Thinking about letting the hairdresser car carry hairdressers

[Rob.wisniewski]

So, as I've expected in the 2 years I've been waiting to get out on the track, I can't get my mind off of it. I need to figure out a good plan to get deeper into it and actually call myself a driver. As alot of us have realized in the past couple of years it's not so much having a kick ass car as it is having a car that will allow us to keep operating and keep learning. The Z4, while literally a love affair of mine, isn't really a great prospect for that. Not only is it financed, but the consumables are more than they could be. They're not exhoribtant, but 18" wheels and non-standard brake components make it more than I like to burn through in a weekend.

As far as keeping it for road use that's absolutely an option. I just see how these nice 'cruising' cars go by the wayside so often once we get deeper into this hobby, and there's alot more useful things I could be doing with the monthly payment. Right now is a perfect time to sell the roadster too, considering it's spring. I could pull the cost of a somewhat prepped E30 out if I get a halfway decent price. Something like this baby:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1989-...QQcmdZViewItem

Anyways what does experience say. Do you guys think I should wait a season? I'd like to avoid more depreciation and I'd really LOVE to get more events in this year in something I'm comfortable in. I know it all comes down to me and what I want, but thought maybe someone here could share their view/story.

[thebionicman]

There are plenty of times that I wish I would of bought something a little more reasonably priced to take to the track.

Since your car isn't the greatest pick for the track I say why not get the E30. Though you will miss the sunny days driving around top down.

[Lobo6]

Rob, seems to me running thru a set of 18" tires a weekend is (almost)impossible. Even Hoosiers last longer than two days (for me).

Regarding the E30 idea, well, rotors are cheap. From watching several friends who all went E30 en masse and watching them deal with an endless series of annoying parts failures while at either BMWCCA Club Racing or HPDE I'd be somewhat leary. I put John in touch with these guys when he was toying with the E30 concept. I know we have many E30 drivers here who have nearly bullitproof cars and I'm sure they'll chime in.

There are good examples of the E30 out there and a boatload of E30's that have long since seen their best days.

Perhasps a "time out" is in order? Just run the rest of this season with the Z Coupe and do some research on your next ride?

[Skeen]

I think an e30 is a great idea, but I'm biased. The great thing about it though, you get lots of spare change from the Z4 to spend on track days and if you decide after a season or two that you want something different, you can get the same money from the E30 that you spent on it. If you wreck it, it's pretty much disposable. Parts/tires are cheap and they even get decent gas mileage on track.

[Rob.wisniewski]

Lobo.. you're right.. I was a little hyperbolic on the tires. =) There's still plenty left. And the brake costs can and have been mitigated with better parts that are on their way. (some power slot cryos and hp+) Here's some more of the back story, alot of which you know but for the sake of setting up an equation:

2002- I move to rochester and lust after john's 348 and soon thereafter billy's 996.
2004- Lust after Steve's Lotus, and the whole contingent starts the track adventure, making everything worse.

At this point I'm dead set on getting something hot that I can participate with.

2006- I get the Z4 and participate in the needed 'break in' season to get used to her before getting myself in trouble. (very much needed). DURING said season almost everyone that I was finally able to start participating with is plagued with every track problem on the planet, and goes ahead and moves to track cars with the qualities extolled above. =)

I'm in a great position with a car I love, but the track REALLY was the motivating factor. I didn't really get this car to be seen in it, and the sunday drives are great but are they worth a monthly payment and a prohibition from greater involvement in a REALLY cool hobby? That's what I'm weighing right now.

It's almost a situation where I know the Z4 doesn't have legs as a track car (and don't regret a minute I've spent with it. learned ALOT and enjoyed it immensely) But I could drop the payment, track something I'm more comfortable wrecking, thereby increasing my fun factor. I'll be honest (and anyone here with a hot street car that says otherwise is lying) that I'll miss a little bit of the status symbol of it all, but the fact that I'll miss that actually makes me want to sell it MORE and prove to myself that I'm above it.

That was kind of a brain dump on the subject. One thing that bothers me is that I feel like I'm playing follow the leader, and actually got made fun of by my girlfriend for it. ("So if they go drag race snowmobiles are you going to get a snowmobile?") I just want to read the writing on the wall and benefit from the experience around me I guess.

Maybe the answer is definitely to just chill on getting the next ride, but I think selling the little girl here is the way to go. It doesn't have legs for the GOOD path, and only plays into the stuff that doesn't really matter.

</rant off>

[Homerboy]

I say buy a '65 Ford F250 and drive through track cars. But that's just me

[mrepka]

Rob -

I've been doing this since 2002 and you are beginning to sound more and more like me. Up until last year I was running my Corvette, and even though the car was paid for, I had a difficult time using it at the track and "fully" enjoying the experience. I was always worried about something happening to it. And never satisfied with the ultimate performance, but not wanting to "ruin" the car by hanging a bunch of go fast parts on it. For me the answer was dedicated track car, and after my first outing, I'd say I made a fairly good decision. Just don't do anything rash, and make sure you consider all your options before you jump in any one direction....

Mark

[billy]

Get a 944 sp1 car, we can run together with EJ and Brent next year. Same price as the E30 and there is a bunch of us rather than just you with an E30.

Running costs should be similar although I think the rules are tighter for sp1 versus E30 but I don't know.

[Rob.wisniewski]

944 might be the way to go. who knows. I talked to the E30 guy and he says it seems sold but to check back in a week. I don't think I can swing $8k-$10k this season for the sp1, but the first step would be getting out of my payment with the z4 and banking anything I make on it.

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...31#post2354431

I'm not going to rush into the new purchase, but that's to test the waters and see what the interest level is. I mean if anyone wants a z4 this is the one to get. practically perfect and absolutely loaded.

EDIT: I've never sold a car before that was running.. do I ask ABOVE KBB private party value or what? kbb.com says $26.7k and I pt down $26k. not sure if kbb is reliable or not.

[Warpedcow]

Run the Z4 in a few more HPDEs, then revisit the question. You can probably fab your own front brake cooling system for a pittance, that will help your consumables a lot I'm sure.