RCC GT3

I am looking to pick up my first track devoted toy and am looking for some input from experienced individuals on what they would recommend for a first track car. I have looked at both of these and am leaning towards the 944 turbo but was considering that for my first car I should start "slow" focus on suspension/tire improvements while developing my ability as a driver. Any input would be great.

PS - my first motorcycle was too slow (wanted to learn to ride) and I had to upgrade within a few months

IcemanG17

Depending on where you live Spec 944 can be a great racing class for a reasonable investment....

I am a big believer in the "learn how to make a slow car fast" vs learning in a big power car...like a modified turbo is......

Becoming a better driver is EVERYTHING...spend your $$$ on seat time with coaching....you will improve by leaps and bounds....in a year or two when you are finally driving the spec944 to the limit, then consider upgrading....

Vampire

Many people prefer a 944 S2 over a turbo.

f1rocks

I started with a 944 Turbo track car and went back to a 944 NA to focus on being a better driver.

Couple key questions:
What's your budget?
How many track days would you like to do a year?
Are you working on the car yourself?

Bigger HP means more tires, more consumables. Plus you or someone will be dicking with learning the mechanicals of the car. Turbo is a step above an NA to learn the mechnicals. (An S2 might be a good intermediate but still more tires and brakes)

If you can pick up a moderately prepped 944 NA and learn to drive it and maintain it, moving up and selling a "starter" track car would be my suggestion from both the perspective of learning to drive a slow car fast and as you slide down the slippery slope, which you will, the options are better.

RCC GT3

I live over in Ft Myers area and will be going to Sebring for my track time. I have looked at a few schools and was also considering doing the Skip Barber, then getting the turbo.

Ya that's what I was thinking, spending the time and money on the skill vs the cost of a more powerful car.

F1rocks you brought up a good point on "bigger HP means more tires, ect...)" Something that I should consider in the cost.

Budget - lower the better I would like to spend >10k initial with est. 2k yearly
Again this is the beginning of a very expensive hobby

Track days - once day/weekend a month, give or take

Work all done myself - a lot of prior mechanic experience. Only limits would be electronic tools

How do i quote message in reply, I see it at the bottom but am unable to select it

disasterman

If you must go the 944 route skip the turbo and buy an S2 or 968. Too much heat over too many years and they are much easier to learn on.

JustinL

I autocrossed and tracked a 944 then moved to a 944 turbo S and then bought a 944 with a 968 engine for a race car. I think the 944/968 race car will be the safest and most dependable of the three while giving back a pretty quick pace.

RCC GT3

Any advantages from the 944/968 combo race car vs. a 968 outright?

txhokie4life

I race a 944 in Chumps and did some DEs with it.
However I didn't want to rely on my ChumpCar for DEs and vis versa
so I recently purchased a 951.

I expect my consumables to be a little higher -- but the PSG to be wider.

m

gums

Turbos are slightly faster but much more maintenance and harder to work on which means more expensive.
Guys I used to race against that have Turbos either don't show up as often as I do, have more problems when they do, or have disappeared. On occasion, some can also beat me.
I'm into my fourth full season now with a 944S2 and have outlasted all of them and still going strong.
Up here in the NE the best racing is the standard 944, because there are many more of them, but I prefer the added performance (and lapping them).

JustinL

944s are cheaper to buy and the body work is cheaper. 968 has a 6 speed trans and is a better looking car. Otherwise they are very similar.

multi21

Based on your budget, the 944 NA will fit in there. I know a guy who owns a 944 Spec and a 944 Turbo. The Turbo is on track about 25% as much COMPARED to the 944 Spec because of mechanical issues with the Turbo.

Sebring is a fast track. I would research the numbers in the 944 NA crowd for that area. It might not be the fastest, but when you get a bunch together, it can't be beat.

f1rocks

You're not too far from Roebling either which is a great 944 track.

fatbillybob

I thought for chumps the car value had to be $500 to start as a donner?

Sterling Doc

Your budget is not Turbo sized. I stepped out of a 300HP DE car, and am having much more fun in my 160HP N/A race car. Consumable costs are <1/2 what they used to be per event. If you really want to learn to drive a 944 Spec car is a great platform, and you'll have some good benchmarks to reference to from veteran 944 Spec drivers. In the Midwest, we also share all our data, which helps get the new guys up to speed, and makes the faster guys get even better. 2 years ago, our best guys were doing well to stay close to, or with the best Spec Miatas. Now, we are consistently faster. The data sharing is really fascinating, and a big part of this.