Everyman quality about him. I really like his stories.

[@Love2Cruise]

S2000 isn’t that expensive to track when you don’t care about resale value.

[@bandygram]

I’d consider it again if I started with a cheaper example

[@robertrishel3685]

This is exactly why I love my FRS. I had an STi which was fantastic, it was fast, I had it well sorted out in every way and that car often gave me fastest time of the day during track days....but it went through tires, pads and rotors faster than my teenage sons go through groceries. My FRS, however, is comparatively very cheap to run and although it is no fire breathing monster, it is an extremely rewarding car to drive. It may not be any faster in a straight line than a Honda mini-van, but I’m not racing, I’m driving.

[@tylermelton2467]

Having both, I can say a Fiesta ST will check most boxes you have. Low cost of entry, easy tune ability, light weight, cheaper parts, great handling, etc. My Miata is almost as fun.

[@MatMabee]

My favorite shitbox in my garage 🥰

[@jacobl6714]

Being rwd, shouldn't your Miata be *more* fun : p

[@tylermelton2467]

@@jacobl6714 You’d think, but if you have the chance to drive both I’d recommend it

[@nightraven5760]

@@jacobl6714 rwd =/= fun. If youve never experienced getting a fwd cars rear wheels up youve never lived

[@jimbobduggar1747]

A friend of mine pro charged his FRS and it's actually pretty fast. Definitely worth it.

[@Wowezzersdozzers]

2700lb plus moderately powerful engine is going to be quite fast. I plan on doing it too mine since the car is so good. The only issue on track is heat. The FA20 is a furnace stock and needs a vent hooded plus oil cooler to stay at some reasonable temperatures on track.

[@thegroundhurts]

Isaac Stephens splitter also helps. I dropped some more temp after adding one.

[@PRegan-om7jm]

“6’ on tinder!!!” I’m crying

[@Hebdomad7]

Clearly the solution is a lowcost lotus seven kit car.

[@SALEENS7GTR5]

Might as well buy a Factory 5 with a LS crate at that point. Yeah, pay a lot up front, but have a stupid fast pure racecar forever.

[@joelpethick3406]

In the UK the perfect cheap track car - Renault sport Clio 182, rapid and so much stuff available to make it track prepared and faster

[@carsinruin6102]

88-2000 Honda's were cheap track cars until they all got tracked 😒

[@GTFour]

The answer is turbo Miata or FRS (or supercharged), it’s tried and tested.

[@JO.Racing]

Turbo Miata is a mess of heat issues

[@HaloHamstur]

Maybe even an engine swap

[@Wowezzersdozzers]

@@JO.Racing The FRS has heat issues too when you boost it. Although it can be band aided with a vented hood plus oil cooler.

[@binderbinder6920]

josh owens not really if you reroute the cooling correctly

[@binderbinder6920]

So are the head gaskets finally fixed????

[@apolloandratti7922]

The AP2 is tame comparing to the AP1. I tracked an Ap1for years and now picked up a NB Miata for a fraction of the s2000 cost. Both cars will help people become better drivers. Miata is a more cost effective answer.

[@frankiejr]

Great storyteller, worth the watch. Thanks!

[@francikaa1]

I've seen a comment from a guy and he had the same experience. He didn't enjoy track days with an expensive car cuz he was afraid wrecking it. Later he got rid of it,and bought an old cheap Ford Fiesta XR 2 (1990) and he loved it. No worries, and just concentrated on the driving.

[@avengethedeadtx]

Should’ve Honda K-Swapped the Miata with a K24 from the beginning, Mate. Perfect naturally aspirated track toy, possible street car too.

[@mbardos]

Too cramped, he explained

[@ohyou_6599]

Just track a mr2, the engine is a consumable item at least for Laguna Seca.

[@jimmyhoffmann4950]

Bro my gen 2 mr2 ate a motor after 3 laps at laguna seca, it is no joke!

[@MaxSpeedMike]

*Buys a BMW* "What could go wrong?"

[@coolman72891]

BMW doing what it does best

[@The_sinner_Jim_Whitney]

Everything. That's what could, and will, soon, and repeatedly, go wrong.

