Low HP Track Car Recommendation?
01-03-2012, 05:15 PM
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Low HP Track Car Recommendation?
I’d like to buy a track car so my daughters and I can enjoy some DE’s together. They’re excited about the idea and it would make for some great family fun. Maybe even my better half will give it a try!
I’m looking for some recommendations. I’m pretty familiar with Porsches and have owned and driven a 951S and a 911SC (street cars) at a couple handfuls of PCA DE’s. So that’s my only point of reference. But should I look into some other makes and models?
The basic traits I’m looking for are safety, fun, and reliability. On the power side, anything <15 lb/hp is not needed. So on the P-car spectrum I think I’m at a 944NA. I’ll pass on the 914/4. Or how about a longhood 912…I’ve heard they handle pretty well with the lighter 4 cyl engine?
As for non-Porsche, how about an E30 NA BMW or an older 2002? Anything else?
Does not have to be streetable. Certainly can be a racecar as that’ll get me most of the safety items plus improve on the handling and dynamics as well as get me higher reliability. Taking prior advice of Rennlisters and others, I’ll buy and perhaps improve an existing track/race car vs. build from scratch.
If you’ve driven any non-Porsche possibilities and can compare them with the 951S or 911SC I had, that would be most helpful.
Feel free to ask me anything that would help you provide me with advice. Thanks!
Mike
I’m looking for some recommendations. I’m pretty familiar with Porsches and have owned and driven a 951S and a 911SC (street cars) at a couple handfuls of PCA DE’s. So that’s my only point of reference. But should I look into some other makes and models?
The basic traits I’m looking for are safety, fun, and reliability. On the power side, anything <15 lb/hp is not needed. So on the P-car spectrum I think I’m at a 944NA. I’ll pass on the 914/4. Or how about a longhood 912…I’ve heard they handle pretty well with the lighter 4 cyl engine?
As for non-Porsche, how about an E30 NA BMW or an older 2002? Anything else?
Does not have to be streetable. Certainly can be a racecar as that’ll get me most of the safety items plus improve on the handling and dynamics as well as get me higher reliability. Taking prior advice of Rennlisters and others, I’ll buy and perhaps improve an existing track/race car vs. build from scratch.
If you’ve driven any non-Porsche possibilities and can compare them with the 951S or 911SC I had, that would be most helpful.
Feel free to ask me anything that would help you provide me with advice. Thanks!
Mike
01-03-2012, 05:21 PM
#2
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Spec Miata.
E30.
Spec Racer Ford.
E30.
Spec Racer Ford.
01-03-2012, 05:26 PM
#4
Three Wheelin'
I agree with vr, but if you watch the scca forums there are a lot of IT cars that are pretty well set-up, and go fairly cheaply. I do see a ton of E30's and 944's though.
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01-03-2012, 05:43 PM
#8
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Used ITB car - stupid cheap, they practically pay you to race 'em.
No, you can't have mine.
improvedtouring.com
While 944's are great, Honduhs etc are far more plentiful and bulletproof, without $12k or whatever engine rebuilds to worry about.
No, you can't have mine.
improvedtouring.com
While 944's are great, Honduhs etc are far more plentiful and bulletproof, without $12k or whatever engine rebuilds to worry about.
01-03-2012, 05:58 PM
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944 is a great learning car. As quick as an equally-prepped Miata, but with more room. And I think every kid (and a few adults) should learn to drive a non-ABS car
It could eat you up with repairs if you are unlucky.
It could eat you up with repairs if you are unlucky.
01-03-2012, 06:28 PM
#10
Three Wheelin'
I'm going to assume the daughters have little experience?
If so something with two seats would be helpful to get an instructor with them (an SRF later in the owner cycle would be good)
How much maintenance are you doing yourself?
What is the CFO (if it's like my household, not me) allotting for budget?
What are the size differences between you and the additional occupants of the driver's seat?
If so something with two seats would be helpful to get an instructor with them (an SRF later in the owner cycle would be good)
How much maintenance are you doing yourself?
What is the CFO (if it's like my household, not me) allotting for budget?
What are the size differences between you and the additional occupants of the driver's seat?
01-03-2012, 06:41 PM
#11
Burning Brakes
Get a used Spec E30 or Spec Miata (E30's probably going to be cheaper). Great fun & safe little cars and if you or the family ever wants to actually go racing, you'll be ready!
-mike
-mike
01-03-2012, 06:45 PM
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VR...SRF is a single seater, right? If so, gotta nix it as need the opportunity to have an instructor in the car...I'm a track novice, my girls would be beginners.
Spec Miata..gotcha..heard many positive things...fun, pleantiful, low cost repair parts, reliable, very competitive series.
E30...could you be a little more specific? 318, 320, 325.....i or is (318 or 325). Spec E30?
Greg...I'll try to increase my reliability odds and by spending more $ for a mechanically top notch car to the extent can be determined. No ABS is competely fine for us all...simpler is better for our use.
All...thanks...keep'em coming. Please elaborate on safety, fun, and reliability of anything you recommend vs the other cars I owned. Fun to me means a solid combo of crisp handling, predictable and neutral dynamics, shifting ease, braking power.
Mike
Spec Miata..gotcha..heard many positive things...fun, pleantiful, low cost repair parts, reliable, very competitive series.
E30...could you be a little more specific? 318, 320, 325.....i or is (318 or 325). Spec E30?
All...thanks...keep'em coming. Please elaborate on safety, fun, and reliability of anything you recommend vs the other cars I owned. Fun to me means a solid combo of crisp handling, predictable and neutral dynamics, shifting ease, braking power.
Mike
01-03-2012, 06:53 PM
#13
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i second E36 3.2L based race car - look around, there are some for sale. $500 gearbox, all parts pretty cheap, plenty of power from 3.2L motor and reliable enough if with NA motor. it`s '99 M3 car.
01-03-2012, 06:57 PM
#14
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VR...SRF is a single seater, right? If so, gotta nix it as need the opportunity to have an instructor in the car...I'm a track novice, my girls would be beginners.
Spec Miata..gotcha..heard many positive things...fun, pleantiful, low cost repair parts, reliable, very competitive series.
E30...could you be a little more specific? 318, 320, 325.....i or is (318 or 325). Spec E30?
Mike
Spec Miata..gotcha..heard many positive things...fun, pleantiful, low cost repair parts, reliable, very competitive series.
E30...could you be a little more specific? 318, 320, 325.....i or is (318 or 325). Spec E30?
Mike
E30, well IMO look at the 325is.
01-03-2012, 07:06 PM
#15
Three Wheelin'
Are all the drovers going to be similar in size?
When you buy make sure you can adjust to all that will be using it.
I'd vote Miata....having driven all three on track. (944,E30,Miata)
When you buy make sure you can adjust to all that will be using it.
I'd vote Miata....having driven all three on track. (944,E30,Miata)