Which lowest maintenance Porsche to track
#1
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Which lowest maintenance Porsche to track
I am presently tracking my 996TT . It gives me all the pleasure I need but I am concerned about tracking such an expensive car. It's clear to me that one day or the other I will dammage it ( hope not my self ). The cost of a medium repair could surely buy a second car !
I am considering a car solely for track days, not for racingand keep my TT for travelling and special track occasioins.
Which do you think would be the Porsche that would require less maintenance costs, and carry a low (if this exists) repair cost ?
I am considering a car solely for track days, not for racingand keep my TT for travelling and special track occasioins.
Which do you think would be the Porsche that would require less maintenance costs, and carry a low (if this exists) repair cost ?
#2
Nordschleife Master
In generally, the slower the car, the less costly it is. So a stock-ish 914 is about the cheapest Pcar you can track. I've attached a cost to track spreadsheet that some friends & I have been using that might help in your decision.
Last edited by 38D; 12-28-2012 at 06:27 PM.
#4
Nordschleife Master
Originally Posted by smokey
Pesky, unless I missed something, you missed the most cost-effective track car of all - the 944 Turbo. You get 996 performance for 25% of the intial cost.
#5
Rennlist
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Yeah, and I can promise you that the maintenance costs are quite high on a 951; we have one. Looks like you have a lot of time on your hands, Colin. Great job with the spreadsheet. BTW my vote is for a stock 3.2 Carrera, with the G50 trans. They run forever, rarely need anything more than routine maintenance, and except for an appetite for brake pads (which are cheap) give you a lot of fun for your buck. But you can't beat a 914 for cheap. I tracked my 2 liter for 6 years, and once I went to 911S brakes, only had to change the brakes and tires at the beginning of each season.
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Larry Herman
2016 Ford Transit Connect Titanium LWB
2018 Tesla Model 3 - Electricity can be fun!
Retired Club Racer & National PCA Instructor
Past Flames:
1994 RS America Club Racer
2004 GT3 Track Car
1984 911 Carrera Club Racer
1974 914/4 2.0 Track Car
CLICK HERE to see some of my ancient racing videos.
Larry Herman
2016 Ford Transit Connect Titanium LWB
2018 Tesla Model 3 - Electricity can be fun!
Retired Club Racer & National PCA Instructor
Past Flames:
1994 RS America Club Racer
2004 GT3 Track Car
1984 911 Carrera Club Racer
1974 914/4 2.0 Track Car
CLICK HERE to see some of my ancient racing videos.
#6
Nordschleife Master
Originally Posted by Larry Herman
Looks like you have a lot of time on your hands, Colin. Great job with the spreadsheet.
Originally Posted by Larry Herman
BTW my vote is for a stock 3.2 Carrera, with the G50 trans.
Originally Posted by Larry Herman
But you can't beat a 914 for cheap. I tracked my 2 liter for 6 years, and once I went to 911S brakes, only had to change the brakes and tires at the beginning of each season.
#7
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Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
I'll match your 2.0L and raise you 500lbs - the 924 is even cheaper yet! All that great VW technology is great for keeping costs down... and it's just as much fun on track!
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#8
Race Director
I believe the 944 8-valve non-turbo is perhaps the most cost-effective Porsche to track. As long as you keep up with regular maintenance, the engine is bulletproof, and the handling is very balanced.
You may not have the hp of the more modern Porsches (or the 944 turbo), but that's what the corners are for!
944 vs. 914: A BIG difference between these two is that the 914 was pre-galvanized steel, and the 944 was post. Rust is no issue on the 944, but can be a major issue with the 914.
These days, a decent 944 n/a can be had for less than $5000.00. They can run in stock form, but for another $3k, you can have a turbo cup suspension installed, which may be a little overkill.
And the real beauty of the 944 is that if you do shunt it into a wall, with the price you pay, it doesn't hurt the wallet so bad! They are considered to be the 'disposable' track car.
Just my $0.42,
-Z-man.
You may not have the hp of the more modern Porsches (or the 944 turbo), but that's what the corners are for!
