Ditto on the Corvettes. Why not a late C5 Z06? You can make some real power over the stock 400 with just a cam and some high lift roller rockers.

The interiors are not as nice but it's a track car right?

Whatever you end up getting I think the less you spend the more you will like it, especially if you get smoked by something that costs a ton less. The grass is always greener on the other side right?

Now if you're talking about a DD/track car than a newer, nicer, safer and more comfortable ride is a different story.

 

I would also take a look at the Lotus Espirit, they can be had for the same price, are exclusive and respond well to mods. Oh, I forgot, they are freakin gorgeous.

 

Big ol vettes aren't really my thing. I'm looking for handling and agility, not just brute force. As Gordon said, the Cayman handles extremely well, but the GT3 would be another level. A weak point of the Cayman is braking, I've read that the brakes are just ok.

 

I'm sure the brakes would be an easy thing to fix. I bet the larger porsche systems could be retrofitted pretty easily.

I always forget about the Lotus Esprit. Looks so good. I've heard the turbo 4 is not great but the v-8 is supposed to be much better. I like that you can still see some of the 70s, 80s, and 90s in that design. I'm a sucker for 90s cars.

 

Sounds like a miata is what you need. Better yet a 3rd gen RX-7. Build the car so it has no weak points.

 

Or to quote Jeremy Clarkson: "When I see a man in a Boxter I think: There goes someone who has not been quite as successful in life as he would like to have been."

 

I chuckle every time I see a Boxter from that quote.

 

What would Jeremy say about FD owners? I could care less about perceived status, I just want something fun to drive with decent power.

Does anyone have a link to Cayman S vs. 370Z track times? Not that I'm even considering a Nissan boat, just curious.

 

The problem is, you'll probably not find equally setup cars (i.e. tires and such). I've seen times ranging from 2.03 - 2.07 for Cayman's at Thunderhill, with 370z times around 2.05 - 2.07. I don't think either of those show the potential of either car.

IMO, it's less about money but more about "what is going to put a smile on your face". I've been looking at adding another car and trying to decide what I want. The cars I've been looking at are all over the board from a cheap Solstice, to a used Porsche GT3. A Vette is not a consideration even though the "bang for the buck" is definitely in it's favor. With a Vette, I just wouldn't have the same "smile" looking at it in my driveway. I would take a Boxster or a Solstice over a Vette any day of the week as those are cars which would fit me better. Mark, I suggest you do the same; find what fits you best.

 

Would you sell the FD to buy a Cayman? I'll assume yes, and figure your budget is $50k.

Assuming you have the parking space, why not have a track-worthy FD *and* a truly serious track weapon?

Spend $5-10k adding a good BBK & fixing any other weak spots on the FD. Buy a used truck & trailer for $15k. With the remaining $25-30k, add a REAL track car. Formula Continental, Formula Mazda, S2000, hell a Superkart (plus a zillion spare parts at that price). Almost anything with a tube frame will be faster, 1/2 the weight & far easier to work on.

Buy a Porsche if you need help picking up women.

 

LOL, what are you talking about!? I always see rotaries at track events, including FDs. Not to mention you're in the area with probably the most rotary/FD track scene. VIR, RA, CMP, Roebling I can guarantee there's an FD almost always at one of those tracks, if not a huge group of rotaries. Brent (memphisraines82), Fritz Flynn, the GA RX8 club that always travels together, just to name a few. Personally I think the FD is one of the best track vehicles there is, especially for the low cost compared to a Porsche. From the ground up the car was built for the track and it shows, you get a good setup and learn how to actually drive the car like some of the above listed and you'll walk over porsches all day long.

 

In 2005 I drove a 2005 GT3 owned by a doctor on the track. The engine didn't impress me with its power. It was the sound and the steering feel. Plus it had some type of traction control that allowed me to four wheel drift like Schumacher. But it was too expensive at $110K.

The FD is less expensive to own, gorgeous and if I crashed it oh well.

 

I would get a used Cayman S if you ever get one. My dad got one for 34k about 6 months ago it was a 2007.

 

C6's arent even much bigger than FD's though.

THe interior is just about the same as the FD. It might be slightly longer but width wise might be the same.

And i think its much more convenient (and cheaper probably) to modify a car handling wise knowing you got the power than vice versa.

I mean bolt on C6's can make SERIOUS power. Just spend the money on suspension/tires etc.

And you got yourself a reliable FAST track car.

Vette should still be an option here. I hope people dont think going from an FD to a vette is a downgrade but it is totally NOT.

 

I think some people just don't want to own a corvette because they are so popular. For that same reason there are plenty of aftermarket parts for them.

 

Steering feel is always praised loudly by Porsche fanbois. It's likely all anyone needs to eclipse it is the atomic rex billet steering (if he's still making them)

 

Dimensionally, yes, but they feel alot bigger, and look bigger

Absolutely. The C6 can be a track monster, just don't think it's for me

They aren't seeling too well, I'm sure used ones can be had for a good price, but the 2009 and up has 320 hp I believe

 

996 GT3: http://www.vimeo.com/1505525

Exige: http://www.streetfire.net/video/trac...-8-3_54645.htm

 

At our last Roebling track event, a fellow instructor in a 2009 Cayman S wanted to compare times. His best lap time was 2:26:20.

Mine was 2:21:20, and I have a mild street port, stock turbos, and 4x850cc injectors with FJO water injection, and a M2 medium intercooler, DP, resonated mid-pipe, cat-back, and RB BBK.

We swapped cars and while I enjoyed the brakes and solid chassis feel, it wasn't as communicative as the FD (I currently have stock bushings).

I teach with various clubs, including three different Porsche clubs, and my FD keeps up, especially in the twisties, with all Porsches except the GT3 RS's, and a GT.

IMHO, build-up that FD . . .

:-) neil

 

I just readed the hole thread and my advice, for the decision you gonna make is more cheaper,good looking car, the engine as no end,and the handling is very good, for the price the fd win.

 

What was your best lap time in the CS?

 

I drove about 8/10th, and ran a 2:24:45

:-) neil

 

Didnt look that dramatically bigger when my friends c6 was sitting next to my FD.

I would say its almost the same inside driving feel wise. Obviously different story if you wanna dive into corners etc.




I dont think a C6 is a car for me either but damn its such a good car, whether you want a weekend killer and/or an everyday killer. lol

 

Um, my experience from tracking the car for the last 10-11 years at VIR, Summit, and WGI?

I was at some of the original MSCW (MazdaDrivers) events when there were 20+ FD's, including all the "big list" notables like Wael, Brad Barber, etc., and those where good times, and the closest thing to PCA events for Porshes, but they are gone and still weren't close.

Yes I know those guys and frequently meet Fritz at events at VIR. I just did a PCA event with Fritz, Brent, and two others and THAT, relatively speaking, is a pretty good group of FD's for a modern track event. 5. And it took pre-planning. There where more $100k+ GT3's there than that. Not exactly a PCA event for Porsches.

See my sig. I KNOW it is, but that's not what I'm talking about, and I know "how to drive the car".

I'm talking about well-organized regional clubs with several track events per year all over the country, where tons of cars show up, a path to club racing, tons of other events like shows, karting, get togethers, etc. Every pro race I go to, F1, ALMS, Vintage, etc., there's a "Porsche Corral" where you get special parking, there's a tent with catering, sometimes even a special grandstand (like at Sebring).

There's a really great core group of FD owners left, but even in the hey days it wasn't anything like Porsche club. It's the best car club in the world, hands down.

 

^ I don't know your personal financial situation, but that's a lot of money (by middle class standards) to spend to join a gentleman's club.