Spec Boxster vs. Miata
#46
Rennlist Member
Hi all --
Can other folks who have run a 986 Boxster comment on running costs?
If I ran in 12 DE days/year, what would I likely spend?
Audipwr's suggested $1500/day sounds extraordinary high, certainly more than I'd be willing to spend. I'm currently running a heavier, higher HP car and got 5 weekends out of a set of PSS tires. I'm driving 7/10ths, but still... 1/2 of tires a weekend scare the crap out of me...
I've found a nice (race winning) Spec Boxster for $20K. I can't decide if I'm trying to talk myself out of it, or into it. But if running costs are truly 2-3x an E36 M3, I think I've got my answer....
Can other folks who have run a 986 Boxster comment on running costs?
If I ran in 12 DE days/year, what would I likely spend?
Audipwr's suggested $1500/day sounds extraordinary high, certainly more than I'd be willing to spend. I'm currently running a heavier, higher HP car and got 5 weekends out of a set of PSS tires. I'm driving 7/10ths, but still... 1/2 of tires a weekend scare the crap out of me...
I've found a nice (race winning) Spec Boxster for $20K. I can't decide if I'm trying to talk myself out of it, or into it. But if running costs are truly 2-3x an E36 M3, I think I've got my answer....
If you have contact with a SPB racer, you might be able to make that number even lower by buying/getting his take off tires which typically could still be run in a DE for several days and could be bought for pennies on the dollar.
#47
Rennlist Member
Hi all --
Can other folks who have run a 986 Boxster comment on running costs?
If I ran in 12 DE days/year, what would I likely spend?
Audipwr's suggested $1500/day sounds extraordinary high, certainly more than I'd be willing to spend. I'm currently running a heavier, higher HP car and got 5 weekends out of a set of PSS tires. I'm driving 7/10ths, but still... 1/2 of tires a weekend scare the crap out of me...
I've found a nice (race winning) Spec Boxster for $20K. I can't decide if I'm trying to talk myself out of it, or into it. But if running costs are truly 2-3x an E36 M3, I think I've got my answer....
Can other folks who have run a 986 Boxster comment on running costs?
If I ran in 12 DE days/year, what would I likely spend?
Audipwr's suggested $1500/day sounds extraordinary high, certainly more than I'd be willing to spend. I'm currently running a heavier, higher HP car and got 5 weekends out of a set of PSS tires. I'm driving 7/10ths, but still... 1/2 of tires a weekend scare the crap out of me...
I've found a nice (race winning) Spec Boxster for $20K. I can't decide if I'm trying to talk myself out of it, or into it. But if running costs are truly 2-3x an E36 M3, I think I've got my answer....
DE costs $300 per day, fuel $100 max, I would do 6 DE's on one set of NT01's (don't need RR's for DE, but even those I would do a max of 3 sets per year), so that equates to $200 per DE tire wear figuring $2400 for two sets. Add $100 for Motel room if necessary and another $100 for incidentals..
A "race winning" SPB for $20k?
#49
Rennlist Member
Upcoming festival of speed
Entrance fees - 700
Garage - 175
Set of tires 1,000 (not including toyo Bucks offset)
Fuel - 400 (including towing)
Hotel - 300
Brake pads - 300
Alignment check - 300
Tow car consumables at 50 cents / mile - 500
Oil - 100
Half a gearbox oil change - 100
1/4 a brake fluid change - 25
1/5 winter maintenance (Bearings / control arms that are timed out, other misc) - 600
4,100
Three days long
1,366 per day
That's before an off / a tranny problem / general stuff which at least always happens to me
Entrance fees - 700
Garage - 175
Set of tires 1,000 (not including toyo Bucks offset)
Fuel - 400 (including towing)
Hotel - 300
Brake pads - 300
Alignment check - 300
Tow car consumables at 50 cents / mile - 500
Oil - 100
Half a gearbox oil change - 100
1/4 a brake fluid change - 25
1/5 winter maintenance (Bearings / control arms that are timed out, other misc) - 600
4,100
Three days long
1,366 per day
That's before an off / a tranny problem / general stuff which at least always happens to me
#50
Hi all --
Can other folks who have run a 986 Boxster comment on running costs?
If I ran in 12 DE days/year, what would I likely spend?
Audipwr's suggested $1500/day sounds extraordinary high, certainly more than I'd be willing to spend. I'm currently running a heavier, higher HP car and got 5 weekends out of a set of PSS tires. I'm driving 7/10ths, but still... 1/2 of tires a weekend scare the crap out of me...
I've found a nice (race winning) Spec Boxster for $20K. I can't decide if I'm trying to talk myself out of it, or into it. But if running costs are truly 2-3x an E36 M3, I think I've got my answer....
Can other folks who have run a 986 Boxster comment on running costs?
If I ran in 12 DE days/year, what would I likely spend?
Audipwr's suggested $1500/day sounds extraordinary high, certainly more than I'd be willing to spend. I'm currently running a heavier, higher HP car and got 5 weekends out of a set of PSS tires. I'm driving 7/10ths, but still... 1/2 of tires a weekend scare the crap out of me...
