Looking for a new Track Car- but need help deciding!

This is the situation- I'm getting rid of the b5 Audi S4 that I currently have (love the car- but I've been upgraded to a trailblazer for the company ride- and would prefer something more track-ready now).

I owned a 2002 Honda S2000 for 2 years that I tracked relatively frequently and loved it. I've pondered going back to it because it is so track ready- but I'd prefer to find one with FI (save me the trouble of doing it myself). The car was phenomanol and I loved it- but eventually I craved more speed. without going FI- bolt on's don't do much to the car (though I could easily whip most v8's- so it wasn't ALWAYS necessary! )

So I've been leaning between about 4- New Corvette Z51, 2006 Suburu STi, Mits Evo MR, Lotus Elise (or a used Corvette Zo6)... ALSO- JUST ADDED- A 2002-2004 BMW M3

I'd like to keep it between 30-50k, and would love the best bang for the buck- (evo and sti), but feel that it is more geared towards high school and college kids. The Vette is probably the best of the group- but the lease options are terrible (don't like to buy cars- bad experiences). The lotus I'd have to buy and the price would actually be close to the lease of the vette (despite similar cost) and this one is the most unique- head turner of the group and can tear it up pretty easily.

So what's everyone elses opinions? Any other cars they suggest? I've toyed with thoughts of a SC'd 2006 Miata, Boxter S, Carrera, used M3, ect. I've never driven any of these on the track though- and don't know what to expect.

Thanks for feedback!

I have a Grand Am GT I will sell you. :lol:

I'd like to keep it between 30-50k, and would love the best bang for the buck- (evo and sti), but feel that it is more geared towards high school and college kids.

just because they are marketing it to the younger croud doesn't mean it is any less of a performance car......go for the evo

The lotus will probably handle the best from those listed. 190 hp and 1850 pounds (race prepped: no floor mats, 1/4 tank of gas, etc basically minor stuff). If you can afford it, go for it. Might be a problem if you're a big guy, but otherwise, it will be great.

The lotus will probably handle the best from those listed. 190 hp and 1850 pounds (race prepped: no floor mats, 1/4 tank of gas, etc basically minor stuff). If you can afford it, go for it. Might be a problem if you're a big guy, but otherwise, it will be great.


True... unless I could find a good lease price on the vette- this one would definately cost me the much- so I want to be absolutely sure that I can't have as much fun- if not more in the others since this one is purchase only...

I'm hoping to get some more feedback from some people who own them and have tracked them too... please give me some feedback if you have an above car- or one that you feel is even better! Thanks!

Hot Rod did a comparison of the STI and a Cobra mustang back in...03 or 04.. Anyway, the STI barely outcornered the Cobra, to be honest the STI is a great car and everything but i think it's a little over rated and i think people are finally starting to realize this.

The evo has always been one of my favorites in put out of the box performance as far as track ready cars go.

If you can afford it i would go with the new C6 or even the new Z06.

Agreed, if your budget is 30-50 large... I say save up a bit more till $65,000 is in your reach.

You'll be much happier with the overall kickass'ness of the C6 Z06. Although, with that much power (505hp) it might be tough to keep it between the cones of a autocross course even with traction control on.

A Z51 equipted C6 coupe or convertible would be a great autocrosser too. Infact, any of the cars you're looking at are great cars.

You really can't go wrong with them, they all do their jobs well. Some better than others, but some have versitility like having four doors and can seat real people in the back.

It's nice having a weekend car you can run errands in... haul friends around in and tear up a coned or tracked environment on the weekends.

Then again... a 2 door, 2 seat, fuck everybody else but you and the hot blonde next you mentality is always sweet.

Like I said, anything you're looking at will do what you ask of it well.

Good hunting.

I voted for the Lotus. Pure driving at its finest and, with the exception of the C5 Z06, and the previously-suggested C6 Z06, is sure to hold value as a classic better than the rest on the list.

With the options you gave, this seems like is a no-brainer to me. A C5 Z06 is WAY faster on a road course than anything else listedexcept for the C6 Z51, which is about the same speed for more $$$. Let's look at where these cars are classified in SCCA Club Racing:

C5 Z06- Won the SCCA Runoffs the last 3 years in T1
C6 Z51- Currently runs T1. Competitive, but slightly slower at the moment for lack of development.
Lotus Elise: Runs T1, but is uncompetitive.
Every other car mentioned runs in T2, a slower class.

