Is it wrong to own a sports car and not track it? 

"PardonMyFlemish16" (TheCoolKid) 12/15/2014 at 11:55 • Filed to: None

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Doug's experience with the Ferrari got me thinking. I'm on my phone so I can't type too much. Thoughts?

BigBlock440 > PardonMyFlemish16 12/15/2014 at 11:57

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Yes. Hugely wasteful douchecanoes that should be in a prius instead

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > PardonMyFlemish16 12/15/2014 at 11:57

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Unless it's super collectable, maybe? Is it still considered a sports car when outfitted with an autotragic and has a "princess" license plate frame?

SantaRita > PardonMyFlemish16 12/15/2014 at 11:57

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Nah. for the same reason i think it's amazing to see very clean versions of carefully cared for exotics, i think tracking all of them is a waste. As long as they aren't being stowed in a climate bubble and hit the streets sometimes, i think its lovely to be able to see pristine classics which have escaped the abuse.

E. Julius > PardonMyFlemish16 12/15/2014 at 11:59

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If you're going to drive it like it's on a track on the public roads, then yes, it's wrong. If you just like the car or like the way it drives, then not at all. Of course if you have a really track–focused car it's probably not going to be pushed to its limits on the road, but if that's what the owner enjoys then more power to him or her.

Exception for garage queens. Unless your car is a legitimate historical artifact, it should definitely be driven if it's in running condition.

nermal > PardonMyFlemish16 12/15/2014 at 12:00

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.....but if everybody used their cars the way we thought was appropriate, what would we have to complain about?

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > PardonMyFlemish16 12/15/2014 at 12:03

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It's not wrong, but it's a disservice to yourself and your car to not get out there, at least once or twice, to see what the machine in truly capable of.

E. Julius > BigBlock440 12/15/2014 at 12:06

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Is this douchecanoes

or douchecanoes????

William Byrd > PardonMyFlemish16 12/15/2014 at 12:07

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No. Especially if you can't afford to replace it. Tracking a car can be very expensive. I'm not talking about tires, brake pads, etc (which can actually be pretty pricey too) but stuffing it into a tire wall at an event that your insurance company would not consider "driver improvement" (so, anything timed) could mean a total loss.

I had a buddy who flipped his anniversary edition C5 ZO6 at Summit Point. After a many month argument with his insurance company (and an ulcer) he finally got a settlement. So no, I don't think it's a travesty. Not all sports car owners are rich, and there are plenty of ways to get some enjoyment out of them without taking them on an open track.

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > PardonMyFlemish16 12/15/2014 at 12:07

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Let me put it this way, would you buy or build a lifted truck with long travel suspension just to drive it around the city with your dirtbike in the back so everyone thinks you're a hardcore off-roader?... Wait.. bros do that all the time... bad example. But they shouldn't! Yes, you track that sports car or your romp the shit outta that off-road beast!

Even if you don't "track" it, at least do autocross or something. Enjoy the car for what it was designed to do.

Little Black Coupe Turned Silver > PardonMyFlemish16 12/15/2014 at 12:20

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Tracking cars isn't for everyone, even if they want to.

I was at an event this year where a guy who was there for the first time went out for the parade/lead-follow laps, and decided tracking wasn't for him after all. He packed up and went home.

Tracking is expensive. You have the event fee, which can push $500 for two days. At the minimum you also need a couple nights in a hotel unless you live very close to the track, food for a couple days and lots of gas. Also add in the basic maintenance the car needs (break fluid, pads and rotors; tires, oil change) and you can easily spend $1,000 in a weekend especially if you don't have the time/tools/space/knowhow to do the labor on the car yourself.

A lot of people out there can afford to buy that sports car with some saving and hard work. But when it comes down to it, the though of having to replace it due to one bad corner? That is something else.

SantaRita > PardonMyFlemish16 12/15/2014 at 12:21

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!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

double edged sword. some might call this abuse, while others find it's plainly hoontastic. I think abusive driving is awful. you aren't a better jockey just because you whip the horse harder.

HammerheadFistpunch > PardonMyFlemish16 12/15/2014 at 12:26

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not at all. now owning a 4x4 without taking it off road? kill the unbeliever! right? RIGHT?!

