Beginner Track Car, not for me
06-19-2012, 08:45 AM
#16
Nordschleife Master
06-19-2012, 09:23 AM
#17
Drifting
06-19-2012, 09:34 AM
#18
Drifting
Last year I put my 22 year old rookie driver (see avatar) in a 1977 911 that I bought from another DE guy after he upgraded his car. He was the second person to start out DE in this car. The car came with 2 sets track wheels, rollbar, race seats, harnesses, removable steering wheel. Engine is a totally stock 3.6 (from a 964). We rebuilt the engine last April. It has aftermarket front radiator for extra cooling. Car already had some suspension parts for a track setup. I was all in for around $23k including new engine. She has done about 40 track days in it. She has also crashed it twice. I have fixed it twice - not very expensive on this older car (as compared to fixing one of my GT3's if she had crashed one of those). She has moved from beginner/instructed now to intermediate/solo. She has a blast in the old car - no power steering nor abs - so she has to work the car (feel it). In her intermediate run groups she is catching everyone in the turns now. Expect her to move to Advanced group by end of summer. FWIW - she is going on mancation with us in July and will be driving one of the GT3's. So we are likely going to sell this car soon...
FYI - the avatar picture is after her crash at Summit Point last summer - we had the car fixed fast and in less than 2 weeks she was back running it at VIR.
FYI #2 - the car has steel 930-style fenders and a big fiberglass trunk lid/wing and fiberglass front spoiler.
FYI #3 - when we bought the car I got 2 sets Toyo RA1 and 2 sets Hooiser R6. So far we have yet to wear out either the first set of RA1 or the first set of R6. We have a new set of both the RA1 and the R6 in my basement. The car is light that the tires last forever (wish that were the case on my GT3's)
FYI - the avatar picture is after her crash at Summit Point last summer - we had the car fixed fast and in less than 2 weeks she was back running it at VIR.
FYI #2 - the car has steel 930-style fenders and a big fiberglass trunk lid/wing and fiberglass front spoiler.
FYI #3 - when we bought the car I got 2 sets Toyo RA1 and 2 sets Hooiser R6. So far we have yet to wear out either the first set of RA1 or the first set of R6. We have a new set of both the RA1 and the R6 in my basement. The car is light that the tires last forever (wish that were the case on my GT3's)
06-19-2012, 09:39 AM
#19
Rennlist Member
Clarke, isn't that kinda like the 964 listed? I figured something similar that get's you the fun pure old 911 dynamics and yet not too expensive. Wouldn't the 964 be a bit newer and more dependable?
I don't know much about the old aircooled ones, just wondering if you think the older ones are cheaper to run?
I don't know much about the old aircooled ones, just wondering if you think the older ones are cheaper to run?
06-19-2012, 09:49 AM
#21
Rennlist Member
mazda mx5 cup car. welded in roll cage and fire system- SAFETY FIRST. less than 200hp. modern, tunable suspension set up. data system. crate engine $3500-4000. run it on kumho track tires (less than a grand a set when I was first driving, not sure what they cost now)- and it's eligible for all sorts of races.
it's not a porsche but is capable of running similar track times to a GT3RS. and it's safer than anything else you can buy for the same price.
do not get him something rusty and antiquated. I can't believe people are suggesting a 996 GT3. he's 18.
it's your money and you can do what you want- but I think he would need to prove and earn his way into anything above 200hp. 300-400? haha. his first mistake (if he's a kart driver he's probably going to be really aggressive) in a 300-400hp car without a roll cage could cost you a lot more than just a new fender (hospital bills etc)
it's not a porsche but is capable of running similar track times to a GT3RS. and it's safer than anything else you can buy for the same price.
do not get him something rusty and antiquated. I can't believe people are suggesting a 996 GT3. he's 18.
it's your money and you can do what you want- but I think he would need to prove and earn his way into anything above 200hp. 300-400? haha. his first mistake (if he's a kart driver he's probably going to be really aggressive) in a 300-400hp car without a roll cage could cost you a lot more than just a new fender (hospital bills etc)
06-19-2012, 09:58 AM
#23
Drifting
Clarke, isn't that kinda like the 964 listed? I figured something similar that get's you the fun pure old 911 dynamics and yet not too expensive. Wouldn't the 964 be a bit newer and more dependable?
I don't know much about the old aircooled ones, just wondering if you think the older ones are cheaper to run?
I don't know much about the old aircooled ones, just wondering if you think the older ones are cheaper to run?
these are VERY VERY VERY cheap to run. tires last forever, brakes last forever. we never had a breakdown at the track (not counting the crashes).
06-19-2012, 10:13 AM
#25
Drifting
being a Porsche guy I had to start my rookie in a 911. There is no other track car for me. The thought of a 944 or Miata made me sick to my stomach thinking I would actually own one of those awful cars. ONLY 911.
06-19-2012, 10:17 AM
#26
I don't know about that Clarke - there are former Grand Am drivers racing in the SCCASPEC Miata series because the competition is so fierce and the pack stays so tight.
I give more credit to the spec Miata or spec 944 Racer than I do to us doing DE in our GT3's
I give more credit to the spec Miata or spec 944 Racer than I do to us doing DE in our GT3's
06-19-2012, 10:30 AM
#27
Rennlist Member
S2000 are great Autox cars but not so good track cars. Way to twitchy and prone to snap oversteer. I have seen more than my share in the tires at DE's. Spec Miata if racing is in the future and when you move on easy to sell for what you paid has a large field of buyers. Other option if going racing is Spec Racer Ford cheap fun and hold resale value. Of course since this is a Porsche forum with uber $$$ cars the above don't fit the bill probably. 
I am partial to E36/E46 M3's as an E46M3 was my 1st and now have an E36M3 as a TT car. Chris Harris calls the E36M3 Ring Warriors
Peter
I am partial to E36/E46 M3's as an E46M3 was my 1st and now have an E36M3 as a TT car. Chris Harris calls the E36M3 Ring Warriors
Peter
06-19-2012, 11:14 AM
#28
Racer
Join Date: Oct 2003
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Best advices given so far: E36M3/S2000/MX5 Mazda: all great fun to drive, low budget (relatively), and you can find some already fully set up for track work at low prices!
06-19-2012, 01:00 PM
#30
Burning Brakes
Join Date: Oct 2005
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I had both the E36 and the S2000. The E36 is the most fun car to drive. It easy too and very cheap. Now, Clarke's old 911 sounds appealing too. I still think the E36 for a kid is more than enought. Make him learn and fix his own sh$t too. For what is worth he will learn the car that way as well.