Are you willing to push your car off a cliff?

[Dave-ROR]

Originally Posted by GTM_Challenge

Naw,you just need lots of cheap cars so when you wreck one you can just laugh and say, oh well.

I've got $3500 in my DD miata I brought to ITR expo. That's not a whole lotta money in the scheme of things.

But yes, I do agree to some extent. At the same time, I would never pay 2x the amount of an event to be covered by insurance for it. Id just the money from entry fees and insurance to pay off my car in 1/2 the time and track it then.

Certainly cheaper track cars are ideal if you don't want to care With the race car I don't have any motivation to have a track car specifically, so mine is currently sitting with a dead battery

It's all risk/reward. If you want to track a 30k car, then 300 for the DE and 150-200 for the Insurance may well be worth it. Personally I'd only buy multiple event packs of 9 or higher, you get a decent price break at that point. I wish I would have gone with a 9 event pack but I honestly didn't want to track the BRZ that much.. that plan hasn't worked out

[Gixxersixxerman]

Originally Posted by GTM_Challenge

$200 for HPDE insurance for a day is the same as the cost of that same HPDE event that you're running. Depending on your situation, thats another car payment.

At the end of the day.. If you thi k the 200$ is too much, how do you feel about paying off 30k because your regular insurance didn't cover it.. My last company covered it.. It seems USAA doesn't, or if they do drop you after the claim..

While I've been to the track many many times on a bike, and have had two "offs" one was nothing.. The other was a low side at around 100 and just scratched up the track plastics and exhuast.. That is a sport that you have to be ready to wad your bike up.. Because it can happen with one slight mistake..

My only track day in the car I did get all 4 wheels off in the dirt.. But there is so much run off it wasn't bad, I kept the wheels straight until it was slow enough to turn around.. I was we'll above my limits, but didn't realize it until the chicane on the back straight that just drops off and has a slight left at the bottom.. I was just spooked and was more then likely fine, but got nervous and wasn't sure quite what to do next.. The cars VSC was working, ABS was working and it was a unique experience.. I realized I was over my head pulled in, calmed down and went back out with CSG mike and was almost back to my same times, with it being colder .. It was a huge amount of fun.. And a huge learning experience

[rice_classic]

Originally Posted by BlaineWasHere

You spend $25k on the car, another few grand in track prep, and you can't spend another $200 for HPDE insurance?

Now I'm lost. Track prep for me is a Helmet and brake pads.

A few grand in track prep?




Just for the benefit of anyone thinking about going to play at the track I'll say, you don't need to do much more than buy a decent set of pads (maybe brake fluid) and a helmet to go play at the track and most of the time you can rent the helmet. Just didn't want people to think a trip to the track is going to set them back several grand.

[GTM_Challenge]

^^^I'm not saying its not wise to get track day insurance. Just realize what you are getting into. Most policies I looked into had a 20% deductible. That's a significant amount of money.

As I said and as others have said, it's a risk/reward analysis on the part of the owner/driver. You can get it or you can't. With how much I track, I would not be able to afford an extra $200/day. I spent nearly 50 days on track this year. That's an extra $10,000 a year.

[ayau]

Originally Posted by BlaineWasHere

Well I guess in your case don't get in a accident on the street, even though you have specific insurance just for that exact thing they are businesses and will deny your claim.

You're twisting my words. All I'm saying is that you're not guaranteed a claim even though you have insurance. Unexpected things can happen, and you need to be prepared to lose the car completely and walk away.

[ayau]

On that note, I can't decide if I want to get a cheap EG Honda Civic or a Miata as a track car. Hmm.., any suggestions?

[GTM_Challenge]

Originally Posted by ayau

On that note, I can't decide if I want to get a cheap EG Honda Civic or a Miata as a track car. Hmm.., any suggestions?

Miata. Will teach you to drive the FRS/BRZ.

[BlaineWasHere]

Originally Posted by rice_classic

Now I'm lost. Track prep for me is a Helmet and brake pads.

A few grand in track prep?

Look friend, the thread isn't about minimum track prep. And if it is you should add brake fluid and maybe an oil cooler.

[GTM_Challenge]

Originally Posted by BlaineWasHere

Look friend, the thread isn't about minimum track prep. And if it is you should add brake fluid and maybe an oil cooler.

You're right, this thread isn't about physical car prep at all.

[ayau]

Originally Posted by GTM_Challenge

Miata. Will teach you to drive the FRS/BRZ.

Miatas are definitely high on my list. How do they compare with the Hondas in terms of reliability?

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by ayau

Miatas are definitely high on my list. How do they compare with the Hondas in terms of reliability?

Don't overheat it. Other than that, the more you mod, the less reliable the car is (goes for any car)

[rice_classic]

Both are very reliable track toys. Your decision might come to 2 things: What car do you know best mechanically (makes it easier to work on) and/or does FWD vs RWD matter?

[ayau]

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

Don't overheat it. Other than that, the more you mod, the less reliable the car is (goes for any car)

Maybe that's why you see top tuner cars spend tons of money on suspension but keep the engine stock for reliability reasons, or maybe it's just due to power restrictions.

[ayau]

Originally Posted by rice_classic

Both are very reliable track toys. Your decision might come to 2 things: What car do you know best mechanically (makes it easier to work on) and/or does FWD vs RWD matter?

FWD/RWD isn't a concern for me. It will be a winter beater as well as a daily car. I suppose the Civic hatch will allow more space for storage.