Seeking advice... kinda "what car"-ish

I'm not looking for makes and models. Just some advice or thoughts on where to go.

I sold my Porsche to make room in the garage for a project car. Bought my wife and SUV that can tow my project car. The pieces are falling into place. Now it is time to get a project car and I am a bit stuck. Here is what I am looking at:

1. A new (to me) daily driver / auto-x'er. Currently I am stuck in a Mazda3. Its a good car, but it is an appliance. I won't ever race it, it is boring day to day, but will probably be a reliable car for a long time. The wife is opposed to handing out a chunk of money for a project car, but is ok with replacing the Mazda with a car that I like better (different car, same car payments). The current thought is an E39 M5.

2. Live with the Mazda and...

2a. ...get a car to build and compete in the 24 hours of LeMons. I have something in mind that is short-wheelbase, FWD and GRM approved (will disclose if it is purchased). The upside is that the initial price is low so I could get the car. The downside is that it will likely be March before I can make the purchase and not get a divorce (no not really). Then, there is still all the other purchases and build out that would be required and it would be hard to estimate costs and timing of any additional build out or racing until the decision is made. Also, the car will likely not be worth much after the event.

2b. ...get a car to compete in the $2010-11 Challenge. I have a great idea here, actually several and I would likely move forward with which ever showed up at the appropriate time. The upside is that after the challenge, I could keep the car and convert it to a track car. The downside is the timing, with a higher initial cost (but fixed total cost), it would be later in the year before I could get it. The only racing that I would participate in would be video games and watching it on TV.

2c. ...get a daily driver project car. Thinking like an e30. Lower cost than the M5 but basically the same result. The upside is that I will start with a car that can be auto-x'ed on day one and could become a more dedicated track car. Downsides, even higher initial cost than a 24HoL or Challenge car, means even later in the year before a purchase could be made and less money to "enhance".

I am really stuck on this one. My best guess-imation is that a 24HoL and Challenge car will end up costing about the same. The M5 is on my list of cars that I want to own; but it would be a driver that I couldn't do much with... so does that defeat the purpose? I've always wanted a project car but it likely means missing a year (maybe more) of competition, so is that worth it? Anyone made the same kind of choice? Advice?

Thanks, Brad

1) Keep the 3 and get a boat load of Mazdaspeed parts........ 2) Bolt on same........ 3) Have a fun and reliable daily driver....... OR 1) Sell the 3.......... 2) Build/buy a Spec E-30........ 3) Buy a cheap-o econo crapper for dd duty.

Boxster or Boxster S

Vette?

I like option 2B.

Start with an E30, so you can eventually turn it into 2C.

A daily driver/project car is an oxymoron for me. I mean...I drive "driving projects" but they don't get the attention they deserve.

If you need to get to work on monday, you're not going to upgrade the clutch starting friday after work...just in case.

On the other hand, my project cars don't make much progress because of the "while I'm at it" syndrome. Well...if I've got to replace the clutch...might as well pull the engine and fix that rear main seal. And if the engine is out...why put a stock one back in?

I guess...if you REALLY enjoy working on cars...don't get a daily driver as a project, you'll be dissappointed in how little you get to work on it.

That's MY experience,
Clem

I'm going to reiterate not buying a daily driver project. I'm also going to turn that and say don't buy a project that you intend to DD. You either don't get the car in shape enough to be a DD, or you put it into service before it's ready and always have issues with it.

I would seriously go with the Challenge route. That's what I'm doing.

The challenge route seems to make the most long term sense.

amg_rx7 - I just sold my Boxster S

I have a hard time autoxing a car I have to work on. It's hard to shut a car down for a week or three when you want to make the next event. That's one of the reasons I bought the Abomination from Jensenman. I have things I want to do to the RX-7 that would make it tough to make the next event. Getting stuff done on a DD is even worse. Personally I prefer the DD to be an appliance I can ignore. If you want a project get a car that doesn't have to get you to work on Monday morning.

Edited for clarity and again for spelling. I guess I should proof read before I post.

The survey:

-Is anything on the table or do you need 4 seats... size limited? Cost? Cheap parts?

-How do you like to drive? Is auto-x the end of the line or are you going HPDE? Racing?

-Are you a finesse driver who likes consistency or a whomp on it and hang on kinda guy?

-Can you weld?

-Do you have tools for engine building?

-You sold a Boxster S to do this. Do you have any other signs of mental illness?

LeMons and The Challenge are one-hit wonders. Once you're done there, you either throw it away or it's pretty much not legal for much.

