[Brainofjjj]

Hi all, been a lurker here forever but i'm looking for buy a new/used car this fall to begin some HPDE and eventually SCCA/NASA stuff. My max $$$ is around 40k and I'm open to all options.

I loved the 135 after driving it but don't think i can live with the looks for years. I also drove in the 24 hours of lemons a few weeks ago and fell in love with the e30 after watching it crush all the other cars. Now i know these are both completely different cars but like i said i'm open to options. I could even go e46 m3....
I have decent mechanical skills but no garage so that's a problem.

I need a DD but could get a pickup to trailer my car to events, commute is 2 miles. I'd also like a BMW because of how active the clubs are and the opportunities for track time. I hope all this makes sense even though my thoughts are all over the place.
Here's what i've driven and like..

335i sedan - might not be track capable?
used cayman S?
used Lotus Exige - need another vehicle as this one might kill me as a DD plus its $$$
135i - can i live with the sag?
Z4 M coupe
350z - can i drive this in BMWCCA events even though it's a nissan?

Thanks all,
Brian

[longodj]

Originally Posted by Brainofjjj

Hi all, been a lurker here forever but i'm looking for buy a new/used car this fall to begin some HPDE and eventually SCCA/NASA stuff. My max $$$ is around 40k and I'm open to all options.

I loved the 135 after driving it but don't think i can live with the looks for years. I also drove in the 24 hours of lemons a few weeks ago and fell in love with the e30 after watching it crush all the other cars. Now i know these are both completely different cars but like i said i'm open to options. I could even go e46 m3....
I have decent mechanical skills but no garage so that's a problem.

I need a DD but could get a pickup to trailer my car to events, commute is 2 miles. I'd also like a BMW because of how active the clubs are and the opportunities for track time. I hope all this makes sense even though my thoughts are all over the place.
Here's what i've driven and like..

335i sedan - might not be track capable?
used cayman S?
used Lotus Exige - need another vehicle as this one might kill me as a DD plus its $$$
135i - can i live with the sag?
Z4 M coupe
350z - can i drive this in BMWCCA events even though it's a nissan?

Thanks all,
Brian

You can drive any vehicle at a BMWCCA event, you'll just be classed accordingly.

The 135i is certainly capable in AutoX events, I personally feel more comfortable in my 335(x)i on the track. (feels heavier...more solid)

The 335i is very VERY capable on the track after some minor suspension mods. As long as you have an oil cooler (preferably upgraded a la VK Motorwerks), you'll be fine cooling wise.

The Lotus Exige is just friggin awesome in every way possible. I watched a Lotus Elise almost surpass a Formula Car in an Autocross and everyone turned after the run and went....."what the f*ck just happened?" as he beat the fastest bimmer by an entire 5 seconds, and only missed the formula car by a second.

The Z4M consistently wins every BMWCCA autocross in my area. Might be due to the supercharger the guy has on the car but never mind that...

The Cayman S is a Porsche...enough said

[nicknaz]

Personally, I think the 'best' DE cars are the ones that can be run reliably on the street and at the track with no modifications

The Subaru STi, Mitsubishi EVO, and C5 Z06 all jump to mind immediately, and be had the prices you are looking for

A well sorted out spec miata is around ~$15k, and could be good if you plan to do club racing

[kenneth]

get a used e46 M3. The 335 is also very good with H&R sport springs and koni yellows

[S4to335]

I had a spec miata from 2002 to 2007. Highly recommended for dedicated track use.

[satakal]

Originally Posted by S4to335

I had a spec miata from 2002 to 2007. Highly recommended for dedicated track use.

what should a guy look to spend on a spec miata? And, is there a best time of year to shop?
________
Legal Marijuana Dispensary

[TSM330i]

Spec Miata would be a great race car for sure. Tons of fun, many parts and relatively cheap compared to many cars (will allow you to go racing for years to come rather than blowing the full $40K in one shot). You could get a cheap pick-up and trailer and still have money left over.

If you want to spend more money a Lotus Elise would be a great track car. You can find used 2005 cars in the high $20K range. Once you're in the car, it's actually quite comfortable. You just need to practice yoga in order to get in and out with the top on.

A C5 Z06 is a highly capable car for little money. Parts are very affordable and they're easy to wrench on yourself as well (I had a highly modified '97 C5 a while back). All you'd need to so is update brakes and coil-overs and the car would be a blast. Again, you're looking under $30k to start. Definitely check this out, you might be surprised. They start with 385hp and later go to 405hp stock. Mario Andretti has a 2001 C5 Z06.

[S4to335]

I sold my Spec Miata with trailer for $10K. I think it is pretty easy to get a car for about $10K these days. Several years ago it would have been harder. Mine had a junkyard engine..but it had a TC Design custom cage, two kirkey seats, extra set of wheels, removable Momo steering wheel, new Sparco belts, and AMB transponder. It could have been teched and be on the track quickly. Check Justracing.com for Spec Miata's for sale. Also, go to the track during a Spec Miata race day..you will always find someone with a for sale sign in their car while in the paddock.

[tintivilus]

Originally Posted by Brainofjjj

135i - can i live with the sag?

If you're talking about the goofy rocker panel, I'm sure there'll be replacements available soon enough. Look how soon body plastics came out for the E92.

