Selling the M3 Race Car

[D_Eclipse9916]

Yes I know, shocker. It seems like I may have a serious buyer at a price I told myself I would be willing to sell my M3 for. Now, im not so sure.

Updsides of the M3, lets face it, its extremely fun, fast, and has been dead reliable. It is almost completely built to TTC/PTC specifications and dominated/would continue to dominate. However in GTS2, it simply needs more money put into it. There are little contingencies with BMW, and I dont ever see myself racing BMWCCA.

Realistically for this year, I would be going for a 2012 NASA National Championship in TTC and PTC.

Selling would leave me open to anything. Spec Miata? Spec 3? Both with plenty of money left over. There is also the option I have always entertained of going for an SCCA SOLO Championship in a C6 z06/grand sport or 996 Porsche GT3. Selling the M3, truck and trailer would get me there with no cash out of pocket. It would also serve as a fun daily driver, (reminder: I take the metro everyday, so not "daily" driver). The SCCA option would leave me with more time/more space, and more money in the long run. I figured I would get MM's opinion from fellow racers that got out of the game. (ill never get out, just depends on where im in it)

[CaptainHenreh]

you really want to sort another car?

On one hand, if you are getting out of the M3 *what you have in it* (pretty much) then yes, sell the shit out of it. But all of your options, well, they pretty much suck. Spec Miata (IMHO) doesn't have enough variables for a racer of your personality, and I think you'll be fuckin' sick of it in a season. Spec 3 is a little better, but when the E30's are faster, well, I think you know what happens then.

I'd be tempted to figure out what the "ultimate" PT(you pick) car is, and build that if you insist on selling the M3. Then you still keep the NASAX classification (because I know you still like to) and can maybe find something that's cheaper/easier to maintain.

But buying a C6 GS or P-Car or something smacks of your reach exceeding your grasp. Just because you can doesn't mean you should.

[BLINGMW]

if you feel like you've done TT enough already, then it makes sense to try some "real" racing. So yeah, Spec E30! :mrgreen:

[Kaan]

I think the only thing SM would give you is a challenge with traffic.

as said twice now... Spec E30 > Spec 3

what about an S2k, HC/TT/PT beast? Do enough double up weekends for HooHoos and to qualify for HC at nationals. Spend the rest of the time in PT/TT.

[CaptainHenreh]

what about an S2k, HC/TT/PT beast? Do enough double up weekends for HooHoos and to qualify for HC at nationals. Spend the rest of the time in PT/TT.

I kind of like this idea. This is my vote.

[D_Eclipse9916]

you really want to sort another car?

On one hand, if you are getting out of the M3 *what you have in it* (pretty much) then yes, sell the shit out of it. But all of your options, well, they pretty much suck. Spec Miata (IMHO) doesn't have enough variables for a racer of your personality, and I think you'll be fuckin' sick of it in a season. Spec 3 is a little better, but when the E30's are faster, well, I think you know what happens then.

I'd be tempted to figure out what the "ultimate" PT(you pick) car is, and build that if you insist on selling the M3. Then you still keep the NASAX classification (because I know you still like to) and can maybe find something that's cheaper/easier to maintain.

But buying a C6 GS or P-Car or something smacks of your reach exceeding your grasp. Just because you can doesn't mean you should.

Im confused, reach exceeding my grasp? I have into my truck/trailer and race car more than those cost used? And running costs of those cars are FAR cheaper than running races for a season. Realistic cost of running the m3 a weekend is $1500-1800. Im sure netiher a C6 or 996 GT3, exceeds that a weekend (remember im only autoxing, wouldnt be tracking).

Ultimate PT? I have no desire to jump into a faster car on track. And the ultimate PT car right now in my opinion is my car, so that would mean keeping it :lol: But PTC doesnt exist regionally, so I run GTS2, which I still would be competitive, but I can see this bieng my last year in it if they continue to spend money as they are.

(Btw I really appreciate the feedback, I need all this stuff to decide, as I talk it out, it helps.)

Kaan, no way on the s2000, leaves me in the same place as the M3, TTC/PTC and crappy subscribing race series (HC vs GTS). Are we really that against SM? It has a driver ladder program, which I may not be able to get but it would be a cool goal.

[D_Eclipse9916]

what about an S2k, HC/TT/PT beast? Do enough double up weekends for HooHoos and to qualify for HC at nationals. Spend the rest of the time in PT/TT.

I kind of like this idea. This is my vote.

