Track day CAR - anyone got one?

[wbeck257]

There's a guy selling a 1986 Porsche 944 Turbo near me, and I'm interested in the car as a weekend toy/track car.  It's still street legal, got 115k miles on it, and it's been very well cared for by the owner and modded/serviced by a very reputable independent Porsche tuning shop in my neighborhood. 

The guy's asking $10k for the car.  For that money, I think it's fully depreciated and a reasonable buy.  Yes, I know it's a Porsche, but they built a lot of these 944's and parts/service are easy to come by where I live.

I like the idea of a track-oriented car.  I don't want to buy something new, and I like this car's combination of front engine/rwd + a good performance envelope.

Anybody else own a car that gets regular track-day use?  Any recommendations for cars to consider? 

Thats about double what that car is worth.

944's are just glorified VW's. And they are slow -- but they handle real good.
Oh, and pray to god you never have to change the water pump...

[cyrus buelton]

Are you looking to just have a track car or really compete with others?

If the former, just buy something in your price range that is fun to drive and you like the way it looks, easily source parts, et.

If the latter, you better have lots of money because there is always someone at the track with more of it then you.........




How about a cheaper route and go with a shifter cart?

[cyrus buelton]

Any rental car...take out all the coverages

[hcomp]

Are you looking to just have a track car or really compete with others?

If the former, just buy something in your price range that is fun to drive and you like the way it looks, easily source parts, et.

If the latter, you better have lots of money because there is always someone at the track with more of it then you.........




How about a cheaper route and go with a shifter cart?

This is the exact reason I kept my 240SX - Parts are a dime a dozen, there are several easy and less expensive upgrades. The engines are dirt cheap (whole motorset with tranny $1300), They handle extremely well and are light cars. The chassis is by far the most expendable thing on the car. You can get a new chassis for $400 or less.

I have had 2 shifter carts, and while they are an absolute blast, they ain't cheap.  In my 4 years of cart racing I was over $15K a year to be competitive.  However, they are the closest thing to an Indy car that is under $100K.

[bluemoco]

Well, I got a nice long test ride+drive in the 944T.  The owner is a nice retired guy, and the car is in good shape.  It drove well, had some nice modifications done to it, and looked to be very well maintained.   Frankly, the car really had a nice powerband.  Not much power down low, but once the turbo spooled up it made good, smooth power from ~2700rpm to the redline.

Even though the car was decent, I guess I'm just indifferent toward it.  I want to be excited about it, but it's just not there.  I guess my big reservations have to do with the age of the car.  I'm really not thrilled with the idea of spending time + money on a 25 year old car. 

After the test drive, I stopped by a couple of dealerships near my house.  Dealerships are closed on Sundays in MN, so that makes it a nice day to stroll around the lots.  At the Porsche/M-B store, they had a used 2008 Cayman S w/5k on the odo, manual trans, and a "Sold" tag in the windshield.   Bastards.    Great car.  The Lexus dealership down the road had a couple of gently used Mustang GT's - both with manual transmissions.     I bet they're fun, too.   The last dealer I visited was a big Chevy / Mazda store - they had 3 new Camaros on the lot, but only one was an SS and none had clutch pedals.    

The big takeaway for me:  I think I'd be happier with a newer car.  It may cost more $$ to buy, but I'll likely enjoy it a LOT more when it's not being used on the track.

Are you looking to just have a track car or really compete with others?

I'm looking for a fun car that I'll be able to drive at my leisure yet still enjoy at the track.  I'm NOT planning to do any serious racing - just club events, driving schools, etc.

Thats about double what that car is worth.

944's are just glorified VW's. And they are slow -- but they handle real good.
Oh, and pray to god you never have to change the water pump...

Easy there - it's not that dramatic.  I don't think that $10k is 'double' what the car's worth, but it may indeed be more than I'm willing to pay for it.  I've driven plenty of fast street cars and this 944T was definitely not 'slow'.  It's a nicely balanced, lightweight car that is making about 270hp.  It would be really fun and capable on the track.  The downside is that I don't think I'd enjoy driving it much when it's NOT on the track.

The next step for me - drive some late model cars and see how they feel.  A C5 Z06, Cayman S, and maybe even an M3.  We'll see... 

[djrashonal]

The big takeaway for me:  I think I'd be happier with a newer car.  It may cost more $$ to buy, but I'll likely enjoy it a LOT more when it's not being used on the track.

Do me a favor and dont buy from a dealership. buy a last years model from someone. one that still has a warranty, and the ability to buy an extended warranty and you'll save a boatload of cash. I'm not a big fan of investing 30k in something and having the value depreciate by 8k as soon as I drive off the lot.

[hcomp]

Another car you may want to look at is the GTO..... They are going for around 10K right now.

[Speedbag]

Another car you may want to look at is the GTO..... They are going for around 10K right now.

+1

They're cheap and a good modding platform. Pretty stout right out of the box, really.

[wbeck257]

Easy there - it's not that dramatic.  I don't think that $10k is 'double' what the car's worth, but it may indeed be more than I'm willing to pay for it.  I've driven plenty of fast street cars and this 944T was definitely not 'slow'.  It's a nicely balanced, lightweight car that is making about 270hp.  It would be really fun and capable on the track.  The downside is that I don't think I'd enjoy driving it much when it's NOT on the track.

Well, I've only bought and sold 3 different 944's.

I wouldn't pay 10 unless it is in just immaculate shape -- and then I wouldn't put that on the track either. I just think for that money you can get something faster, easier to work on, and cheaper to work on than a 24 year old front engine Porsche.

[bluemoco]

Well, I've only bought and sold 3 different 944's.

I wouldn't pay 10 unless it is in just immaculate shape -- and then I wouldn't put that on the track either. I just think for that money you can get something faster, easier to work on, and cheaper to work on than a 24 year old front engine Porsche.

I agree.  That's really what the test drive confirmed for me, too.  I'm looking at a couple of Z06 Corvettes that are in the range of $24-28k.  The purchase price is higher, but the performance, "ease" of ownership, and parts availability are more compelling than the 944T.  I'm also going to take a look at a Cayman S, but that'll likely be too much money for my fun-car budget. 

Another car you may want to look at is the GTO..... They are going for around 10K right now.

Good suggestion - I'll see what I can dig up.

[zooom]

why not just look for a 93-96 Supra Turbo then?!?!?!

[Pip]

E34 325i

[zooom]

87 Mitso Starion TSi Turbo!

maybe a mid 90's Eagle Talon AWD Turbo also...

[bluemoco]

87 Mitso Starion TSi Turbo!

maybe a mid 90's Eagle Talon AWD Turbo also...

Not a fan of Mitsu's or Toyota Supras.  I guess I tend to favor American and Euro cars - about the only Japanese car I'd be interested in (for this purpose) would be an NSX, but those are quite scarce around here.  <shrug>

[zooom]

  I guess I tend to favor American and Euro cars 

best of both worlds then....Merkur XR4Ti !!!