New or Used: But You Gotta Do It!

Ryan writes:

Hi, I read the piston slap section alot and figured could use a second opinion on my car situation. I currently dont need to drive as I take a train to work, but can not own a car, so i currently have 2. A 96 Explorer eddie bauer with all options and 145k on it, and a 97 TJ sport with 76k that only does summer duty and gets to live in a garage the rest of the year since the Explorer is more than adequate in NY snow. The explorer has been having issues for the last 10k miles, tranny is starting to shift hard and even though the body looks great the frame is looking more rust then metal. I think its on its way out, but i have owned it for 6 years and have grown way to attached to easily let it go. I am thinking of getting a 3rd car in advance of the Explorers eventual retirement. As the wrangler looks like it will be around for a long time and can take care of towing or winter driving duty if needed, i can really go anywhere with the next car. I am very torn on where to go with this, as it will be a 3rd car it can be very impractical. My thoughts are, as someone who loves american cars, 1) sports car, mustang, either a 99-04 GT or a 05-07 v6 5 speed and use it as a partial track day car. 2) 97-02 F150 flareside extended cab ( or ligtning ) ( every man needs to own a pickup truck at some point ) 3) non american route and something like a 2 or 3 year old porsche cayman, again i fell like everyone should own a porsche at least once and for the idea of doing track days. I am also open to some ideas ( non panther, sorry ), again my main reason for this is i can get another car right now so might as well check some of those cars of the list of ” must own at some point ” the only thing i would say pass on is old and british or something brand new as i prob wont drive it more than 5k miles over the next 2 years ( if i keep it that long )

I have a new car option to throw in the mix…. its one I hate even admitting im considering… but i will preface it with saying it would be strictly used for track days. So the option is to put some money into the Explorer and keep that chugging along and buy a miata. As much as im not a fan of the car and would never get it as my daily or weekend car, im thinking as a 3rd car that would only be used for track days it would be great for learning a little more on. lightweight, well balanced and cheap to do track days on and i wont car if i get some damage on the track. thinking go with this for a year and get some more experience before I go out and risk a nicer car to some learn to drive track days.

Look forward to see what your thoughts are.

Steve answers:

Answer to question 1. Thanks!

Nothing is a toy that can get you killed.

So with that in mind, do I recommend a Miata? A beautiful creation that I personally use for the winding one lane roads of North Georgia?

No! I am going to say no for two key reasons.

1) You need to develop a frame of reference for what other folks drive in the sport circuit you want to be involved with. Start going to the events on a regular basis. Ask questions. Take notes.

2) It’s unclear whether you have any prior racing experience. If that’s not the case, then you are far better off putting some time in at a non-automotive racing circuit that doesn’t involve death or extreme danger to yourself and others.

Lots of folks laugh at go karts, bikes, and other small vehicles that have speed governors or limitations on them. They shouldn’t. Because these ‘primary’ experiences are crucial for everyone from Danica Patrick to John Q Racer. If we insisted on racing proficiency first, there wouldn’t be more deaths and life changing accidents on the speedways.

I would spend at least a year honing your skills at a nearby racing circuit that doesn’t involve cars. Invest in experience. Get an education first, and build your knowledge and experience base to a level where your skills can be cultivated and refined. The fact that you want to use a ‘damage car’ tells me already that you need to learn to drive and value safety, before you race.

Sajeev answers:

Sometimes car purchases are too personal to make an informed opinion, and this is one of those times. So who cares what we think?

Whenever I read a letter that says there are cars you “must own at some point”, I feel you’ll buy the toy that strikes your fancy at the moment. And there’s no problem with that, unless you’re the guy trying to give advice on the matter.

So you mentioned the SN-95 Mustang, F-150, and an IMS-munching Porsche Cayman? The Mustang doesn’t turn very well without serious modifications, the F-150 is a truck and the Porsche is an expensive nightmare that may or may not seize the motor in the coming months. The Miata is a good toy for reasonable coin, but quite honestly, you could easily run the Explorer at a driving school-event at the nearest track or a local SCCA autocross…just to see if you really care about racing.

Go do an autocross. If you get hooked, forget about getting a truck or a (stock) Mustang: the Miata or a C5 vette would be ideal. If not, save yourself the trouble of owning another vehicle…or just buy whatever looks good for you and enjoy it as it sits.