Although many people pick a car and stick with it, I've noticed that people seem to first move to more and more powerful sportscars, and then if they keep going they move into sports racers. Finally, the terminal vehicle seems to be something like a formula ford or maybe a faster formula car. I don't know anyone who has really moved backwards in this progression. I've actually been moving to less and less powerful cars which are for some reason getting less and less sporty, even though my current track car is a race car. 

 

M Coupe (supercharged). broke a cv joint on the uphill at lime rock. New car time.

 

Mini Cooper GP.  Awesome handling car with just a tiny bit of suspension adjustment.

 

spec E36. 1994 325is race car. a nice handling car. but honestly, 4 doors? What's next? A minivan?

 

So, what do you think the logical progression should be, where are you on the progression, and why don't you just skip to the end?

The progression in car will often be opposite to the progression in driving technique. Track newbies going to a powerfull car, thinking it is the shnitzit. Then becoming better drivers over time and realizing it is not what you drive, but how you drive it, and the rewarding pleasure it gives you back. Then going to smaller, lighter, nimbler cars. With better handling caracteristics over just engine power... That same progression can also be affected by the driver realizing that stuffing a $75k daily driver might not be worth the risk, and therefore going to a simpler and hopefully cheaper dedicated track car...

I've been on the same slippery slope for 15 yrs. 1985 911 carrera. 1994 it was an awesome street car with low miles (9k)....Autocrossed for a couple years, DEs for 14yrs, instructing for 10yrs and racing for 2yrs. All with the same ride, although now it is a fully caged, gutted and race prepped ,track rat still with relatively low miles (60k) The up side is that I know every nut and bolt and progress can be attributed to seat-time, mental adjustment or go-fast modification-i can adjust and reset the baseline bit by bit and that is the progression I like.....nice knowing the car inside and out and what equates to faster or slower results......most of my progress has been inside the helmet.

My experience has been pretty similar to yours. I've had the same track car since day one: a 1991 E30 318is purchased new. I did my very first driving school in that car. It's still my primary track toy after all these years. Hard to believe it's almost 20-years-old!

I've slowly modified it in all the key areas: drivetrain, suspension, bushings, brakes, wheels/tires, roll protection, seats, and harnesses. The air-con was pulled out years ago. Practically everything on the car has been replaced. I have to thank Lee Voung for all the help and advice he's given me over the years. He's definitely the "go-to guy" for all things '02 and E30

This year, I'm paying some attention to oiling (B&M oil cooler, remote oil filter, crank scraper, and 3qt Accusump oil accumulator) and finally pulling out the stock clutch-driven fan in favor of an electric pusher mounted in front of the rad. I'll also be installing a set of Hartge long-tube headers that have been collecting dust in the basement for the last 2-3 years.

Oh...and there's a new engine on the way [see pic to the left].

I'm still amazed at how well-balanced, light, and solid the E30 feels. These days, it's pretty slow around the track: never had much power to begin with. But I have yet to drive a modern car that even remotely approaches the same "fun to drive" factor.

Agree about the e30. i've had mine only for 2 1/2 yrs now. I decided that my DD 540 was not the best car for track work and got an e30 and am very glad I did!