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Message-ID: <2e24f88d0701112346n3ad3d9b8n6ebf79c8bfbea5f1@mail.gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 12 Jan 2007 00:46:55 -0700
From: "Hans Conser" <hansconser@gmail.com>
To: "Rotary motors in aircraft" <flyrotary@lancaironline.net>
Subject: Re: [FlyRotary] Re: Top thrills of a lifetime
In-Reply-To: <list-1753573@logan.com>
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References: <list-1753573@logan.com>

I think the quote is "Road racing makes a heroin addiction seem like a
mild craving for something salty"

I urge you to figure out where, and what type of racing you want to do
before you get a race car.

If you just want to do track days, an RX-8 will be a lot of fun.
Check out RX8.com.  There are still brand new 2005 models being sold
for deep discounts out there.

I know you are thinking four seat, but there are several wildy popular
and successful spec miata racing classes that people love for the low
cost and fun.  Almost always better to buy a complete car rather than
trying to put together your own, less expensive this way, and you can
a spec miata for a LOT less than an RX-8.

I'm guessing Anne's Bimmer wasn't a 3 series.  In my opinion the 3 is
the only way to go BMW-wise, as it is a mass market car and has lowest
parts prices, most aftermarket support, and the best reliability of
the BMW line.

BMW took a lot of publicity hits for the plastic impellers, and the
nickasil disasters.  Since then, they have really improved the
warranty to cover everything except tires.  They replace brake pads,
wipers, bad trim, everything at no charge; 5 year/50K miles.

I love them, and their part prices are less than Mazda's; but there is
no doubt that an RX-8 is a lower, better-handling track car.  The BMW
is a more practical street car; room for three in the back, and
available with fold down rear seats.  They just feel right to me.  I
was kind of pondering an RX-8 or a 3 series, but the lower price,
better gas mileage, greater practicality and durabililty made the 3
series my choice.

I just bought a 2003 330i, blue on black, with the sport package.  32K
miles, got here Tuesday; just in time for winter.  The dynamic
stability control ROCKS, it will let you spin doughnuts and u-turns if
you do them slowly.  AND you can shut it partially or completely OFF
if you want.

A 3 would be a pretty decent track car, you don't need an M.  A little
suspension and any 3 would be fine.  If you put Dinan pieces on at a
BMW dealer, everything including the struts have a warranty for as
long as you own the car.

From Bozeman Montana  at -22F with nasty icy roads, sheeple crashing everywhere!


Hans Conser

PS  My former wife drives the 92 325i I used to have, and was just
telling me tonight when I dropped the kid off; what a great car it is,
and how it still drives great with 180K miles, etc.


