SCott5

iTrader: (40)

Okay so I have probably the perfect auto x and road coarse car dollar for dollar in a C5Z but I went too crazy with power and now it's made more for straight line than road coarse. Before I went too crazy I took it to VIR a couple times and had a blast and now moving even closer to VIR makes me wanna get a car that will be a street car/road coarse car. Here are some ones that are catching y attention

03/04 cobra
Gen 5 ZL1
5th gen camaro
Boss 302
C6Z
C6 grand sport
Cts-V

I really don't think I want another c5z due to already having one in the garage. Any other suggestions. My price range is up to about 35k and of course lower it is the more money for mods.

What I'm looking for is a car to drive to VIR and race or an auto x and then go pick up the mrs and drive 4 hours to myrtle beach. Of course the c5z was it but yea that car is alittle too far gone now. Would cost more money than it's worth to switch it back.

79_T/A

iTrader: (1)

Given your budget, any newer 5.0 mustang with the track pack (or a boss 302 if you can get one for the right price, or a 5th gen with the 1LE package. Capable, reliable cars that are a brake pad and fluid change away from being a great track car. Not as expensive to modify as the other cars listed.

I would avoid any supercharged car like the plague if you plan on going to the track. They will heat soak and ruin the expensive track day you paid for. Probably not going to find the best corvette given your budget, and a cts-v would be a dumb choice for a track car. Yes, they are quick, but they are so heavy you just chew through consumables (tires and brake pads).

LT-4Play

iTrader: (1)

If it were me C6 GS all day - more reliable than the Z's and faster than anything else on the list when properly set-up. I'd throw on an AP/Essex brake kit - headers, CAI and a tune.
All the Vette needs is some decent tires - plus you already have a feel for one of them. The targa top will be nice at the beach

stp001

Not on the list, but how about a Subaru BRZ or Toyota 86. You could buy a brand new one, put the normal suspension and brake upgrades on it and bank the other 5 grand. If you already have a powerful V8, try a momentum car. Learn the art of driving lower horsepower fast. Then when you get back in the big power you might just be untouchable.

smitty2919

Boss (or maybe new S550 5.0?), C6z or C6GS with shocks/springs/brakes/tires/Full exhaust/CAI/Tune then have fun....reliable and fun.

Hell no to a Cobra, 5th Gen Camaros and CTSV are fat.


If you want a temporary "momentum car" get a Miata...

SCott5

iTrader: (40)

I am leaning towards two local Boss 302s that I have found between 28-30k today one white and red. Also seen a local 1LE car for 16k that has my attention as well

SCott5

iTrader: (40)

I guess I should also state that it will be a 85%street / 15% track possibly 90/10

SCott5

iTrader: (40)

03/04 cobra weigh less than the new 11 and up mustang as from what I have seen and the V1 cts v seemed to be pretty nimble from my friends that I drove.

smitty2919

Again, stay away from a S/C car for any track duty or racing application.

I didn't mean a Cobra was fat, just saying hell no to it. And that the Gen 5 and CTSV are fat. V1 CTSV will have differential issues, really odd wheel bolt pattern and overall pricey crap to buy to modify it. May make a nice fun DD, but I would not beat on it.

I would honestly still keep with the LS based C6 since you know the platform/drivetrain.

But if you want to spend another $30K on a whole new car, why not "demod" the C5 and make it more of a dual purpose car? Cost A LOT less than a whole new $30k car and not take up more space. C5's have been proven to make good street cars but able to throw down on drag strip/autocross/road racing.

JD_AMG

I honestly don't know why the cobra is on the list, Ive never read anything good about their road race capabilities. Their chassis and suspension is mediocre (struts in front and lincon sedan derived IRS) and they have a ton of weight over the front end with the DOHC engine and supercharger. At that rate a 4th gen fbody would be a better car for the job.
Gen 1 CTS-Vs drive fantastic, but I hear there are quirky things that you have to do to maintain the car like bushings/mounts, diff, linkage from transmission to shifter breaking, etc. They feel and drive great on the track from what Ive seen but end up not putting up great numbers because of their weight, and you can only go so wide with the wheels.
You should also consider a Lotus Elise at the price range you are looking at IMO.

SCott5

iTrader: (40)

Well I ended up finding a c5 FRC local for 12k so I put a deposit on it till I can go see it after this snow storm passes. From the pics it looks good and owner says mechanically sound and I can use the take off parts from my c5z to add some power to the FRC

smitty2919

Congrats. Goodluck with it!

dojob

Transmissions are junk in Boss 302's, my area has lots of them for sale... all have had transmission work done

smitty2919

Well, they don't have transmission issues anymore then

dojob

Unless the dealers just rebuilt them to factory spec... ready for failure once more

Tremec swaps are the "to-do" thing with those cars if you're really going to use the car in a race enviroment

camarokid91

none of the above get a caterham 7 or a lotus super stalker