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Someone mentioned 'Corvette"...
Any C5/C6/C7 makes a great track car.
Consumables can be high, but maintenance and repair items are virtually free, in the context of Porsche parts prices.
Unfortunately, being 6'3 sort of rules them out. I'm 6'0, and barely fit a C6 with the helmet. and don't fit a C5.
Haven't tried a C7, but suspect it's about the same.
First of all, thanks to everyone that's helped out with this. I'll try and sit in a Cayman this weekend and I'll let you know the results of "Will I fit?" Another requirement that I did not mention is that I would like to have at least two seats so that I can take my wife on the track as well. I am a Porsche fan boy, but I will absolutely look at the other vehicles mentioned here. A cheaper vehicle just might be what my wife wants to see!
Highly recommend checking out a sorted e46 m3 track car. For your budget its the absolutely fastest most reliable fun to drive car IMO. Ample room for wheels/tires in the trunk, faster than it should be, etc etc. I dream of another PCar track car but just couldnt deal with the threat of 10K+ potential repair bills and $1.5k rotor and pads.
E46 m3 can get replacement transmission for $2.5k, replacement engine for $5.5k, replacement pads/rotors for $500, fits 17"/18" 275 NT01's all around, and has a MASTERPIECE of a motor.
Highly recommend checking out a sorted e46 m3 track car. For your budget its the absolutely fastest most reliable fun to drive car IMO. Ample room for wheels/tires in the trunk, faster than it should be, etc etc. I dream of another PCar track car but just couldnt deal with the threat of 10K+ potential repair bills and $1.5k rotor and pads.
E46 m3 can get replacement transmission for $2.5k, replacement engine for $5.5k, replacement pads/rotors for $500, fits 17"/18" 275 NT01's all around, and has a MASTERPIECE of a motor.
Surprised no one mentioned that option earlier!
Some easy suspension mods, bigger brakes and some track wheels & rubber = Surprisingly fast car.
Avoid the SMG transmission... tempting on the track, but difficult (impossible?) to drive smoothly on the street. Expensive to repair if/when they fail.
Shift a little short of redline and avoid the engine grenade.
"If you can only have one car, and want it to be fast on the track, yet still practical on the street, seat 4, and classy enough to show up at a business function, the only real choice is an E46 M3" -me, more times than I can count.
Someone mentioned 'Corvette"...
Any C5/C6/C7 makes a great track car.
Consumables can be high, but maintenance and repair items are virtually free, in the context of Porsche parts prices.
Unfortunately, being 6'3 sort of rules them out. I'm 6'0, and barely fit a C6 with the helmet. and don't fit a C5.
Haven't tried a C7, but suspect it's about the same.
I'm 5'10", plump and have short legs, and had headroom issues in my 997. In a C5 Vette (and the C6 should be similar), you can mount a racing seat very low such that I have a couple of inches spare above my head.
"If you can only have one car, and want it to be fast on the track, yet still practical on the street, seat 4, and classy enough to show up at a business function, the only real choice is an E46 M3" -me, more times than I can count.[/QUOTE]
Yep, agree with this comment about the BMW - we race an older 911 and it is very expensive - but my son likes to drive the "Old School" cars without the nannies (I don't drive on track because of old age - ha ha) - he also drives on an endurance team with a newer BMW and says its like driving a Cadillac compared to the old 911. A Cayman would also be nice to drive on track - we have a Boxster we started with on track and it is very easy to learn with if you keep the PASM off...
Good afternoon everyone! I've recently had the chance to sit in an 18 Cayman GTS (who the owner is selling, and may end up listed on Rennlist here in the coming weeks). I fell in love with the car, but unfortunately I do not fit, even full back and full down. Just felt cramped and I definitely could not wear a helmet a drive. I would have to really consider removing the seats and swapping for something like Recaro.
I've been looking into the E46 as suggested. I believe this may be the car for me moving forward, just have to find one in that sweet spot with good mileage and good price. I'll keep hunting for a track car, and I'll continue to post on here as the search continues. The goal is to complete laps at Laguna Seca before the Winter of 24.
Thank you everyone for the suggestions! Please feel free to also use this post thread for any helpful information and potential car purchases.
08-11-2022, 11:42 AM
