[CanAm]

Originally Posted by threedownandlocked

If you had to do it over again would you stick with PASM?

Hard to say.

PASM was great initially. Comfy but still good handling on the road, stiff enough on the track even for Black/Red. I guess it depends on how long the shocks normally last, and I don't know how typical or atypical my case was.

OTOH, the Cayman R has non-PASM shocks and they've performed well on both road and track, even with over a hundred days on the car.

[APKhaos]

Hate to say it but the Z06 or C6 would be almost impossible to beat at this price point. Comfortable to drive to/from the track and more than capable while you are there. Especially the C6. And better with mods. Just sayin'.

[Cliff Claven]

first thing i thought when i read the question was---Z06 or C6

Originally Posted by CanAm

My 997.1 C2S was close to that price, plus less than $10K added cost for track seats, roll bar, harnesses, transmission cooling, oil pan extension/baffle, and camber plates. Could do 23s in it (even with me driving) on NT01s when the OEM suspension was working right, but it seems that OEM PASM shocks gradually wore out over ~40 track days, making the car gradually slower and eventually unsafe. I've spent a lot of $$ recently to upgrade the suspension, and we're still working on dialing the car in. Next iteration will be tried tomorrow with revalved shocks and stiffer springs - fingers crossed!

hahaha, reading comprehension fail. must come in under $40k total, and M97 discouraged. not every thread is legitimately interpreted as an opportunity to talk about one's own car or one's self.

[Jazzbass]

Originally Posted by ducatithunder

So this is completly hypothetical brain teaser or are you looking to actually build something?

Its really meant to be a brain teaser, but not completely hypothetical. I was curious to see if anyone could get creative given the parameters, or if all the answers would be "spend more and buy a GT3".

I'm looking at a new track car, but will probably end up with something in the Porsche or BMW world and end up paying more.

So far the responses have been:
- 997.1 (this has issues, specifically the M97 engine)
- Z06. Not much of a Vette guy, so not sure how these rate in terms of reliability.

I'm surprised there aren't more suggestions of things like STi or Evo. I thought those could be made quick for not much money. Like Vettes, though, I admit I don't know much about them.

[roundel]

You don't need to run 22/23 to be above the fold in red.

[VaSteve]

Originally Posted by Jazzbass

I'm surprised there aren't more suggestions of things like STi or Evo. I thought those could be made quick for not much money. Like Vettes, though, I admit I don't know much about them.

I think that's kind of the issue. Like many, we started here at the deep end of the pool and skipped all the boy racer stuff.

I wonder about the FRS with a turbo or supercharger. I have no idea how fast they are stock, but it's a nice package and the entry price would buy you a lot of go fast to bolt on.

[APKhaos]

Originally Posted by Jazzbass

I'm surprised there aren't more suggestions of things like STi or Evo. I thought those could be made quick for not much money. Like Vettes, though, I admit I don't know much about them.

The STi and Evo are good out of the box street cars that do well on the track, but are not particularly responsive, capable, or special enough to make a Porsche guy happy. Like a fat kid with muscles from a year on the juice.
The Vettes would seem crass and actually were for the longest time until they started racing them, then everything changed. The Z06 was impressive to drive, and the C6 is much better. They are a blast, but the 'its a frikin Corvette' thing takes some overcoming, especially if you've been sneering at them for decades [guilty].

[blipshift]

M96/97 is a reliable motor. Retrofit IMS.

Z06 has a common issue of dropping valves which similarly causes engine to go boom. It's $3kish to grenade proof. For me it's still a Corvette.

Boss 302 would be worth a look.

370Z Nismo could probably get close to 23s. My 350Z was a solid car, never tracked though.

I'd stay away from turboing a car that wasn't designed to be turboed...ie BRZ/FRS

WRX might be worth a look if you don't care that it's a hunk of plastic inside.

GTI and Focus ST are a little underpowered....a golf r might get you into 23s

I'm not considering anything Korean.... Genesis, Veloster....junk

S2000. Reliable, quick. Fine track cars when significantly tuned.

NSX. 2000-2005, prices will be steep but they won't depreciate much more, if any. Reliable, rare, head turner.

RX-8. Reliability concerns of the rotary. Doubt it could get 23s.

AMG C55 might be worth a look but reliability would be a chief concern. When they break they break the bank too.

135/235i. Guys who've had those always have great things to say. If not 911, that's where I'd look hard.

[ducatithunder]

Originally Posted by threedownandlocked

Boss 302 would be worth a look.

I'd stay away from turboing a car that wasn't designed to be turboed...ie BRZ

WRX might be worth a look if you don't care that it's a hunk of plastic inside.

So true. I looked at STi a while ago. The older second gen. I liked the boxy style but the interior sucked. Couldn't get over it. I'm sure it would make an interesting DE car. My buddy bought an BRZ. I'm sure my cooper would have passed him on the track no problem. He got rid of it after the cheapness of the BRZ became apparent when his clutch grenaded in NJ and towed it home. He had a few issues with it. That car really needed the STi engine .... In a perfect world. I like vettes but I still think I would pick a late mustang over it. I'm not a fan of the fox body but you get the IRS and they have been modded very well over the years for speed and handling. A few cobra buddies race them with good results. I still see a ton of them as daily drivers getting beat on day in and day out so that tells you the reliability factor. Plus you can swap parts fairly easy and pick most up local or at any hotrod shop.

[APKhaos]

They don't fit your criteria, and are unobtanium in the US, and are expensive in Oz, but a retired V8 Supercar would be one hell of a track appliance.