Are tracked cars in better condition than non tracked cars?

[plymouthcolt]

If a 911 owner tracks his car (mainly in DE), are these cars usually better maintained than non-tracked cars. I would think tracking requires one to maintain a constant awareness of his cars mechanical status.

Or would a tracked car fall apart faster due to metal stress?

[Jack Olsen]

Both, probably.

Tracking a car is a good way to find out what's going to break next. It's also a pretty good way to increase the stress on every component and system of the car.

(It's also a lot of fun.)

[aigel]

A 911 that's tracked and does not leak oil, REALLY doesn't leak oil. Any other 911 probably will leak oil the day you start tracking it.

A 911 that's tracked likely has a bunch of nice and pricey updates. Aftermarket sport seats, harnesses, a fresh and upgraded suspension, oil cooler upgrade, sport steering wheel, wider wheels, top notch brakes etc.

A car that's tracked will see a shop or get the owners attention MUCH more frequent than even a pampered daily driver.

I do not believe that there is any stress on any component that is harming the car itself (body, critical suspension parts etc.). However, there is cosmetic problems with paint (going off track, or rocks from other cars) and mods that may be over the top for daily driving (roll bar, thru body sway bar, center oil cooler etc.).

In a nutshell:

If you want a track car, buy one that's set up.
If you want a daily driver, buy a pampered, well documented daily driver.
If you don't have the $ to buy a track prepped car, buy a slightly ratty, but solid example that's affordable and build it as your driving skill and $ grow.

George

[k9handler]

if it's tracked you will find out what's weak on the car (like Jack said). In fact a good session of Autox will be enough to stress the tie-rod ends, sway bar mounts, brakes, wheel bearings...etc. I had done a couple sessions when all the little things started to break...now I drive her knowing that she has fresh parts. At my last even I managed to have the rear sway bar pop off from the passenger side, the bushing (cup) looks ok so I am just going to pop it back on.

[JeremyD]

I think that a car that sees an occasional DE is better maintained than one that is casually driven. I know the mechanical condition of my car is much better than when I bought it.

[OldTee]

My SC likes the track. It seems to run better after a session. The brakes get changed more often and whatever cobwebs it had are gone. Porsche was designed by racing and reliablty built in. Sure, the bushings get a work out and have been changed but that is the only draw back. I wouldn't pay extra for a non track car but I might pay more if I knew the suspension was tuned, the shocks were new or the engine just had the valves adjusted.

[Bill Verburg]

Depends a lot on the owner, in general yes especially the mechanical and functional parts. There is a small segment of the track rat community that eschews the cosmetic aspects though.

[Quicksilver]

Each car is a unique situation but one thing is constant…

A tracked car is a happy car!

(Beat me, beat me, I can take it! I’m a very naughty car!!!)

Wayne