G12R

Looking for some ideas or feedback from the Porsche community. I currently drive a current gen Audi TTRS for HPDE. No powertrain mods, but suspension and brakes. Pretty much only track driven at this point. The car is quick and I’m able to keep up with most cars save GT cars and their peers. It’s a DSG car (similar to, but not as good as PDK), which triggers my three-pedal friends. I have 3 years of track experience and drive in the groups one down from Instructor/Advanced.

As I look ahead, I’m thinking I’d like to transition to something RWD or at least rear-biased on track, and I’d like something with three pedals so I can build those skills as well.

I also think that where I’ll end up for a track car is a GT3. I’m not experienced enough platform-wise or overall to go straight to GT3, so I’m researching what kind of 911 would be a good transitional car.

I was thinking some sort of a quick and sorted track modified 911 to drive for a couple years, but nothing too pristine. Almost a great track beater 911 if such a thing exists—since this isn’t a forever car and I want to learn on it, I don’t want to break the bank. I like to modify my cars, so I suspect that will happen here too. Someone locally has a 997 C2S with a modified engine and Ohlins that started me thinking… what if I could find a good track 911 to learn on, what would be the sweet spots?

I’m curious what types people would suggest or other things to look for. I don’t think I want to do a Cayman of some sort—while fun track cars, I think rear-engine is the right progression for what I envision doing.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Frank 993 C4S

The newer water cooled 911s are pretty heavy cars. Maybe think about an older air cooled 911 without nannies if it's supposed to be a learning experience. You didn't mention budget.

SkeerRacing

Old and narrowbody. Learn the characteristics on a car that yells at you if you're doing it right or wrong. Compared to newer heavier cars that hide and mask so many driver input mistakes.

ProCoach

No wonder I’m deaf!

G12R

Depends on how capable, but I had $40-60K in my head, w/ likelihood of doing $10-20K of work after, potentially caging it. Not hard numbers, but my current track car is probably $85K all-in.

Quadcammer

997.2 base model. Quick, not too heavy, nannies can be turned off and no crappy m97

GT3DE

Pre 1989 911
Low hp, no power anything, no abs, no computer help.
You'll learn to drive.

CT_Peter

For a dedicated track car, add Cayman to your list. You could pick up a good condition one, spend your money on track prep, and have a car that would be great fun on the track.

I know it’s mid vs rear engined, but it should behave differently enough from your TT that you’ll have a lot to learn.

As kind of “that manual transmission DB snob guy”, IMO for dedicated track car, it would be hard to turn away from PDK. I drive my car much more on the street and love a real MT, but do frequently wish I had a PDK for track purposes as it just allows for shifts that would otherwise disrupt the car with a MT. That said, the world needs more people driving proper MTs, so I hope you end up there too.

Good luck on the search.

Mike in Chi

Get a Spec Miata.

It will teach you to carry momentum better than any 911.

Once you're quick in that, you'll be an excellent driver and ready for anything, rear engined or not.

My dos centavos...

Mike in Chi

David993S

+1, except G12R wanted a 911 as a learning platform. Still, if one wants to really learn car control in a platform without lots of nannys, a Spec Miata (momentum car) is a smart way to go, or even a Miata with some mods but still street legal. Inexpensive to maintain and if it gets totaled you haven't lost a fortune.

But if you're set on a 911, I'd second Quadcam's recommendation of a 997.2.

Gary R.

I agree 100% with this, if you want to really learn how a rear engine car responds to input nothing beats a pre 89 911. Get fast in that and the rest is gravy.. Your budget will get you a fully prepped race car with logbook if you shop carefully.

Gary R.

It's Mis dos centavos Mike... Policía gramatical de españa

Mike in Chi

Si Gary

Grassyass!

Nickshu

I bought a 996 GT3 for the exact reasons you want a 911. It's the last analog 911, not too heavy, has no PSM and no PASM, and has a bulletproof engine and driveline. By modern standards it's a somewhat difficult car to drive fast, and that's why I wanted it. It has taught me a lot already, and I am still learning.