So, I've owned a Boxster for about 2 years. I love the car. I am a serious National-level autocrosser. I have done about 3 DEs in the past (in Hondas) and made a rule for myself that I will only do another in a car I feel safe in (cage, full harness, HANS).

Since its not practical to muck up an almost new Boxster, I would like to get another car for DE/Road race(future) exclusively. Everything I have read says its better to buy an already prepped car that has a log book. I plan to do that.

I would prefer to get a Porsche so I can enjoy PCE DE events as well as SCCA. My budget does not allow for huge amounts for purchase or maintenance. I don't care much about power. I want something that's a good beginners car and is safe. Speed and winning are not concerns.

I have a tow vehicle and open trailer already.

I am thinking 944 but am open to other ideas. My only requirements are safety and rear wheel drive.

All suggestions and comments welcome.

 

944 NA is the way to go.

Build it to 944 spec and the car can win right out of the box. Driver do need development time.

You could go with a Miata as well, but being a Porsche guy the 944 is great fit. NASA offers a 944 spec class all over the country and that is the great place to race. PCA club racing also offers 944 spec.

I built my 944 for autocross and track in October 2000. I have been racing it since April 2002 and it has been a very nice platform. Reasonable costs (I can't use cheap since no racing is cheap, but the cost is low for any form of racing), great learning car and once your race you still have things to learn, and also relativly maintence free. It does need work from time to time, but again considering a racing car the work needed is not that much once the car is sorted.

 

I would suggest this

https://rennlist.com/forums/racing-a...4-turbo-s.html

You have a PM

 

NA 944 is a great choice.

E36 M3 is another outstanding car if you decide to look at other brands.

 

I would say E36 M3 as well. 944 cup is a good series, but like mentioned before, you could get a spec miata and be more or less the same speed for much cheaper and with better competition.

 

I'd second the spec Miata suggestion. Can't go wrong, and can drive them in almost any PCA DE. Try one if you are in doubt. There are many arrive and drive rentals available.

 

You don't have to have a Porsche to drive PCA events. All M3's are fun. So is a 997 GT3 RSR- which is a pretty good track car.

 

Have a 944 spec, I enjoy it but if you are going to do anything in SCCA and want to stay competitive a 944 will suck in class unless you dump a ton of money into it.

 

I too like the 944's specifically the S2 variant BUT since you are already familiar with the Boxster why not consider the Boxster Spec class (97-99)?
A spec Box is faster than any 944 except for the SuperCup class...

 

If you fit then a Spec Miata would be a very cheap way to get into DEs in a semi safe car. I'm 6'4" so that won't work for me. Also a built Spec 944 will also give you a fun car. I also used to race an '89 Civic but sold it and now have a daily driver like that I still run at track days. With a Honda they are pretty much bulletproof mechanically and parts are very, very cheap compared to European cars - for instance 944 Clutch $500 versus $250 for a Civic). Swap in a low mileage used DOHC VTEC motor (was optional motor in every country but USA) and you have 170 hp in a 2,100 lb car. Quite fun to drive and you can really wring them out in the corners.

 

Around here (Northeast) you do have to have a Porsche to run in DEs. Demand continues to oustrip supply, so it's only open to Porsches in my area. A few instructors at each event might be in another brand, but that's 1 or 2 cars out of 100+. I guess it depends on where you are.

 

If you drive a Spec Pinata in PCA DE you'll get passed an awful lot. On some shorter tracks, like Summit Point and Pocono North you can do ok in a Miata -- at the Glen it would be no fun at all. 944 NA's and most Hondas have the same issue. All great fun to race but slow in DE.

If you're planning to race, thats a different story.

 

944s are starting to get way outgunned in DE. Having other cars to run with in DE is a large % of the fun factor. Not to "win" the DE just to have other cars on track that are about the same speed as you so you have others to drive with. Trying to catch another driver that is slightly faster or to chase a slightly slower car gives you rerason to improve. Grinding gas into noise by yourself makes working to improve more of a task IMO.
The cars are getting faster and the NA 944s are getting left behind. They also seem to have a shorter mean time between failure than some of the other platforms. I would look into a track prepared 911. There are many out there right now.

 

He mentioned budget in his opening post, just not what it is. If in the 10K area he isn't getting a 911 that's in any way track ready, 15K maybe a fairly good stock one, for $20K i've seen a few (what appears to be) track prepped SC's.. While I agree that there are a lot of GT3's zooming around there are still quite a few 944's out there and more coming.. Most importantly don't buy a hacked up car (i.e. an SC with 3.6 transplant) if you ever intend on racing.

 

Gary is right.

It all depends on the budget. The 944 is not fast, but can be run on track for a reasonable budget. 911's are great cars, but do cost more. The 944 may appear to break more often, but repairs are simple and cheaper. Plus it is nearly impossible to do 5k worth fo damage to a 944 NA. You can ge spare junk yard motors for $500 to $1000 and rebuilds for $1000 do it yourself. Wreck the car and even if you write off a caged tub you can still move parts over or part what is left.

Now if you build the car to 944 spec trim level and run it in DE it will not fast in a straight line, but will hold is own in any corner.