Talk Me Through This

So I am kicking around the idea of selling the C4S and getting a dedicated track Porsche. I feel like the seats put me on my way down the slippery slope, but I just have to think instead of continuing to modify my CPO'd car, it makes more sense to buy another dedicated track car. Thinking about a 911, 993, or 964 prepped car. Am I crazy, or is it the right thing to do?

just get a 996 GT3...

I agree. I think you have an awesome 4S, but the GT3 is pretty sweet. There is, of course, the obvious downside of choking down the depreciation on your 4S. Is the 4S not "enough" on the track?

A prepped GT3 is not in the budget, especially in today's 996 sellers market, and I think at my skill level a slower car will be more fun to exploit. Track car purchase will not be a DD; Audi still carries that role. The C4S is more than 'enough'; it exceeds my track capabilities, but I don't want to continue to track it; seems too nice of a car to do so.

The 1999 911s are pretty reasonable nowadays, you can probably have a fairly serious track machine for $25k ish, which is still a good $10k above a serious 944 based track vehicle... A good problem to have.

What is your budget? There are a few track prepped cars in the Pelican classified's http://forums.pelicanparts.com/searc...archid=4566348 John

If you sell the C4S then I won't sit in the right seat as your instructor anymore! Move up to a GT3 and you can keep my services

Bastard!

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That's a sound idea that will save you lots in the long run. I would look at the early 996's and Boxster's....

keep the 4s.... get a miata.

I say track the C4S! You already have it. It's not a doilie.

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+1k I went from tracking a '02 996TT to a '99 996. Converted the 996TT back to stock and decided to go with a dedicated track car. I wish I had done it before I spent so much on the turbo upgrades. Completely different driving experience, but equally enjoyable, maybe more.

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This is a sound suggestion also. Or get a 944 and have a good ole fun. I sold my 944 before I could join the 944 Spec races due to our new baby but that's the best way to go.

I think I'm going to hold on to the C4S for a bit longer. Its capable, fun, and comfortable enough to drive to and from the track.

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Sorry, I didnt mean to sound obnoxious re the car being "enough"... (Just trying to be brief with my posts - serves me right surfing Rennlist on the iphone.) Since I also have a C4S that I think is a little too pretty for hard core track use, I was sincerely interested in hearing your perspective before I too, dump tons of track-mod money into it... Good to hear you have decided to keep the car... although I had been day-dreaming of how a white C4S would look in my garage...

NP; I didn't take it that way

Tough call to make. Selling the car you already have to buy a supposedly cheaper model of the same lineage and then modify it more extensively is logical but depends on the details of what you have into your car and what you can sell it for vs getting another car. I would prefer a rear wheel drive car myself even if it was a 996TT. Bottom line, drive what you like. But I understand the headache over radically modifying a car that you have an emotional attachment too and have worked hard to keep nice and now start ripping everything out of it!

Good point. I've removed or swapped the easy stuff for now, but I intend to keep the interior intact. Until I get ready to make a serious move in talent and/or speed, I'll keep the C4S. No truck or trailer in the near future.

Smart choice

Another option is to share a race car with another friend / enthusiast. That way you can defer the costs on not only the go-fast parts, but the trailer and consumables. I've been thinking about this for a long time. I simply do not have the lifestyle that allows me enough free time to use a race car all year... so sharing the car (and the costs) seems more reasonable, and would keep the Finance Minister (wife), much happier.

So what do you do when your "friend" stuffs it into the wall or has a money shift? What if the motor let's go? How do you determine if it was death by natural causes or driver error? Quickest way to ruin a friendship is have the debate over money, especially at this level.

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I hear what you're saying... its certainly a tricky situation that you should only consider with the right person. In my case, Im considering (or have been for 2 years) doing this with a person of similar driving ability, time constraints, and finances. Accidents will happen on the track - its a virtual certainty. Sometimes this is due to poor driving / or driver error, sometime **** just happens. If my buddy wrecks the car, that's the way it goes.... hey... it could have been me that did the same thing. Our plan was/is to set out a budget and fund the project 50 / 50 (Im talking more Miata > GT3 ). Not to mention - the overall scope of the car would be such that each of us could fund it solo (should the need arise). Of course, if he continually takes the car out and brings it back in several pieces, I'll have to reconsider my position. For me, its a good intermediate step in getting to the track driving my own car more often. I agree, if you are going to be really competitive or do a great deal of track days (by probability then, increasing repair/maintenance costs) sharing is probably not the way to go.

You could always trade me (straight across ) Manalex - WOOOO YEA! thats sweet !! IMO - your current car IS too nice to track, 2 second car (cheaper) as a toy and if the car just sits... then sell it. Dont try and do it all at once and leave yourself options to change your dirrection or back up if needed. GL - Oh and I will PM my address for the title swap

2 words: Spec Boxster! Don't tell Dell.

Hey, IMHO, once you have the track bug you are in deep. The problem with a combo street / track car is that it is good at neither. Totally stock, the car is great on the street but way too soft on the track. Set up for the track the car is real uncomfortable for the street. And modified cars tend to be the worst of all, not good on the street or track. This doesn't even start to cover safety equipment like roll cage, etc. If you are happy driving you current car 2-3 times a year as is, then stick with that. If you really like driving on the track, and want to become a good driver on the track, you are best off getting a dedicated track car. This way you can have the right safety gear, suspension, wheels, tires, etc. The next question is deciding how much money you want to spend and how fast you want to go. Basic 944 cars go for under10K. They handle great but don't have enough HP to go real fast. The good part of not going that fast is that they are gentle on things like tires and brakes and that keeps cost down. Next up in speed and cost are 944 turbos. These can be pretty fast cars, but are still fairly cheap. They are easy to drive. If you still want to go faster or want to drive 911's you need to spend more $. Lastly, you are way better buying a car that someone else built than you are building your own. You'll save lots of $$ and time that way. Good luck, Barry

How many track events have you completed? It's tough to progress past a point in an expensive street car. You learn (also) by making mistakes and those mistakes will be costly in that car... Try different cars and platforms - karting is a lot of fun with the same fundamentals. There are plenty of fast kids around to show you how much you have to learn.

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LOL!! A doilie!! Yep! AND you can use the C4S as your tow vehicle to pull around the dedicated track car.

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I vote crazy! lol. Just drive it! If a GT3 isn't in the cards, you have a very capable platform. Just stagger the timing on your upgrades (suspension, brakes (rotors/pads), r-comp tires, etc.) and don't skimp on get proper safety equipment includibng a roll bar, fire suit, HANS etc. Even in the top run groups, the C4S will do you right for a long, long time. -td

Excellence has a little feature this month about a sub-2000lb 911 SC, must be great fun to drive. Here's a link, might be another idea for ya.... http://www.excellence-mag.com/art2/art2p1.php

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Yep, I agree. Karting is a good way to learn the fundamentals and satisfy the speed fix. Rotating the kart, proper line, momentum, trail braking, etc...although in amplified levels. That's what I've been doing since our baby came along. No time for anything else.

+1 on the shifter kart recommendation. Cheap track toys and a great way to learn how to drive. Keep the 4S!

Thanks everyone for the feedback. I'll be keeping the C4S until I am ready to go to a track dedicated car.