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11-19-2009, 04:33 PM | #1 |
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Best car to track with under 20k
Ok, so I'm going to ask you guys for some track advice here. I want to start taking track lessons and prepare myself for track trips starting next year. Don't really want to use my e92 M3 for now. So what I'm thinking of is buying a 2nd car to use for track and here are my requirements:
- must be under $18k-20k - light and nimble to drive - manual - prefer rear-wheel drive Here are my early selection of cars I'm thinking of. If any of you guys had these cars now and used them on the track, please give me your opinion on them. Anything would be appreciated. Thank you in advance. 1. Porsche 944 turbo - maybe a turbo s version (89-90) 2. Mini Cooper S (drove one today, and liked it but was weird driving front-wheel drive) 3. e46 M3 - a early version (01-03) 4. Porsche Boxster S - 1st gen (00 - 03) 5. Mazda Miata - latest model, soft top
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11-19-2009, 04:41 PM | #2 |
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You might want to consider a high milleage E46 M3 which you could get about 14-15k, leaves you with 5 k or so for mods.
I'll do a roll cage, gut out interior, bucket seats and invest on tire and wheels.. plus I'm sure you can sell parts of the interior when you gut out and OEM wheels.. you can probably raise another 1k to 2k. Or maybe consider a high milleage Lotus Elise too |
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11-19-2009, 04:43 PM | #3 |
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not on your list, but i vote for s2k.
had one and it was the best, for following reasons, car i've owned to date - cheap (relatively), ap1 can be had for low 10s, ap2, mid 10s - reliable - easy to maintain, just oil/fluid changes - a lot of mods available for cheap whether new or used - BEST manual transmission ever edit: best as in as a fun car, not as best car ever
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11-19-2009, 05:01 PM | #4 |
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S2k all the way, plus u get a droptop!
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11-19-2009, 05:12 PM | #5 |
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11-19-2009, 05:13 PM | #6 |
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11-19-2009, 05:29 PM | #9 |
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If it's solely for track only then I'll take the Miata. It's RWD, very light and is known to be quite the handler with track enthusiasts. Also, the other cars on your list will cost way more than a Miata to maintain annually (except maybe the Mini but reliability isn't its strong suit) so it's up to you how much you are willing to spend to keep up a track-only car.
In addition, I've seen some used Elises go for around $25k and that is no doubt (IMO) the best track car for the money. |
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11-19-2009, 06:27 PM | #13 |
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11-19-2009, 07:16 PM | #14 |
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Look around. You can get a fairly good E36 ready for the track with cage, tires and wheels, 15K plus/minus. I also agree with the Miata. Great roller skate - momentum car.
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11-19-2009, 10:01 PM | #15 | |
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Quote:
Thank you guys for the responses so far, its been great.
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11-19-2009, 10:24 PM | #16 | |
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11-19-2009, 11:10 PM | #17 |
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c5 z06, s2000, miata. In that order.
I've owned the first two and tracked both. z06 is very fast and cheap to run - try to get 405hp version. s2000 will only work if your shorter - rollbar eats up 3-4 inches of seat recline.
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11-20-2009, 08:46 AM | #19 |
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After looking into Spec 944, I was told parts are becoming harder to find.
I recall some organizations are not allowing Mini's in DE's anymore, might look into how they lose their doors in a roll. |
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11-20-2009, 09:30 AM | #20 |
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I would go for the MX-5!
They are really fun on the track! I was suprised how responsive that small car is. Pluss very cheap to mod compare to our M3. if you put a supercharger or a turbo on it, you would got a really fast car. Brakes, exhaust, coilovers etc way much cheaper and you will have a great selection. However the cheapest solution is to use your 20K on your M3 and take it to the track. |
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11-20-2009, 10:24 PM | #21 |
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I vote S2K for same reasons mentioned above or E36 M3. There are plenty of E36 M3 track cars available for under 20k and they are a lot more fun on track than an E9x M3.
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11-20-2009, 11:06 PM | #22 |
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I'd say if you can find one e46M all the way. Other than that I'd go the S2K route
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