If no 996 GT3's then its the M3- brilliant balance and with a brake and suspension kit, stripped out interior a GREAT track car

 

You really are within striking range of a 2004 996 GT3 at the price point you mentioned, could be worth the wait to find one that suits your needs.

I've owned a Z06 and love them on paper and not in person. I'd say to consider a Cayman S or an E92 M3 as your alternative. Although the M3 is reasonably heavy in this company, it's a very well made and nice car. The Z06 kills them all with pure performance, but it's a low-rent car overall and I could never get over that personally. Best wishes!

 

street use m3
track use 6gt3
alternative z06
all other are not worth your time or money

 

I'm in the car interior business and it cracks me up with people ripping on the Z06 interior...I recently helped a friend who was car shopping and took a test drive in a 2012 BMW 3 series. The materials and construction are identical to those used on an 8 year old Chevrolet car...foam and skin dash, plastic accent pieces everywhere...but it has a BMW tag on it so there is a halo effect. I agree the Z06 interior is nothing close to my Turbo S's, but for $170k you better get something amazing. The reality though is perception is reality...yep you can get a Cayman S that blows away the Z for fit and finish, but on a track it is the same level of difference in performance advantage the other way...that's the best thing we all get to choose what's most important to us.

 

I second the suggestion of a 997.1 C2S, ideally one with ims retrofit.

 

I like your list. However, what if you want dual purpose for street use and track use less than 6x a year max?

Been looking at 6gt3's, but usually higher mileage at my target price point.

I love the look of the c2s over the m3, but does it have the same overall abilities of the m3?

Does the z06's huge significant performance abilities make up for other areas as an all arounder?

 

Take a drive in a 2001 - 2004 996 Turbo. These are now within your Budget, under $50K, and offer a lot of performance for the money, are very reliable with low maintenance and a bullet-proof Mezger Engine with no known issues. They are bound to appreciate in value as the famous Mezger GT1 Porsche Engine is no longer available.

 

You really need to stop internet shopping and go drive these cars.

Mooty has the best list.

 

Agree,, You can get a 996 Twin Turbo with about 35K miles for 40-50K depending on condition and options. Fantastic cars, and very well suited for the track. I have seen some go for as low as 35K with 85K plus miles. I just traded mine in on GT3, but enjoyed the heck out of it...

 

I owned a 2001 TT and traded it for a 2004 GT3. Although the GT3 was a delight to drive
on short trips with its light responsive handling, it's tire noise, wind noise, engine noise and stiff suspension made long rides of several hundred miles to various racetracks intolerable for my wife and borderline intolerable for me. With little if any difference in track laptimes, I traded it in and returned to 996 TT. The 997 GT3's are far more comfortable as a long-trip DD IMHO and I expect the same with my 991 GT3.

 

Going off the deep end here...

Subaru BRZ (or Scion FR-S).

RWD? Check.
Track ready? Check.
N/A? Check.

Below $50k? CHECK! (With $20k+ for tires, fluids, brakes, and track fees for the next 4 years)

 

I just picked up a 2013 Subaru WRX STI 5 door , I've been a Audi, Porsche and Honda fan all my life. I surprised all my friends with my purchase....I too was surprise with the handling and when the 305 HP kicks in, it brings a big smile to my face too -

 

The only "check" the BRZ/FR-S is missing is a little POWER.

 

I don't disagree. I'm patiently waiting to see if Subaru puts a turbo in it, like they do to everything else.

 

I would lean toward the Z06 myself, now that mine is a full race ST1 car I really miss how easy it was to live with, easy to carry things, MPG and driving range. If tracking is important, It's hard to beat. I can barely fit my Skateboard and gear bag in the front of my Turbo. Find myself looking for a C6Z06 to DD and park the turbo a little more.