[@JC7119]

Miata with a 5.3L fixes the power issue. Shelby did it with Ford in the AC Cobra...Worked for Shelby works for me lol.

[@Shrinkray99]

Surely the answer to that question is a Caterham 7. Highly tunable, designed for track, very cheap to race (under 1200 lbs - brilliant all round performance & very low consumables); UK race circuits are swarming with them. Options to import to US too, and strong owners' community.

[@thenonadventure]

My close friend added a Greddy Supercharger to his FRS, among $8k worth of other upgrades (control arms, coilovers, wheels, tires, intake, exhaust) but my gutted 2.8L VR6 fail-wheel-drive VW is still faster lap for lap. A track car is only as good as the driver and I have learned to respect Miata's on the track. If I could do it all again, I would have gone with a 1.8L NB Miata.

[@DirtDude117]

N54 ownership is the most abusive relationship you can have. I'm an ex BMW Service Advisor. I'm an S2000 owner and I will say you should ALWAYS tape your wheel weights on track For 128i owners the early 135i brakes are 6 pistons or the E90 335i brakes are a bit bigger piston area both are bolt in parts.

[@touringteg]

My buddy with ap2 doesn’t bother with wheel weights for track and autox. The tires spin on the wheels anyway.

[@bandygram]

The 135i 6 piston brakes were a great upgrade on my car!

[@850t5m]

Some real good truth here. I learned the hard way with my 997tt. Tires and Brakes are EXPENSIVE when you have to replace them super often. Now I'm in a GT350, we'll see how things go there....

[@bandygram]

Those are such incredible cars! I hope you get a lot of enjoyment out of it!

[@850t5m]

@@bandygram Thank you! On the street its great fun, still waiting for a solid track day outside of this pandemic. I'm in Austin so I can't wait to get out on COTA with it.

[@jonathanhouwers4390]

Awesome video. Love this down to earth look at a track car. Good job!

[@tennisthehilife]

Loved your passion and insight Kevin! Just subscribed to your channel and instagram (bandygram) looking forward to all your content!

[@DigitalDissident]

I reduced the weight of my E82 by removing the rear seats, getting lighter rims, & non run flat tires.

[@hashimkay140]

This guy's funny, need more stories from him!

[@chris_flies]

Oh it's so cool to see 128i love!

[@davethumoose]

I agree with others, get a Lotus. My friend has had his Elise for years and tracks it and street drives it. He LOVES it. About to turn 150k on the clock too. It was the best test ride I've ever been in, plus you have Toyota reliability in the motor and nearly 200 hp. Plus, he beat my daily driver for 5 years, a 1973 Porsche 914 2.0 which weighed 2,030 lbs with a full tank at Watkins Glen. His Elise is 1,985 lbs. Pure & simple, tires are tiny and dirt cheap and I'm sure it doesn't eat brakes, it weighs less than a ton! All he's done to it is an aftermarket exhaust.

[@bandygram]

The 30k purchase price makes me sweat but otherwise it makes a ton of sense!

[@handcuffed302]

For me BRZ/86 and Miata/124 abarth and 370z nismo are the best economical track cars.

[@TheRSAngle]

A $500 shitbox with good tires coils and race pads is the best bang for the bucks

[@b226tj]

A '61-65 cub cadet has a lot of torque, and a manual transmission, but they are geared very low, top speed is about 15-20 mph, due to torque, they can do a small wheelie.

[@Carlos_Jzx]

You forgot the Genesis Track edition.

[@plektosgaming]

I was looking for a car back in 2014 and this was on my top 3 list. I chose the Mustang V6 as it had nearly identical specs and performance numbers. But the mods and options on it are insane. It's not as fast as the V8, but we're talking hardly any time difference on a track, and it's MUCH faster if you swap the rear end for something shorter and drop some sticky 18s or 19s on it on it than the 86. And dirt cheap used. 10K or less. V8s are still 20K. The newer Turbo 4 is not as customizeable and not as good to drive.

[@mattanderson1719]

@@plektosgaming V6 Mustang with shorter gearing is the kind of idea I came here for!

