abetaque

I would really appreciate some opinions --

Until recently, I owned a 996. I thought it was a great car, but I got the new-car bug and traded it in for an M3. I never had any track experience with the 996 (or any other car). Then, this weekend, I went to a Porsche DE event with my M3. After just one weekend, I'm totally addicted! However - as much as I like my M3 - I would much rather have a true sports car (i.e., a Porsche) for the track. I would never have gotten rid of my 996 if I had *first* tried out tracking it. But what's done is done.

I'm not going to give up my M3, so I can't afford another 996. I have *at most* $35k to spend (would rather spend $25k). I'm thinking maybe a 993 is the answer. I don't know a thing about 993s, so I would really appreciate opinions about whether this is the best car to get at my budget, or would something else be better for me (e.g. a used Boxter S). This car will be a dedicated track car, and I don't want to spend money modifying it. Also, as I don't know much about 993s, please be specific about which 993 would be a good choice (i.e., year, model, etc). Thanks in advance!

Andrew

Mark in Hermosa

Just a small bit of advice: If you have a max of $35k to spend, consider buying an 84-86 3.2. $35k will nearly get you a completely sorted out car (BUY; DON'T BUILD!!!).

My 85 is purely a track car. I went from the 993 platform to the 3.2 platform for the track and absolutely love it. Drive one before you go the 993 route.

$35k for a 993 will get you 1) the car, and 2) a "decent" suspension. That is about it.

Good luck!

CP

Andrew,

I don't do track events, but here's my 2 cents.

Besides the acquisition costs, also consider the maintenance and track-related costs. Older Porsches eat front bearings at tracks. Also, tires/brakes can run you $2,500 per year. While Porsche is an immensely capable track car, it is also $$$ to run. In addition, unless you can find a car with suspension work done already, you will be itchy to up-grade the suspension for track use, and that's another $2,500 to $3k. If $$ is an issue, then you may wish to consider other cars that are less to run on tracks, such as Vettes, or Miatas.

Also consider what type of tracks you run on. Tight tracks favor light cars more (fast corners) and HP less (no much straights to accelerate before braking). Thus a 3,100# 911 might be too much hp (if there's such a thing) but also too much weight for a tight track. If you run big tracks, then the higher hp 911 has the advantage.

Enjoy your DE experiences.

CP

Jeff 993TT

Check out a 944 Turbo S, or similar cars. Those cars can make a lot of power, are cheap to mod and run, and are well balanced cars. There's been a lot of threads about track cars "on a budget" and the 944 Turbo is consistently mentioned/praised/etc.

Martin S.

Mark writes, "Just a small bit of advice: If you have a max of $35k to spend, consider buying an 84-86 3.2. $35k will nearly get you a completely sorted out car (BUY; DON'T BUILD!!!)."

Mark is wise beyond his years. I have seen people dump $100,000 into a car and be happy they could sell it for $35,000.

You can take a stock 993 to the track and have a great time. I have done it...but, the suspension is just not right. The car is too high and you can't crank in enough camber so you will go through tires rather quickly, So, you can fix the suspension...here is what you are looking at if you do it right.

1. PSS 9s or equivalent, $1,800,
2. 993RS sway bars, $1,200,
3. Monoballs front and rear, $1,000
4. Evo uprights and 993RS tie rod ends, $1,200
5. Figure $1,000 to install, align and corner balance the car.

You have just dropped over $6,000....amd your car is 300 Lbs too heavey, now what?

If I had to do it over again, I would get some poor chap's 3.2 Carrera car already tricked out for the track.

Surf the Renn List classifieds, Porsche Owners Club web site, and PCA web site for a race car alrady built....

You will thank Mark and me one of these days!!!

911

Both Martin & Mark are correct, and that goes with ANY race car. It is much easier & less expensive to buy a car that is already set up than to piece your race car from scratch.

Mark in Baltimore

If $30,000 can buy a moderately modified RS America, I would go for one of those. I think they would make a cool track car.

Edward

If one were looking for an eighties-vintage 911 (track car or otherwise), wouldn't the 87-89 be a better choice for its improved clutch/gearbox? Just wondering as this is what I've always read/heard.

Edward

EDIT: Kim, you beat me to it

Greg Fishman

I have been around DE's and Club Racing for about 5 years so I am not an expert but I am far from a spring chicken. The worst thing to do is get a car and stretch your budget so far that you can't do any mechanical repairs (you will need them), or accident repair (it does happen, even in DE's).

IMO the best value in that price range ($35k) is a well sorted 944TurboS and put the $$ difference in a reserve acct. for tires, repairs, etc. They are very quick and have lots of suspension parts available to them, and are relatively easy to drive.

Take a ride in some different cars and see what you like. I personally didn't want an older 911, I wanted something with way more than adequate brakes and a bullet proof transmission/engine. I don't regret building my 993 race car but I could have had just as much fun and spent a ton less for a nice 944.

Greg Fishman

If you are turning it into a track car, forget the RSA. You can basically "make" your own. Buy a 964 C2 and remove a few items and you are there. Not many of the RSA were seam welded (I believe it was early cars that were).

nota_troll

Have you thought about the Lotus Elise (coming to U.S. in May)? 190hp in an 1800lb car!! Toyota power with Lotus engineering.

That's got to be loads of fun.
Lotus Elise

OPTIMO

Spec Miata - you could probably build two or three with your budget. They are a lot of fun to toss around, too.

Although, the Lotus sounds like a viable option.

ed devinney

After my 993 took me to school and I failed the exam, I bought a 944 turbo S to learn how to really drive. I'll get another 993 but the 944 will remain the DE car.

Perhaps more maintenance intensive than a miata or an S2000, but for $15k I think they're very hard to beat. I'm not sure a turbo S is really necessary; it does include the good brakes and some other stuff but these are common upgrades to any 944 turbo. Easy car to drive fast and at my level of experience (PCA Potomac blue group) whether I pass or am passed by a 993 comes down to skill. Passing the 993TT at VIR a couple of weeks ago was probably an exception :-)

Ahem - of course, as a proud member of the HFWM team I try to keep passing to a minimum. But I still recommend the 944 turbo.

Mark in Hermosa

Edward:

The reason I choose the 915 trans (84-86) is the fact that is about 80lbs lighter. It also came with that cool little radiator that keeps things relatively cool.

Lastly, I mentioned the older 911 because I always assume people want to stay with the 911 platform. 944 spec racing looks incredible (and affordable). Go to www.944-spec.com for some good info.

Mark in Baltimore

Wow, that's just silly. Too bad.