Taking internship across country, should I pick up something fun to drive?

[Calichase]

How's it going guys.

So I'm going to be spending my summer out with Tesla in Palo Alto and will not be bringing my m coupe or Prius. My family lives in the Bay Area and has already planned a few track days in June, July and August. If possible, I would greatly enjoy picking up something that I could have some fun with out there and join them at Laguna Seca and Sonoma. I would prefer a bit of a fixer-upper, but nothing major (i.e. Engine swaps) since I won't have access to a full Garage to work out of. I won't need to commute in this car, so it can be a bit more ridiculous if need be. I plan to buy in May, and sell in September. Here are a couple ideas for cars.

Qualifications-
<$10k
Running, yet small cosmetic wear and tear is fine
Easily Resellable

1. Track prepped Miata
Can be had for ~$4500 fully configured
May be a bit harder to resell quickly as not everyone is looking for a "track car"
2. Late ap1 S2000
Only ones in price range are very high mileage (which doesn't bother me) or salvaged titled. I would be okay with buying a salvage title (pending extensive research and investigation) if it was a theft vehicle, not as much though for a collision. There are a lot of theft vehicles available in the region though. :
Problem is though it can be very hard to sell a salvaged title vehicle.
3. 2006 Subaru wrx
Once again it would be high miles, but probably not as high as a s2000.
Resell would be much simpler in a wrx though
4. Vw mk4 r32 (2004 only)
Have always admired these cars, a bit more uncommon then the rest, and it would be harder to find one that fits my price range. But resell wouldn't be to bad since demand is steady.


Thoughts? Other then I'm crazy for doing this!
Any other good ideas?

[cays]

Unless you want to keep "excess" mileage off the MC consider driving it out and shipping it back. I've driven cross country twice just for the fun of it and if you're not in a hurry it's an adventure in and of itself. The other huge advantage is obviously you'll have the MC for the track, where it properly should spend a few days. Not to minimize the cost-per-mile factor in other areas but gas is soooo cheap also which really helps.

[Calichase]

Originally Posted by cays

Unless you want to keep "excess" mileage off the MC consider driving it out and shipping it back. I've driven cross country twice just for the fun of it and if you're not in a hurry it's an adventure in and of itself. The other huge advantage is obviously you'll have the MC for the track, where it properly should spend a few days. Not to minimize the cost-per-mile factor in other areas but gas is soooo cheap also which really helps.

Great points, but I physically don't have the time to drive out with regards to starting dates. Certainly something I would love to do and experience. Also, with the way the z4m is set up currently, 4+ hours at once is about all I can handle. I love the car and have built it for a purpose, long distance drives is certainly not intention. Shipping would cost me 4K round trip probably, and that is money I just would not get back. Atleast with picking up something out there I could get a decent percentage of the money back when I sell.

I am also just looking to experience something new and have a different change of pace.

[Mr Tonka]

From your options, i'd without question hike up my skirt and pick up a track Miata.

Seems that they are all just as difficult to sell as the next. But getting a car already configured for the track seems like a no brainer.

[M3 Number 86]

Is your boss named Takeshi by chance?

I would just ship the car if you're going to stay for a while and have track days.

[cays]

Originally Posted by Calichase

Also, with the way the z4m is set up currently, 4+ hours at once is about all I can handle. I love the car and have built it for a purpose, long distance drives is certainly not intention.

Well OK then, I hear you. I once drove an almost stock Z4MC from Eastside Seattle to Santa Cruz straight through, a 950 mile, 13+ hour drive IIRC. The one non-OE change was to 18" wheels that were 5# lighter on each corner. Coupled with new Michelin OE aspect ratio rubber the ride and damping was noticeably improved from stock and not once on the way down did I even think about NVH. The MC set up for the track is a much different proposition though and I see where you're coming from, NVH would get extremely tiresome very quickly.

[Kong Sheng Han]

E36 M3?

[eluded]

The biggest problem with the S2000 is the risk of retinal detachment when you hit VTEC.

[s14_kev]

+1 for E36 M3

[Verbiage]

Mini Cooper S.

[-BEASTMW-]

S2000. I don't think you'd have to stoop to salvage level to get one for $10k, either. Will be more fun on the track than the others listed, and reliable so you're unlikely to have much downtime.

The only caveat is some clubs are finicky about convertibles, so you may have to get a racing seat and possibly a roll bar as well.

[CANGRKE70]

Check out this site...good comparison of the s2000, Impreza WRX, Miata and others all for <10M.

http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars...s-under-10000/

Personal opinion...I'd go with the s2000. Love the look of them.

[Calichase]

Originally Posted by eluded

The biggest problem with the S2000 is the risk of retinal detachment when you hit VTEC.

haha!

E36 m3 is something I didn't think about, thanks for the links guys, I will read up