Weakest point of the C5 Z06: Front hubs. For a track car, you MUST have spares, and unfortunately they're $600 each :(

Hot Rod did a comparison of the STI and a Cobra mustang back in...03 or 04.. Anyway, the STI barely outcornered the Cobra, to be honest the STI is a great car and everything but i think it's a little over rated and i think people are finally starting to realize this.

The evo has always been one of my favorites in put out of the box performance as far as track ready cars go.

If you can afford it i would go with the new C6 or even the new Z06.




yeah- I'm starting to gain that feedback about the STi... some people say the EVO RS is even better then the MR because its significantly lighter- and easier to mod to make FASTER then the MR... plus the EVO turbo's are supposed to be able to handle much more then the STi in terms of modding.

The NEW Z06- would be no questions asked- where do I sign... if it were not for the 80k price tag!!!

With the options you gave, this seems like is a no-brainer to me. A C5 Z06 is WAY faster on a road course than anything else listedexcept for the C6 Z51, which is about the same speed for more $$$. Let's look at where these cars are classified in SCCA Club Racing:

C5 Z06- Won the SCCA Runoffs the last 3 years in T1
C6 Z51- Currently runs T1. Competitive, but slightly slower at the moment for lack of development.
Lotus Elise: Runs T1, but is uncompetitive.
Every other car mentioned runs in T2, a slower class.

Weakest point of the C5 Z06: Front hubs. For a track car, you MUST have spares, and unfortunately they're $600 each :(


So you actually own a STi and still prefer the Vette... Have you tracked the STi (I can only assume)... how'd it run... how'd it compare to other cars in the class- lap times of similar skilled drivers? ect?

Redneck- If you think you're walking out the door with a new Zo6 at $65k... then please! I'll hook you up with $5k just to find me the deal!! ;) :screwy: They are STARTING at just over $70k... that's IF you're not on a 4 month waiting list right now... of which you probably pay an extra premium to get some of the first models. Maybe by mid next year- the price will drop to what you're suggesting.

Also- I have a daily driver- I have a Trailblazer for my company car... so I could careless about the daily comforts a car provides... I'm looking for performance for the $$

oh and josh- could you add 2002/2004 BMW M3 to my Poll?

Hi Joe,

Just got back from a weekend at Grattan. Love that track!

Here's how I rate your selections:


CAR LAP TIME, DRIVING EXPERIENCE, COST TO MAINTAIN, COST TO MODIFY
Corvette Z51 4 6 5 5
Z06 2 6 5 5
Evo MR 6 5 6 6
Subaru Sti 6 5 6 6
M3 5 3 8 8
Elise 5 1 8 7
S2000 6 2 6 6
Range
1-10

TOTALS
Corvette Z51 20
Z06 18
Evo MR 23
Subaru Sti 23
M3 24
Elise 21
S2000 20

The most important stuff for me would be acquisition cost of a track car and
the experience (what you have during and what you take home after track day).
I would not purchase a new car. I would purchase a used car that's at least
3 years old.

I'm currently considering a '95 Miata. I can buy parts at a reasonable price,
tow it on a light-weight trailer, pull it with an inexpensive Ford Ranger and
easily keep it in good repair (5000+2000+4000+2000=$13,000 (car, trailer,
ranger, modifications)).

I will never again buy a new car and beat the [censored] out of it like I did with
the S2000.

Let's say that you want the ultimate lap time. I'd suggest a used Z06 at
about $20-25,000, trailer, 9,000 lb capacity tow vehicle and $6,000 for mods.
You'll go fast but not get the exhiliration of driving because the suspension
and steering isolates you from the driving experience.

I would not buy the Z51 when there are Z06 available and it's value will be
hit hard when the new Z06 is marketed.

I would not do an Evo or STi because they brake too often and modifications
cost a lot of money.

An E36 M3, trailer, tow vehicle and expensive modifications is on the high
side, but you get good driver's experience. You go home knowing that you've
driven a race track all day.

The S2000 is so much fun that I can not belive it. That's why at my late age
and fairly fragile health, I decided to try tracking a new car. They can now
be bought for $15,000 with under 50K miles on them, Trailex trailer for
$2,500, modified Ranger for $4,000 and modifications for track (not forced
induction) at $5,000 and you're in for packaged fun every time $26,500.

