I think I want to change directions, I kinda want a street car again Options

[trackbird]

This is going to be a bit strange (and probably too long). I sold my 2002 Z28 street/autocross car last year and bought a truck and a track car (2007 C3500 and 1992 Z28). At the time, I joked that if I bought that car, I'd wind up divorced. Well, I'm now divorced, but I have a car and a truck (and some other cars).

My local SCCA registration people pretty well irritated me at the last event to the point that I don't think I'm likely to run with them too much this year (if at all). And my current budget (and collective pile of cars) is not looking like much HPDE or wheel to wheel time is in my future. All of this means that I have a pretty fast, fairly sorted Camaro that I drive less than 100 miles a year (and now maybe not at all since it's not insured for street use right now) and I'm starting to miss driving a car that I enjoy. And, if I'm not autocrossing it, and not tracking it, I don't guess I really need to own it.

So, I'm starting to consider cleaning out my stable and finding a street car to drive again. Racerdad916 and I recently completed the work on the 2002 Taurus I have so it can be sold. That should let me buy my way out of the Mazdaspeed 6. I could sell the Camaro, use a bit of that cash to sell off my truck, pay off a few bills with some of the rest and go buy "something" fun to drive on a more regular basis (Corvette maybe? another 4th gen F-body?).

So, if I were to go car shopping, what should I go look at? I really want a 1991 C4 (updated body, 6 speed, non-lt1 car). I have had thoughts of a C5 Z06 (though I'm not a fan of what it takes to change a clutch in one of those). Or, I keep reading about Patreds f-body for sale (and others). Or, maybe I'll change directions, find a used truck and a kart? Or, I'm just off my rocker....

(IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[LS1_Alex]

The 2009 camaro should be a good daily. Will have optional brembos etc.

[StanIROCZ]

Get insurance on the teal wonder and drive it. What's the issue? Why are we talking about this?

[marka]

Howdy,

Truck & kart are probably your best bet in terms of cheap motorsports & thrills on the track, but you'll still be driving a truck on the street.

In terms of street/track cars, I'd look at a non-z06 c5... The z06 part really only matters for autox / rules classes, at least to me. You can update all/most of it. Its not like an LS1 is weak... :-)

In terms of new cars, I'd have to take a really hard look at the Mustang.

You already know about fbodies. Its just a question of if you want one or not.

If it were me, I'd go truck/kart or keep what you have. But I've never cared what I drive on the street either...

Mark

[Mericet]

My local SCCA registration people pretty well irritated me at the last event to the point that I don't think I'm likely to run with them too much this year (if at all).

What did they do to annoy you?

[SStrokerAce]

Get a Solstice GXP or a nice used C4 or C5 vette.

[trackbird]

The 2009 camaro should be a good daily. Will have optional brembos etc.

I (so far) have had zero interest in the new F-body. Since I own this board many people expect that I'm waiting in line for one, but really I'm pretty indifferent about it now. Just like in the 60's, GM is 4 years late to copy Ford, but this time may not work out as well (and so far, I think it's ugly). We'll see.

Get insurance on the teal wonder and drive it. What's the issue? Why are we talking about this?

Bored, trying to cut expenses. Get rid of a car I'm not likely to drive anytime soon. Already paying $200 a month in insurance and they want about $75 a month more to let me drive my "worthless" (to them) Z28 on the street...and that's with no coverage on my car in an accident (I paid less to fully insure my 2002 Z28, I don't know if high school kids are wrecking these things at alarming rates or what). If I can dump the Mazdaspeed, I might drive the Camaro somewhat, but I always smell like gas when I get out of it, may not be great fun at work.

If it were me, I'd go truck/kart or keep what you have. But I've never cared what I drive on the street either...

Mark

I don't really care what I drive on the street (and I like my truck), but it's the only driving I think I'll be doing anytime soon. And, I put $380 in fuel in my truck in about 11 days this in April. My LS1 Camaro got 29.5 mpg, my Mazdaspeed doesn't even do that (hence my thoughts of an M6 'Vette or Camaro/Firebird).

My local SCCA registration people pretty well irritated me at the last event to the point that I don't think I'm likely to run with them too much this year (if at all).

What did they do to annoy you?

