7 of the Best Used Cars to Buy for Your First Time on a Race Track

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Have you ever wanted to drive on a race track? If so, then you might be wondering what kind of car to use. Technically, you can use just about any car that can pass a tech inspection, however, that Chrysler Sebring you got as a hand-me-down might not be very fun. In case you have some extra funds lying around for an older car to buy as a track car – or you want something that you can use as a daily driver and a track car – here are seven of the best-used cars to buy.

A Mazda Miata can provide some entry-level, rear-drive fun

Mazda Miata | Mazda

You may have already heard this one before, but “Miata is always the answer.” While that might not be true when it comes to practicality, it’s definitely true if you’re looking for a cheap car to throw around on a race track. Road and Track said it best by describing the Miata as “cheap to buy, reliable, imminently tunable, and a blast to drive.” Considering you can still find older Miatas for under $10,000 on eBay and other classifieds, we would say that truer words have never been written.

An Acura Integra is cheap and reliable

An older model Acura Integra is seen in a parking lot.
An older model Acura Integra is seen in a parking lot. | (Photo by Tim Boyle/Getty Images)

It’s getting harder to find an Acura Integra for sale in decent condition, but they do pop up from time to time. But if you can find one, then we suggest buying it because the Integra might be old, but it’s still reliable. Couple that reliability with its lightweight and rev-happy nature and you’ll have an affordable track car that easily do double duty as a daily driver as well.

The Subaru WRX can do it all

Consumer Reports didn't love the 2021 Subaru WRX
2021 Subaru WRX | Subaru

If you’re looking for a safe car to take on the track that won’t get you into too much trouble in the corners, then the Subaru WRX is a great choice. The WRX has historically been offered as a four-door sedan or five-door hatchback, both of which provide a lot of practicality for everyday driving. But the WRX’s main highlights have always been its all-wheel drive layout and turbocharged BOXER engine. All things considered, the Subaru WRX is a great platform that can do it all, whether it’s on the street or on a race track.

The Ford Mustang is a well-rounded track car

2019 Ford Mustang 5.0 is on display at the 111th Annual Chicago Auto Show.
2019 Ford Mustang 5.0 is on display at the 111th Annual Chicago Auto Show. | (Photo By Raymond Boyd/Getty Images)

The Ford Mustang provides a great balance of track-readiness and street worthiness. Opting for a newer Mustang will give you the flexibility of choosing between a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, a V6, and a larger V8. If you’re just getting started on the track, we would recommend getting the four-cylinder model as it still produces a large amount of power and it shouldn’t get you into too much trouble, despite its rear-drive layout.

The Chevy Cobalt SS is an underrated track-friendly compact

2010 Chevrolet Cobalt SS
2010 Chevrolet Cobalt SS | Wikimedia Commons

With 260 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque getting sent to the front wheels via a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, the Chevy Cobalt SS is an underrated monster. According to Road and Track, this sporty compact can handle well as it pulled .92g on the skidpad. What’s even better is that you can currently find clean examples of the Cobalt SS selling for around $7,000 nationwide.

A Honda Civic can teach you a lot on the track

2014 Honda Civic Si, at the 106th Annual Chicago Auto Show.
2014 Honda Civic Si, at the 106th Annual Chicago Auto Show. | (Photo By Raymond Boyd/Getty Images)

Just like the Mazda Miata, the Honda Civic is a staple in the automotive enthusiast world. Its front-drive layout and easy-to-use clutch make it easy to drive on the track and the street. You can also typically find a model year Civic to fit your needs and your budget. Just make sure to get a stick shift model for the most fun or, better yet, find a high-revving Civic SI model to make the most of your track experience.

The Fiat 500 Abarth is an affordably solid choice

If you want something that’s like a cross between a Civic and a Miata, then we recommend searching for a Fiat 500 Abarth. This high-strung Fiat housed a 160-hp, turbocharged 1.4-liter engine matched to a five-speed manual transmission. Pair those stats with a lightweight hatchback chassis and you’ll have a combination that’s as much fun on the track as it is on the street.

Quick, cheap, and reliable track-driving fun

If you’re looking for a good used car to take to the track for your first time, any of these models should do the trick. Not only can you find them for cheap in the classifieds, but you can rest assured that they will all be reliable and forgiving enough for you to learn track driving in a safe manner. Also, they’re much better than a Chrysler Sebring.

RELATED: Mercedes Driver Accidentally Enters Racetrack During Live Event

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2022 Chevrolet COPO Camaro Has the Biggest American V8 Ever

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Going electric is seemingly the only way the Camaro will see another generation, even if it might be as a sedan. Sales have been so bad that Chevrolet even canceled a planned Z/28 return. But the Camaro isn’t dead yet, nor is the V8-powered muscle car segment. And while the Z/28 isn’t coming, another high-performance Camaro is. The Chevrolet COPO Camaro is back for 2022, and it’s packing a truly big big-block V8.