But, the above would be my second choice were I you. You're young enough to
wait for 6-9 months when a lot of Elise will be available for under $30,000.
I estimate about half of the folks that buy them will be sick of them within
a year. It's not a daily driver. It's not a weekender (no luggage, stiff
ride). It's a race car in street dress. All you need is the trailer and the
truck and you're in for fun and experience that is at the highest level for
about $35,000. The downside is repairs. If it breakes, you have very limited
choice for parts and, if needed, labor.

If you track seriously, you'll go off track. Going off track always hurts a
car; maybe just a little but always. This weekend about 20 cars went off
track.

oh and josh- could you add 2002/2004 BMW M3 to my Poll?


Added.

between 30-50k huh... ill tell you exactly what you should do. wait till this summer and buy the new 07 cobra, its got a solid rear axle and a ford gt motor. swap the S/C pulleys and right there you got urself a 550hp motor. comes stock with 465hp, 495tq. its gonna be sick. apparently it handles exceptionally well for a solid axle also.

So you actually own a STi and still prefer the Vette... Have you tracked the STi (I can only assume)... how'd it run... how'd it compare to other cars in the class- lap times of similar skilled drivers? ect?

I have tracked my STi, and that of a couple of other STi's for a couple of days. I have also run a wet session in a C5 non-Z06. The STi is a VERY quirky car at speed, and is a lot more difficult to get 100% out of what the car will do than the Corvette. The STi is different enough from any other AWD car I've driven, including WRX's and 2.5RS's that it really requires a consciously different mindset to drive, similar to the difference that one would have going from a FWD to an AWD car. All of the STi's I've driven have been '04's and the 06 may be better, but it's still going ot be harder to drive than the Corvette.

I don't have any good lap times of my own in the STi, but at the SCCA Runoffs, John Heinrecy's fastest lap in a C5 Z06 was 1:32.370, and Chuck Hemmingson's fastest lap in an STi was 1:39.236. This is on the same day, same track a couple of hours apart, both excellent drivers who ended up winning the race. The STi is better in the rain (duh), but in teh dry, the only advantage the STi has is brakes, and that advantage is marginal.

E46.

1. Better looking than anything else on the list.
2. Usefull as a regular car and a track car.
3. You can get used E46s for as low as 33k. That leaves about 15-20k for modifications.
4. You can drive to and from the track in style.
5. Its a BMW. You cant go wrong with a BMW. Nice, reliable, fast, fun to drive.

So in conclusion, get the Bimmer.

The M3 is a good car, but when it comes down to it the "performance" inspired drivetrain doesn't allow for much room for error while racing, unlike the Vette. However the Evo and STI are far worse. Get the car that was meant to be driven hard and fast balls out on a track, a car that was built for the sole purpose to race, get a Vette.

get the 04 Z06 and mod w/ the rest of your $$$$

the STI is a great car and everything but i think it's a little over rated and i think people are finally starting to realize this.

I think you're way off. The STi is a difficult car to just get in and drive. The adjustable torque split and the front differential behave weirdly for people not used to them. It takes a lot of time to get used to it to extract the most performance from it. Even so, magazine testers (who just jump in the cars and drive them for a day or a weekend at most) still manage to outgun the Cobra in your comparison and give the EVO (which is a much easier car to drive fast with no experience due to the open front diff and non-adjustable torque split... and stickier tires from the factory...) a run for it's money. This speaks volumes for the STi's potential with an experienced driver and equivalent tires.

edit: you've also gotta consider the bias in an article comparing a Subaru and a Ford in Hot Rod Magazine or a Subaru and a Mitsubishi in most of the popular import magazines (that have Mitsu ads every 20 pages or so)


I would not do an Evo or STi because they brake too often and modifications
cost a lot of money.

Do you mean they brake too often of they break too often? Serious question... If you really mean break, then I'd have to say you're grossly misinformed, if you do mean brake, well, I dunno what to say :eek7:

And I don't know how you can possibly use their modifications "costing too much" as justification for not picking them out of this group when they've got the cheapest mods of any car listed and the price of the car + mods is gonna be similar to the price of some of the other cars alone.

