stujelly

I love this forum and I enjoy reading all kinds of posts. I have learned so much about my car from here and the members.

Now I am now looking to take the plunge and buy my son a track car. He is 18 and has been carting and doing some private track engagements so he will be ready by christmas.

Been doing some research but I am at a loss on what to consider. I was lucky, went from Shelby mustang right into gt2, then to the gt3rs. He doesn't have dads budget.

Thoughts or comments are appreciated.

Trailer to the track. Yes
Dedicated track use. Yes
Porsche, preferable but not a deal breaker
Slower than dads car. Hell yes

Thanks guys

SSTHO

996.2 GT3?

This car got me to be a better driver than I think I've ever been. A true driver's car. He can really grow into it as well.

If on a tight budget, maybe Miata (certainly slower than you) or S2000 (love the gearbox).

senna

E36 M3, easy to drive and handles really well. And it is cheap, really cheap.

NJ-GT

2006 2.7 Cayman. $22k or something around this. Not as old as a E36/E46 M3 that break all sort of stuff. Can be daily driven. Put on street DOT-R tires (NT01) save trailer money, save on dedicated track car money. Add rollbar, Sparco/Recaro seats and harnesses for less than $3k. Cheap brake pads, $25 brake ducts. Used wheels are cheap.

TRAKCAR

One the cars for sale marketplace area of the forum are some cheaper 964's with the RS steering rack. I don't know much about them but cheap, Porsche, light, not too much power and a lot of fun to wring out I think. Add full cage and good race seat for max safety.

DJN

A 1987 to 89 Porsche 911 Coupe 3.2L - is a great first track car. Affordable, handles well stock, decent power, easy to fix, has the smoother G50 trans, and has no ABS brakes.

It will be a nice step up from karts and on to the track with dad. I had an 87, it was my first track car it taught me all I needed to know and a heck of a lot more.

Feel free to PM for more details.

Cheers!
Doug N.
National PCA Instructor

onelove

I would say Spec Miata or Boxster. Eventually he'll want to get into racing, and it's always nice to be able to step into that using the same car you learned to drive.

NorthVan

I would find a sorted 911 track car that someone is moving on from. No nannies, light weight, and fun to drive.

TRAKCAR

Like this maybe?

https://rennlist.com/forums/showthre...ferrerid=59610

NorthVan

Not a bad start, but perhaps more track less street oriented.

I like the 964, lots of potential...when the brakes are properly set up.

RSRanger

I'm in the same situation. My oldest son (17y/o) also great in Go-Karts is ready.
His gift is an early 996 Carrera. IMO great as a DD and car for DE track events.
Make the proper small mods for safety, tires, maybe brakes and a good instructor and he's ready.
He has seen my projects and there are expectations but what he gets must be earned.
I have 3 sons (17, 15 and 13) and am in trouble.

Ranger (Sua Sponte)

Polarporsche

I just went through this with my 16 YO son, I purchased a 1991 944 S2 in great shape and it's an awesome starter track car.

My son has done 3 time attacks and 3 AX so far this year, he starting to get consistence times and a little smoother each time about. A good car to learn the basis.

He did how ever cost me a few $$$ after he missed a shift and trashed the clutch, DE & AX is not cheap even at the entry level.

mooty

that's why he has a dad...
make yourself useful!!!

well, not the best starter car but if you must 996gt3
cayman is not bad
spec boxster is nice, but slow if you are not racing.bmw e36m3 is well developmed by the aftermkt now.

my kids should just learn to sell lemonade on track and BBQ for daddy. buying them trackcars would cut into my fun budget too much.

miata not bad.
BRZ will be the next miata, but no aftermkt stuff for it.

z06 is nice.

996FLT6

S2000. Mike

C.J. Ichiban

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)