On 1/11/07, Tracy Crook <lors01@msn.com> wrote:
>
>
>
> Agreed, driving a car to it's (or the driver's) limits is an absolute blast.
>  Sounds like you really got the bug Dave!  I got hooked when I was invited
> to one of those Car & Driver magazine sponsored Editor for a Day events
> where they turn you loose for a few laps in 6 different cars and have you
> write up your impressions on each.  It's a way to get you exposed to the car
> makers wares of course but still lots of fun.
>
> Soon after that I had to take the Z3 to Tail of the Dragon (twisty stretch
> of Rt 129 in Blue Ridge mountains) and I vowed to go back at least once a
> year.
> I have had better luck with BMWs than you did (neither of them has required
> repairs except for one sensor covered under warranty) but I agree, they
> definitely would not be the choice for all out racing.
>
> There are a couple of photographers who shoot the cars having fun at the
> Dragon and post them on their website.  Laura almost looks like she was
> having fun in this one!
>
> Progress on the -8 is going good.  Auto pilot is installed (thanks for the
> installation tips Rusty) and I've still got a shot at flying it to Sun 'n
> Fun if all goes well and I can control my urge to measure every engine
> parameter I can think of.  Been installing sensors and wiring for 3 weeks
> now.
>
> Tracy  (fixing up 2nd gen RX-7 for racing some day)
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: David Leonard
> To: Rotary motors in aircraft
> Sent: Thursday, January 11, 2007 8:22 PM
> Subject: [FlyRotary] Top thrills of a lifetime
>
>
> Last weekend I was fortunate enough to be invited to the track with a friend
> of mine who owns a ZO6 Corevette and races on a regular basis.  He even
> offered to let me register for the newbie class and use his car, with race
> tires and trim.  I was expecting an entertaining day and some fun driving
> but had just no idea how exciting it would be.
>
> My first couple laps as a passenger were so terrifying that they were almost
> unbearable.  I really had no idea what a pair of race tires could do to a
> car of that capability.  I briefly thought of dropping out before it was
> even my turn to drive.  But after 2 full hours of track time, an hour of
> passenger time, some excellent insturction and a very impressive car I was
> able turn in times only a few seconds back from the fastest of the day - a
> boost to the ego that I would have been better without seeing as now I am
> now thinking about buying a car for racing.
>
> If have never tried it, beg borrow or steal a race car.  Driving a fast car
> like that on the track was on par with my first solo (only much more
> thrilling) and my first few skydives.  WOW!  simply a must do.  I have not
> worked on the plane all week because I have been thinking racecars....  Do
> not let this life pass you by without doing that at least once.
>
> Anyway, that was the main point.  The rest is filler for those who are
> bored....
>
> The hard part is that I cant even think about telling the wife that I want
> to take up another expensive hobby.  The idea was to trade in the beat-up
> old SAAB for something inconspicuous and not too expensive but worthy of the
> track like a miata, Honda S2000, or Nissan 350Z (and then maybe slip in a
> race day or two on the sly).  But the wife got wind of that and she insisted
> that my next car be a 4-seater, given that we are expecting.  (obviously
> couldn't explain that 4-seaters don't make great track cars)
>
> Hmmmm.  4-seat track worthy cars?  That pretty much leaves: the Subaru STI,
> Mitisibushi Evo, BMW M class, and the RX-8.
>
> BMW: I will never own a BMW.  Anne had one and it was a maintnance
> nightmare.  The engine parts were made of cheap material, and the company
> support for a car under warranty was NIL.  I hate that company...  spit
> spit....    In 2 years we paid over $15k for repairs that were'nt due to
> damage, were supposed to be covered under warranty, and were outrageously
> overpriced.  They kept finding technichalities for reasons why warranty
> wouldn't cover the issues (water damaged computer x2, broken water pump
> impeller x 2, and busted tranny x1).  Did you know they use plastic water
> pump impellers that cost hundreds of dollars?
>
> The Subaru and Mitsubisihi are very respectable cars and compainies.  But
> here is what I don't like about those cars:
>
> 1) They are TED mobiles  (Typical Enlisted Dude) (no offense meant)
> 2) They look a little top heavy, I'm sure the center of gravity is a little
> higher than other cars.
> 3) They difinately dont look really sporty like the Z06, RX8, S2K, miata,
> RX-7, 350Z and porches.
> 4) They made their reputations as ralley cars, maybe not so good on the
> track?
>
>
> I do like the lookes of the RX-8, Miata, S2K and 350Z.  The RX-8 drives like
> a cross between the Z06 and the Miata - if that makes ANY sense at all.  I
> am also preferential to the rotary for novelty sake.
>
> Also, and I know this is a small driver dependent sample...  but..  when out
> on the track in my friends Z06 I was passing those Evo, STIs, and M3's all
> day.  They were like gnats.  In the last 2 sessions the only cars passing me
> were very experienced drivers in RX-8 and a Porsche 911 turbo with 500hp.
> You get behind one of those STI's and you can see it sway back and forth in
> the turns...  That doesn't sound as fun as getting down low, like in the
> Z06, miata, and Rx8.
>
> So, rotary preference aside I am now in the market for an RX-8.  I see there
> are now aftermarket turbo kits too...  maybe an extra set of wheels and
> tires... some shocks...   Shhhhhh  dont tell the wife  :-)
>
> Paul Lamar (or anyone else), any years or models of RX-8 to avoid or have
> all the chip programming issues been fixed?  Obviously I am looking at the
> sport model with manual tanny and bigger brakes.
>
> This is a great country!!
>
> --
> David Leonard
>
> Turbo Rotary RV-6 N4VY
> My websites at:
> http://members.aol.com/_ht_a/rotaryroster/index.html
> http://membersaol.com/_ht_a/vp4skydoc/index.html
> http://leonardiniraq.blogspot.com
> --
> Homepage:  http://www.flyrotary.com/
> Archive and UnSub:
> http://mail.lancaironline.net/lists/flyrotary/
>
>
>
>