[trackbird]

I've been struggling with the thought that I want a 3rd gen F-body to race/drive (ok, "drive" justifies buying it to race). I am currently driving a 2002 Z28 with a reasonably sorted suspension. Actually, the 2002 is reasonably quick and handles great, it's lots of fun to drive. But, I can't decide if I should keep the 2002 and the current setup or sell everything off, return it to stock and invest my "suspension money" in a nice, non- t-top 3rd gen to play with (something I can afford to wreck). Since my 2002 has T-tops, I don't think I'll ever think of it as a serious track car (even after it's paid off), so I am really thinking of a 3rd gen and starting over. I guess the question is "Keep the rocketship street car, or buy/build a true track car?"

Am I nuts or is this "the way"? Can anyone offer the proper guidance.....

[jensend]

Unless you can buy a fully developed 3rd gen. track car, you're probobly better off keeping what you have. I asked the 3rd gen guys I run with before buying my '02 Z-28. All said that the 4th gen car was better out of the box than most developed 3rd gen. cars.. The general opinion was that it would take both time and quite a lot of cash to bring the earlier car up to an equivalent level. Several I spoke to had 30k invested before they were done with their 3rd gen cars. Since I can't afford the trailer/tow vehicle/track only route. the 4th gen was the best "bang for the buck". Yeah, it has to be driven to and from the track and is not as quick as a dedicated track car, but it's been fun and fairly reliable (except for brake wear and the oem clutch). Unless you're wheel to wheel racing, you should be able to have plenty of fun and still bring the car home in one piece. On the other hand, if you have the coin, who wouldn't want both a track car AND a 4th gen. too. Play the lottery?