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Help Me Pick a Track Car

Discussion in 'General Automotive Discussion' started by Scotty, Sep 16, 2004.

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  1. Scotty

    Scotty F1 World Champ
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    #1 Scotty, Sep 16, 2004
    After watching my friend stuff his NSX into the tire wall at PIR, and seeing the insurance coverage issues, I am thinking about getting something "disposable" to run at the track. I'm OK with taking the 360 once or twice a year, but the cost of dedicated track rims, track tires, Ferrari track pads, and the potential repair and loss of value issues should I have a bad off track excursion are limiting my progress (to know the edge one must occasionally cross it). Anyway, I know a lot of folks on the board have track/racing experience, so here's what I'm thinking:

    -light weight (easier on tires and brakes, more tossable)
    -well balanced (I had a Mustang GT once--not a good thing)
    -RWD or maybe AWD (don't want FWD--I don't own any other cars with FWD, and I would like some of the track experience to transfer to the street)
    -reasonable purchase price (less than 20K)
    -plenty of parts available (esp. race suspensions, bigger brake kits, etc.)
    -trailer hitch available (if there isn't room inside the car to carry track tires)
    -perhaps suitable for SCCA/Club racing should I decide to get my license
    -something not so computerized that I can't work on it (OBD1 at the most)
    -something earlier than a 1979 car would let me not worry about smog regs
    -a Porsche or BMW would allow me to participate in special "marque only" track days in the area

    My initial thoughts include a Porsche 944, a Miata (that could be turned into a Spec Miata racer), or E30 M3 (price issues with this, though). An old Datsun 510 crossed my mind as well.

    Any comments on these choices or other suggestions?
     
  2. 62 250 GTO

    62 250 GTO F1 Veteran

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    #2 62 250 GTO, Sep 16, 2004
    You can get a good 951 for under 20k.
    That's what I would go for. {And it looks great!}
    Is there anything you would want to know about the car? Best year/ hp/ parts prices?
     
  3. pots

    pots Karting

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    #3 pots, Sep 16, 2004
    Dead on...Tracked one for years, best bang for the buck, plenty good examples out there...easy to maintain, can change brake pads in 20 minutes (all 4)...www.rennlist.org

    Good luck,
    Pots
     
  4. Scotty

    Scotty F1 World Champ
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    #4 Scotty, Sep 16, 2004
    Sorry for the ignorance, but 951? (Is that a later model 944?)
     
  5. pots

    pots Karting

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    #5 pots, Sep 16, 2004
    951=944 turbo..Porsche thing...for 20k, 89turbo which = 88 turbo "S"...better brakes, 247HP vs 217 for 86-88 951 (944 turbo)...best buy IMHO is 86 951, lighter, rumor has it higher HP then 87,88 951...pulls big time, may be the best car I've owned dollar for dollar...Hope this helps. Also PCA track days have to be the best bang for the buck out there, check with the local club...I am a former instructor.

    Pots
     
  6. Rexcoltrain

    Rexcoltrain Formula Junior

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    #6 Rexcoltrain, Sep 16, 2004
    My instructor took me out for a session in his spec Miata. Probably the most fun I've ever had in car and I wasn't even driving. They are amazing little cars when they are set up right. He also had a track only 944, but seemed to favor the Miata. Sounded like the 944 was more of a headache and money pit than anything else. You also might consider a 78-89 911. The older ones would easily fit your budget, there are plenty of track based mods available and you could race it through PCA or POC. These years seem to be popular with the DE crowd, obviously for the 911 factor, but also because they take beating after beating on the track and maintain their reliability.
     
  7. UroTrash

    UroTrash Four Time F1 World Champ
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    #7 UroTrash, Sep 16, 2004
    Get a Miata, in fact get a dozen, they're cheaper that way.
     
  8. coolestkidever

    coolestkidever F1 Veteran

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    #8 coolestkidever, Sep 16, 2004
    95-99 M3 and tear everything out of it. new tires/rims, turbos or super if u want, brakes, suspension if u want and ur good.
     
  9. EspritSE

    EspritSE Formula Junior

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    #9 EspritSE, Sep 16, 2004
    E30 M3 was the first thing to come to mind without even reading your possible picks....

    fwiw...
     
  10. Scotty

    Scotty F1 World Champ
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    #10 Scotty, Sep 16, 2004
    I actually had a '97 M3--the issue is rear subframe attachment point failures. If a cage is welded in you can prevent this, but otherwise... In a recent issue of the BMW Car Club magazine their tech guy specifically said to avoid the 95-99 M3 for that reason.

    Having said that, I know a lot of folks who have tracked the s&^t out of their E36 M3's and have had no problems...

    I just got back from a run and pondered the question. For bang for the buck, there is probably no beating a Miata.

