In general, you are definitely correct. I found a "possibly hard driven" M12 on eBay for $57k, so I thought I might investigate the M12 possibility a little more. Is it fair to say that an M12 requires a much more skilled driver than an Elise? I'm definitely a racing beginner (which is why I traded my 03 Viper for the TT).

As you and many others have indicated, the STI may be the way to go. The problem is that I actually owned an STI for three years...I sold it at the end of last summer... So my preference would be to get something different. Since there is no local Mitsubishi dealership here to provide service, the Evo is probably out as well (coincidentally, there is no local Lotus service here either, but somehow I'm ok with that...go figure).

 

I am aware of the 57k M12 with the cheap paint job. I would avoid it unless you are really good friends with you mechanic and enjoy hanging with him at his shop. Check nobleforums.com to see what others have said about that car.

That being said, I truly believe the Noble is a MUCH easier car to drive than the Elise. It is also much easier than an M3 or 996TT. It is incredibly forgiving and it makes you look like a much better driver than you are ;-) I recently sold mine but if I could have kept it as JUST a track car I would have kept it indefinitely.

 

im surprised no one had mentioned the E36 M3. u can find some great examples of these cars for cheap. mod them and still have left over money in ur $50K budget. u can make a really quick and trackable E36 for well under $50K. add alittle forced induction, i.e. turbo or twinscrew, and ull be hanging w/some top horse power cars. the car was named best handling car in America when it was released. http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n...ing20Car-1.jpg

 

Problem with early M3's is repair cost though... The Noble would be fast than a heavily modded e36 and has a ford duratec engine.

 

AutoX your turbo!

 

E30 M3 w/ susp. and built motor.

 

and run with professionals...thats a really tough class!




I would go with an elise and keep it near stock short of a special alignment and ao48s...you stay in stock class...and still kick ***...

 

Come on down to Maryland next sunday to get an idea on cars to AX. We're in Aberdeen, only 15 minutes past the Delaware/MD line.

 

I'm just curious. Is my 996 turbo competitive in SS or will I get blown away by the vettes and elises?

Also would stock tires work well or would I need to invest in some Falken RT615's or something?

 

Oh wait the 911T is only legal in ASP . How in the world did the new C6 ZO6 made it to SS this year!

 

Miata
S2000
WRX STI (best choice)
Cooper S
Integra Type R

 

I agree. Also I may want to consider a Turbo miata or a C6.

 

dunno...thats pretty nuts...I wonder what class I would run...haha

 

E36 M3's are cheap on maintinence, unless you are referring to E30 M3's (88-91).

If you are running SCCA Auto-x you've got to pick the class you want to run, then pick the car, not pick a car and run whatever class you end up in. There are many fast auto-x cars that are not competitive because of their classing.

With $50k and the need to keep the car streetable, i'd run an Elise or C5 Z06 in SS.

 

I feel an S2000CR would be interesting in A stock. We'll find out soon