Home / Auto News / News article: Top 10 Track-Ready New Cars Under $60,000
 |  Sep 07, 9:31 AM 5 Comments

3.MINI JCW $30,800

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MINI has a healthy racing heritage, dating back to the 60’s when the MINI Cooper and Cooper S won the Monte Carlo Rally four times. While these days MINI has made cars more appropriate for everyday drivers, they haven’t forgotten their heritage thanks to the John Cooper Works edition models.

MINI has five JCW models, all featuring the same turbocharged 208-hp, 192 lb-ft of torque engine. However, MINI knows that when its on the track, it can give a little more. An Overboost function delivers up to 207 lb-ft of torque for a short period of time, to give that extra edge on the track. Overboost takes the normal turbo boost from about 11.6 PSI, and to about 13.6 PSI. This extra boost comes in for about 15 seconds.

The JCW models also feature extensive suspension changes and performance tires, which gives the MINI its go-cart like handling.

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  • http://www.facebook.com/steven.murphree.1 Steven Murphree

    That’s funny. The Mazda Miata (the MOST raced car on tracks every weekened) was missing from this list. This list looks like a 14 year old came up with it as it does not consider any classes that could be raced in or what competitions these cars would be used for. In all seriousness, what is the likelihood that a ZL1 owner or Audi TT owner will take their car to a track day compared to owners or S2000′s, Civic Si’s, Miata’s, or the FRS/BRZ? The author of this article should have spent their research time at an actual track day, not on MSN autos.

  • Honda Family

    You started by saying the FR-S and BR-Z aren’t the only track ready cars, but then they’re not even on the list. If you’re using them as an example of what track ready cars looking coming out of the date, then they should at least be on this list.

    I understand the S2K is not there as it’s not sold anymore but BRZ/FR-S/Si should be there then.

  • http://profile.yahoo.com/PWVURGK6AVGAKRCSIZDKI43N2E Daniel

    It’s funny how Mitsubishi keeps pushing the paddle-shift transmission when they don’t even make it.  It’s made by Getrag, and Mitsubishi mechanics don’t work on it. 

    Better still, on an Evo forum about half the people who comment consider it an automatic and treat it with the same disdain as if it had a torque converter.

    As a bonus, it adds weight on the front of the Evo, where it really doesn’t need it.

  • http://profile.yahoo.com/PWVURGK6AVGAKRCSIZDKI43N2E Daniel

    I’m glad somebody mentioned car classes.  More and more people show up at their first autocross with a car having ONE modification that puts it in an unfavorable class.  In the case of the Mazdaspeed 3, it will probably get the best results in its stock class.  The slowest modified class it goes in is STU, where it’s screwed because it’s front wheel drive and pitted against the Evo, STi, and M3.  I know a guy with an STU Legacy (wagon) that would eat MS3s for breakfast.

    Regardless of what class it goes in, a late-model Camaro at an autocross gets beaten by anything lighter…which is most of what’s there, unless you’re counting tow vehicles.  The Camaro owners I’ve met autocrossing look like they’re having fun, and their cars are pretty smooth on course, but they’re also pretty realistic about its’ cornering ability.  Even a modified one burns up the front tires, and the longer it’s on course, the slower it turns.  Maybe they’re better on a road course.

    The Mazda Miata does pretty well in ANY class, and it doesn’t even matter which model year it is.

  • Fxcamaro

    the zl1 handles unlike any othe camaro in existance, I know i had the pleasure of selling one this past year. It beat the lambo lp 670 sv around nurburgring, it is not just another late model camaro. and alot of the guys who buy them beat on them I know 2 outtathe 3 guys who I know bought them had them at the track this year. and you really think more brz owners will have there cars at the track  more then zl1s percentage wise?  I didn’t know guys wives/ girlfriends let them take their cars to the track on the weekend.