I was considering a Z4 3.0Si coupe when I purchased my 335i and it would work out well. The headroom is great (plenty of helmet ******* but the rear-quarter visibility kind of sucked. The biggest problem using a Z4M as your DD would be the lousy S54 gas mileage, but that's not too big an issue with a two-mile commute.

Hell, if you could find a decent 3.0Si it might be a better buy than the M.

[sayemthree]

get an e30 325is and trick it out with track parts.

[longodj]

Originally Posted by sayemthree

get an e30 325is and trick it out with track parts.

haha +1

A friend of mine just got an '89 325i for AutoX, that car is so much fun!!!

[S4to335]

I think I posted this before..but I use to have this in 2000-2001. I blew two engines and decided to go the Spec Miata route. BMW engine repair aint cheap guys.

[satakal]

why not stop blowing engines instead? e30 looks cooler.
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MyCUNTSquirts

[grkmec]

I am thinking about picking up a stripped 135 next spring and dropping a few thousand in mods (JB3 or V3, coilovers, catless exhaust, intake) and pulling off the RE30's w/ PS2's off my 335xi. That should be a track monster for around $30k-32k.

Thoughts?

[satakal]

Originally Posted by grkmec

I am thinking about picking up a stripped 135 next spring and dropping a few thousand in mods (JB3 or V3, coilovers, catless exhaust, intake) and pulling off the RE30's w/ PS2's off my 335xi. That should be a track monster for around $30k-32k.

Thoughts?

are your skills behind the wheel good enough to justify the 1000s in upgraded performance? I ask because some guys in this thread have talked me into learning to drive first. Then, when I have a good idea of what I want to do and what's slowing me down, that's the time to throw money at the car. 135 with no mods and RFTs will be awesome and lots of fun.
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Paradise Park condo Jomtien

[grkmec]

Originally Posted by satakal

are your skills behind the wheel good enough to justify the 1000s in upgraded performance? I ask because some guys in this thread have talked me into learning to drive first. Then, when I have a good idea of what I want to do and what's slowing me down, that's the time to throw money at the car. 135 with no mods and RFTs will be awesome and lots of fun.

Short answer is no

[satakal]

You may have a big budget. Or, the OP may. And, I suppose there's nothing wrong with learning to drive with an incredibly fast car instead of a momentum car. Whatever's fun I guess. Throwing money at a car to make it faster is fun. Who cares if you have the skill to capitalize on those improvements to the car.

I want to point out that I'm the biggest rookie on this sub-forum. But, if it weren't for the 50k miles of free maintenence, there's no way I'd be taking my heavy car and it's expensive brakes to the race track. And, if I hurt the car in a reasonable fashion, maybe that'll be covered under warranty.

Final thought... If I was at the track in a a z06 or R8 or ferrari and I had to point by a 135, I'd be pissed!
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Aromed Vaporizers

[nicknaz]

Personally, I would avoid a modified drivetrain unless you have big $$$$ to blow for parts/maintenance/repair/replacement.

You can't beat OE for reliability and when you are a heavy track user (especially if the car is your DD as well!!) reliability is worth more than big power.

I'm not claiming that a modified car can't be reliable, but in my experience the guys who have the least hassles and lowest cost per event are the ones with stock cars with a 'bulletproof'/'over engineered' drivetrain.

I already posted up the cars I'd personally go for in an earlier post, so I won't repeat myself.

Also, keep in mind that even if nothing breaks you will have to spend a lot on consumable items like tires, brakes, oil and fuel (and you have to pay event entry fees). Again if you have big $$$ non issue, but most people are better served keeping money in the bank for these things rather than blow money on mods

[DrDomer]

Or you could go a COMPLETELY different route and get a Rotax/CRG TAG Kart. $7500 for a brand new kart. 0-60 in 4s. Pulls more than 2Gs in the corners, and there are both kart tracks and road courses everywhere. The only reason I mention it is that I was in your exact same position 1 year ago. I drive my 335i once in a while for a HPDE, but spend my serious driving time in my TAG Kart. Lots less money, and more fun (to me). Otherwise, I'd go spec miata unless you have a BIG budget. Good luck.

[S4to335]

Originally Posted by DrDomer

Or you could go a COMPLETELY different route and get a Rotax/CRG TAG Kart. $7500 for a brand new kart. 0-60 in 4s. Pulls more than 2Gs in the corners, and there are both kart tracks and road courses everywhere. The only reason I mention it is that I was in your exact same position 1 year ago. I drive my 335i once in a while for a HPDE, but spend my serious driving time in my TAG Kart. Lots less money, and more fun (to me). Otherwise, I'd go spec miata unless you have a BIG budget. Good luck.

I was at Infineon this weekend having my son and stepson in the Techniques of Karting class on Saturday...I wish I was out with them...

Definitely an option..or just "arrive and drive"

[satakal]

Originally Posted by S4to335

I was at Infineon this weekend having my son and stepson in the Techniques of Karting class on Saturday...I wish I was out with them...

Definitely an option..or just "arrive and drive"

share your secrets please?!?! I have googled "arrive and drive" numerous times and it turns up nothing worth while or current.
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ONE VAPORIZER REVIEWS

[S4to335]

That was easy...

http://jimrussellusa.com/index.php?o...=82&Itemid=124