[@Generic_661]

There's an 86 class racing series here in New Zealand; they're several seconds a lap slower than the mazda rx8 class cars. And since you can buy an rx8 for a couple grand and build it into a race car for about $10k, the 86 class costs about $50k more for less speed

[@danielthomas2621]

Gidday bro

[@SALEENS7GTR5]

I think RX8s and rotaries are just better in NZ, or at least it seems that way from an outsider. RX8s are a joke in the rest of the world now.

[@TheMikeguy7776]

idk what impresses me more. People who are able to overcome fear and rail a corner or people that can be wise and pull back a little. I pride myself on being the former but it usually doesn't end well.

[@ChrisRogersTheAngryChef]

Great video, my kind of driver- not rich, with a pure love for the tarmac. Usually this channel posts stories of rich guy problems I will never have, it's good to see a change. FCP Euro, I loved your response and will be hitting you guys up soon.

[@eugene3390]

"6ft on tinder" hahahaah

[@eksentrysyti]

Miata with a V6 swap, says Alex, from CarThrottle. Its name is Phil.

[@JW-qf2fx]

came here to say this!

[@neelparmar6690]

He also spent 25k on his build...

[@radbug]

GT86 with an LS swap. its name is BestCar

[@cullenrennie5693]

@@radbug one up, 86 with an F1X

[@pgtmr2713]

Back in the 90's Mazda had the KLZE v6, they could have, should have, put that engine in as an option. Same power numbers as the 86/BRZ/FRS, 200hp 170tq NA, engine weight is slightly more than the 4 cylinder they put in the Miata, 30 lbs. more. 10-15 more hp with a Millenia ECU and MAF. 0-60 would have been 5 seconds or less, which if you're playing the home game would beat the 86's, Boxster, Boxster S, WRX, lots of quick stock cars, with no mods... and done this 25 years ago with parts they already made.

[@jaketherake71]

E30 325 was the perfect beginners track car 20 years ago, but I went with a e28 535i and it was astonishingly great too for a cheapskate B student.

[@RootedGaming]

I absolutely adore my New Formula Red AP2 S2000, I can understand why he loved it but I can understand the pushing the turn issue because I’ve gone through that at tracks

[@fohatadri]

So true about 128i. It is a way better option for regular people but it costs so much less because 135i exists even though you will sell your soul to fix 135i.

[@bandygram]

Yes! Exactly! You get it.

[@juliocruz9941]

Never been this early, love the content vinwiki!!

[@StlouisCory]

FCP Euro is the best company I have worked with! Glad you gave them a shout as they are local

[@doctorlarry2273]

If you really want a good car for track - don't get a daily driver. I know it seems expensive to have a single-use vehicle (track only), but it will solve many of the issues you have trying to track a street-legal car and use it as a DD. Long time ago, a friend of mine created a FrankenHonda by getting a used CRX and stripped everything off that was not needed for the track and replaced many consumable parts with more common, less expensive counterparts. He had more fun and less worry with that car then the MKIV Supra he had been tracking. I bought his track wheels for my MKIV Supra which I tracked a total of 14 years. (I know - I kept it totally street legal and accepted the penalties for that, but I really considered getting a separate track car to reduce worry and expense!)

[@FastRedPonyCar]

FCP Euro are legit. I've bought nearly all my volvo parts from them and have swapped shocks and struts, ball joints, motor mounts and brake rotors after years of use with zero push back.

[@tiezep]

I'm in the same boat and am slowly prepping an 07 Miata for track duty, horsepower is nice but seat time on track is king

[@bandygram]

Totally agree!

[@lege46]

“I threw 14 codes, it was terrifying” idk why that made me laugh 😂😂

[@gaydes1012]

I remember going to a track day at a local auto cross and some mad lad in a geo metro was just going ham putting down times, and because the straightaways were so short this dude was within a couple seconds of people in corvettes and shit, I don't know who that was but what a fucking chad!

[@JulianVR4]

6ft on Tinder LMAOOOOOOOO

[@Mich_-mu7fz]

Cause you must be this tall to date girls, whether online or not.