I registered and put a note that I might have a credit from the test n tune that was going to get rained on. And, they didn't charge my co-driver and gave him a credit. When I walked up to registration, I gave my name and was almost yelled at with "WHY DO YOU THINK YOU HAVE A CREDIT? THERE ARE NO CREDITS, IF YOU DON'T COME TO THE EVENTS..." and it went on from there (but I know someone got a credit because they told me when I pulled in...but anyway). I got up at 5am to get a shower and load a car that wouldn't start the night before (I was up until 1am figuring out that it had a low battery, I charged it all night and loaded it in the morning) to tow 40 miles to get yelled at in registration (and then to wind up running in the rain anyway). I just decided I can find other things to do that don't involve the SCCA, but none of them will involve my car either.

Get a Solstice GXP or a nice used C4 or C5 vette.

Hmm, forgot about the Solstice. I do get a GM (and Ford and Chrysler) discount.

[StanIROCZ]

Get insurance on the teal wonder and drive it. What's the issue? Why are we talking about this?

Bored, trying to cut expenses. Get rid of a car I'm not likely to drive anytime soon. Already paying $200 a month in insurance and they want about $75 a month more to let me drive my "worthless" (to them) Z28 on the street...and that's with no coverage on my car in an accident (I paid less to fully insure my 2002 Z28, I don't know if high school kids are wrecking these things at alarming rates or what). If I can dump the Mazdaspeed, I might drive the Camaro somewhat, but I always smell like gas when I get out of it, may not be great fun at work.

You must be getting insurance from the wrong company. I'll dig up some info on mine. I'm paying ~$500 a year for 15k collision coverage plus everything else.

but I always smell like gas when I get out of it, may not be great fun at work.

I thought you were a gear head. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/nutkick.gif) How disappointing. I put a splash of 93 octane on my neck before I go out on the weekend. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/cool2.gif)

[trackbird]

but I always smell like gas when I get out of it, may not be great fun at work.

I thought you were a gear head. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/nutkick.gif) How disappointing. I put a splash of 93 octane on my neck before I go out on the weekend. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/cool2.gif)

Is that what I was smelling in the bar in Detroit? I was trying to tell if it was Shell or Sunoco. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

[roadracetransam]

Trackbird,

At least you are not indecisive!

(IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

[trackbird]

Trackbird,

At least you are not indecisive!

(IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

I don't think I'm indecisive, but I'm not really sure. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/drink.gif)

[StanIROCZ]

but I always smell like gas when I get out of it, may not be great fun at work.

I thought you were a gear head. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/nutkick.gif) How disappointing. I put a splash of 93 octane on my neck before I go out on the weekend. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/cool2.gif)

Is that what I was smelling in the bar in Detroit? I was trying to tell if it was Shell or Sunoco. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

I can't remember what I had on that night... Could have been the 10W-40 in my hair??

I'm going to be driving my Jerico to work soon. I could be talking out my ass because MAYBE I'll say "its too loud" or I'll get sick of grinding gears, but if I don't, YOU ARE A HUGE WIMP!! (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

And if that's the case, BUY A MUSTANG and start MRRAX.com, because WE DON'T WANT YOU!! (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/buttkick.gif) Just kiddning.

I think you'll come too your senses soon and regret ever starting this thread. You've had an F-bod too long to do something rash like this.

[prockbp]

I know exactly how you feel.

I have a kick ass IROC just sitting in my garage. I can't drive it legally on the street, and I definately miss driving a car that actually turns and accelerates like I want it to.

BUT...

No car can match the thrill that my motorcycle gives me on the street... and it's just a sport-touring motorcycle.

SO...

buy a 4-6k dollar sport bike, pay $100/yr for liability insurance and be happy.

[trackbird]

I'm going to be driving my Jerico to work soon. I could be talking out my ass because MAYBE I'll say "its too loud" or I'll get sick of grinding gears, but if I don't, YOU ARE A HUGE WIMP!! (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

The day I found out I was getting divorced, I did drive it to work (in "Nashville" trim). I also drove it on a 150 mile round trip. I wound up in a rainstorm with no interior lights, the climate controls laying on the floor (with the wires for the power windows) and I wasn't really sure I was going to get home that night. I've been there. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

...buy a 4-6k dollar sport bike, pay $100/yr for liability insurance and be happy.

My last bike ride ended with me landing in a field at 125 mph (really) and sliding several hundred feet. This was right before I was handed some tickets and a totalled bike was towed home. I've sworn them off since then (because I'm stupid (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) ).

