TrackDays247.com

Or 3.

va122

Oh, that makes sense. Thx

SG_M3

Thanks Dave.

In JP trim I did a low 2:08 my first time to VIR, 1:38's at Mid-Ohio, and 1:36 at Road Atlanta.

And it beats most IP cars that show up.

Usually yes, but as VR said. My car uses a 2.8(m52) to run in JP/GTS2. It used to have a 3.2 in it and made mid 270 rwhp with all the same parts.

You'd hope I knew how to class my own car

racer

Z, this will never be a cheap hobby or sport and knowing how to wrench on ANY car is where the money savings and "makes it affordable" come into play. Shops will only charge more (an in NNJ, I imagine they are currently $100-150/hour?)

While your 944 is now "old", by the time you buy a GT3, it will be at least 10 years old and getting older.. which means you will have the same relative issues of age. Failed clutches, potential coolant issues and other items that may only know be making themselves known.

I admit you've had some big ticket items fail on the 944.. but they should be good for another 5+ years before needing more attention (exception perhaps is the TB/WP/Belts).

And while your 944 is "old" look at how many OLDER porsche's are still running at DE and CLub race events. AIR COOLED 911s are, imho, the most reliable track car you could ever have.

I am not a fan of the M96 motored cars (from a reliability concern), but their price point is SOO appealing. Finding a used Spec Boxster (and if not racing, then heck, throw in a Boxster S or 996 motor) and take your chances. Even a blown motor wouldn't bust your potential $15K/year budget.

tdf360

C6 Z06 is hard to beat, as several others have said. I have owned and tracked a number of Porsches, a couple of Ferraris (360 and F430), a Lotus Elise, and most recently a 2007 Z06. I honestly never really gave the Vette much thought (similar feelings to your wife's) but when I decided to sell the Elise last fall (I had 3 years of DE's on it and didn't want to push my luck) I decided to look at everything. It helped that several friends had made the jump to the Z06 over the last year or two, and I found one at the right price and pulled the trigger. Gotta say my biggest fear was that it would feel too big, too sloppy, too "American muscle", but I was prepared to just turn right around and sell it if that was the case. Happy to say I am very pleased and surprised with the handling dynamics on stock suspension, StopTech brakes and race seats. The earlier C6 Z06s are available in the high 30k range and they are GT3-RS fast...seriously. And reportedly quite reliable (if you get an early one do the Lingenfelter oil reservoir mod for $300 or so to assure good oil pressure in long left corners) and parts and labor are cheap by comparison to Porsche. Give this option a long look before you decide.

chrisc

After watching Ritter flog the crap out of that old 996 race car (and he is muy quick) my next track car is going to be a 996. VR drove it and he can attest to how stout it is. If my bride would let me sell the Boxster I would buy a 996 next week. Oh yea, congrats Mr. Ritter on your win last weekend in the Enduro at RA, well done.

Renn 951

Even if your 944 is 20 years old, if you've been tracking it for 10 years now I'd be surprised if there are many critical parts left that are over 10 years old!

Seth Thomas

And everyone I know with a Z06 is always breaking something. I would take the GT3

mglobe

Spec996 FTW!

manalex

+1

I like the 6GT3 and it would also be my first choice. However, given the cost of an early 996, I think it makes an excellent choice and it will be much cheaper to own than the GT3, even after the mods. Strip it out, add the safety stuff, and upgrade the suspension and you can have a light and very reliable track car that's an absolute blast to drive. If you don't install a full roll cage, it can still be very street-able. I've had mine for a while now, maintenance costs are minimal. I'm also surprised at how reliable the car has been (knock wood) If the IMS issue bothers you, then get a retrofit to ease your mind. It's a very stout drive train with minimal mods.

In addition to all this, if you eventually decide to race it makes a great platform. And yes, congrats to Dave!

333pg333

Course you could put a properly built 951 motor in your current car and blow all these other pretenders off the track which gives great satisfaction levels too.

chrisc

If you don't mind replacing head gaskets at every oil change!

2000gt3cup

Z Man I am selling my Newly built Spec Boxster and my Cup car.. email sent

Carroll

M758

Z-man,
Consider the following.


Tires... Price the tires you run on the S2 now.

Then figure the Tires on the cars you are considering. Best case you get the same life from them, but probably worse life as you increase hp and car weight.

Same for brakes both rotors and pads.

Remember ever 50hp and 50lbs increases consumables cost and creates more consumeble due to greater chassis stress. Flogging a 3000lbs 400hp car around the track will cost you more than a 3000lbs 300 hp car and certainly more than 3000lbs 200 hp car. That is assuming nor major failures or driver errors. Speed costs money even if it just tires, and brakes.


I have been racing my 944 NA for years now. I have considered moving up to a 944 Turbo at times, but even the Turbo was as reliable as the NA it would cost more because the tires are bigger and brakes ar bigger. Parts will wear out fast as even if get the weight down the extra hp will increase the component loading. So it will cost me more even nothing more breaks.

I started tracking a 944 Turbo S. Fast car and was stock. I chose to move to slower platform to moderate my operating costs. It was a good move. I fully understand the desire to move on, but don't bite off more than you can chew. Have fast track car is great, but not being able to afford the consumables and keeping the car in garage is no fun either.

Juan Lopez

Don't forget to factor in the cost of rotors and tires in your formula.