Best Low Cost Track Car
#16
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I have no idea of the relative ins and outs of BMW ownership but my guess is that a mid '90s E36 that someone else has builtup with parts as well as suspension/chassis setup would prove vastly more economical than a 951 track car...but that's just me hypothesizing. The one I went in was very well prepped and maintained and it was a ball to drive. Sure I initially missed the lack of boost, but I had enough on my plate with LHD, new track etc... The instruction made it well worthwhile though.
Actually I preferred those larger slot cars with the motor on a 45 degree angle. They were stupidly fast cars if you never saw them.
Actually I preferred those larger slot cars with the motor on a 45 degree angle. They were stupidly fast cars if you never saw them.
#17
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On that note.... James May now holds the world record for longest Scalectrix track at 2.75 miles ![Cool](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/smilies/cool.gif)
http://www.worldamazingrecords.com/2...-slot-car.html
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http://www.worldamazingrecords.com/2...-slot-car.html
#18
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I have no idea of the relative ins and outs of BMW ownership but my guess is that a mid '90s E36 that someone else has builtup with parts as well as suspension/chassis setup would prove vastly more economical than a 951 track car...but that's just me hypothesizing. The one I went in was very well prepped and maintained and it was a ball to drive. Sure I initially missed the lack of boost, but I had enough on my plate with LHD, new track etc... The instruction made it well worthwhile though.
Actually I preferred those larger slot cars with the motor on a 45 degree angle. They were stupidly fast cars if you never saw them.
Actually I preferred those larger slot cars with the motor on a 45 degree angle. They were stupidly fast cars if you never saw them.
Back on topic: My eldest is close to getting their license and I've been entertaining thoughts of getting a Miata or something like that to eventually turn into a track car. I'll be keeping an eye on this thread...
#19
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We need to know more about his budget, and intention.
G
#20
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Guess it's relative George. You're right in asking what's the budget, but I thought a mid 90's BMW were cheap in the US?
#21
Drifting
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The stock 5 speed cars were under 6 second cars stock. I'll admit that my sedan was one of the best handling cars I've ever owned.
You can pick up a 1978 RX7 already setup for the track for 5K here. With a little engine work, these little rotary motors will spin to 12K.
You can also purchase a cart that will hit 60 in 3 seconds and handle better than most anything you have ever driven for under 5K, and get a decent one for 3K. Drove these, and they are a blast. My son wants one, but he is 8. Still training him on a little quad in the dirt.
So, what is the budget here, and what type of racing are you considering?
I've watched the rx7 SCCA races. Looks like a blast.
http://video.google.com/videosearch?...itle&resnum=1#
G
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#26
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It depends a lot on the type of tracking you want to do, what kind of car you like, etc. Maybe engine swaps will be restricted, or maybe you prefer a certain platform e.g. RWD.
Maybe you can ask which cars would make a bad track car? Then eliminate those from your list, and from the rest just pick the one you like most.
I am done putting these watercoolers on the track. I'm so worried about the belts and stuff just driving on the street - I have a conniption on the track. My next track car will be a timing chain car.
Maybe you can ask which cars would make a bad track car? Then eliminate those from your list, and from the rest just pick the one you like most.
I am done putting these watercoolers on the track. I'm so worried about the belts and stuff just driving on the street - I have a conniption on the track. My next track car will be a timing chain car.
#27
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I'm considering the E36 right now - E36 328i will go to 220/230 hp very cheaply, compares with S2 on power/weight.
The US E36 M3 isn't quite the same deal as ROW cars (US didn't get the Euro M3 motor, was only IRO 250hp?). M3 Evo motor (320bhp) is beautiful engine, and would be fantastic in a 944![Smilie](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
Don't know about US pricing - here in the UK, for a decent, stock car
328i - £1-2k
S2 - £3-4k
M3 - £4-5k
944 Turbo - £4-6k
My experience is that turbo cars cost more to run - maybe I've just been unlucky?
The US E36 M3 isn't quite the same deal as ROW cars (US didn't get the Euro M3 motor, was only IRO 250hp?). M3 Evo motor (320bhp) is beautiful engine, and would be fantastic in a 944
![Smilie](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
Don't know about US pricing - here in the UK, for a decent, stock car
328i - £1-2k
S2 - £3-4k
M3 - £4-5k
944 Turbo - £4-6k
My experience is that turbo cars cost more to run - maybe I've just been unlucky?
#28
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We had an n/a 944 turning 1:25:xx at Summit Point this season in 944 Cup. Granted, the driver of the car is also the owner of a Porsche race shop and a very talented driver. Still, you can make those cars pretty fast with enough driver and set-up skill!
#29
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To answer some questions -
"Low Cost" - 5-7k initial investment.
"Purpose" - Primarily DE and other non-wheel to wheel events
"Driver" - Not me, but a friend who has raced shifter karts at a very high level and used to prepare Marco Andretti's shifter karts. - he just wants something cheap he can use to get back into track driving and instructing.
Side note - I've tracked S2's and Turbo's and I think the S2 is a more reliable track car. Having said that, I know of some 951's that have minimal engine mods (chip, exhaust) and LOTS of suspension work that are wicked fast - at a recent DE in Beaverun, a mildly modified 951 was the fastest car at the track, running 1:05's and passing 911 GT3's, Z06's, and Rook 911 turbo 600's.
"Low Cost" - 5-7k initial investment.
"Purpose" - Primarily DE and other non-wheel to wheel events
"Driver" - Not me, but a friend who has raced shifter karts at a very high level and used to prepare Marco Andretti's shifter karts. - he just wants something cheap he can use to get back into track driving and instructing.
Side note - I've tracked S2's and Turbo's and I think the S2 is a more reliable track car. Having said that, I know of some 951's that have minimal engine mods (chip, exhaust) and LOTS of suspension work that are wicked fast - at a recent DE in Beaverun, a mildly modified 951 was the fastest car at the track, running 1:05's and passing 911 GT3's, Z06's, and Rook 911 turbo 600's.
#30
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What no one has spoken about is what is the prevelant racing body in your area and which classes are best represented. I wouldn't want to go through the expense of acquiring a track car and find out the class was not supported locally. Some classes are supported better in some areas than others.
I would suggest the spec boxsters are becoming reasonable.