[slowTA]

I know how you feel Kevin. I almost bought a GTO as a daily driver but knew it would distract me from the Firebird. I got a normal daily driver instead, so it is still a thrill to drive the Firebird a few times a year. It would be nice to drive the Firebird more often but it isn't all that comfy, its kind of noisy, it is old so there are things I should fix... and look at it, it is kind of embarrassing to drive something that color.

I would keep the truck and the teal thing, then decide which of the other cars would be 'adequate' as daily driver. Or maybe downgrade the truck by a few years and go with something a little nicer daily driver.

[AndyJ]

TB,

You miss driving a performance car or fooling with it in the garage?

[trackbird]

TB,

You miss driving a performance car or fooling with it in the garage?

I can work on it. I just can't afford to register for events, tow it anywhere or actually drive it right now. If it were a street car, I'd just keep it and drive the thing some. I've had a craving for my old (any of them) T-top cars on a nice evening. My recent budget reorginazation (divorce) has put a crimp in my towing and entry fee budget. So, I'm trying to decide how to downsize and have fun.

[AndyJ]

TB,

You miss driving a performance car or fooling with it in the garage?

I can work on it. I just can't afford to register for events, tow it anywhere or actually drive it right now. If it were a street car, I'd just keep it and drive the thing some. I've had a craving for my old (any of them) T-top cars on a nice evening. My recent budget reorginazation (divorce) has put a crimp in my towing and entry fee budget. So, I'm trying to decide how to downsize and have fun.

You know I sorta went through this and my solution was to simplify. Looking back, it was a good decision. I ebayed and craiglist-ed tons o' stuff. Everything that wasn't necessary and little used was outta here. I think I had 6 vehicles, 3 high end audio systems, 4 TV's, 2 of most every tool, guns and tacticool stuff I never used, computer stuff and multiple computers that were getting older and more out of date by the day---etc etc etc. It was fun and added quite a bit of dinero.

Once you clean out the clutter, it is easier to see the path.

[nape]

Sell the Protege and Taurus, find a cheap daily beater (I like my current 5 speed Saturn wagon) and it'll pay for itself in no time. Let the truck and teal machine sit until you build up sufficient money from gas savings to do some track days.

That's what I did. My van cost me $100/week to drive to work when gas was $3/gallon and the Saturn only cost me $25/week at the same price. That's the entry fee to a track day a month. Yeah, it's not a real sporty ride, but it keeps you happy being able to row your own gears and squeal the 185/70/14s all the way around the off-ramp. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

My dad and my uncle have been telling me this for a long time, "A race car is way better then a girlfriend. You can let it sit around for as long as you want and it's still just as happy whenever you decide to come back to it. The maintenance is less and you can beat the crap out of it and it'll still love you." (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/rotf.gif)

[SStrokerAce]

Good comment on the GF vs. Race Car.... I always have to keep mine out of the race car!

This thread reminds me of something I have to tell customers a lot. Remember what you want out of a car! If you want something you can drive then you have to remember not to make it into a 100% drag or road race car. It's not going to be AS good at racing but if you like tooling around in it then it has to have some trade offs. Two things other than an interior make a car a fun street car to me, how well it drives and how loud it is. If it's too loud you want to shoot somone, if it drives like complete ass then you don't want to drive it. One is easy to fix with the exhaust and it's not going to hurt power too bad and the other is pretty much cam choice. The right camshaft always makes the car drivable.

I personally don't even drive my SS much anymore. On Sundays it gets packed up with tires and goes up to 3 hours away, gets beat on all day and then driven back home and maybe taken for a drive around town once a week. I autoX the car just so I do something with it!

Then again the daily driver needs to be somewhat fun. Mine is a Silverado 1500 with 20's on it, still needs the ported LS6 heads in the shop, small cam, headers, lowering springs and new shocks. Right now it has enough power and the 20's have made it bareable to drive thru corners. Part of me always says to just leave it alone, spend that $$$ on 710's and maybe trade it in on a G8 "ute" when it comes out.

I would say one of the cars I enjoyed beating the hell out of was my first car, a '94 Saturn SC2. (Thanks for reminding me nape) That with ABS gives you 4 wheel discs and a 5 speed makes it fun. It has 130hp, 2400lbs and you can put 205 tires on stock wheels easy..... hell if I could find a nice cheap one I would pick one up and use it for a car to tool around in.