The M3 is a good car, but when it comes down to it the "performance" inspired drivetrain doesn't allow for much room for error while racing, unlike the Vette. However the Evo and STI are far worse.

Eh? Do you mean the EVO and STi are not forgiving at the limit? Cuz I'd have to say you've got it pretty much backwards there. I'f you mean they break, I'd have to refer you to my comment about breaking above.

The STi and EVO aren't intended to be "track" cars. They're rally cars, they're designed to be as fast as possible over every possible situation. They compromise a little in "track" performance (where low center of gravity, stiff springs, and RWD is important and things like powerband and suspension travel are less important) so they can have a setup that works well in all situations. A Vette or Elise may be faster on a smooth dry racetrack, but the rally cars are faster up a twisty mountain road, or in bad weather, or on less than perfect road surfaces. For this reason they're great for "daily driver-weekend racer" cars, but not as pure track cars.

I'd get the Lotus.

The M3 is a good car, but when it comes down to it the "performance" inspired drivetrain doesn't allow for much room for error while racing, unlike the Vette. However the Evo and STI are far worse. Get the car that was meant to be driven hard and fast balls out on a track, a car that was built for the sole purpose to race, get a Vette.

Get the car that allows you to fuck up so you look good even when you suck. Get the 'Vette.

Everything minus cassies comment is what i wanted to hear. Fuck people, you know these cars, tell the guy about them.

I think you'd be very happy with the Z06. It makes a damn good track car stock, will get some looks, and is a great platform to build off of. Get the Vette, get the vette.

im tellin you... everyone thinks the 03 cobra was sweet... the 06/07 is gonna blow it away, in every aspect.

that o6 cobra will be interesting... I'll admit that- I saw the lateral g'#'s were higher then expected.

The 03/04 Z06 seems to be the better bet right now- along with the Elise.

...but a new twist- I found a guy who imports NISSAN SKYLINES and there are a couple bad ass r34's for about 50k, and acouple r33's for about 25-30k... that'd be interesting as well... if I can get used to shifting with my left!!! :eek:

that o6 cobra will be interesting... I'll admit that- I saw the lateral g'#'s were higher then expected.

The 03/04 Z06 seems to be the better bet right now- along with the Elise.

...but a new twist- I found a guy who imports NISSAN SKYLINES and there are a couple bad ass r34's for about 50k, and acouple r33's for about 25-30k... that'd be interesting as well... if I can get used to shifting with my left!!! :eek:
A stock GTR can not even run with a Base C5 Vette. Don't even consider it. I've heard horror stories about those cars reliability. I knew someone with an R33. It got dusted by a 4th gen F-body before the engine blew on him(but I'm pretty sure it was due to the way he drove it). Wanna know what he ran with? Bolt on S2ks! Sound familiar?

Honda Tech has a couple of Skyline owners who have had nothing but problems. The parts are expensive and they are a butthole to work on.

Stay on task here, you want a track car, not some legendary name to earn street credit.

One thing people don't tell you about Skylines is this...

They understeer like crazy. Suspension mods fix that, but due to the fact that they're so nose heavy, they also wear out front tires faster than most cars.

Bitchin cars regardless. I still want one.

hmm, i think a 2006 M3 with Competition Package is about 55K, not bad. ive seen good reviews for it.

hmm, i think a 2006 M3 with Competition Package is about 55K, not bad. ive seen good reviews for it.

hmm, i think a 2006 M3 with Competition Package is about 55K, not bad. ive seen good reviews for it.

Werd like hell. A neighbor of mine has the ZCP and he races it...of course he also has a handfull of mods on it...and of course he has the Interlagos Blue...which is almost as beautiful as a naked hot chick...

Anyways, yeah, Im biased. But I still say get the M3.

Everyone's biased, they wouldn't be opinions if they weren't. I just want some good car talk to happen is all...shit's been few and far between here lately.

A stock GTR can not even run with a Base C5 Vette. Don't even consider it. I've heard horror stories about those cars reliability. I knew someone with an R33. It got dusted by a 4th gen F-body before the engine blew on him(but I'm pretty sure it was due to the way he drove it). Wanna know what he ran with? Bolt on S2ks! Sound familiar?

Honda Tech has a couple of Skyline owners who have had nothing but problems. The parts are expensive and they are a butthole to work on.

Stay on task here, you want a track car, not some legendary name to earn street credit.


