Need advice for a track car: 350z, WRX, Mustang GT...

[Erhan]

My fiance, who was afraid of cars due to an accident, is now a Top Gear fan and wants to replace her car for something track-able. She will take her first car control clinic on May 28th (I managed this transition in 2 years ).

Today, we were going to test drive a 350z, but the night before the car got sold. We test drove a 2007 Mustang GT. And previously we test drove a WRX.

WRX: Due to the earthquake in Japan, and due to resale value of Subaru's, it is quite hard to find one in our budget. We test drove one, it is a fine car. Turbo lag is massive, and I found the clutch pedal operation a little odd compared to BMWs.

Mustang GT: Massive low end torque for a massive car. It feels huge. Clutch pedal is heavy, gearbox is kinda smooth. Steering feel does not exist. I'm quite impressed by how bad it was. We probably will skip this option unless someone out there says this car can be track worth with decent mods.

350z: I think this car is track worthy. I just need to test drive one. I think the base model does not have LSD but I assume it can be added later.

s2000: My favorite, but unfortunately my fiance is not interested in this car.


What else is out there? The budget is 24k$, it has to be RWD or AWD. It has to be MT. We are looking for something <30k miles and relatively inexpensive to maintain. It will not be a track only car, it will be a DD as well. She is OK if it is not very comfortable.

[ThunderMoose]

What about a Volkswagen GTI?

[Erhan]

Originally Posted by ThunderMoose

What about a Volkswagen GTI?

No FWD. I forgot to add that to the list of requirements. I updated my first post. Thanks.

[wwjd15]

S2K is the best of them all in terms of track usage and fun factor. There's really no comparison. Unless you want a track and comfortable DD, then maybe STI.
Follow this order: S2k > STI > 350z > Mustang GT

[Crazy Bimmer]

E36 M3?

[Erhan]

Originally Posted by Crazy Bimmer

E36 M3?

I don't know... How expensive is it gonna be to maintain them? They can be found in our price range (with more than 30k miles but it is fine). But I'm just not sure about the running costs.. Any info on this?

[Crazy Bimmer]

Depends, are you good with doing your own repairs/maintenance? Parts arent bad as far as price goes.

Im sure there are E36 experts somewhere here who can give better advice. I just know many locals here have dedicated E36 M3 track cars.

How about a Mazda RX8? 350z is a good car as well or even a E46 ZHP?

I loved my S2k but there werent many clubs who let me track with them since it was a vert.

[wwjd15]

Add to my comment above:
If u r newbie and just start to track, Miata
Better than newbie and having some decent track experience, S2K
DD is somewhat important and newbie to track, STI
DD experience driver, 350Z.

[Erhan]

Originally Posted by Crazy Bimmer

Depends, are you good with doing your own repairs/maintenance? Parts arent bad as far as price goes.

Im sure there are E36 experts somewhere here who can give better advice. I just know many locals here have dedicated E36 M3 track cars.

How about a Mazda RX8? 350z is a good car as well or even a E46 ZHP?

I loved my S2k but there werent many clubs who let me track with them since it was a vert.

I'm not really great with repair/maintenance but I'm trying to learn.. RX8 is not an option due to its engine. I will do so research on E36M3 and E46 ZHP.

PCA allows convertibles if they have roll bars or roll cages. We might consider a roll cage for S2000 if she ever decides to get one.

[Brainofjjj]

I ran a 350z for 2 seasons with just pads, coilovers and an LSD since it was a base model. Great track car for a beginner and allows you to learn at a good pace. It's also very easy to maintain yourself and won't kill your wallet. I kind of wish i had kept that car since it was so dialed in.

I've owned a WRX as well but i'm not into them as track cars, i like the rotation only RWD can give.

Good job convincing her BTW, i'm working on mine as well. She likes truck and since i just got her an "OJ bronco" it might be tough to get her into something fast and fun.

[elh0102]

C5 ZO6. You won't have to stretch your budget much to get one. Cheap to maintain, reliable, well balanced handling, almost 30 mpg on the highway, and will embarrass cars that cost a lot more. It's also a great car to learn with, as you have to learn throttle control, but, that also gives you a tool unavailable on something like an E36 M3.

[Richbot]

C5 Z06 /Thread

[Erhan]

Wow I didn't know I could find C5 Z06 in my price range. Thanks guys.

Does it have to be Z06? What do I have to be careful about corvettes?

What do you think of this one?
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false

[mastek]

e36m3 or e46m3 - either can be modded and go from track newb to track star with the right mods. Easy to maintain. Easy on parts. Best balanced cars for the money. Great cars to learn car physics on. or Miata or S2k -- stay away from the Evo/WRX or Chevys. Keep it in the M Family, ya?

[elh0102]

Originally Posted by erhanh

Wow I didn't know I could find C5 Z06 in my price range. Thanks guys.

Does it have to be Z06? What do I have to be careful about corvettes?

What do you think of this one?
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false

Yes, ZO6 definitely. By the time you do the suspension work on a non-ZO6 for the track, it will cost as much, it's heavier, and you still won't have the hp or resale value. With a ZO6 in reasonable shape, all you might need to get started is a set of good shocks.

[richardg]

I know the e36 pretty well due to having 4 of them over the last 2 years and tracking my 95 e36 M. First I will say that I am not the best track driver out there but I can give my car a workout. Anyway as for cost of maintenance or repair it is actually pretty reasonable. The M is so similar to the normal car for the e36 many things are compatible. Also because it is an old platform parts are readily available and cheap. Plus if you wreck you can usually find a decent track worthy e36 M for 5-6k (though it won't be perfect to be honest) I think the e36 is the perfect track car next to a miata. Both are cheap and have a great power to weight ratio to really enjoy yourself. When you start talking about cars like z06, e92 M, and even things like 335i you are talking some serious power. You don't want to get in over your head. Really think about the miata. You definately can't go wrong there.

[Muffnbluff]

Going from being afraid to cars to wanting to be on track, a C5 Z06 might be a little much to start out with.

[elh0102]

Originally Posted by Muffnbluff

Going from being afraid to cars to wanting to be on track, a C5 Z06 might be a little much to start out with.

This is true, and perhaps my recommendation for a ZO6 was inappropriate. Really, it depends more on maturity and attitude towards learning. Some novice drivers do fine in high hp cars, others not so well. Test driving on track is not usually available, unless you do a specific school that furnishes the car, which would be an ideal option.

[Kurohouou]

Miata makes a great track car, but seeing as the S2K was out I am guessing the miata is out as well. You can find used STI's for 20-25k easy, 06-07 would be a good bet. I would stay away from the 2008+ models though.

[ADV.1 Matt]

C5 Z06, STI, or 350Z would all be great cars. All fairly reliable and cheap to maintain while still being able to hold their own at the track.

[Erhan]

Thanks guys. It is most likely gonna be 350Z. C5 Z06 has way too much power, and also I'm told that it is not a very safe car.

[elh0102]

Originally Posted by erhanh

Thanks guys. It is most likely gonna be 350Z. C5 Z06 has way too much power, and also I'm told that it is not a very safe car.

Not to change your mind, as I think you are heading in the right direction. But, given identical circumstances, the ZO6 is pobably the safest car you mentioned.