Z-man

Man, this is some great info. Thank guys- keep it coming!

Some additional notes:

1. I do trailer my '44 to the track now. I have a decent setup - V8 truck and open trailer. So I would be trailering my new track car. So why streetable? Just in case I wish to take it to work from time to time. Won't substitute for track driving, but still more fun than a pickup. Then again, I would consider a car with a cage, which wouldn't really be street legal...

2. Spec44 -- out of the question -- too old. Main reason I'm looking to upgrade is the nagging issues of a 20 year old car.

3. PorscheDoc & racer - good point regarding budget: While consumables are expensive on a 996GT3, wear and tear items on an old Porsche are almost as pricey. Cracked my enigne head a few years ago -- that was $5k when all was said and done. Needed to replace the clutch - another $3k or so. Suspension upgrade was another $3k to $4k. Water pump, timing belt, cam chain tensioner -- costly to repair on any Porsche! That said, I'm hoping for a budget of around $15k a year -- including 5-6 events, tires, pads...etc. Will most likely have to increase that budget a bit with either the Cayman S or 996 GT3.

4. @Pauolo - keep me informed on your Cayman S -- a few months from now may be too early, but you never know!

5. I am not too concerned about hanging with the bling in the instructor groups. There are alot of very, very talented drivers in my PCA region that would run circles around me no matter what I drive. And in PCA events, I'm typically running the lowest hp car in my group! NASA - a different story. (Sure is fun getting point-bys from Mustang Cobras, Vettes, and even a 997TT! ) Having driven a low hp car, and running with terrific talent has allowed me to be out there with a humble attitude.

6. @Pete: 996 GT3's at reasonable prices? Where? I guess I may need to expand my search area. Road trip!

7. @IcemanG17 - regarding not tracking a car you aren't willing to leave at the track. Yep - I believe in that mantra as well, which is why the Cayman S seems to be a better idea from that perspective. It would still hurt the wallet, but not as much as shunting a GT3. Never had any contact with my 944, though part of that is dump luck, and part of that is that I don't push to 10/10ths.

8. Vette: My understanding is that it is lacking in braking. And that seems to be it in terms of flaws. (Except for Mrs. Z-man's stipulation!) Still - I should look at those closer.

9. Spec Miata -- while I have considered that, at 6'2" and over 230lbs, I'm a big boy -- and I've had troubles fitting into stock Miatas. Probably enough room if it is stripped...and they are dirt cheap to run.

Thanks,
-Z-man.

J richard

Last weekend I did my first 944 spec after time off since nationals getting a new motor together... It was a BLAST... If you are interested in racing and used to the platform 944spec is a no brainer...close W2W is hard to beat... If on the other hand you want a fast tt or de car a gt3 is a great car. Another option is a prepped C2 or RSA... But I will say there is nothing like a factory racecar, and with the prep costs of the gt3 you can get into an early 996cup, or a 964cup...it's all whatever turns your crank...

SG_M3

Or this
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum....php?t=1473511

Setup to win, holds multiple track records, its ready to go as is.

multi21

Z-man,

RE: the prices on 6-GT3s. There have been some on RL for $45k. On a 6-GT3 you have to be prepared to do a national search and go anywhere in the US for your car. PM Mooty, he is the sanctioned RL broker/crack dealer when it comes to these cars.

Veloce Raptor

^^^ Helluva car, I can attest ^^^

Carrera51

Look at the M3 referenced about. Then check out the lap times from the February NASA event at VIR in GTS2 and GTS3. They are sub 2:11 cars.

utkinpol

interesting enough no one mentioned new gt350 mustang shelby cars, from what I heard they are fairly competitive in their class.

ps. one can see from here what is competitive now: http://www.scca.com/newsarticle.aspx?hub=3&news=3984

shelby takes F Stock, F Stock L and C prep. 996 gt3 takes super stock.

va122

E36 M3's are IP not JP. I had one

Veloce Raptor

Not always. Depends on the motor.

va122

Huh. The 95 maybe. Mine was IP

Mark Dreyer

If you can live with less speed on the straights get a mid engine Porsche. You might actually enjoy having to lift for the GT3's in the twisties (certain GT3 drivers excepted of course). LOL

Veloce Raptor

Nah, Sean has a 2.8 in his, IIRC...hence JP

Crazy Canuck

Listen to Mooty.

6 GT3 all the way.

mglobe

Ok, might be a little pricey, and it might not perform like a GT3, but so what...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/09-DB...ht_40585wt_752

TrackDays247.com

996 GT3. Can be had for a song.