986 Boxster on track - Any good?

[C70R]

Hi folks. I have an ongoing thread in the Trackday forum where I'm trying to decide what I do next in car terms. I'm looking for something which will see occasional road use (I commute by bus/tube and MrsC70 has a sensible car), and 5-6 trackdays a year. All of which is on a relatively tight budget of ~£5k.

My shortlist looks a bit like:

• Honda S2000
• Supercharged MX5
• MR2 mk3 with 190bhp engine swap
• MR2 mk2 turbo

I had originally dallied with the idea of going with something a bit more hardcore (bucket/harness/rollbar) in the hope that I would get more enjoyment out of it on track. However, a few people have mentioned the 986 as a possibility.
I had initially discounted as I felt it might be a bit softer and more fragile than the other options, and more road-biased (I really don't do many road miles). But, the idea of a Boxster keeps nagging away, and I thought I'd try and find out a little more from people who have actually used their 986 (and experienced any of the above on my list) on track. What's worth knowing?

[Escy]

From your list i'd go for a Toyota MR2 Roadster with a 2ZZ swap. Compared to a Boxster it's cheaper to build or buy, cheaper for consumables, the 2ZZ is far more reliable than Porsche engines, I prefer the MR2's handling although the Porsche is very good also, easier to work on, come with an LSD as standard. I also think the 2ZZ is better suited to track work, 4 cylinder that revs really high, far more engaging and challenging than a slightly turgid flat 6.

I replaced a MR2 2ZZ with a Boxster S and I prefered the MR2 as a driver's car. The Boxster is a nicer road car, better interior, sound system, looks, etc. All things that don't usually matter on a track car.

[edh]

I used my 986S for a year while I was fixing my track car (well while it was sitting in the garage for most of that time waiting for me to do something..)

It was very impressive for a standard road car - used at venues as varied as Spa, Donington, Cadwell & Curborough. Porsche are great at making road cars that work on the track.

Changes from standard were restricted to a bucket seat & GT3 brake cooling deflectors. Oh and it had a new m030 sports suspension kit fitted. Also a bit extra negative camber at the front & a square (225/45/17) tyre setup to help prevent understeer. For a regular track car I'd also fit sump baffles & some harder pads (PF08 maybe).

A bucket seat also makes the car feel much more "sports car" on the road. Seat position (standard seat or bucket seat) is quite high so not great if you are over 6 foot I think.

Obviously a 2.5 won't be as quick, but should still be lots of fun. Usual caveats apply about things to check on Boxsters - suspension arms, rads, clutch, expansion tank etc.. Might be a bit tight to get a good 3.2 for £5k