944 vs. 914: A BIG difference between these two is that the 914 was pre-galvanized steel, and the 944 was post. Rust is no issue on the 944, but can be a major issue with the 914.
These days, a decent 944 n/a can be had for less than $5000.00. They can run in stock form, but for another $3k, you can have a turbo cup suspension installed, which may be a little overkill.
And the real beauty of the 944 is that if you do shunt it into a wall, with the price you pay, it doesn't hurt the wallet so bad! They are considered to be the 'disposable' track car.
Just my $0.42,
-Z-man.
#9
I will second the 3.2 Carrera with G50. All I have done as far as maintenance is oil changes and alignments for the past two years of Club Racing, no DNF's, plus 1k incured in damage from spinning in someone's oil. With 80k on the clock the motor has never been opened and still puts 219hp out to the wheels. Fantastic car!! The doors still shut like it was made to go into space.
Cheers, James
Cheers, James
#10
Burning Brakes
A fully set up 944 race car with cage, suspension, A-Arms, etc. can be had in the area of $7-9k. The only maintenance it will need is a timing belt and a water pump every couple of years. The cars are readily available.
Better yet, if anything major happens, motors can be had for less than a grand, and transmissions for $500.
They might be slower in a straight line, but they are on a rail through the corners
Better yet, if anything major happens, motors can be had for less than a grand, and transmissions for $500.
They might be slower in a straight line, but they are on a rail through the corners
#12
Originally Posted by Rich Sandor
I beg to differ!
Mark
#14
Race Director
As a 944S2 owner who tracks his car and maintains it religiously, I too know the cost of tracking a non- 8 valve n/a 944.
They say the maintenance costs of a 944S2 are similar to the costs of a 951. (16 valve head vs. turbo).
Last fall, I spent $5500.00 on replacing my cracked head and getting everything in proper working order. That's back to square one - no performance mods, no extra power, no agressive cams - NOTHING. The car pulls just as strong as it did before the crack.
On a good day, my car's worth about $8000.00. For $5500.00, I could have gotten a decent 944 8-valver.
That's why I know....
-Z-man.
They say the maintenance costs of a 944S2 are similar to the costs of a 951. (16 valve head vs. turbo).
Last fall, I spent $5500.00 on replacing my cracked head and getting everything in proper working order. That's back to square one - no performance mods, no extra power, no agressive cams - NOTHING. The car pulls just as strong as it did before the crack.
On a good day, my car's worth about $8000.00. For $5500.00, I could have gotten a decent 944 8-valver.
That's why I know....
-Z-man.
#15
Nordschleife Master
Originally Posted by Z-man
I believe the 944 8-valve non-turbo is perhaps the most cost-effective Porsche to track. As long as you keep up with regular maintenance, the engine is bulletproof, and the handling is very balanced.
You may not have the hp of the more modern Porsches (or the 944 turbo), but that's what the corners are for!
944 vs. 914: A BIG difference between these two is that the 914 was pre-galvanized steel, and the 944 was post. Rust is no issue on the 944, but can be a major issue with the 914.
These days, a decent 944 n/a can be had for less than $5000.00. They can run in stock form, but for another $3k, you can have a turbo cup suspension installed, which may be a little overkill.
And the real beauty of the 944 is that if you do shunt it into a wall, with the price you pay, it doesn't hurt the wallet so bad! They are considered to be the 'disposable' track car.
Just my $0.42,
-Z-man.
You may not have the hp of the more modern Porsches (or the 944 turbo), but that's what the corners are for!
944 vs. 914: A BIG difference between these two is that the 914 was pre-galvanized steel, and the 944 was post. Rust is no issue on the 944, but can be a major issue with the 914.
These days, a decent 944 n/a can be had for less than $5000.00. They can run in stock form, but for another $3k, you can have a turbo cup suspension installed, which may be a little overkill.
And the real beauty of the 944 is that if you do shunt it into a wall, with the price you pay, it doesn't hurt the wallet so bad! They are considered to be the 'disposable' track car.
Just my $0.42,
-Z-man.
Bang for the buck, the 924/944/951 and Carerra are all great, but a stock 914 is absurdly cheap.