New Autox/Track/Weekend car?

[SouthFL_Mk7.5]

I’m still for the GR86
I see the new GR86 offering an affordable, sub $40k entry to true sports car dynamics without the massively painful fallout of an incident with a higher priced car. Savings on tire costs too compared to a heavier high powered car.

I recently acquired a 2009 JCW Cooper S as a recreational car. Ironically not going to track or autocross it.. just wanted a fun manual transmission car. It’s neat but I prefer the GR86, ND Miata and even the GTI over it for any track duty.

 

[MonkeyMD]

My familial obligations mean that my track time is fairly limited (1-2 days a month), so unfortunately wouldn't pay off great for me right now... But that's a great idea in general!

Limited to 1-2 a month. Lol. That's not limited. Try 1-2 a year

 

[jmblur]

Limited to 1-2 a month. Lol. That's not limited. Try 1-2 a year

I'm including autox in there, not sure I want to spend all the money on consumables otherwise! I'm fairly lucky to have several good tracks within a couple hours drive so I only need a 1 day pass at home!

 

[Cliff]

I remember following @Cliff Golf R HPDE prep thread before he jumped to a 981 Cayman S. Probably has some good insight on MK7->981 if he still logs on at all. My vote would be new BRZ/GR86 and a membership at whatever track near you has lots of member days.

981 GTS, actually, which I bought before used Porsche prices headed into the stratosphere. And I responded to the OP's DM.

If I was shopping for a new car right now, I would probably wait for the next gen M2. If you like the looks of it (which I don't) then the manual Supra 3.0 would also be a great choice.

 

[jmblur]

981 GTS, actually, which I bought before used Porsche prices headed into the stratosphere. And I responded to the OP's DM.

If I was shopping for a new car right now, I would probably wait for the next gen M2. If you like the looks of it (which I don't) then the manual Supra 3.0 would also be a great choice.

Thanks Cliff! I have a deposit down on a 981 GTS right now. I don't think I can stomach the new M2... The styling is just... Well, make up your own minds I guess. The supra ADMs are ridiculous too.

 

[Cliff]

Thanks Cliff! I have a deposit down on a 981 GTS right now. I don't think I can stomach the new M2... The styling is just... Well, make up your own minds I guess. The supra ADMs are ridiculous too.

Look on the bright side: it doesn't have the M4 grill.

There aren't too many 981 GTS for sale any more. They are selling for less than their original MSRP, which makes them a relative bargain when compared with the 981 GT4 cars which are selling for $10k or more over their original MSRP. Porsche is also adding substantial market adjustments to the 982 GTS 4.0 which takes the price of those cars well over $100k.

I'm very happy with mine. About the only thing I wish it had was Carplay support. You can add it to PCM 3.1 equipped cars, but you have to open up the radio to install a card.

 

[jmblur]

Yeah I was excited to find this one. Unfortunately it's as far away as you can get in the lower 48! But it's CPO too for a reasonable-ish price and has the right options.

 

[Cliff]

Nice. You'll have a lot of fun with the car.

 

[GTIfan99]

No debt (besides a very low Apr mortgage and a 0% loan on my solar panels that don't make sense to pay off), on track to retire in my 50s even at current salary level... I have enough I can splurge a bit now! Plus I have a third garage spot that needs filling.

I really want to do a heat pump water heater and solar panels, but so many of the companies seem shady as fuck. Did you have a good experience? Who did you use?


And I'd go for a Cayman S.

 

[jmblur]

I really want to do a heat pump water heater and solar panels, but so many of the companies seem shady as fuck. Did you have a good experience? Who did you use?


And I'd go for a Cayman S.

Used local companies for both. Went for one of the bigger companies for the solar. They were... Ok.

Heat pump ac/heat was another medium size local company. They did a decently good job. You know they're trustworthy when you're famously critical electrical inspector says "yeah just show me the downstairs one, I know these guys they do good work".