I've found a nice (race winning) Spec Boxster for $20K. I can't decide if I'm trying to talk myself out of it, or into it. But if running costs are truly 2-3x an E36 M3, I think I've got my answer....
For $20k I'd jump on that SPB and not look back. I drove mine for the first time this past weekend and I know without a doubt I made the right choice.
#51
Rennlist Member
For comparison my friend running a 996 cup is running around 4x that rate - he used 5k of just TIRES last trip out I only DIY 50% of my stuff so alignment and winter Maint you could get cheaper if you DIY everything
This is what it takes at least for me - would love to hear how to cut costs
I'm actually considering adding light track side support which will add 500/day more to costs in order to not be sweaty distracted everytime getting into car
This is what it takes at least for me - would love to hear how to cut costs
I'm actually considering adding light track side support which will add 500/day more to costs in order to not be sweaty distracted everytime getting into car
#52
Hi all --
Can other folks who have run a 986 Boxster comment on running costs?
If I ran in 12 DE days/year, what would I likely spend?
Audipwr's suggested $1500/day sounds extraordinary high, certainly more than I'd be willing to spend. I'm currently running a heavier, higher HP car and got 5 weekends out of a set of PSS tires. I'm driving 7/10ths, but still... 1/2 of tires a weekend scare the crap out of me...
I've found a nice (race winning) Spec Boxster for $20K. I can't decide if I'm trying to talk myself out of it, or into it. But if running costs are truly 2-3x an E36 M3, I think I've got my answer....
Can other folks who have run a 986 Boxster comment on running costs?
If I ran in 12 DE days/year, what would I likely spend?
Audipwr's suggested $1500/day sounds extraordinary high, certainly more than I'd be willing to spend. I'm currently running a heavier, higher HP car and got 5 weekends out of a set of PSS tires. I'm driving 7/10ths, but still... 1/2 of tires a weekend scare the crap out of me...
I've found a nice (race winning) Spec Boxster for $20K. I can't decide if I'm trying to talk myself out of it, or into it. But if running costs are truly 2-3x an E36 M3, I think I've got my answer....
It would be worth considering engine reliability and replacement/rebuild cost in your comparison with the bmw.
#53
Rennlist Member
I drive my Spec Boxster to the track for DE days. It's the same cost per weekend as any other car for DE. Hotel, food, gas, entry fee--these are the biggest part of the expense, and the same regardless of what car you bring.
Audipwr1 is talking about racing--that's a completely different story. He has an enclosed trailer and a pickup truck. He uses a set of tires per weekend. He changes all the fluid before each race. He carries a spare transmission.
I wouldn't worry about driving a Spec Boxster to a DE weekend. If you can afford to do it in your previous car, you can afford to do it in a Boxster.
In the PCA, you'll be about the slowest DE car out there, waving all the 911's by. But it's fun, and you'll learn a lot trying to keep up. With some nice tires like the RA1's, you can probably carry more speed through the corners than most street cars. Then they pull away from you... Watch your mirrors.
Audipwr1 is talking about racing--that's a completely different story. He has an enclosed trailer and a pickup truck. He uses a set of tires per weekend. He changes all the fluid before each race. He carries a spare transmission.
I wouldn't worry about driving a Spec Boxster to a DE weekend. If you can afford to do it in your previous car, you can afford to do it in a Boxster.
In the PCA, you'll be about the slowest DE car out there, waving all the 911's by. But it's fun, and you'll learn a lot trying to keep up. With some nice tires like the RA1's, you can probably carry more speed through the corners than most street cars. Then they pull away from you... Watch your mirrors.
#54
Rennlist Member
I drive my Spec Boxster to the track for DE days. It's the same cost per weekend as any other car for DE. Hotel, food, gas, entry fee--these are the biggest part of the expense, and the same regardless of what car you bring.
Audipwr1 is talking about racing--that's a completely different story. He has an enclosed trailer and a pickup truck. He uses a set of tires per weekend. He changes all the fluid before each race. He carries a spare transmission.
I wouldn't worry about driving a Spec Boxster to a DE weekend. If you can afford to do it in your previous car, you can afford to do it in a Boxster.
In the PCA, you'll be about the slowest DE car out there, waving all the 911's by. But it's fun, and you'll learn a lot trying to keep up. With some nice tires like the RA1's, you can probably carry more speed through the corners than most street cars. Then they pull away from you... Watch your mirrors.
Audipwr1 is talking about racing--that's a completely different story. He has an enclosed trailer and a pickup truck. He uses a set of tires per weekend. He changes all the fluid before each race. He carries a spare transmission.
I wouldn't worry about driving a Spec Boxster to a DE weekend. If you can afford to do it in your previous car, you can afford to do it in a Boxster.
In the PCA, you'll be about the slowest DE car out there, waving all the 911's by. But it's fun, and you'll learn a lot trying to keep up. With some nice tires like the RA1's, you can probably carry more speed through the corners than most street cars. Then they pull away from you... Watch your mirrors.
Second - I dont have a truck or spare tranny (yet!) but yes its a slippery slope.
I thought OP was talking about racing, DE is much cheaper
#57
Rennlist Member
Nothing that's worth worth doing is cheap, when you really do the math.