Ian
That seems to come back to what my friend in the US that races has said.
He basicaly told me that If I dont like working on cars (which I dont), then working on 'race' cars is going to be even worse and much more costly. All the prep time before it goes to race, all the tuning and maintaining and whatever, will be expensive especially if I cant do it (which I cant).
He said if Im only ever going to race like now and then, 2-5 times in a year at an actual track, then I am better of just buying the car I like to cruise in (Diablo, GT40), and use it as a daily cruising car. Neither the GT40 or Diablo will see its potential on the road, and the skill required to see its potential on a race track would be more than I will have due to 'limited track time'. To me track time would be more or less a 'lets have fun' thing, like an outing. Use the car I like the look of and feel of most (Diablo or GT40) to drive to the race track, hire a race car for the day, spend 1000-3000 dollars, whatever it will be for the day, enjoy the day, have a blast around the track and then leave the headache of owning a race car with the race team to look after, jump back in my cool Diablo/GT40 and drive home.
Thus I get to race, without risking my own vehicle or having to fork out huge $$$ to maintain my vehicle after such abuse.
In terms of the $$$ you mentioned. If the cost falls on me to repair something major, im going to be without a car. Im not rich, im not even 'well' off. In a sense people even question why on earth Id be driving any one of these cars (F355, Diablo, GT40, even mercedes/BMW etc) when Im not 'that' class of person.
To me its something I love the look of and would like to own (just like I own the 1968 Dodge Charger). I will be able to buy one, but thats as far as it goes for me. Sitting on 30-40,000 a year in near future financialy due to the work I have been called to do, if anything were to happen to the car that isnt insured, thats the end of it for me.
So thanks for the heads up. Maybe just get the car and enjoy as a street car and hire something at the track is the most sound advice ive got (which is similar to what you said from a different angle)
George,
As a total aside, the GT40 is not an everyday car in any sense of the word. If you think that you could run it as your only car, then in my opinion, you are wrong...
Have you ever tried to park one in your work's parking lot?
I'm not here to rain on your parade, but you need some perpective. Get a runabout and have the '40 as your special car, but I certainly wouldn't recommend that you think of it as a daily driver.
On another note. Ron is absolutely right, the MX5 is a superb car. If you think that your mates will laugh at you, then you have hoisted yourself on your own petard , as in one of your first posts you stated that you didn't give a stuff as to what other people thought of you.
Be consistent George, and whilst you're at it, have the good grace to not slag off a car that other people race regularly. I myself have a rice rocket (Honda S2000). Is it a hairdressers car - no. It is a widowmaker with snap oversteer, but it has really re-honed my skills after driving 4 wheel drive Porsches for over ten years, and -get this- it is JUST as much fun as my 911 Turbo S that has twice the horsepower.
Don't poo poo what you haven't tried. I would much rather go wheel to wheel with twenty other cars with only 200 HP than have a track day on my own with 450 HP.
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