wxq99

Hi:

I am new to this community but have found a lot of useful information here. My beloved E92 M3 track car quit working recently and I feel that I should invest a bit more for a factory spec race car. The car will be for HPDE track event use, no competition, currently I track the car for about 15-20 day every year and I am capable for doing all kinds of oil / brake changes and easy repairs, I also plan to keep use car for 4-6 days, maybe longer. My initial purchase budget is around $200K and my concerns are below :

1) Relatively low running cost, no need for engine and gearbox rebuild;
2) More reliable as I prefer less down time;
3) Car can run without need for expensive factory track side support;
4) Parts are available without long wait;
5) Easy to maintain and repair.

After some research, I have locked down to the following options:

1), New 718 Cayman GT4 clubsport: I have heard a lot of good things about this one, but feel it maybe a bit underpowered if not for spec car racing. It may not have enough power after 1-2 years as my skill develops.
2), Used but recently refreshed 911 GT3 Cup: Enough power, good platform but I concern the long time running reliability since it is used.
3), New McLaren 570S GT4: More advanced platform and most powerful GT4 cup car (ECU can be flashed to remove spec power restriction). Not sure if this car can run without McLaren track side support, also concern about long time running cost.
4), Buy a 911 GT3/RS with a long warranty remaining, do a simply preparation, then track it hard, sell it after warranty has expired.


Would love to hear you guys' suggestion. Thank you!

DarrellT

I have not heard anyone say that they have ever had enough power in a track car. Ever.

Remember, you want three things in a track car. Fast, Reliable, and Cheap. You can only have 2.

The Cayman Clubsport, both platforms, meet many of your screens. They don't require the same refresh rate on components, and they are not as fussy as other factory race cars.

The need for trackside support is relative, depending on your skill set and your desires. You do not need a shop to help you with a Cup Car if you have the right background, tools, and spend the effort. It is much easier to run with a shop to support you and you only have to concentrate on two things. Driving the car and paying the bills.

I loved my 996 Cup and now my 997.2. Isringhausen has a great deal on a 997.1 cup right now for a lower price of entry. (no relationship - just know that they have this and are good people)
https://www.isringhausenporsche.com/...f9284fcda6.htm
The per hour running cost of any Cup prior to the 991.2 is significant. The Cayman is way less. The Street GT3 is lower, but you don't have the safety gear integrated.

I would go with a Porsche - reliability is a known quantity. Pick your favorite!

38D

A GT4 Clubsport is plenty fast; it’s a sub 2 minute car at Watkins Glen. Unless you are going to race in a pro-am series, buy a used one. There’s a nice 981 CS MR for sale (no affiliation) for 137k in the Clubsport section.

A similar speed car is a 996 cup. Nice ones are in the 60s. The engines and gearbox are incredibly robust and can go many many hours without needing anything. Once you get into the sequential cars, the cost rises dramatically.

The big advantage of the Clubsport is it’s easier to drive and less physically demanding than even the 6cup. Get one with AC!

DarrellT

I would agree with those comments on the Clubsport - super fun, easier to drive, and comfortable. The 996 cup is a blast - very visceral. plenty for sale if you go searching. The 996 cup is no harder to deal with than a street GT3 and way less fussy.

RobT 394

Selling a really nice 997.2 Cup that is headed for BaT soon. Had to pull all other adds. PM if interested. Clean and reliable car.

Steve113

3rd for 996 Cup but I am totally bias - pure drivers race car very rewarding and very underrated

Entry money not an issue the 991.2 there should be a bunch for sale as the 992 Cups are delivered

wxq99

Thank you for the suggestion. I used to own a 996 generation RUF back to 2000s but that was before I started my motorsport hobby. Are we saying that generation is still some of the best on the track?

wxq99

Just saw an interesting car:

https://www.teambgb.com/Articles.asp?ID=264

Is this kind of shop built have an actual lower running cost compared to clubsport?

Ed@Demonspeed

It will give you the greatest track experience for the money. The cars are raw, exciting, and fast. They have an H pattern shifter, so much less expense when a trans rebuild is needed.

The advantage of something like a box stock (or close to it) cup is that it is the way the factory built it, not an individual builder, so there are a lot more people who know the cars.

A bonus is that they will appreciate in value over time as all Porsche factory race cars have.

Thanks

Ed

zracer196

Maybe not a bad option either....Brand new $120K all in. 450 HP for $25K more is a waste...You can easily tune it to street car specs for much less...Factory race car, cool interior / electronics / etc.

I know...Not a Porsche...LOL!

https://www.bmw-motorsport.com/en/to...cs-racing.html

MarcD147

If you do DE getting a 718/981 club sport enables you to be the fastest in your run group unless a racer shows up with a Gtb1, club sport or cup car

I drove a 981 gt4 streetcar in DE on street tires and was held up by corvettes and enjoyed chasing down gt3s

Get a club sport and have fun; anything faster will be annoying in a DE with limited passing in corners. You will just drive from point by to point by

tcsracing1

I have the car for you.
the fastest 2019 718 GT4 Cayman in the country.

don’t waste your time looking at anything else in your price point.

For doing 20 track days a year the clubsport will perform and progress you forward. No fooling around with engine or tranny rebuilds.

Forget Cup. anything with a sequential is going to cost you service. Forget street car. For 20 days of track you will be better off with roll cage clubsport for safety and resale. Nobody wants a beat on RS especially when you are done hauling it out of a tire wall.

996AE

As a life long P car guy I switched to a Ford Mustang for track work.

Ford racing crate motor is10k with 500 RWHP and 24 month factory warranty. Its a beautiful thing. Rebuilding my P car engine was painful.

38D

that type of car will only depreciate. It’s built by a good shop, but it will never fit into a race class and always have a more limited appeal. Factory cars definitely hold their value better.

Real wisdom here. There is such as thing as “too fast for DE”. A Clubsport (or 996 cup) will be fast enough that you can with most anything, but not so fast as to be annoying.

wxq99

That's very true! Thank you for reminding me.

That's one of the reason I am considering factory built race car. Another reason is because I am tired of all kinds of modifications, I just want something ready to enjoy now.



It looks like the any CUP car with sequential (high running cost) and road car (no full cage) are really off the table now. So I will be looking between 996 CUP and 981/718 clubsport. A bit surprised that not even one mentioned McLaren but I think I know the reason. There is one 570 GT4 for sell at $190K at McLaren Houston. It is very good price for a brand new factory built McLaren race car but I am wondering if I will be in the rabbit hole if I get this one:

https://www.mclarenhouston.com/new-H...13CAT6HW007640