Krisko

At Sebring my S4 top speed was about 145 or so and M3 top speed was in the high 120s. Yet my best lap in the S4 was 2:55 and M3 was high 2:30s. Weight and that great bmw balance and handling make all the difference.

Another factor was that I was a more experience when I was driving the M3. My S4 outing was just my second time on track.

Silver Streakin'

B5 S4, even in stage 3 forum, will still get passed by a lighter E36 car.

s4jones

The WRX is a great option with wonderful aftermarket support. A well-known local racer (now in a Viper GTS) identified the WRX as the "ideal" recreational lapping car during a beer soaked conversation a couple of years ago.

My FWD Ford Focus SVT (now with added FI HP) is a ton of fun. It does push a bit, but with a stiffer suspension and bigger rear bar, it is reasonably neutral. LSD helps big time.

The kids in the BTCC seem to have fun with their cars. That series is dominated by FWD cars at present, although Audi and BMW have had success there in the past.

My car is now a dedicated track car, with a 6-point cage and all, but the base car was fun as well. These are cars you can get pretty cheap now and with some suspension/brake work, they are fun.

If I were to do this again, knowing that I would eventually wind up with a track-only car, I would probably have tilted to either an E36 M3 or a S2000 (with a 4-point bar minimum). Some clubs block convertibles, but around here there are plenty of clubs that permit them still.