LVDell

You lost me when you starting talking about a vette.

utkinpol

have you ever drove one, track prepped? trust me, it is much more fun than any bimmer.

Seth Thomas

And a lot more fragile

utkinpol

i plan to set aside $50K initially and then $15-20K annually for this fun considering running SCCA T1 so i think C5 should fit into this budget with tow truck and trailer considering car itself will be about of $25K something.
should be fun. and properly classed with good field to run with.

LVDell

Not only driven them but instructed several advanced drivers in them. Not at all impressed with anything about them except the sound of that motor at WOT on a long straight.

Back on topic please........

Tuscany964

Dell have you ever driven a Miata? The first time I tried one I was on a twisty Alpine road and started laughing after the first two bends - bought the car right then and there. Best fun factor/cost ratio of just about any car. Try to get your hands on one and see what you think.

ukrbmw

Dell - there are several M3 in different stages of prep on bimmerforums for sale in your price range or just a tad over it (although it's a buyers market so I'd negotiate pretty damn hard).

I like Miatas, just don't think it'll be as much fun as you anticipate. Novelty wears off and suddenly you're running all by yourself.

Oh, and I've seen some built motor 1.6 cars in 11K range so not far off. Still not a championship car but a little better than standard run of the mill one.

Drew_K

eh...back on topic. You mentioned a budget of $10K. That should be enough to buy a decent Spec Miata, and it'll probably be a 1st generation (pre-99). It won't be a front runner if you were going to race it, but sounds like that doesn't matter for your application.

A 99+ would be nice because they have a little more power, and you obviously wouldn't have to run it with the air restrictor that the racers have to run. You may not be able to find one under $10K though.

As for where to buy one, check out the classifieds on Mazdaracers.com. You could also drop by a NASA or SCCA race and chat up the Spec Miata racers. Seems like there are always cars for sale via word of mouth. Also check with any Spec Miata builders or race shops. Sometimes they have customer cars that are for sale.

996FLT6

I dont know. Having u going from a street 6gt3 then a bsr then a race spec rsa seems like whatever u get it's gone in 6 months or less. U will get tired real quick with a spec
Miata if just de's. U coulda stripped your special yellow 6gt3 and it'll still be cheaper then the route u went thru. I do concur for de's e36 m3 wouldn't be a bad choice. Mike

va122

Dell, I had an E36 m3 race car and it's fast, has a great chassis and safe as hell. You won't tire of it in 6 months. The consumables are less then 50% porsche parts.

LVDell

Thanks all! I've pretty narrowed it down to an E36 or Miata with the 944 out. Just need to start dong the research before I buy anything. Don't really need anything until my November DE and possibly a Sept DE.

If only I had kept the GT3

Mike76

Dell, I was in a similar position to you a couple of years ago. Decision came down to spec miata (MX5 here in Australia) or Lotus 7 type kitcar. They are around the same price and have good sprint and race series to participate in. Really the cheapest form of motorsport other than karts. I went with the Lotus 7 because they are a bit faster for the same money. Tons of fun and don't worry about binning it like I do the GT3. Speaking of binning them here is some footage of me at Bathurst kissing the wall at Easter this year. While they are not real quick on the straights (hit 208kph flat out) they are great through the turns. Mine has 104kw at the rear wheels and weighs 575kgs.

Mike

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLSOA6USdDw

LVDell

Mike, that is sweet!

cfjan

Dell,

Why is the 944 out? Just curious..

LVDell

It ranks 3rd on the list.