Bret

[axoid]

"A race car is way better then a girlfriend. You can let it sit around for as long as you want and it's still just as happy whenever you decide to come back to it. The maintenance is less and you can beat the crap out of it and it'll still love you." (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/rotf.gif)

I love that. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/bigok.gif)

[mitchntx]

Wow ... just wow ...

How many times have I had similar thoughts over the last year or so.
I keep fighting the urge to sell out, sit back and enjoy a less hectic life. But I keep plugging along.

Kevin, when you find nirvana, let me know, Okay? Cause I'm searching as well.

[trackbird]

Good comment on the GF vs. Race Car.... I always have to keep mine out of the race car!

This thread reminds me of something I have to tell customers a lot. Remember what you want out of a car! If you want something you can drive then you have to remember not to make it into a 100% drag or road race car. It's not going to be AS good at racing but if you like tooling around in it then it has to have some trade offs. Two things other than an interior make a car a fun street car to me, how well it drives and how loud it is. If it's too loud you want to shoot somone, if it drives like complete ass then you don't want to drive it. One is easy to fix with the exhaust and it's not going to hurt power too bad and the other is pretty much cam choice. The right camshaft always makes the car drivable.

Bret,

I hated having a dual purpose car when I had the cash for something else. Now that I'm divorced and inhereted all the bills and her car payment, I have 40% less cash, 50% more cars and am back wishing I had a fun toy to drive to work so I could at least enjoy it. It's not so much that I picked the wrong purpose for my car, I'm trying to get back to having a car that fits my current situation.

I knew what I was getting into...until she split. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/mad.gif)

[StanIROCZ]

The day I found out I was getting divorced, I did drive it to work (in "Nashville" trim). I also drove it on a 150 mile round trip. I wound up in a rainstorm with no interior lights, the climate controls laying on the floor (with the wires for the power windows) and I wasn't really sure I was going to get home that night. I've been there. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

I plan on giving RainX Anti-Fog a try.

I was playing tough guy earlier but admittedly I do think about buying a C5 sometimes. I usually get that thought when I'm over my head in some crazy project that I dream up and am having trouble getting through it. When considering the amount of money and time that I have already put in my car, plus the time and money that will put into it in the future I could EASILY justify buying a C5. If I told the fiancé how much I spend on the car she would even agree. But I think the hook for me is that I enjoy the projects, most of the time. Sure I run into problems that get me bummed out sometimes, but I have gears turning and they aren't going to stop even if I have a C5 or whatever, and I have a feeling that yours won’t either.

I just dug up my insurance info. I’m paying $352 / year through American Modern Home Insurance Company. If you can get a similar deal you can save 2K/year.

Combined liability - 500,000
Personal Injury Protection - Basic
Un / under insured - 500,000
Vehicle Value - 15k

I technically can’t drive it too work, but what’s to stop me.

[trackbird]

Yea, I (in some twisted way) enjoyed the "Nashville thrash". But I'm starting to think I'd rather just enjoy a car and not try to race it. Between gas, towing, tires, trailers, consumables, etc, it's not even a reasonable idea for me in the near future (until something changes) and since my autocross region pretty well pissed me off, I just don't need the car anymore. I'm simply not going to do anything with it. That's what really put this out there for me.

[nape]

Yea, I (in some twisted way) enjoyed the "Nashville thrash". But I'm starting to think I'd rather just enjoy a car and not try to race it. Between gas, towing, tires, trailers, consumables, etc, it's not even a reasonable idea for me in the near future (until something changes) and since my autocross region pretty well pissed me off, I just don't need the car anymore. I'm simply not going to do anything with it. That's what really put this out there for me.

If you can get what it's worth, put it up for sale. If you think you'll have any regrets, keep it around. It doesn't cost you anything to let it sit in the garage, so why take pennies on the dollar? I love working on race cars and I think about selling it once in a while and wrenching for someone else. The biggest thing that holds me back is wondering if I'd ever get to do it again. Life is unexpected and sometimes you've just got to go for it.

Another favorite of the elder racers in my family: "Ditch the bitch, let's go racin'!" (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

[KeithO]

Maybe some mumbles from me could provide a way to look at this with a different thought process.

I haven't mentioned to this to many outside CMC circles but I sold my CMC car due to some work assignments. The buyer picks it up on Sunday. I didn't want to sell it but it was the only thing that made sense since I couldn't drive it for the foreseeable future.

