Hi guys, I'm looking to get a manual sports car to get myself to learn on and take to the track. My budget is around 10k. I'm eyeing the 1997-2000 986 boxster (5 spd), the NA-NC miata, and 350z. Any feedback on the list or a good car to go for?
#Need Help Picking a Car To Buy
frigid solar
opal crown
These are the exact three cars I would have picked for novice on track. Good choices! That said, given the age of cars and budget you're working on, it's less important which of these three is best, but more important that you find one in the best condition, unmodified, and most mechanically sound. For making sure you're in as good shape as you can be for track use, leave room in the budget for a few things like servicing the fluids (all of them: not just oil, but also trans fluid, differential fluid, power steering fluid, and most importantly coolant and brake fluid), making sure the suspension and brakes are up to snuff, and figuring out what you're doing with tires.
I'm guessing this will be a daily and occasional track car, but if you track often enough you may want to consider getting a second set of wheels and tires for your track days, so you don't eat through your road tires on your track weekends and inadvertently make yourself unsafe on the roads (or need tires every six months).
one factor that may be important: identify your track events' rules on convertibles. That may impact your shopping choices
frigid solar
These are the exact three cars I would have picked for novice on track. Good ch...
Oh gotcha, that makes sense. I do have a Camry that I'll end up using as my daily. I do also want to learn how to work on cars in general, would all the options above be a good starting point?
violet stream
they would indeed, personally I think the NC Miata is your best option since there's A LOT of them around for cheap in decent condition with absurd amount of aftermarket support and knowledge but really all the cars mentioned would make for good track cars on a budget.
like airz said, what's most important is finding one that's clean and in good condition with headroom left for essential prep
opal crown
Oh gotcha, that makes sense. I do have a Camry that I'll end up using as my dail...
The Miata is the simplest to work on, the Z much less so. I’m not certain how tricky a Boxster is as I’ve never wrenched on one, but working on my MR2 was pretty easy
full atlas
The Miata is the simplest to work on, the Z much less so. I’m not certain how t...
The boxster takes about five or ten minutes just to access the top of the engine
And most jobs have to be done from the bottom
Very fun to drive