[tbernard]

There's always the 2015 Mustang GT, with performance package. It's a bit unknown performance/handling wise right now (435HP/400ftlb V8), but wait 6 months and we will know. Independent rear end now, no more solid axle.

[reds]

Hey now Todd, what’s wrong with a solid axle? When engineered correctly, like the 05-14 Mustangs, they work great. I second the Boss 302. Very capable out of the box and lots of aftermarket support if you want to go faster.
Someone mentioned a Fox body mustang. I’m a big fan of Fox bodied mustangs, I have a fox body racecar, but I don’t know if I’d like to drive it 5 hours to VIR.

[roundel]

I'd much rather be saddled with the stigma of a Vette over the stigma of a Stang. While I used to sneer at Vettes, I still sneer at Stang owners.

[smdubovsky]

Originally Posted by VaSteve

I wonder about the FRS with ...

Use bleach and wash that idea out of your head. FRS is a stupid F-ing track car. Sure, it supposedly has great handing out "out of the box". How many stock cars do you own? Me: 0. The suspension is the FIRST thing track guys modify. Whats the hardest thing to do? Make 2x more power. So you can make anything handle better and outrun a FRS on track. Its another miata. Great for what it is but its going to get its doors blown off.

Start w/ a big reliable motor and upgrade the rest. Nothing wrong w/ the mustang solid axle. They are nutter fast on track. As a p-car and german/italian fanboy and its sort of depressing to think that you could take ANY american V8 car and lap the entire PCA paddock for a small fraction of the money. They have simply upped the ante an unfathomable amount in the last couple years.

[blipshift]

Another car I'd consider for track duty is a Lotus Elise/Exige. Initial outlay is going to be a bit steep but you won't have much to upgrade. Plus, it's a toyota power plant.

[smdubovsky]

Originally Posted by threedownandlocked

Another car I'd consider for track duty is a Lotus Elise/Exige.

You choose... Poorly You NEVER see them at the track. The bonded 'frame' makes them near impossible to repair after a minor off. Im not sure how common it really is, but IIRC one fellow totalled his car by running over a brick. Not a good choice for a track car. Everyone has a minor off or hits curbing wrong once in a while.

[captdownshift]

I'm likely going to be ridiculed for this, but I'm prepared for it. I'd look for a 986 that suffered the cruel fate of an IMS bearing failure, get an LS donor vehicle (complete) as a bonus an upgraded cam, roller rockers and push rods isn't a tough job while the motor is out, renegade hybrid kit, full elephant racing treatment on suspension and PSSs.

I'd have the suspension development and handling of a massaged 986 and simple reliable power of the LS motor. With hunting the 2 vehicles and renegade kit can be found in the $10-12K range which leaves $25-30k for the engine upgrades, suspension and tire trailer.

[blipshift]

Originally Posted by smdubovsky

You choose... Poorly You NEVER see them at the track. The bonded 'frame' makes them near impossible to repair after a minor off. Im not sure how common it really is, but IIRC one fellow totalled his car by running over a brick. Not a good choice for a track car. Everyone has a minor off or hits curbing wrong once in a while.

Interesting point. I've seen a dozen or so at the track over the last couple/few years, certainly not in numbers. But, you also don't really see them driving around town either, pretty rare cars. They are always quick and I never note where they are paddocked up or broken. Your definition of a minor off and mine are probably different because I find it highly unlikely that a minor off would cause such catastrophic damage. Under this assumption a ride up 66 would total the car.

Guys who track them don't seem to even mention frame fragility as an issue...http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/f157...ack-day-99672/

[Noah]

Boxster S?

[Trak Ratt]

Originally Posted by tbernard

There's always the 2015 Mustang GT, with performance package. It's a bit unknown performance/handling wise right now (435HP/400ftlb V8), but wait 6 months and we will know. Independent rear end now, no more solid axle.

2015s are supposed to be a little smaller but I doubt you can get one w/that hp for under $40K. I've been thinking long and hard about an earlier tang...