Anyway, I am down to the tow vehicle (Tahoe - wife loves it so it isn't going anywhere) and my street legal, but track prepared 97 WS6. With the pending empty garage bay, I've had all kinds of thoughts about a C5 Z06, 3rd gen toy and on and on. I concluded that the WS6 is a great balance between streetability, autox-ability and track day fun. By accident, I think I settled on the best compromise for me.

The unintended side-effect is that when my mind wanders, I am not constantly mentally planning the next set of work on the race car. That has been an unexpected positive side effect.

If cost is an issue, dump everything you have, get a largely stock car, and fiddle with it as you decide you want to. I personally think that at some point I will get a GTO because they are relatively inexpensive, versatile (unless you fiddle it too much) and finding examples of decent f-bodies will get harder. ...until they become collectors cars...

Just mumbling, I guess. ...sounds like you need a "hard reboot" with the cars and the only thing you need to decide is what to get.

This post has been edited by KeithO: May 2 2008, 09:56 AM

[Teutonic Speedra...]

Wow ... just wow ...

How many times have I had similar thoughts over the last year or so.
I keep fighting the urge to sell out, sit back and enjoy a less hectic life. But I keep plugging along.

Kevin, when you find nirvana, let me know, Okay? Cause I'm searching as well.

I've been thinking the same. May slowly phase out over the next year or two. Getting married in September, buying a house, and have been enjoying some simpler things in life that are nearly free. Would love to just arrive at the track by helicoptor and drive.

Between gas, towing, tires, trailers, consumables, etc,

Yeah....I'm leaning towards a sweet simulator setup for GTR2, Simracing, and GT5 that I can race others online ALL YEAR round, for nearly free. I just feel guilty considerig all the work I've done to the car and how potent it is. I'd love to sell it one day to a buddy and have him race "the car I built".

[vanwyk4257]

Kevin,
I can empathize. I was going down the dedicated track car route with my black B4C 4th gen, but I quickly came to the conclusion that having so much money wrapped up in a car I might drive 2-3 times a month was not what I wanted.

That's why I'm rebuilding the other car as a dual purpose car. It has all the right suspension and brake upgrades, but a full interior and A/C. I know it's going to eat up brakes and tires faster with all that extra weight, but I don't care anymore.

I say put insurance on the one you have and drive it on the weekends or when the mood strikes during the week. I'll be driving my car to work regularly (probably smelling like gas too) and I'm a banker, imagine smelling like gas while you're wearing a suit! (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[marka]

Howdy,

Have you driven a shifter kart yet?

It sounds like its money that's driving this... Sell the car, get a kart, and run the hell out of it for cheap.

Tires are cheap, entry fees are cheap, maintenance is easy, and you don't have a wife to get all annoyed at you when you're so sore climbing out of the thing that she's worried she'll have to take care of both you and your infant son.

Mark

(ok, that last one might be more my personal experience... :-)

(seriously, karts are a freaking hoot.)

(If the truck isn't good enough on gas, get a regular car with a hitch and a small trailer)

(either way, at least go try a shifter kart somewhere)

This post has been edited by marka: May 2 2008, 02:02 PM

[slowTA]

So you've stopped autocrossing because one person gave you attitude about a mistake on their part. I've seen arguments that have almost turned into fights and everyone involved is back the next week.

Seriously I would blow off this incident and move on with the season. I wouldn't let one person's problem ruin my fun for good.

[trackbird]

So you've stopped autocrossing because one person gave you attitude about a mistake on their part. I've seen arguments that have almost turned into fights and everyone involved is back the next week.

Seriously I would blow off this incident and move on with the season. I wouldn't let one person's problem ruin my fun for good.

I won't say it was a mistake on their part. The rules are the rules. My co driver put in for a "credit" for us both since I didn't make it with the car (since it rained, I wasn't going to get any useful testing done so I was swapping a diesel in a Ford F250 that day). I understand him getting a credit and me not (since I didn't show up with the car). This would have been easy enough to explain since I know what the rules are and such, but that's not the approach that was taken. I was basically yelled at and told that this is how it's going to be, get over it (in so many words) and I owe $35 for the day. If I hadn't had a co-driver that day, I'd have hopped in the truck and gone home, unloaded and gone back to bed. I have better things to do with my time, or at least different things (I'd have probably spent the day relaxing with a benchrest rifle in my hand at the 100 yard range while testing various handloads for accuracy).