[@davidemensigamerCH]

@@Mich_-mu7fz thanks I didn't get it

[@leonardr6704]

How you managed not to buy a c5 corvette is beyond me...

[@bandygram]

I didn’t want to pay for brakes and the tires are cheaper on the bmw. There are plenty of faster cars that cost more to operate. It’s a tricky challenge.

[@RoadOdyssey]

I have both an 86 gt and c5 vette. Vette wins. But they are both fun.

[@kylehierlmeier7923]

@Joseph C. my buddy tracks his 350Z and he has been having significant brake fade issues, among other things

[@itchyonion3559]

Joseph C. But if you wanna race your z, you need to add an lsd, oil cooler and bigger rims and tires. Those could easily cost you a lot.

[@itchyonion3559]

Big tires and brakes really cost a lot!!!

[@anthonybeckman4584]

First video of the channel. Tremendous.

[@MrRarekiller10]

I like this guy! More of this guy!

[@Ferraridude13]

“And then this unfortunate thing happened, and IT totaled the car” lol I wonder what he put on the insurance form

[@ianstropus]

Miata is always the answer - Miata

[@radbug]

im too tall :( my solution is LS swap gt86.

[@thebreadedcrab4252]

Hell yeah I bought a wrecked 2013 Subaru BRZ a few years ago got it put together was going to use it as a daily driver and autocross / Mountain Road driving car and I have zero regrets it is one of the most fun cars to rip around in

[@bandygram]

I love them!

[@wika1984]

This was a great story. I learned a few things from your story. 1) nothing beats a miata for driveability fun except you'll die if it rolls. 2) FRS/BRZ is fun but slow AF. May require mods and tuning for those willing to mess with the engine. LS swap! 3) financial stability: weight of vehicle determines breaks, oil, and sometimes gas especially stop and go motion. Never thought about that other than just checking mpg statistics. Also worth mentioning, checked insurance. Car insurance gets costly on certain vehicles. 4) 128i is fun but costly. Have you thought about getting the miata again and adding a roll bar, stiffin the chassi by adding a few things. May require your own modding which in the long run may cost less than the 128i.

[@carlosc6021]

I have always thought the 128i is HEAVILY underrated

[@bandygram]

I’m with you!

[@neelparmar6690]

3l straight six, RWD, short wheelbase, great platform

[@carlosc6021]

@@neelparmar6690 plus 6sp manual and no screen, one the last analog cars

[@footballfanatic5060]

Buy a Cayman!!!!! Perfect handling and if you get a tune itll beat those cheap cars your going against

[@bandygram]

I’ve definitely considered this and I may do it at some point.

[@WTFNoNamesLeft2]

Tracking a p-car gets expensive, you can either buy a GT car or spend GT money making an S track worthy.

[@TrailerJoemov]

@@bandygram I'm considering this as well. At $45k+ for a 981CS though, it's expensive and there is a little more on your mind when you're throwing it through a high speed turn with a neg grade!

[@footballfanatic5060]

Robert Young yeah but if u do spend the money on the tires and repairs one u won’t have to be looking for another car 2 their ultra reliable so repairs are few and far between

[@Miatamoto]

Another 128 owner here. I’ve owned 3 generations of Miatas and a S2000. I’ve had a lot of the same thoughts over the years. Great video! Have to wonder if the rear rotor fire was from normal braking of the E-diff trying to do its job. I run through rear pads a lot faster than fronts. Also, another shout out to FCP I always search there first when looking for parts for my car and my wife’s.

[@bandygram]

Hey! Great minds! The fire was on the front brakes not the rear, but I also see faster rear brake wear than front. LSD is moving up my priority list. I think it will make a huge difference in how the car feels on corner exit in addition to lowering the brake wear.

[@pianofry1138]

I love this guy if he comes back to Atlanta you guys got to hit him up again.

[@VINwiki]

What do you think is the perfect track car?

[@brysonkuhn3290]

1986 caravan ftw!