That's why I Wouldn't have a "stock" Gt-r. GT-R's are a more exotic higher performing version of the Supra. In a similar fashion- it is very rare to find one that is not BPU++. most GT-R's are capable of pushing very high #'s and every head to head track competition I've seen- a well set up Skyline crushes the competition across the board (on equally modified vehicles). That's my interest- plus having something that is not what every enthusiast and their grandpa drives would be nice too! ;)

but again- this is still just an options- it might not be the best fit either.

A stock GTR can not even run with a Base C5 Vette.

Right. http://www.racingflix.com/getvideo.asp?v=425

Right. http://www.racingflix.com/getvideo.asp?v=425


that's probably just one of 3 or 4 vids I've seen... the only problem- a 2000 will run about 60k and its right hand drive and expensive as hell to fix!!!!

but man- a GTR with bolt ons will run 10/11's in the 1/4 alone-


btw- carrrnuttt... are you the same "carrrrnuttt" that used to troll around on s2ki???

Here's a couple I'm lookingn at:



All of the prices include transportation costs from
Tokyo, Japan to the following cities in the U.S., Long
Beach, Manzanillo, New Orleans, Miami, Savannah,
Norfolk, Baltimore & New York. I would need to know a
final destination to arrange transportation from the
above mentioned cities to the city that you reside in.
1995 Skyline GTR - $25,600
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...white-front.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...5white-rear.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...te-interior.jpg
* GTR
* R 33
* Twin Turbo
* RB 26 DETT Engine
* 1995 model
* 2 Doors Coupe
* 2600 cc
* 4WD
* Right Hand Drive
* Manual Transmission
* Fully Automatic Air Conditioned
* Power steering
* Power Windows
* Body kit
* Rear Spoiler
* Rear Wiper
* Steering wheel tilt
* Antilock Brake System
* Limited Slip Differential
* Alloy Wheels
* Central Locking
* Stereo
* Clean interior & Exterior
* White color
* Good Condition

1996 Skyline GTR - $27,800
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...ilver-front.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...silver-rear.jpg
* GTR
* R 33
* Turbo charge
* RB 26 DETT Engine
* 1996 model
* Coupe
* 2 Doors
* 4WD
* Body kit
* Right Hand Drive
* Manual Transmission
* Fully Automatic Air Conditioned
* Power steering
* Electric Windows
* Rear Spoiler
* Front Spoiler
* Rear Wiper
* Steering wheel tilt
* Antilock Brake System
* Traction control system
* Limited Slip Differential
* Side impact Bar
* SRS Air Bag
* Alloy Wheels
* Central Locking
* Stereo
* AM/FM Radio
* CD
* Clean interior & Exterior
* Silver color
* Good Condition

1999 Skyline GTR - $50,800
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...white-front.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...9white-rear.jpg
* GTR V Spec
* R 34
* Twin Turbo
* RB 26 DETT Engine
* 1999 model
* 2 Doors Coupe
* 2600 cc
* 4WD
* Body kit
* Right Hand Drive
* 6 speed Manual Transmission
* Fully Automatic Air Conditioned
* UV cut glass
* Discharge Lamps
* Power steering
* Electric Windows
* Front Spoiler
* Rear Spoiler
* Rear Wiper
* Steering wheel tilt
* Antilock Brake System
* Limited Slip Differential
* Side impact Bar
* SRS Duel Air Bag
* 18' inch Alloy Wheels
* Central Locking
* Stereo
* AM/FM Radio
* CD
* Clean interior & Exterior
* White color
* Good Condition

2000 Skyline GTR - $60,800
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...0blue-front.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...00blue-rear.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...ue-interior.jpg
* GTR V Spec
* R 34
* Twin Turbo
* RB 26 DETT Engine
* Year 2000 model
* 2 Doors Coupe
* 2600 cc
* 4WD
* Body kit
* Right Hand Drive
* 6 speed Manual Transmission
* Fully Automatic Air Conditioned
* UV cut glass
* Discharge Lamps
* Power steering
* Electric Windows
* Front Spoiler
* Rear Spoiler
* Rear Wiper
* Steering wheel tilt
* Antilock Brake System
* Limited Slip Differential
* Side impact Bar
* SRS Duel Air Bag
* 18' inch Alloy Wheels
* Central Locking
* Stereo
* AM/FM Radio
* CD
* Clean interior & Exterior
* Blue color
* Good Condition
* RB 20 DET Engine
* 1991 model
* Coupe
* 2 Doors
* Right Hand Drive
* Manual Transmission
* Air Conditioned
* Power steering
* Electric Windows
* Rear Spoiler
* Rear Wiper
* Fog Lamps
* Steering wheel tilt
* Limited Slip Differential
* Side impact Bar
* Alloy Wheels
* Central Locking
* Stereo
* Clean interior & Exterior
* Black color
* Good Condition