I've become increasingly disenchanted with autocrossing as our region has grown (230 cars at an event). You spend 6 hours out in the sun to drive the car 3-5 minutes (if you're lucky)... I may as well take up drag racing. This is not to berate autocross, I've enjoyed it and learned a lot, but I spend all day for 3 minutes of seat time. With the current entry fees (and the requirement to buy weekend memberships to the scca, I'm paying about $8 a minute for seat time, plus gas, towing and consumables, which probably makes it closer to $30 a minute...or even far more). This is the same registration person who's rubbed many people the wrong way, and when both of our registration people are just evil and nasty to deal with (both of them gave me attitude in sufficient quantity that I no longer care), you really don't find yourself wanting to go back. I'm a pretty customer service oriented guy and I believe in being nice to people. I don't give instant attitude from the first word out of my mouth...

And, I don't want to become an SCCA member (which will save me $10 per event) since I hate the junk mail I get from them. I don't feel that I get much benefit from being a member (which someone will argue with me about the events I wouldn't be attending if they didn't exist, but I'm not really planning to attend them anyway...).

Yes, Mark, I'm trying to trim expenses and find ways to have fun. With the price of fuel, I have very ineffecient daily drivers (either of them) and my 2002 Z28 did far better for daily use. I'm back to thinking something fun might be the answer and get rid of the ton of cars that I have right now. I could buy one Corvette for all the payments and bills I have. Or, I could dump it all, buy a used truck and a Kart. Or anywhere in between. That's what I'm trying to decide. I'm looking for ways to maximize my fun and minimize my expenses (I'd sell the house and move, but I can't give that away in todays market).

On top of that, someone hit the Mazda yesterday. I saw it this morning. They drove into the front passengers side door and left white paint and two small dents. So, I'm back dealing with insurance companies for the 4th (or so) time in the last few months (September, uninsured illegal ailens hit the back of the Mazda while I was sitting in a drive through and scratched it, a few months ago a girl smashed her firebird into my truck tire, I had two windshields put in the mazda in a week, the first one was the wrong one, and now I get to have the door fixed and painted).

Some days it doesn't pay to get out of bed. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

I need to go research the Solstice/Sky twins and maybe go drive one.

[axoid]

I need to go research the Solstice/Sky twins and maybe go drive one.

Keep in mind that next year there will be a Solstice coupe with a targa top roof.

[LT4Firehawk]

Most fun car(s) I've ever had for a daily driver, were my two Porsche 944 Turbos. Absolute blast to drive on the street (and the track too), got great gas mileage (if I could stay out of the throttle), were very comfortable to drive, and have a huge removeable sun roof. The only issue was that mainteance can eat you alive. The last one I had cost me over $10K in a year, but then that one was a little bit of a basket case when I bought it. If you pick one up that's had all it's service maintained, and you don't mind turning a wrench, then it wouldn't be too bad. You can find a good one for anywhere from $8K to $15K, and then budget maybe $2K a year in maintenance just to be safe (or for mods). If it says anything, I still keep my eye out for another one, and am strongly considering getting another once we get our rental house sold. Either that or maybe a C4 ZR1.

My second favorite car, was my 92 Vette. Very reliable, great performance, and you really feel like your driving a sport car. Only downside was that it was a little rough/harsh riding sometimes (no worse than a typical fourth gen f-body). The C5 Z06 I had was an awesome car, but it felt too isolated. The Porsches are the best at telling you what's going on without beating you up, the C4 told you what was going on, but was a little rough, the Z06 didn't tell you as much of what was going on, but was very fast in spite of that.

If you want new GM, I'd definitley look at the Sky. I personally like it's looks a lot better.

[CMC #37]

It is funny how misogyny creeps in when guys aren't getting what they want.... (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

That sucks Kevin, I just love going out to my vehicles too and finding that big, or small, dent with some other car's paint in it, and no note or explanation or apology whatsoever! (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/rant.gif) Karma and Darwin are looking for you ahole!!!!

I noticed some time ago when I attended SCCA autox events out west here it was "tense." I shook it off the first time or two and then just decided that was the atmosphere at these events. More than a few local serious competitors regularly attending seemed to also carry this attitude around. Maybe if you are just getting a short time to go at the cones you develop some sort of psychological anger defect after a while....... (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/sadbananax.gif) (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/hitwithrock.gif) (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/rant2.gif)

I too like the Solstice. I am going to have a talk with Brady (CMCer who was on Set-Up) about the car and how he liked driving it. I too face a dilemma about my next new GM street car, which one! After hearing some interesting inside information though, I am going to hold off until after the Z28 comes out.

