Keep Si and get track car or go for 2013 Mustang GT

Well I sold the Trans Am and in that I became debt free as I currently lease the Civic Si. I have some extra room to play with as far as vehicles goes and have been contemplating ditching the Si and picking up a 2013 Mustang GT Premium with the Track Pack. The new Si does not impress me at all and the fact that Honda is performing an emergency update only 18 months after this current refresh is just confirmation that the car sucks. Maybe it seemed like a great car after not being able to drive one for six months but a couple thousand miles later I hate it and I am willing to eat whatever I would lose on the trade in. OR I could keep the appliance daily driver, complete the lease, and start working on a purpose built track car like an S2K, Miata, 8th gen Si, etc. This would be for SCCA or NASA competition.

I know it ultimately comes down to what I want and what will satisfy me, but I always love hearing others opinions on matters. It gets me thinking and helps me make a decision in the long run.

<-- I have an 11 Mustang and it's a great car on the track. Heavy but powerful.

That said, I'd really hate to have a mishap with it. Really hate that. And if you intend to compete the cost of developing the car to that point and then running it would be $$$$$.

What I'm personally planning to do is to get or build a dedicated track rat in addition to the 'stang. I have an old 944 with a blown engine which I may rebuild but more likely I'll get something a little more developed.

YMMV

I say keep the SI and get a toy.

From personal experience, I'll tell you racing a car in any setting (my personal choice is autocross) is a lot more enjoyable when you know you don't need to drive the car to work on Monday. So, if you want to race/track the car at all, I'd keep the Si and pick up something that doesn't leave you without wheels if you hit something, blow something up, cord the tires, etc. etc. etc. Add to that the possibility that you will pile a brand new car into a wall and get denied coverage, this is a no-brainer IMO. The real question is how badly do you want to race your car. I assume that's part of your plans since you are considering the track pack on the Mustang.

Do you have a competition license? If you're that far along you know you'll want to build to class. If it's just track days, run what you brung, be it beater, Civic or Mustang, all need to be prepped.

For any kind of racing, having a car that you don't need to get to work in on Monday is the only way to fly. Buy someone else's failed race car build and enjoy.

pinchvalve wrote: For any kind of racing, having a car that you don't need to get to work in on Monday is the only way to fly. Buy someone else's failed race car build and enjoy.

This. You won't drive flat out if you know you won't have any wheels if something goes wrong.

I understand for a "real" race car a dedicated race car is always better... but if you're just an occasional autocrosser, and maybe do a track day or two, I'd be looking real hard to going for the Mustang.

Life is too short to hate what you drive every day.

If you have an appliance beater that you really liked, or that was just flat cheap and worked, then maybe keep it. In this case though, you're paying good money on a brand new lease on a car you really don't like. I'd be jumping off that train and planting myself in something I enjoyed driving before I worried about having a second race car.

xflowgolf wrote: I understand for a "real" race car a dedicated race car is always better... but if you're just an occasional autocrosser, and maybe do a track day or two, I'd be looking real hard to going for the Mustang. Life is too short to hate what you drive every day. If you have an appliance beater that you really liked, or that was just flat cheap and worked, then maybe keep it. In this case though, you're paying good money on a brand new lease on a car you really don't like. I'd be jumping off that train and planting myself in something I enjoyed driving before I worried about having a second race car.

This is true but without a second car he's asking for trouble. Selling the Si, getting the new Mustang and a cheap beater could work too.

So you just became debt free and now you're thinking about grabbing some more debt?

Keep the Si, get a track-rat.

DaveEstey wrote: So you just became debt free and now you're thinking about grabbing some more debt? Keep the Si, get a track-rat.

This. Don't buy a Mustang and put yourself in debt.

I say lease + track car.

But I'm getting ready to finish my Miata track build (keeping it street legal for nice weather/meets), AND I'm getting a 2013 Mustang GT with the Track Pack.

1 note, even with the Track Pack I'm reading stuff about the coolant/oil getting too hot for comfort in warm weather. So for serious tracking it may need the FRPP racing radiator + a standalone oil cooler.

I'm not such a downer on debt as some here, if a car payment isn't going to prevent you taking care of the bills, and putting enough in savings and retirement........then go for it. As mentioned, life is too short.

You could save all that money then not make it home from work tomorrow.

Balance, grasshopper.

Well I am in the market for a Mustang myself, so maybe I'll just stay out of this one.

pinchvalve wrote: For any kind of racing, having a car that you don't need to get to work in on Monday is the only way to fly. Buy someone else's failed race car build and enjoy.

This is the way I feel, I have done it both ways. I much prefer having a DD and a car for the track, even if only track days/autox.

I have found the perfect balance for me is a track day/fun car(that is still street legal so I can have mountain road fun on nice days) and a DD with a trailer that can take it back and forth!

I hate having to drive my car to and from the track, especially when I travel several hours away. I have had several close calls/trackside repairs, but I never got stuck luckily!

-Josh

Selling the T/A to get out of debt just to buy a Mustang (with debt) does not compute. Also, the T/A was way, way cooler than any new Mustang, and way faster as well.

Start building a cheap (debt-free) project and dump the Si when the lease is up. Buy a cheap (debt-free) DD to replace it when that happens. Enjoy life.

Drive an appliance and get a weekend toy/race car, but make sure it's a running/driving one.

I did this, and the only regret I have is not having one of the toys in running condition before making the switch. I have been getting bored lately with the reliable and somewhat engaging 3 and miss the sheer power of the WRX all the time. Then I realize that I have a 1979 Trans Am and a 1987 Shelby CSX at home. I feel better until I realize that both of those cars are broken.

Thank you for all of your input. After further research I may be able to turn the lease in free of penalty under the Service Member's Civil Relief act. If that happens I'll get into a cheaper to drive dd and get a track car. The T/A was awesome, but to turn it from what it was into a track car I would have had to reverse a lot of crap I already did and I just felt like starting with a clean slate. That and I found out my math is horrible for adding 1+1.