i say just buy an F-15 fighter jet, comon those two big turbofan jet engines... youll be kickin ass, atleast in top speed, who else is gonna be goin 1500 mph

btw- carrrnuttt... are you the same "carrrrnuttt" that used to troll around on s2ki???


LOL yeah. I thought your name looked familiar. Should've made the connection, when you mentioned you had an S2000. Haven't been there in a while and I also gave up hope on getting an S2000, as I had hoped, although I was mostly there to gather info for my buddy's turbo S, besides calling out the bullshitters in the Street Encounters forum.

i say just buy an F-15 fighter jet, comon those two big turbofan jet engines... youll be kickin ass, atleast in top speed, who else is gonna be goin 1500 mph


Me when my turbo comes in for my echo... :uhoh:

Me when my turbo comes in for my echo... :uhoh:

:lol2:

well now that your considering a skyline i say thats the best pick....if you find one. If you did, id be envious.

LOL yeah. I thought your name looked familiar. Should've made the connection, when you mentioned you had an S2000. Haven't been there in a while and I also gave up hope on getting an S2000, as I had hoped, although I was mostly there to gather info for my buddy's turbo S, besides calling out the bullshitters in the Street Encounters forum.


That's what I thought- my name was actually joeking1978 (but had to change it hear because one of my troll bashings followed a kid back to this website when he was talking out of his a$$ to get more of his cronies to go over to a relatively benign website to wreck havoc...

Those were always some good "debates" though! :D ;)

Right. http://www.racingflix.com/getvideo.asp?v=425

That video seems suspicious. The fact that they used different drivers with different experience/skill levels alone makes me wonder how valid this can be.

[QUOTEThat's why I Wouldn't have a "stock" Gt-r. GT-R's are a more exotic higher performing version of the Supra. In a similar fashion- it is very rare to find one that is not BPU++. most GT-R's are capable of pushing very high #'s and every head to head track competition I've seen- a well set up Skyline crushes the competition across the board (on equally modified vehicles). That's my interest- plus having something that is not what every enthusiast and their grandpa drives would be nice too! ;)[/QUOTE]
More of a myth than anything else. It's only somehow faster because of it's name, but that is expected. If you don't keep the GTR stock, which I expected if you want to run with any class, I wouldn't expect you to keep the vette stock either. I know it's interesting to have an 'exotic' car, but if you are going for show, then maybe this topic shouldn't be in the race forum. I wouldn't say the skyline is a higher performing version of the Supra, I'd more call it a 4wd, more hyped version of the Supra. It's know around anywhere that the 2JZ can handle more boost on stock internals than the RB26DETT, not that the RB isn't impressive, as well. But the Vette can push out even more power on stock internals then the both. Doesn't the lingenfelter TT hold the record for that, anyway?

If you can get a Skyline easily for a reasonable price that is unmolested, then yes, you could def. have a rare, fast car. Just, do you want to go through that trouble when you can go down the street to get a vette?

I didn't mean to come off as a jerk. The skyline is one of my dreamcars too. A lot of people's dream car due to it's rareaty and plain badassness. If you get one, I expect good pics, wallpaper sized, but I just thought the way you were comming accross, you were looking for a good bang for your buck track car. A skyline is like a supermodel. Very very hight matainence. The man I knew with the R33's car was very cool. Maybe it's because of the emmisions controll, but it wasn't very impressive. stock.:/

As an E46 M3 owner who tracks his car on occasion, I have pretty good knowledge about this car.

The first thing to know about the M3 is that it is before all, a street car, not a track car that happens to be street legal like the Elise. It has a pretty high quality leather interior, power everything, rear seats, etc. Because of all of these luxuries, the M3 weighs 3,400lbs, which is a bit heavier the other cars you listed.

