Hello all,

So this is my introductory to this forum, with a little background about me and my goals for the future. Being active duty military, I have had the chance to travel. With new countries, come cars that we cannot own in the states. With that being said, owning cars in different countries have a risk of letting the modding bug get to you, without being able to bring the actual car back to the states when the time comes.
So as of right now, all I own is 2 Runabout cars which I will most likely drive to the junkyard, when they start giving up on me. For the next year, I’ll be doing research on the platform that will suit me best for years to come. I’m putting this in here so I can get advice from other car enthusiast’s on platforms that are viable, for my tastes, so I do not leave any stone un-turned.

One of my biggest dreams is learning how to properly drive a circuit/ road course.

My goals for a car will be listed below:
-Daily drivability, with the potential for light-to medium track work.
-2 doors. It’s not a priority to have this, but preferred.
-Strong aftermarket available, so I can better the car as I better my driving skills.
-AWD/RWD. Either one or the other; I hate the idea of any performance oriented car coming with FWD.
-Relatively light, I really don’t like big fat cars, or cars that feel like a boat. lol

This is just a look into what I am looking for and I hope by now you can see why I am on a S2000 forum.  I have also been looking into buying a FRS/BRZ for obvious reasons; just do not like the idea of getting rid of the warranty so early. Plus price points for vehicles do make a difference.

Some of the vehicles I have owned so far: 2011 WRX (before I joined the military): once I got overseas I have owned: EVO 5, Bugeye STI, 1989 R32 GTR( this hurt the most). I’ve enjoyed all of them, but every time it came down to being able to bring it home. So as of right now, I am trying to stay with US spec cars.
Thanks for reading guys, and please, by all means, leave your thoughts/ comments at the bottom. Glad to be here!

 

In my not so humble opinion, AWD cars are not good for developing your driving skills or light track work.

Depending on where in the US you are coming back to,AWD is unecessary.

For a DD w some track, I'd consider a RWD BMW ( the AWD Bimmers are pushin' pigs).

Or an S2k with a beater for the bad days

 

Gerry,

where we come back to will have a big role in what i end up with.

BMW's you say? what specific model? im really trying to sell myself on a s2000 if i could ever figure out exactly what i want.

Kind Regards- Jaron

 

Whats your price range?

It sounds to me like an E46 M3 would suit you nicely. I'm strongly considering one and saying goodbye to the whole S2K idea lol. Of course you cant go wrong with an S2K either

 

Jaron,

I love the 330i if you can find one, basicaaly a souped up 328i without the complexity or expense of the 335i or M3. They haven't made them in a few years.

S2ks are daily drivers for the hard core who live in a benign climate IMHO

S2k and a beater scenario should work anywhere

Good Luck

 

To be specific. The differences are just a different tune and a 3-stage intake manifold. Roughly a 35hp/25tq difference from a 328i. A bigger difference if comparing to a 325i.

 

Hey guys



My budget per say could go up to around 35k safely. any higher and i would feel i was pushing finances to far.

E46 M3 sounds nice. But i've always had an idea that BMW service work after the warranty expires is a pretty penny. coreect me if im wrong.

S2K with a beater is not out of the question, plus if i end up in the lower 48 i would not need a beater, but we will see what happens. i'm going to go read about the M3 and see if it's something i could look into one day =)

Thanks again for all the replies.

Kind regards- Jaron

 

With $35k you can do plenty. $25k will buy you a nice E46 M3, around 40k-50k miles.

Can you turn a few wrenches yourself? If not, do you mind learning? Roughly how many miles per year will you be putting on the car?

When people say that BMW service work is too expensive it is usually because they drive a 5-7 series, they aren't willing to do small things like oil changes and the like, and they use it as a daily driver. If you take care of your car, it will take care of you.

That being said, when something on the M3 DOES break, it will usually cost more than the S2000's counterpart. If you can do you own maintenence, and you only plan to put ~5k miles a year on it, it won't run your wallet dry for maintenence. Trust me.

 

InTheWorks,

i do not mind turning wrenches.. actually another goal of mine with a light track car, is to learn how to do small jobs.

One thing i am BIG on.. is the transmission and engine, and how strong they are. i love the idea of getting to a point where i have got the best lap times i could get with a N/A setup and being able to add boost. or just adding boost because i want to.

So all things considered, im still mainly looking at a 2006+ S2000, or a FRS(Maily for the warranty) as i could add suspenion/wheels/brakes. and still have my powertrain i believe.

i like the s2000 for the fact of how strong the engine is. and its a true 2 seater. and the POTENTIAL the car has.

the FRS, i like because its around the same price as i would want to pay for a MINT S2000. and has warranty for a bit. plus from what im seeing, the new FA20 motor is pretty strong.

Kind Regards- Jaron

 

Do you plan on tearing down the motor after every race? If not, get the S2K. From what I've heard the F22 can handle more boost/horsepower than the S54 before having to swap internals. Never bring a car to your dealer with mods on it, no matter how "cool" they may be. The FRS seems to be a great platfrom but I'd wait a few years to see what it is REALLY capable of.