/facetious

TDogg > PardonMyFlemish16 12/15/2014 at 14:53

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Not wrong at all. As several others have said, it's expensive to attend even if you don't break something/wreck and not everybody has money for that. Just because you can have a decent sports car doesn't mean you're loaded and even if you are, it's still your car and you shouldn't be put down if track day isn't your cup of tea.

That being said, I don't think anybody should buy the track edition of something and never go to a track. If I had the money and the car to do it, you bet your ass I'd be there. Realistically though, I'll probably be able to afford the car (eventually) and not the track, so there's that.

PardonMyFlemish16 > William Byrd 12/15/2014 at 18:19

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there are plenty of ways to get some enjoyment out of them without taking them on an open track.

Such as? (That are unique to sports cars only)

PardonMyFlemish16 > William Byrd 12/15/2014 at 18:23

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First of all lets tighten up the parameters of the discussion. A GTO, C63, even an M3 are not sports cars. They're performance cars, which is a whole other bag. When I say sports cars I am talking about something with 2 seats and numerous concessions made for the sole purpose of at the limit driving. Be it a Miata or a Cayman.

I do have a follow up question. If not tracking is kosher, what does something like a Cayman S bring to the driving experience that something like an M3 doesn't, for people's typical driving habits (i.e. 90% commuting, primarily on mainly straight highways)?

I am a sports car owner BTW, though I am probably going to sell it very soon. I want someone to make the case for me to keep my Z.

Gizmo - The Only Good Gremlin, but don't feed me after Midnight > PardonMyFlemish16 12/15/2014 at 19:02

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I guess I'm torn here.

"That being said, I don't think anybody should buy the track edition of something and never go to a track. If I had the money and the car to do it, you bet your ass I'd be there."

I totally agree with this - it pains me to see track cars as trophies. I, on the other hand, own a performance car (so they tell me) and of the 50 or so cars in my car club, I'm the only one racing/tracking my car. Having done it I find myself a better/safer driver on the streets. 1) I have no need to hoon in traffic, 2) I have a much better understanding of what the car will do in emergency situations, 3) not only do I know the car's limitation, but those of myself as well and learned a whole lot about how everything works together... or not).

But I don't begrudge the others for not tracking their car... to each his own. Several have attended driving schools like Bondurant, so they understand part of my thrill. Those that own other cars for the track, track them.

PardonMyFlemish16 > Gizmo - The Only Good Gremlin, but don't feed me after Midnight 12/15/2014 at 19:12

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I think driving schools in your car (or cars like it provided by someone else) are a great compromise. Don't want to track your Cayman, cool. But at least learn what it's capable of and how to handle it at its limits off the street. It's like getting a gun without firearm safety training.

Gizmo - The Only Good Gremlin, but don't feed me after Midnight > PardonMyFlemish16 12/15/2014 at 19:18

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EXACTLY!

William Byrd > PardonMyFlemish16 12/16/2014 at 08:39

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Autocross

William Byrd > PardonMyFlemish16 12/16/2014 at 08:41

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I don't think I referred to them as "sports cars". Totally agree!

Personally I prefer the M3 over the Cayman, so I'm not sure. Some of it would be image I'm guessing.

wafflesnfalafel > E. Julius 02/25/2015 at 22:20

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my wife uses that phrase, "douchecanoe", frequently, (not about me thank goodness.) I have yet nail down any sort of origin or meaning other than a derogatory adjective.

wafflesnfalafel > PardonMyFlemish16 02/25/2015 at 22:23

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I'm on the "its totally fine not to track it" side. I just want something fun and fast to drive on the weekends and sound awesome through tunnels. I'm not a professional, (or even hobby,) racer and don't have the coin to do so anyways.

E. Julius > wafflesnfalafel 02/25/2015 at 22:32

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Whoa I totally forgot about this comment. Maybe you can answer my question: does it rhyme with canoe or volcano?

wafflesnfalafel > E. Julius 02/25/2015 at 22:40

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my understanding is that it's "canoe", (as in the boat.)

E. Julius > wafflesnfalafel 02/25/2015 at 22:40

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Ok. I've only ever seen it online so I could never be sure haha