The E46 M3 is also hard (and expensive) to modify. Forced induction is really hard to pull off because of the 11.5:1 compression ratio. There are some S/C packages out there, but we are talking at least $10,000, $20,000 for a good one (Dinan).

Now, if you can deal with those issues, the BMW M3 is an incredible car. It is the only car that you listed that can work well as both a track car and daily driver, which is a big reason I bought mine. It is the perfect combination of luxury and sport. They are fun as hell to drive. The M3 is also available with what I consider a huge advantage on a track, SMG, BMW's sequential transmission. Up until the new SMG on the M5, the E46 M3 had the best sequential transmission on a road car, better then the Ferrari 360F1 (not sure on the F430 yet). This transmission shifts faster then anyone can with a manual, and lets you keep both of your hands on the wheel. The launch control feature allows for near perfect launches, giving maximum RPMs with no wheelspin.

The Competition Package (ZCP) is nice, but some say the track mode of stability control is still too intrusive. You also get bigger front breaks and a set of CSL replica wheels.

If you are looking for a really good track car, I would get the Elise. The MR setup and rediculously light body is supposedly amazing to drive. If you want a good road car AND track car in one, I'd get a M3.

thank you- I appreciate the good feedback regarding the M3!! its the first yet!


I also went and checked out a Roush Mustang GT just for the hell of it when driving by a lot yesterday- after taking a look (following one of the guys advice on here)- I can have a decked out Rousch Mustang- Supercharged- puting down 425hp, with modified suspension, lighter wheels, ect- out the door for about 30k... (I'm going to test drive one next week just to see how the power to weight ratio feels (about 3300lbs) and to speak with the Rousch rep to see if they can shed any weight with their performance mods- and what the max g's are that the car can pull...

so many options... such little room in my driveway!!!

thats sweet, what kind of roush mustang the 99-04 body or the new body?

I can have a decked out Rousch Mustang- Supercharged- puting down 425hp, with modified suspension, lighter wheels, ect- out the door for about 30k...

Its still a Mustang.

While I'm a fan of most mustangs, and am looking forward to the new GT-500, I dont think it's the best track car. I say Elise if you just want a track car, and not someone to drive around normally, or if you want both then get a C5 Z06 or M3.

it'd be the new body style...

yeah it is still a mustang- and the zo6 is a better car- but with the money I could potentially save and invest into more fun options or toys... it's worth consideration (plus- if customized correctly- I'll have a relatively unique version of the Stang... so that helps a LITTLE... ;) )

wait... the elise got a 1 for driving expierence? driving one of those lotus's is like, "nirvana on four wheels" (im quoting from Road+Track). how can u say that!

Why don't you visit elisetalk.com and see if there's an elise owner in your area who'd be willing to take you for a ride?

wait... the elise got a 1 for driving expierence? driving one of those lotus's is like, "nirvana on four wheels" (im quoting from Road+Track). how can u say that!


:screwy:

bro... I hate to be master of the obvious... but take another look at that... is "1" good or bad?

:biggrin:

You don't by chance want a 400hp Trans Am WS6, do you?

i do i do :naughty:

I heard about the little elise before and I thought it sounded cool, but then I saw it...not that it looked bad but its very very small, and very striped down. I am sure its great on a track but I don't think I would fit in there comfortably, I am not big on amenities (I drive a mustang for crying out lould) but that car has nothing in there. Also for the BMW's, I was reading a BMW magazine a couple of months ago (don't remember the name, I don't subscribe) but there were some people in there that used their E36/E46 M3's for the track quite frequently, they comented that the front strut towers were bulging at the top from repeated use at the track and that the floor under the rear seat was separating. Now I am not quite clear on those problems but they did attest them to the weight of the car. Otherwise it was a BMW magazine and there were many other good things to say about them. As for the Roush, I am sure its a nice car and I would love to have one as well, but the Vette really should be the pick here. I really Like the C5 Z06 and the prices are reasonable anymore.

Too bad you live in the States. Vaxuall 220 Turbo would be nice.

Does it have to be a car car? the Atom seems like a great choice. Faster than a ferari with the lateral G's of one with track tires... the supercharged one that runs to 60 in 2.9sec is like 22,000 euro's i beleive so just over 40 large. However i dont know if they have delaers in the US.

Wait!

http://www.arielatom.com/ariel/site.php