[smdubovsky]

You guys made me pull out the google dictionary to look up that word

Originally Posted by berettafan

I don't mind being slower speeds, just so I'm racing with people.

We ran in 2011 iirc so may have just missed you. Racing w/ people is what its about. It no fun for most to be out there by yourself (myself exluded as I actually prefer to just go faster than I have before - but I am an oddity.) But a faster car is WAY more enjoyable than a slow car even if it is harder to drive at its limit. Speed is fun and shortens the boring straights

I have a confession: I *HATE* bmws. I almost got the wife to register the E30 under her name so i didn't have to own it. Eric's name is on the title to the GTS car. I refuse to own one as a daily. Every douchebag has one. Why? Because they are unbeatable cars for the price. There, I said it. So they make pretty good race car donors. BMW does some dumb stuff in the design (as does porsche) but the E36 and E46 cars are pretty simple and reliable.

Spec 3 is growing. I understand there is a new SpecE36 that will be better/faster? Both of those cross over into GTS w/ some work. Check out what local races have for driver lists.

And you don't have to be wed-for-life to any one class. Buy a racecar/ any racecar, for a good price!, learn on it and move on in if a few years if you want to. The key to this is buy it inexpensive. (and $ and cheap don't necessarily go hand in hand.) If you build from scratch you will likely cry when its time to sell. Too many people get too invested in both $ and time to ever let a project go.

And consider renting (shameless plug - see my sig line). Rentals costs aren't TOO much worse than owning the car yourself. You could do comp school THIS spring and do a couple races in rentals to figure out what you like. Prob money well spent vs sitting on the sidelines for another year.

[APKhaos]

I was about to recommend NASA Comp Licence School. Checked the NASA MA schedule for dates and it looks like they are not being offered now?? There's a link to the Ford Racing School help at Barber which is seriously spendy.

Hopefully I've missed something here. The NASA Comp School was the flat out best initial race prep option out there.

[This post is certified free of words that SMD may have to look up]
[The Google definition is a bit lame. I prefer Websters "expressing harsh or sharp criticism in a clever way" which is more SMDs style]

[Trak Ratt]

Originally Posted by APKhaos

.....

[This post is certified free of words that SMD may have to look up]
[The Google definition is a bit lame. I prefer Websters "expressing harsh or sharp criticism in a clever way" which is more SMDs style]

Now, now once you get past the x-wife or catholic school nun delivery he has some good info and insight on many topics!!!

[smdubovsky]

Originally Posted by Trak Ratt

catholic school nun delivery

I can get nuns delivered?!

[berettafan]

Great input guys, thank you.

Leaning towards SM.

If I were to build I was thinking the miatacage.com kit looks nice. Any idea what an experienced shop would charge to weld it up/install? I know Piper is close to $3k for a custom cage. Really like the idea of building as I enjoy the garage time and the learning process.

[roundel]

Originally Posted by berettafan

Really like the idea of building as I enjoy the garage time and the learning process.

Quoted for posterity.

[APKhaos]

Originally Posted by berettafan

Really like the idea of building as I enjoy the garage time and the learning process.

Think hard about this. Look at ads for prepared cars. Buying a prepared car will easily save you 50% vs building from scratch. Believe me, you'll get plenty of garage time and a steep learning curve running a prepared car.

[Trak Ratt]

Originally Posted by smdubovsky

I can get nuns delivered?!

You can and much more but do you really want sister Mary Elephant knocking on your door? I guess whatever twists your panties! But I kicked that habit a long time ago....

[Trak Ratt]

Originally Posted by APKhaos

Think hard about this. Look at ads for prepared cars. Buying a prepared car will easily save you 50% vs building from scratch. Believe me, you'll get plenty of garage time and a steep learning curve running a prepared car.

I like the build and race option too... Which means I've missed 2 seasons DYIng my race car instead of writing a check to have someone fix it "now"

[BlackTalon]

Originally Posted by berettafan

I know Piper is close to $3k for a custom cage.

Sweet! When did he lower his prices?