I find a lot of folks I know are scaling back on their automotive hobbies as they are getting older and have more responsibility (kids, etc.) , or for various reasons like yours Kevin, have to streamline things due to personal circumstances and the economy. Personally I am cutting back on events this year due to the economy and that I shelled out a forkload of cash to go to the nationals last year! Great experience, but major wallet damage!

Great thread, a lot of us are in a similar boat....

[trackbird]

The solstice GXP starts at almost $29k and AC is an almost $1k option on top of it? Oof. There are a lot of other fun toys out there for $30k+. Hmm....

[Sidney]

Trackbird,

How much track experience do you have? NASA Great Lakes is looking for instructors and in case you didn't know...instructors play for free. So divide 4 hours of track time by the same cost of an SCCA autocross weekend and see how cheap per lap/minute NASA HPDE is.

Sidney Franklin
NASA Certified Instructor
AI #64

[SStrokerAce]

I need to go research the Solstice/Sky twins and maybe go drive one.

Keep in mind that next year there will be a Solstice coupe with a targa top roof.

Yeah that's the one I want!


I agree with mark about the kart. If I was in your spot I would find the closest kart tracks and see what class is competitive and get one. You can also AutoX the thing (even though I hate them at events!) and you can wheel to wheel the thing for cheap, really cheap. Now team that up with the G8 "sport truck" and you might have a winner on all counts.

I hear what you are saying about nasty registration members and too many cars at an event. One of our local regions reminds me of exactly what you are talking about. I don't understand why they are so nasty all the time and why they can't just limit the number of racers to a certain amount? There is no fun in getting 50-60% of the runs of other regions, being treated like crap and having to watch 50 novices go out and plow over cones just so you can race 10 good drivers at the same event........

Bret

This post has been edited by SStrokerAce: May 2 2008, 09:07 PM

[Crazy Canuck]

think outside the box.
sell house, move, go where ppl are great... Mtl is hugely competitive and fun.

[Mojave]

think outside the box.
sell house, move, go where ppl are great... Mtl is hugely competitive and fun.

Ohhh, Canada, where it is warm enough to drive the car like 4 months out of the year. What a paradise!!! (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/2thumbs.gif)

Why don't you come to Texas where you can track/AX 12 months out of the year. There is no off season and there are plenty of friend people.

This post has been edited by Mojave: May 7 2008, 05:29 AM

[Crazy Canuck]

actually... same weather as Kevin's place... we don't live in igloos.
buffalo, chicago gets colder weather than here. fwiw... I drove my motorcycle 9 months/yr... crotch-rocket as some would say.

[DRD T-bone]

Kevin,
Grundy classic auto insurance is something like $300 per year as long as the car is registered a collector. The only constraint for that here in Arizona is that the car is more than 15 years old. Ah the 1992 Camaro RS, 1 of 300,000 but what a rare gem to collect!

[trackbird]

Sydney,

I'm not sure I'm comfortable enough to instruct, but I probably have the credentials for it. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

Kevin,
Grundy classic auto insurance is something like $300 per year as long as the car is registered a collector. The only constraint for that here in Arizona is that the car is more than 15 years old. Ah the 1992 Camaro RS, 1 of 300,000 but what a rare gem to collect!

Yea, my car is actually a 5.7 liter Z28 (and was when it left the factory), so it is a bit more rare, but it's one of 5,197 1992 Z28's (1,254 of which were convertibles, leaving 3,943 1992 Z28 coupes).

From here:

http://www.thirdgen.org/1992-chevy-camaro

They built 60,994 RS's out of 70,007 total cars produced in 1992.

[Lordvader]

Never say you are going dragracing, thats like driving back your tricycle after driving RR or AX (Just kidding). My problem with DR or AX is exactly that, you spend very little time at the wheel, compared to RR.

I would get an economical, functional, mainteinance free dayly transpo and continue racing, NASA or whatever .

Those famous words from Steve McQueens Lemans movie: "Racing is life, the rest is jut waiting".

Ive driven a Solstice, its ok, except for the lack of power and reduced grip compared to an F-body.

I prefeer the F than the Y, except for the C6, which has a perfect handling. F-bodies I find easier to drive, cheaper to modify.

