pmgoodwin

My son is in need of a new car. He is 17 and had wanted something for drifting. I solved that by taking him over to Driveway Austin and letting Bill Dolahite take him out in my 997. Now drifting is out and he wants to learn how to drive and do DEs with me (but dad still doesn't know anything).

So what kind of car to get him? The obvious choice is a miata. but he says that is a chick car and wouldn't be caught dead in it. He said the same thing about a boxster. Did I mention he was 17? I'm not springing for a 911 but was thinking about a 928. Some great deals out there on 928s. He was thinking of an S2000(boxster a chick car but the S2000 isn't).

Last night he asked about a 944. Less HP (and torque) than a 928 but more money.

Any comments and suggestions would be appreciated. Oh, and a car that would **** off my ex-wife would be a plus

944CS

in the long run a 928 will cost more to maintain than a 944

what is the budget he has to work with?

Leigh2

How about an E30 BMW? (ie: 1988 325is) They make pretty good track/street cars and are pretty reliable and economical.

Veloce Raptor

Viper.

Go big or go home.





Professional Racing and Driving Coach

SMR996

I support the E30 or Even an E36 BMW.... lots of aftermarket parts available and the cars can be had for fairly cheap.....

MJR911

Paul,
Let him do a intro group DE or two in your car first. I went all the way through the DE program in my Dad's 911 racecar (with hoosiers) and was fine. As long as he has good instructors and a decent head on his shoulders.

I had a similar opinion to your son's, but once I did some DEs I was truly humbled and opinions changed. I couple years later, I bought my own spec miata and haven't looked back.

Larry Herman

My 21 year old started DEs at 18 in a Subaru WRX, which has proven to be a solid, reliable and fun to drive car. The only down-side is that it is a little weak in the brakes department.

MJR911

Sorry, for the daily driver thing... 944, E30 BMW, mini cooper are all good.

secretsquirell

The S2000 is a great car. My dad has one (late life crisis as opposed to mid life crisis). If I was not such a porsche biggot then I'd get one. Superior, imo, to miata, boxster. If he's truly wanting a porsche, then go for a 944, they are much cheaper to fix than a 911, and generally many are available at any given time.

I just had the opportunity to run with the BMW club, instructing 2 guys in E30's. They seem like good vehicles as well, but given that BMW guys seem to think they are collectible classics (i don't know enough to pass judgement here) it might be a bit more than a 944.

Cory M

of course it depends on budget, there are a lot of used lotus Elises for sale now that would be fun, WRX is a good practical car that is still fun to drive (I have one), Boxsters can be found under $10k and there is plenty of aftermarket support (one drive on track will change the chick-car mentality), Evo's could also be a good choice (maybe too much power for a first track car if modded?), BMW E36's are very popular and pretty cheap, Honda S2000...

Potomac-Greg

944 may be 16 more than 928, if my math is correct; but that's the only way that a 944 is more than a 928!

If the objection to the Miata is the "chick car" status, then you can get equivalent performance with greater machismo in a 944 non-turbo. If you shop carefully, you can get a nice one for $4,000 or less. A little suspension work, and you have a great DE car. The 928 will be much more expensive to own, especially to keep it up to DE specs.

secretsquirell

could always drop a chevy motor into the 928. I've seen a few

Giacomo

If you want to stick with Porsche, I would suggest a 944S2. Lots are available under $10K and they have enough power to keep things interesting on the track. It is also a great platform to build up a track car without the turbo issues. A 968 is also nice but a little more expensive and parts are scarcer/pricier.

Potomac-Greg

Or a 944 (although you would need 951 drivetrain).

But we're talking about a 17 year old son. Slow is good for learning!

dp35

Had the same debate on another forum, and the Miata made the most sense, especially if the kid's paying for it himself. That's the only car that is cheap enough for a kid to afford tracking it, and can even move up to racing with it. Spec Miatas look a lot better than stock, but at that price point its really hard to impress the ladies regardless.

Otherwise an S2000 is great too, but a lot more expensive than a Miata.

IMO front or all wheel drive cars are not good for learning.