THSCC Forums

I agree the Miata would be a great choice. The attraction of a 924/944/968 is:

1. I could in a pinch go for a ride with both my spouse and daughter because of the 2+2 layout. Yes, the seats in back are tiny, but then my daughter is not very big nor likely to ever be.
2. If it happened to be totaled its not a big financial loss (or giant hit against my insurance.)

When I say track car, I don't mean a serious track car in the sense I'm going to start racing, but track car in the sense the car would be set up for, and would be fun and relatively safe to drive on the track. Sure, any car can be driven on the track, its just more fun to get something that handles well. Most of the driving would be my 3-time-a-week 25 min commute.

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"Build a man a fire and he'll stay warm for a day. Set a man on fire and he'll stay warm the rest of his life."
'93 Subaru Legacy DIRTBOMB
'98 BMW M3
2013 Rallyx Co-VP

I am a true Porsche fanatic and I even see a 944 in my life at some point, but I would not buy one for daily driver. It's not so much of it breaking down on you, but $/mile maintenance cost.

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Richard Casto
1972 Porsche 914
2013 Honda Fit Sport
2015 Honda Fit EX
http://motorsport.zyyz.com
Money can't buy happiness, but somehow it's more comfortable to cry in a Porsche than a Kia.

Is there any older Porsche that could be a daily driver? How about a high mileage Boxter?

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"Build a man a fire and he'll stay warm for a day. Set a man on fire and he'll stay warm the rest of his life."
'93 Subaru Legacy DIRTBOMB
'98 BMW M3
2013 Rallyx Co-VP

Here something to read on:

http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticle ... _guide.htm

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Patrice
1973 911 former track and AX car.
2016 VW GTI
2002 Nissan Sentra (Olivier car)
2012 Nissan Juke (Kathy car)
2010 Suzuki Kizashi (Audrey car)

Michael, I used the same mentality when I bought my 4-door M3. But I'd still highly recommend the Miata idea.

Note that you may need race seats to clear the roll bar broomstick test (need a rollbar too, but that's a good idea regardless). I actually prefer the race seats for daily driving though, given I sit lower in the car, and the convertible is great on mild days.

I drove our Miata at CMP last year after my M3 ate a wheel bearing - while it's not as fast in a straight line, I still had a blast throwing it around the track. As mentioned, consumables are SIGNIFICANTLY cheaper, too. And for the likely cost difference, you'd be able to afford it as a dedicated track play toy, if you wanted (i.e. keep the Suby for the family hauler).

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Dustin Fredrickson
-- I'm a nobody --

if it is the 2.5l turbo. .it should be ok.. the 2.0l is the jetta turbo motor.. much stressed motor for that power level.. 2.5l is half the 928 motor.. strong.

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hey yall,watch this...

There is a reason you see so many Miata at track/autox events. No, there are not that many hair dressers to account for it

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02 Focus SVT
STF 9

In the 911 series the older I will go for DD will be the 87-89 Carrera. Newer will be better but more expensive. Anyhow there is not that many that are really cheap .
A 968 will be something I will be willing to DD as of a 928, 87 and up.
Boxster, I will definitively DD, that might be next car to replace my DD Miata that will most likely start autocrossing next year when Olivier as his permit and
maybe on track later on when he is 18. Except if I can find a car like Adam in 3 years time....
Boxster, I will look at 2000 and up, my preference is for an S, with relatively low miles.
Boxster have issue also, the leaking RMS and the intermediate shaft. Like all Porsche the newer the better.
All of these will do good on track.

Check the Pelican forum there is lot of information, I think that all of the Porsche owner in the THSCC are on that forum.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/1-porsch ... al-forums/

What about the M3's that are for sale in the Swap & Sell......

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Patrice
1973 911 former track and AX car.
2016 VW GTI
2002 Nissan Sentra (Olivier car)
2012 Nissan Juke (Kathy car)
2010 Suzuki Kizashi (Audrey car)

Do you tow your Miata to the track or drive it?

_________________
"Build a man a fire and he'll stay warm for a day. Set a man on fire and he'll stay warm the rest of his life."
'93 Subaru Legacy DIRTBOMB
'98 BMW M3
2013 Rallyx Co-VP

you want a price-conscious daily driver that will gradually morph into a full time track car? you'd be crazy not to at least consider a e36 bmw.

I'm pretty sure he drives it. I spied him turning into SAS this morning in it.

/stalker

I picked up a Miata for the same reason. Dirt cheap to keep on the road/track, especially with Mazda helping to pick up the tab on parts.

http://www.mazdamotorsports.com/partsprogram.htm

Cheap, cosmetically challenged e36, but mechanically refreshed by our own Matt Nicholson

I think a LOT of people on this board would vouch for Matt as a good guy. He's in Charlotte.

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Tom Freeman
'98 M3/4/5 | '93 Spec3 325i | '12 TSX sport wagon | '03 Tahoe
Team Silver Bullets '91 240SX

Seems like the only "practical" options for a 4 seat daily driver well balanced track car are any of the at least 3 BMW's for sale by club members.

Dick (who happened to have blast with my brand new 2001 Mustang GT for one VIR open track weekend but it did use up a set of Carbotech brake pads plus the rotors)

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Dick Rasmussen

FS 50 2018 Mustang GT

I drive mine and tow a tire trailer. The worst of both worlds

I'm a BMW guy, so I'll second the idea of a BMW 3 series, either an E36 (92-99) or E30 (84-91).

Nice E30 325i/is' are becoming harder and harder to find, but they are very capable on track, and they are pretty bulletproof (as long as you change the timing belt every ~60k and DON'T run them hot). They are also pretty cheap to work on and keep looking and running good. E36's are good track cars too, though heavier and with less "soul" than E30's IMHO. E36 M3's are a great bang for the buck. For either car, DON'T buy a beater POS that needs tons of repairs just because it's cheap, unless you know how much parts are AND you're doing the repair work yourself.


The question you need to ask yourself about either a Miata or a Boxter is what are the safety mods needed to get one on track for the DE's you want to participate in. Most track events will require AT LEAST a rollbar, if not a rollcage, for open top cars. As an instructor, I would not feel comfortable in a students open top car without a full cage, but that's just me.


Keep in mind, I'm not slamming Miatas or Boxters, just want to make sure you know what you're getting into before you miss a very important detail about tracking those cars.