[e36power]

I always hear people say that learning to drive a slow car on the track makes you a better driver because you don't have the power to compensate for mistakes (i.e bad lines, poor braking, etc.). My question is this, what do people mean when they say a "slow car?" Given that my experience is with BMWs, a BMW reference point would be helpful.

[davidwarren]

Originally Posted by e36power

I always hear people say that learning to drive a slow car on the track makes you a better driver because you don't have the power to compensate for mistakes (i.e bad lines, poor braking, etc.). My question is this, what do people mean when they say a "slow car?" Given that my experience is with BMWs, a BMW reference point would be helpful.

I'd say a slow car would be 200hp or less with 200 or narrower street tires. I'm talking street cars, not stripped e30s or space frame track cars that fit that criteria. Think like a stock e36 318. The idea is you don't learn much if your 500hp and carbon brakes on track tires cover up all your errors.

[ppointer]

Originally Posted by e36power

I always hear people say that learning to drive a slow car on the track makes you a better driver because you don't have the power to compensate for mistakes (i.e bad lines, poor braking, etc.). My question is this, what do people mean when they say a "slow car?" Given that my experience is with BMWs, a BMW reference point would be helpful.

I like what Warren said, so let me add to it. The track is a great place to explore the limits of your car and your abilities. The learning curve in a car with higher limits is pretty steep if you have limited experience. You'll learn your own limits, and improve your skills faster, in a car with relatively lower capabilities, because you can get to those limits (yours and the cars) much sooner.

Paul Newman's first race car was a clapped out Datsun 510, a low-weight low-power car, eventually becoming a champion driver. He could have afforded to jump in a top of the line Trans Am racer at the time if desired, but left his ego out of the equation.

[IllSic_Design]

Stock e46 325i(my first bmw) is a good reference imo

[e36power]

Alright, what you guys are posting are what my thoughts were. A 318 seems a bit on the underpowered side, but I had considered that. They are cheap. Also had considered a E36 or E46 325/238. My original plan was an E36 M3, but given that I just replaced the turbos on the 335i, my budget for a second car has been knocked down a bit.

[Kong Sheng Han]

Why not track your 335? Will the second car be specifically used for track?

[Cory S]

Any Honda.

[Prev]

My first track car here in the UK was a Citroen saxo VTR, in standard form it weighs 950kg and has a 1.6 8v 100bhp engine. Great fun and easy to learn the racing dry line etc. Also fun to play around with in the wet to learn the wet line. But anything with sub 150bhp would be a good trainer car.

[StealYourFace]

Run your 335i in 4th or 5th gear all the way around the track.

[n55jb4]

Stock Honda Fit 1.5 117hp - it has firm suspension, weak engine that you have to keep revs up, it's light, so you can feel even slightest input, has tiny narrow tires and is cheap (but reliable). Ideal learning track car lol

[natedog7700]

Stock Mazda Miata

[Cory S]

Chevy Spark....

[WhiteBeard]

Walmart shopping cart - smallest 2' wheels, very lightweight, firmest suspension there is (basically no suspension at all), cheap, easy to steer even with 1 hand, full manual controls and probably 0.01hp - if you can learn on that - you'll be a God of track in any other car

[F22_Raptor]

My wife's Kia soul. 1.6 four banger with eco mode. Now thats slow.

[Banana Clipper]

Originally Posted by Cory S

Any Honda.

[Cory S]

Originally Posted by Banana Clipper

No offense. Just a figure of speech. . How about any factory stock Honda...?

[Banana Clipper]

Originally Posted by Cory S

No offense. Just a figure of speech. . How about any factory stock Honda...?

lol worries just giving you a hard time. Honda's are just my first love. But, none of my Hondas were as badass as my 335 and thats troof

[justpete]

Originally Posted by e36power

I always hear people say that learning to drive a slow car on the track makes you a better driver because you don't have the power to compensate for mistakes (i.e bad lines, poor braking, etc.). My question is this, what do people mean when they say a "slow car?" Given that my experience is with BMWs, a BMW reference point would be helpful.

Driving schools typically use lightweight, low powered cars with skinny tires and stock suspensions (Miata, etc.) so any 318/325/328 should be fine especially with stock bushings as the goofy rear subframe bushings will telegraph any fuckups in a hurry making it easier to learn how to be smooth, a prerequisite to being fast. The last thing you want is a car with a lot of low end torque and grip as this will keep you from even learning how to be fast-in-fast-out since it'll be too easy to park-it-n-punch-it, the most common driving method seen at track days and HPDEs.

[Antetokounmpo]

Originally Posted by Cory S

Any Honda.

S2Ks embarrass E90s on any somewhat technical handling course.

[Cory S]

Originally Posted by Harambe

S2Ks embarrass E90s on any somewhat technical handling course.

Agree.

[justpete]

Originally Posted by Harambe

S2Ks embarrass E90s on any somewhat technical handling course.

Yep

[e36power]

Originally Posted by justpete

Driving schools typically use lightweight, low powered cars with skinny tires and stock suspensions (Miata, etc.) so any 318/325/328 should be fine especially with stock bushings as the goofy rear subframe bushings will telegraph any fuckups in a hurry making it easier to learn how to be smooth, a prerequisite to being fast. The last thing you want is a car with a lot of low end torque and grip as this will keep you from even learning how to be fast-in-fast-out since it'll be too easy to park-it-n-punch-it, the most common driving method seen at track days and HPDEs.

What do you mean by this? Not familiar with the phrase.