Considering a budget dedicated track car, need a sounding board
09-07-2015, 03:54 AM
#11
LET THE HATE FLOW
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 5,416
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: Considering a budget dedicated track car, need a sounding board
How much track experience do you have? Do you want something that you can tear up while learning? If so, I'd go back to the Miata again. I'm working on getting one running right now for exactly this reason. I've got a few autocrosses under my belt but that's about it. I'm a lot more likely to mess up until I become more experienced, and I'm more likely to push the car harder if I care less about it. I can run it harder and learn more, and if I run it into a wall, oh well, I have less than 2 grand invested and if it isn't completely totaled, parts are cheaper than almost any other car. If I ran the Z into a wall, or in your case the BMW, it sucks. Just a little more food for thought.
09-07-2015, 06:24 AM
#12
$Level$
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 13,361
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
09-07-2015, 10:26 AM
#13
RIP DRAGVA-2016
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: super secret
Posts: 17,242
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: Considering a budget dedicated track car, need a sounding board
09-07-2015, 11:17 AM
#14
nortaP
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 13,272
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: Considering a budget dedicated track car, need a sounding board
That thing is pretty damn beautiful... but that MY is almost certainly out of my budget. (Off-topic- is tire shine detrimental at all during a track event??)
I found a couple that are relatively local for just less than $5k. One is a 91 with ~120k that looks to be in pretty good shape, the other is a 93 that's rough with higher mileage but still tolerable.
That said I also found a 944 for $2500. Waiting on an email response back- I'm realizing that Reloaded is absolutely right, it's the worst possible choice on my list but it might just be one of those itches I need to scratch. I've loved those cars since I was literally old enough to read the bottom of the Guards Red Hot Wheels version I had...
I also found a (hopefully not deceptively) clean S13 for $2500. I never thought I'd be able to find one unmolested for that price ever again.
Flinch is also correct, I found some tempting E30s but they're all north of $8k. And most of them are convertible...
I'm having second thoughts at the moment because of how quickly I jumped at that 240, I almost called the guy yesterday when I haven't even finished my research phase yet. I think I need to pump the brakes a bit as this is feeling like an impulse decision... maybe waiting around for an already prepped car ready for me to hop in is another option I should consider, plus give me time to breathe and make sure I ACTUALLY want to do this...
This has been some good conversation though, thanks all for contributing.
I found a couple that are relatively local for just less than $5k. One is a 91 with ~120k that looks to be in pretty good shape, the other is a 93 that's rough with higher mileage but still tolerable.
That said I also found a 944 for $2500. Waiting on an email response back- I'm realizing that Reloaded is absolutely right, it's the worst possible choice on my list but it might just be one of those itches I need to scratch. I've loved those cars since I was literally old enough to read the bottom of the Guards Red Hot Wheels version I had...
I also found a (hopefully not deceptively) clean S13 for $2500. I never thought I'd be able to find one unmolested for that price ever again.
Flinch is also correct, I found some tempting E30s but they're all north of $8k. And most of them are convertible...
I'm having second thoughts at the moment because of how quickly I jumped at that 240, I almost called the guy yesterday when I haven't even finished my research phase yet. I think I need to pump the brakes a bit as this is feeling like an impulse decision... maybe waiting around for an already prepped car ready for me to hop in is another option I should consider, plus give me time to breathe and make sure I ACTUALLY want to do this...
This has been some good conversation though, thanks all for contributing.
09-07-2015, 12:29 PM
#15
LET THE HATE FLOW
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 5,416
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
09-07-2015, 03:39 PM
#16
master debater
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: md
Posts: 5,448
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: Considering a budget dedicated track car, need a sounding board
How much track experience do you have? Do you want something that you can tear up while learning? If so, I'd go back to the Miata again. I'm working on getting one running right now for exactly this reason. I've got a few autocrosses under my belt but that's about it. I'm a lot more likely to mess up until I become more experienced, and I'm more likely to push the car harder if I care less about it. I can run it harder and learn more, and if I run it into a wall, oh well, I have less than 2 grand invested and if it isn't completely totaled, parts are cheaper than almost any other car. If I ran the Z into a wall, or in your case the BMW, it sucks. Just a little more food for thought.