[@brettbilger1390]

Bugatti Chiron Sport with extra turbos

[@gambit6186]

94 firebird

[@stephencampbell8]

wrx sti

[@mattbaxter3170]

RMW tuned 2006 R53 Mini Cooper S

[@r3vmixman]

So glad I’m building a K-swapped Miata right now!

[@bandygram]

It'll be a blast, I'm sure!

[@mhudsonc.2625]

Thank you. I’m starting my journey into track and am considering a Miata. I considered an E46 for a bit but was worried about consumables. This helps in my research, appreciate the video.

[@pkonneker]

More of this guy. Great story.

[@djsonicc]

The next logical step is a used S550 Mustang GT. You get power, reliability, and good platform to build it out, but it is a little on the chunky side.

[@mediocreman2]

Actually caught me by surprise on that one. From the very beginning of the video I was thinking S2000 or 128i! Get the 335i brakes instead of the 135i brakes though. They aren't as pretty, but they are more reliable and cheaper. Also do the 3 stage intake manifold, tune, headers (and some maintenance stuff before it bites you) and you will have one of the best manual, RWD cars ever made. Love mine. I noticed you don't have the sport package though. How in the world were you driving that on the track with the horrible non sport seats? Like sitting on a park bench.

[@bandygram]

3 stage manifold, headers, tune and maintenance are exactly what’s on my list next. You’re right about the seats. They are awful.

[@EightTwoFive_Racing]

I feel like I’m in the same boat. Was racing bikes for the last 10 years and finally made the switch to cars. Picked up a NB Miata and did a few trackdays in it, felt cramped and car is very underpowered, especially coming from bikes. Sold that and got an BMW 340i and is a blast to drive on the track but is expensive to run and feel like it’s to nice for the track. Now I’m thinking about making the switch back to a NC or ND Miata but not sure I’d be happy.

[@nacostacos]

Need more videos like this for sure. I've pondered about many of the cars he's owned and came to similar conclusions. I'd make a series about asking instructors or paid drivers about the cars that they owned and such!

[@bandygram]

Brilliant idea!

[@TimTam770]

They make air intakes for your brakes, it helps with heating & brake fade

[@A.spec-alan]

You wouldn't have that problem with a k series. K swap miata are monsters.

[@shivster0592]

This is the answer lol, or j swap since those are getting cheaper

[@toml1446]

Can confirm about Turn 16!

[@SpeedDemonExpress]

The answer is C4 or C5 Corvette. Cheap, big aftermarket support and fast enough, you get a V8, big brakes, wide tires and decent suspension.

[@334trax2]

So the question is the 2022 Gr86/BRZ is lighter than your BMW, same power levels, torque dip fixed, lower center of gravity, tires size runs square and 50% stiffer does this get your attention for a track car? I mentioned I'm interested in the GR86 and my friends go crazy like why get a corvette, Nissan Z, Porsche Cayman S. I'm thinking $ for fun and the light GR86 peaked my intrest.

[@niwouackermann8517]

Also been playing with the idea of an ideal track car. My conclusion is a Megane 3 RS Cup / Throphy, I know it's FWD but it's honestly more dynamic than most performance RWD cars.

[@bandygram]

Amazing cars! I rode in a few at Spa but we don’t get them in the states

[@thedetailingdoctor5746]

Good move in the 128i I own a 130i and it’s amazing and so capable

[@JowoHD]

im liking this guy. more stories please

[@taranpanduranga2687]

A z4 could be a pretty good option... fairly reliable, light, nimble...

[@bandygram]

I’ve heard disappointing things about their handling characteristics. Otherwise I’d be in a z4 coupe with a huge wing because they look so good!

[@akkando]

@@bandygram 135is? N55 instead of N54.

[@SirtyDanchez]

akkando I have a 435i stage 1 with MHD and it’s been great. I don’t beat on the car but I definitely drive it to it’s full capability and it’s held up well. Had a check engine light because my little sister didn’t screw the gas cap down all the way but that would be any car.

[@eagleeyes221]

I work next to fcp euro. That place is awesome, their cars and coffee shows are always packed edit: grammar

[@fcpeuro]

Thanks! We can't wait to get back to having them.

[@von...]