    Anyone have any thoughts on the second generation Toyota MR2 (early 90's, I think). At least the car is mid-engined--like a wanna be Ferrari. :)
     
  11. tfazio

    tfazio Formula 3
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    #11 tfazio, Sep 16, 2004
    How about a 99 BMW M Coupe. There are a few availble on autotrader.com for under $20K. The 98-00 M Coupes have 240hp.
     
  12. WILLIAM H

    WILLIAM H Three Time F1 World Champ

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    #12 WILLIAM H, Sep 17, 2004
    Z06 Vette is a BAD ride with 420hp + the thing pulls like a freight train & you can get 1 around $30k
     
  13. stevep

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    #13 stevep, Sep 17, 2004
    get a radical
     
  14. StickBoy

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    #14 StickBoy, Sep 17, 2004
    I would highly recommend a 944 or 951. I have a 1987 944S that I track with the Porsche Club and it is GREAT!!! Reasonably quick ("S" has 16V heads so 188HP vs. 150 or so for a "regular" 944), very forgiving (you have to drive like an idiot to get it to spin), and less than 2900 pounds. A 1989 Turbo would be even better.

    These things are cheap to buy as well. Just keep the timing belts serviced every 30K or 4 years ($1K).

    Great cars.
     
  15. Dale

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    #15 Dale, Sep 17, 2004
    I agree steve nothing to touch it on the bends,

    Dale.
     
  16. Coujer

    Coujer Karting

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    #16 Coujer, Sep 17, 2004
    These are my picks:

    Porsche 944/914/911
    Ford Mustang LX or GT (5.0)
     
  17. CCarlisi

    CCarlisi Karting

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    #17 CCarlisi, Sep 17, 2004
    According to a friend of mine that works at a Porsche shop, there are companies that sell track insurance. I believe it cost the shop around 8k to insure their 993 turbo for an entire season of competitive events. I imagine it would be more reasonable if you just wanted to participate in driving days. This might be a better alternative to buying, storing, and maintaining another car that ultimately will not be as fun to drive.
     
  18. UroTrash

    UroTrash Four Time F1 World Champ
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    #18 UroTrash, Sep 17, 2004


    What's a radical?
     
  19. b-mak

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    #19 b-mak, Sep 17, 2004
  20. Scotty

    Scotty F1 World Champ
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    #20 Scotty, Sep 17, 2004
    Guys, thanks for the thoughts--but no Radical (at this point). It blows the 20K budget big time. Plus, I would need a trailer, a tow vehicle (can I get a hitch on my 360?), and a place to store it (unless I want to start parking my 360 outside). I agree that it would be the biggest kick in the pants, but a Radical is not in the cards...
     
  21. Johnny Bravo

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    #21 Johnny Bravo, Sep 17, 2004
    How about a 2nd gen. ('86-'91) Mazda RX-7? They're styled similarly to the 944's so they do look good, parts are dirt cheap, there are TONS of mods out there for them, and they can be had very very cheap. Not to mention they're quite lightweight (my friend's '87/'91 Turbo II conversion clocks in at just over 2,500lbs.). If you can find a Series V GTUs (they're quite rare though) it'll be one heck of a track car, but a base model (SE) would likely be the best candidate as they're quite plentiful, really cheap, and probably a better starting off point if you want to mod it into a track only car. Just my $.02 :D
     
  22. WCH

    WCH F1 Veteran
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    #22 WCH, Sep 17, 2004
    Scott:

    There are alternatives to ownership, of course. You could run in someone else's arrive and drive race series, for example, Skip Barber or Panoz. Both Barber and Panoz have damage liability caps - don't ask me how I know.

    You could simply rent a race car fom one of the many "prep shops" out there. In the SCCA world, for example, it isn't hard to rent a spec racer ford.

    I think the 944, na or turbo, is a great car. The Porsche Club of America offers both track days and a very popular race series.

    Sedan? Sports racer? Formula car? Track days or racing?

    Take your time, lots of "experts" in the lower levels of the racing world, but very few who know what they're talking about AND aren't selling something.
     
  23. iceburns288

    iceburns288 Formula 3

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    #23 iceburns288, Sep 17, 2004
    My top 3 choices:

    944- get a wrecker in okay condition for less than 2000 dollars...
    E30 M3- fantastic little car, can get one for less than 10k and even less if it's wrecked
    Any superbike- cheap and loads of fun, but only on a track. Make sure to be safe whilst riding, all leathers and everything of course!
     
  24. Zinhead

    Zinhead Karting

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    #24 Zinhead, Sep 17, 2004
    I would look for a car that is already setup for the track. Unless you do the work yourself, it is always cheaper, easier and faster to let the other guy spend the money while you buy the finished product.

    Personally, I would look at Spec Miata based on cost and availability of cars, but something like this would be nice.

    http://www.alfabb.com/bb/forums/showthread.php?t=6631
     
  25. BeachBum

    BeachBum Formula 3

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    #25 BeachBum, Sep 17, 2004
    i just found this, go to factoryfive.com and check out there new mid engine kit, GTM Mulsanne, pretty darn cool, might have to get one
     
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