sqweak

If you had a ~25k budget, what 911 would you buy to dedicate to weekend/track?

Must remain streetable to drive to/from track, as trailer/tow vehicle is out of scope.

I've been all over the place, leaning towards pre 75 to be smog exempt but occasionally an SC catches my eye, i hear good things about 87-89, and as much as i hate the looks I can't deny the value of 996. I have no delusions of winning class championships, so i'm more interested in a good reliable platform for fun and learning.

U4EEAH

Though I am also not a big fan of them, an early 996 is the way to go. A much better street car than "vintage" P cars, and in the long run much cheaper to maintain. Modern technology and ample supply of parts, new and used. For example, a low milage junkyard 996 motor is much cheaper than rebuilding an air cooled engine, same for gearbox. In similar states of prep will kill an older car on the track. I'll stick with my air cooled cars, but it costs me plenty

jerome951

I'd have to agree on the 996. Very fast car for the money right out of the box (just get a decent alignment), easy to learn in, and pretty reliable. They're also very comfortable for weekend cruising or daily driving.

I've only driven my stock, M030 996 for a few laps (shameless plug... it's for sale) but was really impressed when comparing it to my track-prepped 951.

ninjabones

Best speed/cost ratios in a pcars right now are the 996 and boxster s platforms. You can get a well-developed Boxster S for mid 20's, drive to-from track with the roof down and keep up in the advanced run groups for DEs. 3.4 L 996 is also great value right now, and similarly can be had with track goodies in your price range. Although, I do understand why neither of these cars would move you viscerally.

If air cooled coolness is of a priority, and you like to tinker, then the G50 carerrars and SCs are good options. I had the urge, and sold my boxster S a few years ago, and replaced it with a really nice grand prix white SC... that was a big mistake (sold it less than a year later). Despite the "chickster" stereotype, the boxster S is a wonderful car. The SC, in comparison, was just too much of a pig to drive regularly (no power steering, mechanical clutch, and I just never appreciated the 915 tranny). I'd love to get another boxster at some point (perhaps when the new carerra GT-esque body style versions depreciate in a few years).

Veloce Raptor

I agree--run a 996 or Boxster, and keep the drivetrain 100% stock to pass Calif's rdiculous emissions requirements for a street car. Focus on weight reduction & suspensin & safety.

multi21

IIRC, the 996 3.4L engine would have to have some modifications to help with oiling during track use. What is the crate motor cost of a 996? Someone mentioned the crate motor cost of a Boxster s is something like $16,000!!

MarkM

I DE'd and Raced an SC for years and now run a 996. If street-able is a requirement I would stick with the 996.

Over the last 10 years, the speeds in all the solo DE groups have escalated dramatically. I am not sure that a street-able SC/Carrera/aircooled model would be a good ride. 'To keep up' and not be a back marker, you would need to drive one of these 8-9/10ths. Without a cage and harness, I wouldn't feel comfortable in an advanced group.

The safety improvements in a street 996 would make it my choice.

roketman

What ever you buy.Buy one that has all the track goodies already on it! This will save you a fortune in parts and labor.Also be sure to do PPI
Best of luck

kurt M

996 and someone elses track car that passes a good PPI. The first P in PPI is Pre not Post.

ProCoach

Good advice!

mglobe

The only drivetrain mod needed on a 996 for serious tracking (3.4 and 3.6) is an X51 oil pan.

I bought a 3.4 crate motor from Porsche a few years ago for 13k. Not sure where they are now but the rebuild market has popped up and there are apparently good engines to be had now for less than half that.

You could buy a 3.4, put in the spec suspension, a roll bar, and some GT3 seats, and have one hell of a car that you can drive to and from the track.

J richard

A track prepped 92-93 964 C2

Bulletproof 3.6, G50 trans, great on the street and fast on the track, simple platform with none of the M96 motor weaknesses. Get a PPI.

Leigh2

Early 996 preferably with some mods already...great cars and fast.

sqweak

Wow, I was not expecting such a resounding backing of the 996!

Re: Boxster. Not at all turning my nose up at it, we had a 0 option base 987 for 5+ years as a DD (never tracked) that we *loved*. We just traded it in on a 997.2 targa. As much as I'm a fan of that platform, I am leaning toward a 911 this time.

My only emotional attachment is to owning a 993 at some point, but a recognize that's outside my budget as a track car.

Like I said, I don't need to be running at the front of my groups. For now I'm not looking at racing, but HPDE and time trials. Most likely in POC's PDS here in SoCal.

Now to start stalking 996s

Earlierapex

This. I drove a 1990 on track for a couple of years, never had a single problem with anything. Not one. Went to the track, drove like a crazed maniac, came home. Lot's of fun and still quite fast.