jonny330 wrote:
thunderzy wrote:
to the OP. I'm in the same boat. Looking for a non miata track car. I chose to look at the other spec series automobiles as they are proven machines, and have incredible parts and information support. I'm speaking of the E30, mustang fox body, and porsche 944. There is nothing you can do to these cars that hasn't already been done. I considered an e36 m3. But the parts are little too expensive, and its a bit heavy. I finally decided on the Porsche 944. They are cheap, have a spec league, and relatively easy to maintain. Out the box they are good all around performers. just my .02.
are 944's really that cheap? I had an 87 924 years and years ago, before I knew much about cars, and it was expensive to maintain. I forget but I think I had to get a timing belt done or a thermostat and it was supposed to cost somewhere around $2k. They guy ended up giving me a deal on it and i don't think it was very much. But he said those cars are a PITA to work on and parts are expensive. Have times changed, or was I being taken?
I just sold my Miata with a broken engine for $1000 more than I just paid for my 944 with service history. A reputable shop charges around $1000 for the whole-hog timing belt, balance belt, and roller chandgeover, or you can buy $200 worth of tools and do it yourself in a day.
So far I have found the normal parts to be price comparable between both (fuel filter, air filter, plugs, wires, etc) and both have their expensive bits (AGM battery, CAS, hardtop, rear finish panel, harmonic balancer/crank nose stuff on the Miata and DME, timing changes, wheels, and clutch on the 944).