A street/track compromise car is a frustrating experience. It winds up doing neither well. BTDT.

Get the dedicated fun project car. Buy right, not the first one you see. Think about what you want to do with it long term. Shop judiciously, and you may find something someone has already dumped a lot of money into and just wants to get out. A purpose built "race" car is so much more fun in any environment from autocross to road racing simply because it does what you want it to do and you don't have to fight it so much.

Why have I not seen Miata here?

That being said- I'm biased towards working with the Mazda. You're already 85% of the way to an ms3. The suspension from an ms3 bolts in (seriously, it's been done. And then upgraded with Cobb ms3 parts. I was there) and from there you have a fairly serious FWD handler. Sure, it's an appliance, but from a DD practical car standpoint, you're not going to get a whole lot better. I can realistically count the number of cars I've had more fun in.... and the biggest contender sits next to it in the garage (Ok, so it's out in front of the building, because we only get one stall, but you get the idea) and that's the wifes' Cooper S. Barring that-

Personally, I'd avoid a dedicated track car. Something tells me that it won't see the use to justify the cost. If you're wanting to get into racing, seriously- and want a competant all around competitor, I gotta look outside and think a Cooper S (r53, supercharged..... none of that sissy soft suspension r56 business). They've proven themselves in autocross time after time, they're great HPDE cars, cost of ownership is minimal, as most track mods for the car are completely streetable (I run Hawk pads daily in the car, no issues) and pretty freakin strong.

If I had to take a choice based on what was suggested and nothing else, the e30 makes more sense to me. Initial cost of entry is going to be significantly lower, repair is going to be cheaper, and simpler. e39 is pretty much my dream car, not even going to lie. But to appease the wife, and the wallet, the e30 has my vote.

-Is anything on the table or do you need 4 seats... size limited? Cost? Cheap parts? I need at least one car that is an automatic (ugh) and that can transport kids... eventually. Actually because of that, I've also thought about a M3 with SMG.

-How do you like to drive? Is auto-x the end of the line or are you going HPDE? Racing? Autocrossing to me is like practice car control. I would like to go full bore and do Spec E30 or 944 Cup. Can't really afford a whole season of those, so it will likely be auto-x with HPDE and other track events thrown in for good measure.

-Are you a finesse driver who likes consistency or a whomp on it and hang on kinda guy? Right in the middle. I prefer the mid-size sports car. Vettes, Mustangs, Camaros = too big. Miatas = too small. Boxsters, M3s, 350z's = just right. That is about my driving style too... I am finesse right up until I whomp on it and hang on.

-Can you weld? Not yet, but the father in law does it for a living and will be starting lessons soon.

-Do you have tools for engine building? Some. I am hoping the others are under the Christmas tree!

-You sold a Boxster S to do this. Do you have any other signs of mental illness? Yeah, actually. This is the second time I've sold a Boxster to do this. There is no substitute.

Ok, I think I've decided what I am going to do... for at least the next 5 minutes. I am going with option 2c, except not keeping the Mazda.

My plan is to get an '00-'01 BMW 740iL for a daily driver and then a good condition e30 for a toy / project car.

Now the hard bit... convincing the wife!

Hmmmm vettes, stangs, camaros are all too big, yet the miata is too small... sounds like you need an FD!!

Here's the trick to convincing the wife. If you sold your boxster to "settle down" then you are following thru on the plan for a family. Good news to her, ok news to you with a hefty sacrifice. Slowly (as you do your research mind you on the e30 - erm I mean FD) start showing her pictures of MOTORCYCLES. Specifically Fast and Dangerours Crotch Rockets. I find leaving a Ducati from Ebay motors on the computer screen a couple of times is enough to get her worrying you may actually be serious about a sportbike when spring rolls around. Afterall they are cheap, right?! Gas isn't expensive and ooo the thrills. Its enough to make her think you've lost your mind. Then when you finally find the FD, um or e30, you like you quick change course to your original plan all along and she will just be relieved you don't want a motorcycle. You can tell her she was right a motorcycle just isnt smart, but here is a nice Bimmer (you really want and FD!) instead to keep your love of cars in check. This way your aren't that guy who just went out and bought a car... unless you want to be that guy and have it held over your head.

Sorry Brad - meant to get back to you...

I was going to suggest a MIG/TIG welding class from a community college before you go to far along because it changes everything. No project seems far fetched once you realize you can make anything fit anywhere. I did it a few years ago and I cannot recommend it more. It is the most useful thing I've ever learned to do. I've built a few roll cages and made my own diff carrier... suspension mounts, engine mounts, exhaust part... but its a slippery slope.