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Best track cage for less than 30k

CockyRooster said:
And for the record, it should be pointed out that I have no idea how to drive a car and much less qualified to give advice. :laughing

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How much you want...?? :laughing

:wow Glad your alive!

Thanks for the input on the Vet guys... guess I am on a deeper search.
If anyone spots a winner.. ya know.. l let me know! :teeth

Suggestion on where to look beside craigslist would be welcome. Of course I prefer to stay local, but I guess I would road trip for a real winner if within 800 miles or so.
 
auntiebling said:
i'm about to officially replace your catch phrase.

out: upperdecker
in: i love my z3
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I would recommend a Z3 coupe but they are riddled with the late 90s/early 00s common BMW problems and you need to break out the wrenches every once in a while.

What about a Subaru BRZ?
 
TheRobSJ said:
C6s that aren't super beat up are still above $20k though. And you're thinking of the Z51 package. Was very very close in performance to the C5 Z06 but for a track slut, I'd still prefer the older car since it's bit lighter and the notchback body is super stiff. The nicer interior, HID lights, and so on of a C6 are irrelevant for track duty.
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Not to mention the C5 looks better, IMO
 
Thoughts on the (ricey) cars I've owned recently.

Current:
STI (GD): I love the car but it's not without faults. The thing is heavy and the weight distribution, quite honestly, is BS. You definitely experience brake fade in stock form and you'll be sorely tempted to rip out all the interior, accessories from under the hood and do silly things like go CF hood/fenders, etc. Power/weight-wise, this car in stock form is a bit underpowered but it's inexpensive to get it to 400hp. Also, for my year, the power steering assist is overpowered and numbs the feedback from the car. Not a big deal on asphalt but a huge problem for me when I'm goofing in dirt/snow (why I got the car in the first place).

S2000 (AP2): I can't complain about the chassis, the steering feedback and response is crisp and the thing does grip up nicely in the dry. That being said, some of the suspension revisions this car has seen is utter BS (one of them being my year) and if you couple that with a high revving, peaky engine, the vehicle dynamics can be very... punitive if you're pushing the car near redline. I also have to say that this car needs more power, more so than the STI.

Previously owned:
EVO X: This thing was brilliant in the dry. But the very characteristics that made it brilliant on the street made it feel too twitchy for me to want to keep it as a ski trip vehicle. It too could use more power but the car already feels high strung from the factory--at least relative to the STI which worried me.

WRX (GD): Not worth your while. I didn't even like it as a beater grocery getter. Sloppy suspension, worse brakes than the STI and the consequences of not having an LSD was very apparent. The generation I had was also severely underpowered as well.

Miata (NA-NB): Honestly, there's something to be said about low-limit cars to goof in. Now that I think about it, I probably enjoyed driving my old, underpowered beater Miatas than I do the S2K. That being said, the power curve is more for daily life in the city and in the twisties than it is for the track. The chassis flex is pretty upsetting until you get to the NC gen and the brakes have always been ehhhhh...

Of what I've driven, if I had 30K for a track toy that's not too preposterous to daily, I'd give the Z4 M Coupe a serious consideration.

Also, since I've driven people's 350Zs, I have to say that the car is good... but from a driving experience perspective, it's very uninspired/uninteresting in every way. Maybe it means that the car is pretty well balanced... heavy for what it is too.
 
Prolly not your taste at all but a Honda can be built for cheap and it's easy to work on (lots of parts oem/aftermarket). Many routes you can choose of NA, turbo, and SC.
 
Think my parents are gonna sell their 2000 S2000 with like 30k miles on it. New top with glass window too.

Once above 5k, it's crazy fun to drive!
 
cycle61 said:
Dibs on that one wiper blade that seems to be undamaged.
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It was bent too. Sorry.

Is the 70's porn mustache still required equipment for owning a vet, or is it just a fun farkle these days?
 
budman said:
I can't find a nice sportbike I can bend my metal knee to get to the peg. BMW 1000 is close. Oh well there. I have my Husky all set for the track now so a few tard days lay ahead. Feels weird to realize my big track days are done. Not interested in taking my Multistrada out. Love to ride it and will continue to more and longer rides.

Vet at 20k seems to have lots of miles. As in 100k plus. Not sure about that. Worries me because I am not a wrench.

A 350z with 60k can be had for far less than 20 and that leaves rooms for brembos, a seat roll bar etc. ( so answer to the question on are you will to : is yes) this is going to be track only except for the drive to the track.

I have a group of business guys that do a bunch of car days and I think I can actually get work by going with them. :teeth they want me to come out and get my doors blown off.

M3 is cool for sure Mr. Futs. I was impressed by a few at Thill. There are 4 of those German cars at home owned by various females, just no hot ones (beemers :laughing)
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You can get a 350z with stock Brembos for under 15K with low miles if you look. The 350 motors and bulletproof. The clutches are rather fragile. The VLSD rear ends are good enough for occasional track use, but for my money I would just get an open diff and throw in a good posi with the gearing of your choice.

You go M3 you sure are going to spend a ton more if you have to fix anything and low mileage examples are going to cost a more. God forbid if you grenade a rear end, tranny let alone motor.

The C5 Z06 has the grunt down low you really want. My neighbor is a serious track day driver and gave up his track edition 350z for a C6 Z06 because he got tired of being passed on the straights.

PS: If you get a 350, I have a spare set of wheels so you can have track dedicates rubber always on standby.
 
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Gonna throw out a pitch for a 944T/951. Can be had in stellar shape for under $10k (with another $10k set aside for cage, seats, and rehab, and another $10k for tires and pads), tons of track parts and aftermarket, great community of drivers and wrenches, and fantastic handling and feel.

You may be able to do a 964 in that range too if you prefer to sit in front of the motor, though it'll leave less cash for the miscellaneous.

edit: this one is already dialed at $12k asking: http://rennlist.com/forums/vehicle-marketplace/848269-1986-951-street-legal-track-car.html
and this one at $17k, caged, massaged, etc: http://rennlist.com/forums/vehicle-...oadfoot-flares-and-57-000-original-miles.html
or just go all out and blow your full wad on a Turbo Cup car: http://rennlist.com/forums/vehicle-marketplace/845001-1989-944-turbo-cup-replica.html

those were just the first three search results.
 
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I think c5 or c6 would be the best track day car. what about the 6piston calipers on the z06?



as for force induction cars. most tracks in CA are in HOT climates. I recall on 95F day the modified EVOs and STIs would come out for a few laps, tear it up then go back in due to heat. none ran the full 20 minute session.
 
fast4d said:
what about the 6piston calipers on the z06?
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Nice on the street, suck on the track. Budman is fast and will need a set of StopTechs.
 
Enchanter said:
Nice on the street, suck on the track. Budman is fast and will need a set of StopTechs.
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Not even that great on the street either. I managed to fade them on a rather spirited blast on 84 from Alice's to the coast.
 
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