IMHO.

[trackbird]

Well, I have a daily driver, but at 12 mpg and premium fuel, the truck is not cheap to operate (and I drive a lot). So, I'm considering dumping my truck and the mazdaspeed 6 or, keeping the mazdaspeed 6 as a driver (though I want it gone). If I sell both, I might buy a base Cobalt to wander around in. GM has $500 off, $2000 cash back and I get the employee discount. The thing lists for $14,800 and I'd probably get about $3,200 off. And, at 36 mpg, who cares? I wonder how uninspiring it is to drive... (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

If I can sell it all, I might. If not, I can hang onto the Camaro, it can sit until I can find something to do with it when the racing budget gets back to full strength. I hate to sell it, I'll lose my butt on it, but I'd love to just have a Corvette to drive to work and such and enjoy. If nothing sells, it's not going to matter much in the end.

I did post the car (as many saw), and I posted it at a price it's probably worth, but not what anyone will actually pay for it. If someone does, great. If not, no big loss. I'm not giving it away since I don't "have" to sell it. I just can't decide if I'll miss it or not. But if someone shows up with a stack of cash, I'll probably take it.

[mitchntx]

think outside the box.
sell house, move, go where ppl are great... Mtl is hugely competitive and fun.

Ohhh, Canada, where it is warm enough to drive the car like 4 months out of the year. What a paradise!!! (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/2thumbs.gif)

Why don't you come to Texas where you can track/AX 12 months out of the year. There is no off season and there are plenty of friend people.

(IMG:http://yougotowned.net/you_got_owned_yel.gif)

[1qwikbird]

This is funny, because I am thinking the exact opposite. I have my 99 Firechicken and its a great DD (20+mpg driving like a human), fun at the autox, would be a blast at track days (I haven't gone yet, but previous owner did many). It's even fun to make the occasion blast down the 1/4 mile (mid 11's @120), but I find it very difficult to drive the car responsibly on the street, meaning its only a matter of time before the tickets come and being in NJ, I can't afford that.

So I have been toying with the idea of gutting the car and making a track car out of it, but its too complete, too nice and reasonably low miles (69K), so it would kinda be a shame. Then the idea came to me, to sell it, buy something a little more "used" which I would have less trouble making a track car out of, but I would have to do the upgrade process all over. So I feel your pain, but from the other side of the equation.

I think the situation will resolve itself, depending on what sells and what doesn't. If the track car sells, no need for the tow vehicle. Dump the mazda no matter what. The taurus might be the keeper, no payment?, reasonable economy and I don't think you can mod that thing, so it can't become a toy. When funds stablize, get the car you really want, whatever that may be.

You'll figure it out.......good luck

Chris

[Crazy Canuck]

Well, I have a daily driver, but at 12 mpg and premium fuel, the truck is not cheap to operate (and I drive a lot). So, I'm considering dumping my truck and the mazdaspeed 6 or, keeping the mazdaspeed 6 as a driver (though I want it gone). If I sell both, I might buy a base Cobalt to wander around in. GM has $500 off, $2000 cash back and I get the employee discount. The thing lists for $14,800 and I'd probably get about $3,200 off. And, at 36 mpg, who cares? I wonder how uninspiring it is to drive... (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

If I can sell it all, I might. If not, I can hang onto the Camaro, it can sit until I can find something to do with it when the racing budget gets back to full strength. I hate to sell it, I'll lose my butt on it, but I'd love to just have a Corvette to drive to work and such and enjoy. If nothing sells, it's not going to matter much in the end.

I did post the car (as many saw), and I posted it at a price it's probably worth, but not what anyone will actually pay for it. If someone does, great. If not, no big loss. I'm not giving it away since I don't "have" to sell it. I just can't decide if I'll miss it or not. But if someone shows up with a stack of cash, I'll probably take it.

for a beater, i'd consider the Saturn Astra for the same price of the Base Cobalt.
http://www.saturn.com/saturn/vehicles/astr...sf_hp_astramhp1
Better styling, imho... and seems like more fun to drive, practical around town kind of vehicle.

[v7guy]

It's a pickle you're in that's for sure. I'm not sure there is a good answer either.
If your attached to the camaro keep it around. It's not doing any harm. I feel your pain about the truck though.

[trackbird]

They list the cobalt at better mileage, and I think that thing is a bit funky looking. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) But Saturns are cheap to insure...