I dont understand how this is any different than my current M3? Any insight? Only thing changing would be HC VS GTS, and GTS has a ton more cars....

[CaptainHenreh]

Im confused, reach exceeding my grasp? I have into my truck/trailer and race car more than those cost used? And running costs of those cars are FAR cheaper than running races for a season. Realistic cost of running the m3 a weekend is $1500-1800. Im sure netiher a C6 or 996 GT3, exceeds that a weekend (remember im only autoxing, wouldnt be tracking).

Now I'm confused. Do you not want to race on an actual racetrack anymore?

[CaptainHenreh]

Honderp is different, probably cheaper to operate, definitely cheaper parts, and more room to tinker.

I mean, I'm just not certain I understand what exactly you *want*?

[.RJ]

On one hand, if you are getting out of the M3 *what you have in it* (pretty much) then yes, sell the shit out of it

If you're looking for an out,then absolutely sell the shit out of it, all of your spares, special tools, and that other busted ass M3 you have along with it... you dont get too many opportunities to sell a racecar for good $$.

BUT - figure out what you want to do first.... i.e. what you want to race, where, how, etc...

EDIT - SM will be just as much $$ as your M3. You'll have to spend good money for a competitive/sorted car, and then operating costs will be less but not that much so. And you might hate driving them on track, who knows.

[Kaan]

a HC S2k isnt a TTC/PTC car. i dont care what they say or what is on the side of their cars. the numbers dont add up.

PTB/TTB is more like it... and i think there are going to be more cars in H1 than you think.

If you want to do the ladder program so badly, buy Evans car, get rossini to build you a motor, buy a crate trans, lets go to olsons and get it done. I dont think you are going to like SM... you tinker way too much with your shit to own a SM. once its built you just leave it alone.

your current weakness, as you said, was traffic. SM is full of traffic and might be "too full" to really learn in. you get on the wrong end of 12 wide into turn one a couple of times and you'll be wiser. I'm going to buy you a nice pen and a stack of body contact forms too... because ALL SM guys need that shit in the glove box!

[.RJ]

once its built you just leave it alone

Not really, the adjustments are much smaller/fine tuning.

[.RJ]

And also, if you're not having fun then walk away from it or do something different. Or just let the car sit for 6 months if you arent sure. I definitely got to that point.

I would like to at some point get back on track and instruct and do some track days, but have no interest in the care and feeding of a racecar, unless i'm rolling in $$ and can pay someone else to prep and transport my shit.

[BLINGMW]

how much $$ to let me rent the M for a weekend before you sell it? :dunno:

[Kaan]

like what? change the oil sometimes? for maybe a year the car would live on scales until you sorted some things out... figure out alignments per track and for wet/dry.

i think the SM guys should be pulling their manifolds after ever race weekend to clean out any oil/carbon build up...

[D_Eclipse9916]

I mean, I'm just not certain I understand what exactly you *want*?

:/ I dont know what I want.

I really enjoy road racing and the experience, and starting to lose the fun in tinkering and working on the car. If there was a way to jump in a fully prepped car and just drive every weekend, thats what I would enjoy doing...I think.

I WILL make every NASA-MA event wether im driving or not. But is the financial outlay for road racing over autox worth it? I still have immense fun autoxing, and dont have the same bills and guilt as road racing.
My goals were to get a NASA National Title, which I have completed, and I always wanted an SCCA Solo National Title as well. To me, a GTS2 national title is *not* as big as Spec Miata title.

My priorities used to be:
1: The Car
2: The Racing
3: The Experience

Now they are:
1: The experience
2: The Racing
3: The Car

I DONT KNOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Argh! :lol:

[CaptainHenreh]

Ok, then I have your solution.

Step 1: Sell M3.
Step 2: Buy Ariel Atom Racekar.
Step 3: Enjoy.

[D_Eclipse9916]

how much $$ to let me rent the M for a weekend before you sell it? :dunno:

If you are really interested, but the catch-all is that you have to sign a document saying you wreck it you bought it. ($25k).

[.RJ]

But is the financial outlay for road racing over autox worth it?

Racing SSCA Solo Nationally will be about the same $$ as road racing regionally. The hoosiers, travel, entry fees, etc all add up. If that interests you more then go for it, it would be a change of pace and a chance to do something different. You could still instruct and do some track days, and you have a nice street car that doesnt need a bunch of work.

[Evan]

There is nothing like wheel to wheel racing. Cant describe it, cant explain it, and nobody who hasnt done it can understand.
autoX and TT, even at a national level, is just masturbating in comparison.