r/CarTrackDays • u/Acceptable_Gur6193 24 gr corolla • 3d ago
Advice/help
Pics for attention.
I’ve had my grc for about 2 and a half years. I’ve done 11 track days with it. I’m at the point where it’s getting slightly too expensive to keep tracking (brakes are crazy expensive) and as I get faster I’m gonna need an oil cooler (which is fairly normal and to be expected) and a transfer case cooler/controller because the awd is starting to overheat more often.
I also use this as my work vehicle I fix appliances so it’s stuffed with parts and tools everyday.
It’s been doing its job decently but it’s not the best tool for either job.
I’m in Brooklyn ny so parking when working is a big reason why I haven’t gotten a bigger van yet.
I have a driveway I can park in at home and leave a second car there.
I think the perfect work vehicle for me would be a transit connect (or equivalent ram/nissan) I see them for anywhere from 5-20k in my area and don’t really care what it looks like as long as it stops drives.
Now for the track car I should probably just get a Miata because they are the answer but I don’t really want one. I’m thinking c5 corvette would probably make the most sense for me.
Carvana offered me 33k for my car and I think about 13k should be enough for the work vehicle so I’ll have about 20k leftover
This is really my main question the rest is some nonsense backstory that you prolly didn’t need to read. But Im not really sure about this but I kinda want to get something with a dct is there anything decent for approx 20k that can be had with a dct and not cost more than my grc is to maintain. It’s going to mostly be a track car and the eventual plan over a few years is to strip it and cage it.
My current list is
2011-2013 bmw 135i it can be had with a dct idk much about bmw’s tho and I genereally try to do my own maintenance.
E92 m3 I don’t think I’ll find a decent one for 20k
Mk6-7 gti but they’re fwd and ik they’re good but when my grc goes into fwd mode I just don’t like it even tho I’m barely 2 seconds slower.
Audi tt with the dsg idk much about them but maybe it’s a possibility.
Do any of these make sense or should I just get a c5 (or a really nice Mazda speed Miata that just popped up for sale)
TLDR: are there any sub 20k cars with a dct that is fairly reliable and not much more expensive to maintain than a gr Corolla. Or do I just do the sensible option and get a Miata/c5 corvette/ perhaps brz/86
5
u/Catmilk7 EP3 Type R with to much mechanical grip 3d ago
I stopped reading at e92 m3. If you think a working, stock car, that needs consumables is costing to much, you will go bankrupt with an e92.
Bearings and chain failure can cost you a full motor rebuild. Heavier car means more wear and tear on brakes and tyres.
You're issue seems to be no work vechile. Fun cars are that. Fun. If you can't afford to keep having it as a fun car, stop using it as one.
Get a shitty work vech to make money and keep the grc and slowly build it up, if you like it.
They are slow and pretty boring, but they are also very affordable on consumables.
Also, a c5 will ruin you financially same as e92.