With a 9.4-liter V8, the 2022 Chevrolet COPO Camaro isn’t going gentle into the good night

1969 Chevrolet COPO Camaro | Chevrolet

Originally, GM’s Central Office Production Order was designed so dealers could sell customers vehicles with non-standard features, Car and Driver explains. But it quickly became a way for savvy dealers to follow in famed racer and Chevrolet dealer Don Yenko’s footsteps and order racing parts for road cars. And that included early Camaros.

The first COPO Camaro era ended in 1970. However, Chevrolet restarted it in 2012 to sell drag-race-ready Camaros to a limited batch of customers. And every year since the automaker has made limited numbers of these non-street-legal Camaros. Most have some flavor of V8 under their hoods, though there was even a one-off electric ‘eCOPO Camaro’ in 2019.

A white 2022 Chevrolet COPO Camaro wheelies down a dragstrip
2022 Chevrolet COPO Camaro front 3/4 wheelie | Chevrolet

However, with the COVID-19 pandemic and slumping sales, 2020 looked like the program’s last year. But that’s not the case. The COPO Camaro is back again for 2022, and electrification is nowhere to be seen. Instead, it seems that Chevrolet wants to let the 2022 Camaro rage against the dying light with a big V8 hurrah.

And that’s ‘big’ as in ‘big-block.’ The 2022 Chevrolet COPO Camaro has the largest V8 ever offered by an American automaker, The Drive says. It’s a 9.4-liter V8 that powers the rear wheels via an ATI Racing TH400 three-speed automatic transmission.

The 9.4-liter V8 might be big, but the other V8s are even more powerful

The 2022 Chevrolet COPO Camaro's 9.4-liter V8
2022 Chevrolet COPO Camaro 9.4-liter V8 | Chevrolet

A 9.4-liter V8 sounds impressive, especially since Ford’s ‘Godzilla’ V8 only displaces 7.3 liters. Unfortunately, due to NHRA Stock and Super Stock eliminator class rules, it’s limited to 430 hp, The Drive says. But if you want to race it out of class, it’s theoretically capable of making significantly more horsepower, Hagerty notes.

However, Chevrolet isn’t letting the 2022 COPO Camaro go into battle against the Challenger Drag Pak under-powered. There’s also a 470-hp 7.0-liter V8 available for fans of natural aspiration. And those looking for maximum power should take a look at the 600-hp 5.7-liter supercharged V8. But unlike the 9.4-liter V8, these other two engines have carburetors rather than fuel injectors.

All three 2022 COPO Camaro engines use the same TH400 transmission. They also all have standard wheelie bars, carbon-fiber hoods, Bogart race wheels, and Hoosier drag tires. And buyers can order additional racing parts such as trunk-mounted parachutes, weight boxes, and carbon-fiber air intakes. The supercharged model gets the Parachute Package as standard, though.

How much is a 2022 COPO Camaro?

Since the program’s resurrection, Chevrolet has only sold 69 COPO Camaros each year. That’s because it only made 69 of the original COPOs back in 1969. However, that’s not the case with the 2022 model. This year, Chevrolet is ditching the production cap. It’s first-come, first-served, but anyone with enough money can order one.

Speaking of money, the 2022 COPO Camaro isn’t cheap. The 9.4-liter model is the cheapest and it starts at $105,000. The 7.0-liter and supercharged 5.7-liter models start at $117,500 and $130K, respectively. Those prices, though, include a private tour of the Oxford, Michigan COPO facility.

Officially, 2022 isn’t the COPO Camaro’s last year, even if the road car is on its slow way out. And given that Ford made an electric Mustang Cobra Jet, Chevrolet might be considering making another EV drag racer. Nevertheless, if this is the V8 COPO’s end, it’s one heck of a send-off.

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RELATED: Pathetic State of 2022 Camaro: “Two Totally New Colors”

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“MegaRaptor” Ford Super Duty F-250 Raptor

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Ford doesn’t make an F-250 Super Duty Raptor. But the folks at MegaRexx have fixed that with this F-250 “MegaRaptor.” If we were Ford we would follow the Raptor theme for everything it makes-even an F-350. 

Besides the Raptor front end, a lot of other mods were done to the Ford F-250

Ford F-250 Super Duty MegaRaptor by MegaRexx | MR

This project wasn’t about bolting on a Raptor front end and calling it a day. North Carolina’s MegaRexx did that, but a lot more was modified and added to the Raptor recipe. By adding the Raptor fenders and grille it adds a lot more width to the front. For first-gen models, the fenders add a foot of extra width. 

For second-gen MegaRaptors, they’ve added an extra six inches for a total of 18-inches of extra width. That means larger tires can be stuffed onto the front suspension. But it turns out another mod was necessary to pull this off. 