@@fcpeuro he should have fixed his 135i with a HPFP from you guys and he would have been set for life with that bad boy! That's what I did with my mildly built 600awhp 535xi and its been great minus having yall send me a new HPFP every 6 months to a year lol

[@fcpeuro]

Von Hassen Those poor pumps!

[@CodyOnCars]

If they were in Canada I'd be buying from them all the time! Unfortunately with the dollar difference and shipping it's just not worth it :(

[@KarlOsuchowski]

Really insightful video, thanks!! Thinking of a 1-series coupe, non-turbo.

[@phreum]

turbo on my miata. 300 horse and built motor absolute weapon. Heating problems..... NO! Coolant reroute and a oil cooler. Literally living at 6k RPM drifting without any problems. You can accomplish this set up on the cheap.

[@bandygram]

Typically heat problems compound exponentially with time. Cars that do well on the street and autocross don’t hold up in 20 or 40 minute sessions on track. I would assume drift is somewhere in the middle

[@everythingvinyl]

I love my BRZ!

[@coolman72891]

Buys a used BMW and decides to track it "wHaT cOuLD gO WrOnG" lmao this guy

[@bandygram]

:D

[@ahrred3127]

9:12 For real I thought that was sponsored, & if it was that was damn smooth.

[@bandygram]

This is the genius of their plan. I’m happy to support because it’s like all of their customers are “sponsored” 😛

[@michaelw6277]

If you’re not a RWD-supremacist the VW GTI is a great value. Parts are inexpensive, relative to a BMW they’re reliable, and it’s easy to make enough power to keep up with all but the fastest cars on track. Handling is great and with good tires they have enough grip to make Porsche drivers wonder “wtf” and with a set of aftermarket seats, lightweight wheels, a lithium battery, removing the spare/tools, and pulling the rear seat you’re in the 2800 lb area. With upgraded suspension bushings in the front control arms and rear trailing arms the steering is frighteningly sharp and accurate and allows you to really drive the car “on the nose”, which is a highly underrated and fun aspect of good FWD cars. A mk6 is just a couple thousand dollars away from 350 bhp and a mk7 gets to nearly 400 bhp for the same cash. Porsche brakes bolt up and there are suspension options ranging from humble Ground Control & Koni setups all the way to high end stuff like Ohlins, AST, and Moton. They’re cheap, they’re fast, and they’re fun. Super underrated by track enthusiasts.

[@gambit6186]

Fools it must be the 94-96 firebird or trans am ws6

[@b226tj]

Fool it must be the 61-65 70 or 100 Cub Cadet.

[@DNR5586]

@Gambit21 Too assy.

[@toddrobertson1398]

Unless yo want to like turn corners and stuff.

[@ancientapparition1638]

f bodies fucking suck to work on unless you're a masochist

[@casualdestruction]

Todd Robertson f bodies aren’t a slouch in the corners w suspension upgrades

[@Project22a]

Sounds like you need to get back in an S2000

[@Truth_Spoken]

What a great video. I live right across the street from Road Atlanta (actually hear some cars on the track as I type this) and have been wanting to try a track day. I go over there all the time and watch events from the infield. Got me thinking about a FRS/BRZ now so I can actually try it. Too bad Skip Barber closed, attending a racing school is a bucket list item for me.

[@bandygram]

Once the covid restrictions lift most orgs allow visitors to come by and even ride along. Check out JZilla Trackdays

[@tman1129]

You're gonna love the new up powered toyobuaru!

[@bandygram]

I can’t wait to see what they come up with!

[@SuperJuicebox24]

C5Z obviously, tons of aftermarket support and relatively light still.

[@jsquared1013]

3150lbs is not that light, HUGE tires (main consumable) relative to other small sportscars.

[@malinka209]

Id Say lotus exige/elise

[@roodick85]

I had 2 128i with the six piston upgrade. Thing is an animal with weight shaving. Get wider tires and a flare. You’re almost there and when the engine goes nuts up it’s time for a 2J

[@bandygram]

😈

[@blakexie5209]

I love the “I’m 5’8 5’9 on a good day 6 foot on tinder” at 9:55