My HVAC folks advised against the heat pump water heater because I have indirect oil for it, and that I keep the oil burner for backup heat since it's still in good condition. Would have preferred to have all the space back but it does make sense.

 

[GIACUser]

For me C8 or M2 would be top of my list for cars that tick the boxes of being able to go from extreme track work to great looking weekend / summer car.
I personally would wait for the C8 Z06, that would be my #1 pic.

 

[bfury5]

Any idea what the autox / track split would be for this car? Everything you listed would be mega fun either way.

My unsolicited thoughts:
C8 is a track monster, heard it fumbles a little at autox due to the short 2nd (spends lots of time doing the 2-3-2-3-2 dance)
ND is mega fun, but after driving the Fiata a ton this year I'd probably chose that over an ND these days.
GR Corolla will be a "last of its kind" car, but a lot of crossover with your golf R IMO.
I've heard the C7 GS described as the "most fun production car for autox, period" and I tend to agree. It's an ST* car out of the box.
I'd pass on the M2/ CT4-V. Too much weight

In summary, I'd go Cayman all day. Someone finally built an STU Cayman at the national level and it was a rocket at nationals, and a great looking car to boot. Unlike the ND/ Fiata it won't get swallowed up on track either. A few alignment tweaks between autox / track and it'll be a weapon at both. I'd argue that short of a GT3, I'd take any Cayman over a 911.

 

[Jantriis02]

Any idea what the autox / track split would be for this car? Everything you listed would be mega fun either way.

My unsolicited thoughts:
C8 is a track monster, heard it fumbles a little at autox due to the short 2nd (spends lots of time doing the 2-3-2-3-2 dance)
ND is mega fun, but after driving the Fiata a ton this year I'd probably chose that over an ND these days.
GR Corolla will be a "last of its kind" car, but a lot of crossover with your golf R IMO.
I've heard the C7 GS described as the "most fun production car for autox, period" and I tend to agree. It's an ST* car out of the box.
I'd pass on the M2/ CT4-V. Too much weight

In summary, I'd go Cayman all day. Someone finally built an STU Cayman at the national level and it was a rocket at nationals, and a great looking car to boot. Unlike the ND/ Fiata it won't get swallowed up on track either. A few alignment tweaks between autox / track and it'll be a weapon at both. I'd argue that short of a GT3, I'd take any Cayman over a 911.

I have also heard that about the C8, Probably not the best thing for autox.

Also, the Cayman is a great car, but if you're looking at a mid-engined car for fun stuff, it would be tough to beat a Lotus. I personally don't fit in them super well, but I have seen them do some pretty incredible things on track and at Autox.

 

[GTIfan99]

Any idea what the autox / track split would be for this car? Everything you listed would be mega fun either way.

My unsolicited thoughts:
C8 is a track monster, heard it fumbles a little at autox due to the short 2nd (spends lots of time doing the 2-3-2-3-2 dance)
ND is mega fun, but after driving the Fiata a ton this year I'd probably chose that over an ND these days.
GR Corolla will be a "last of its kind" car, but a lot of crossover with your golf R IMO.
I've heard the C7 GS described as the "most fun production car for autox, period" and I tend to agree. It's an ST* car out of the box.
I'd pass on the M2/ CT4-V. Too much weight

In summary, I'd go Cayman all day. Someone finally built an STU Cayman at the national level and it was a rocket at nationals, and a great looking car to boot. Unlike the ND/ Fiata it won't get swallowed up on track either. A few alignment tweaks between autox / track and it'll be a weapon at both. I'd argue that short of a GT3, I'd take any Cayman over a 911.

Any info on the STU Cayman build? When STR was announced years ago, I bought a Boxster to prep for the class and they excluded it at the last minute.

 

[bfury5]

Any info on the STU Cayman build? When STR was announced years ago, I bought a Boxster to prep for the class and they excluded it at the last minute.

I wish I did. STU this year was interesting. Last year after the Fiata came in and (although basically being disqualified) dropped time on the class that woke a lot of people up. People seemed to come back this year with builds much closer to the edge of the ruleset