The Ford F-250 front axle was moved forward almost two-inches

Ford F-250 Super Duty MegaRaptor by MegaRexx
Ford F-250 Super Duty MegaRaptor by MegaRexx | MR

The front axle was moved forward almost two inches to accommodate the 46-inch tires. MegaRaptor rolls on massive Michelin XZL tires attached to special rims. The wheels are off of an MRAP military vehicle. That stands for “Mine Resistant Ambush Protected.” 

Then, the whole truck was raised with a 2.5-inch lift kit incorporating Bilstein shocks. Or you can pitch the shocks and MegaRexx will convert it to a coil-over suspension. Without going extreme on the lift, and instead adding more width, it keeps the center of gravity low and adds stability. 

What else has been done to this F-250?

Ford F-250 Super Duty MegaRaptor by MegaRexx
Ford F-250 Super Duty MegaRaptor by MegaRexx | MR

With the body hanging high, powder-actuated running boards come out to help passengers in and out of the MegaRaptor. Added to the package are an air compressor, extra LED lighting, custom front, and rear bumpers, and a custom hitch so the MegaRaptor can still tow. 

MegaRexx also modifies F-350s and F-450s

Ford F-250 Super Duty MegaRaptor by MegaRexx
Ford F-250 Super Duty MegaRaptor by MegaRexx | MR

For those who might want to for the heavier-Super Duty Fords, MegaRexx also does conversions for F-350 and F-450 Fords. They get more extreme and take on a cartoon look, but for real. MegaRexx has made a number of these MegaRaptors so far. 

It takes a $5,000 deposit and once your truck is ready to be built a 50% down payment. It takes from two to three months to build each MegaRaptor. Because each one is custom-built, prices vary. So if the look of an extreme Super Duty is what you want then this must be the place.

RELATED: R You Ready? The 2021 Ford Raptor’s Getting a V8…in 2022

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Is Buying a Hybrid Truck Worth It?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

These days, hybrids and electric vehicles (EVs) are all the rage, making it no surprise that a handful of automakers have announced hybrid iterations of their most popular pickup trucks. But is buying a hybrid pickup truck actually worth it? And if so, which new hybrid trucks are worth your consideration? Let’s find out.

Are there any hybrid pickup trucks?

2022 Ford Maverick | Ford

The good news is that, yes, there are a handful of full-hybrid pickups on the market. The bad news is that there simply aren’t that many. At least not yet, that is. Ford currently offers a small selection of 2021 hybrid trucks, including the hybrid Ford F-150 and the recently revealed 2022 Ford Maverick.

The 2021 Ram 1500 is also available with not one but two different mild hybrid engines. While neither make the pickup a full-fledged hybrid, they certainly do save on fuel. Choose from the Ram 1500’s available 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine or its available 5.7-liter HEMI V8 engine, both of which feature the automaker’s class-exclusive eTorque mild hybrid technology system. 

What is the cheapest hybrid truck?

For the cheapest hybrid truck, look no further than the 2022 Ford Maverick. The all-new Maverick is a compact pickup truck that comes standard with a gas-electric hybrid engine that Ford says is targeting an EPA-estimated 40 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway. According to CNBC, the truck will start at just under $20,000 when it arrives at dealerships later this year. 

As for how much the 2022 Ford Maverick can tow? This new Ford truck can pull a considerable amount, considering it’s a hybrid truck. As a matter of fact, Ford says that while base models will be able to tow up to 2,000-pounds, it will also offer models that can tow up to 4,000-pounds. No word on how much those Ford Maverick models will cost, though.

Ford makes a hybrid version of the F-150

The 2021 Ford F-150 is also available as a hybrid pickup. Equipped with a 3.5-liter PowerBoost full hybrid V6 engine, the F-150 hybrid truck offers up 430-hp and 570 lb.-ft. of torque. It also delivers an EPA-estimated 25 mpg city and 26 mpg highway. It has an EPA-estimated range of 750 miles on a single tank of gas too, which is nothing short of impressive.

This new hybrid truck can tow an impressive amount of weight too. In fact, this year’s model is rated to tow up to with Max Trailer Tow Package. It can also handle a maximum payload of 2,120 pounds. And when it comes to features? This hybrid pickup aims to please with features like an onboard generator.

Is Toyota making a hybrid pickup?

As for Toyota? According to Green Car Reports, the automaker has confirmed its plans to release both electric and hybrid pickup trucks in the near future. However, the publication believes that a Toyota hybrid truck could arrive sooner than that. We’ll just have to wait and see.

Should you buy a hybrid pickup?

There are plenty of reasons to consider buying a hybrid truck. They’re often more fuel-efficient and, in many cases, are still able to tow a considerable amount. But if pickups like Ford F-150 hybrid, Ford Maverick, and the Ram 1500 aren’t the right fit for you? Then you may want to wait before buying a hybrid pickup for yourself.

RELATED: 3 Best 4WD Trucks of 2021 According to TrueCar

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