To be honest- the M4 scares me a little. Not only does it have this ungodly amount of torque that as evidenced by the internet can get way out of hand very fast (reference: http://jalopnik.com/this-asshat-bmw-...-ca-1677493427), but I'm terrified to even get it dirty. It's a lease and I'm following the factory break-in procedure to the tee. I know I've only had it a couple weeks, but I know me being a little bitch about the car will have an effect on my track experience. It did when I took the STI immediately after installing a bunch of shit and a tune... and I could literally have bought another STI to make up the difference in the M4.
Enter the low-cost purpose-bought track slut. I can focus on just driving the car without distractions.
I've made a few moves since the days I would give anything for credit good enough to get an unsecured loan for $5k to drop an SR20 in my 15 second 240SX...
09-07-2015, 06:04 PM
#17
LET THE HATE FLOW
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 5,416
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: Considering a budget dedicated track car, need a sounding board
I have no idea what Rich makes. One could only speculate. If I had to guess I'd say a quarter mil salary minimum. All I know is I made almost 2 grand just this weekend and I'm still a poor fgt compared to Rich.
09-08-2015, 06:41 AM
#19
Registered member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Museum District
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: Considering a budget dedicated track car, need a sounding board
A word on the E30, I had a 325e ("economy" model) and was a bit disappointed by the road feel. I'm not sure if it was just my model or the age of the car, but the steering wheel felt disconnected and had far too much power steering assist; it made it feel unsettled on imperfect roads. It also required a lot more steering input (relative to modern European car) to get the car to turn making it feel sluggish and not agile.
A common upgrade is to swap e36 steering rack which reduces lock-to-lock from 4 turns to 3.2.
A common upgrade is to swap e36 steering rack which reduces lock-to-lock from 4 turns to 3.2.
09-08-2015, 07:06 AM
#20
A.K.A Jebus
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: NOVA
Posts: 10,663
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: Considering a budget dedicated track car, need a sounding board
The Miata IMO is the best starting platform for road racing. It's ugly as sin but the car is well balanced, light, cheap, a plethora of "bang for your buck" aftermarket parts, rear wheel drive, and relatively easy to work on.
It's going to be a track slut not a status car, it has to be "quick" and nimble not pretty. Keep in mind you're going to tear this car to shit, even if it isn't your fault, shit happens on the track. Ppl get loose in the turns, tires blow, and deer run onto the track (Summit Point is real bad for deer).
As aforementioned the Porsche is your worst choice, if you want to be competitive in one be ready to spend 10-12K to start and hope nothing breaks (lol). The E30 is a good platform but again, working in the budget you set this might be a tad outside of it. The S13 isn't a bad car, it's cheap, nimble w/ the right suspension, easy to work on, and parts are everywhere for it.
I'd also recommend going to the track w/ a few spare parts in hand. We always arrived w/ 2 sets of wheels / tires, a spare trans, clutch, radiator, radiator hoses, belts, and a few other odds and ends that could prevent your weekend at the track from ending early. It might seem like a lot but it won't take too much room up in the truck / trailer and yes you will need a truck and trailer. Unless you're running Auto-X or w/e that parking lot cone racing event is called these days never rely on your track car to be your transportation to and from the track. That's just asking for it....
It's going to be a track slut not a status car, it has to be "quick" and nimble not pretty. Keep in mind you're going to tear this car to shit, even if it isn't your fault, shit happens on the track. Ppl get loose in the turns, tires blow, and deer run onto the track (Summit Point is real bad for deer).
As aforementioned the Porsche is your worst choice, if you want to be competitive in one be ready to spend 10-12K to start and hope nothing breaks (lol). The E30 is a good platform but again, working in the budget you set this might be a tad outside of it. The S13 isn't a bad car, it's cheap, nimble w/ the right suspension, easy to work on, and parts are everywhere for it.
I'd also recommend going to the track w/ a few spare parts in hand. We always arrived w/ 2 sets of wheels / tires, a spare trans, clutch, radiator, radiator hoses, belts, and a few other odds and ends that could prevent your weekend at the track from ending early. It might seem like a lot but it won't take too much room up in the truck / trailer and yes you will need a truck and trailer. Unless you're running Auto-X or w/e that parking lot cone racing event is called these days never rely on your track car to be your transportation to and from the track. That's just asking for it....