Build your (aka my) fleet, solve this puzzle...

My daughter really wants my Prius C.  That, combined with significant life changes have my wife and I questioning our entire fleet.  It's quite the puzzle.  Play the game with me.  Here are the rules:

$45k max for entire fleet

One car must do 30k+ miles/year.  Reliable, comfortable, fuel efficient are key.  80% of those miles are highway. 

The less fuel costs, the better.  Full electric is a no due to several factors (round trip of 110 miles for example)

8-10 weekends/year an 80lb dog will travel along.  3-4 day trips where the dog will either stay in the car/van during the day or somewhere trackside

One car must be a P car.  Must be a 7/10 or better condition

5-6 HPDE days per year.  No full track prep needed.  Sub 300TW tires, Motul brake fluid and good pads, then send it.  Just want to have fun and be safe

Two of the cars must be automatic 

Your current game pieces.  Swap out any or all to win the game.

2000 Porsche 911 Carrera Cabrio.  6spd, 43k miles, 9/10 condition.  Let's say value is $27k

2011 BMW 128i.  6spd, 150k miles, basic HPDE prep, 7/10 condition.  Put value at $7k

2006 BMW 328xi.  6spd, 270k miles.  9/10 condition.  You'd swear it has 70k not 270k.  Put value at $3k

2005 Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V.  6spd.  120k miles, lots of HPDE prep but fully street capable.  6/10 condition only because body has some bruises.  Put value at $3k

So there you have it.  Build a fleet that solves the puzzle and makes you a winner!!

How will the track car get to the track?  Is a tow vehicle required?  If yes, a strong attribute of the Sentra will be since fwd it can be dollied and that would require less tow vehicle than a full trailer opening up ideas to SUV or minivan.

How many cars are needed in the fleet at minimum? 

How the track car gets there is completely open to your building the fleet.  Imagine you can wipe the slate clean and start from scratch if you want, or use some of the puzzle pieces I already have. For my track days, I really don't want a fully converted car. Just brakes, tires to be sure I'm safe and full send.  The car can serve double duty.  Mostly street but proper upgrades to be track ready.  I get tons of track time as is, so HPDE is just for E36 M3s and giggles 

As for how many cars, probably the less the better. Each car has to have insurance, maintenance, etc and that can add up. I would guess it would be between 3 and 4, with three being preferred but four or more an option if it makes sense 

Avalon hybrid plus a base Boxster/cayman PDK and that's it.  Serves all of the needs you mention really well. Nicer versions of both.  

As a previous owner of an Avalon, which was a great experience, and the current owner of Prius, an exceptional experience, I'll admit that I look longingly at Avalon Hybrids.  Id like to have one as a highway car.

Sonic said:

Avalon hybrid plus a base Boxster/cayman PDK and that's it.  Serves all of the needs you mention really well. Nicer versions of both.  

I'm with you 100%, except....

What about my dog?  You know how much I love her.  Jenn and I want to drive to a bunch of Lemons/Xtreme events and bring her.  Ideally, she would have a place to hang out in the air conditioning on the hot summer day while we are working. We plan to travel 30 weekends next year, and don't want to board her all the time.

Back seat of an Avalon is huge, plenty of room. Put a bed back there and she will be happy.  If you feel the need to leave the AC on for her when at the track then it won't run the gas engine the whole time as it is a hybrid, but realistically a small pop up tent and a small battery powered fan and some cool water should keep her cool enough outside the car.   

Rav4 + Base PDK? 

BMW m2 for $35k with 60ishk miles. Then tack on a $10k dog/hauler mobile? Who needs a Porsche anyhow.

Olemiss540 said:

Rav4 + Base PDK? 

BMW m2 for $35k with 60ishk miles. Then tack on a $10k dog/hauler mobile? Who needs a Porsche anyhow.

I mean $30-35k buys you a PDK 987.2, probably even cheaper if you can live with a boxster. Better car and more money for the second car, win-win.

Olemiss540 said:

 Who needs a Porsche anyhow.

 

 

Technically you're right, but I work for them and am a fan boi.  Love my BMW as you can tell from my current fleet.  However if forced to pick I will go P over BMW by a slim margin 

1) Prius V for plenty of space and fuel efficiency. 
 

2) 987 

For simplicity's sake, I would keep the cabrio and the 128i. Sell the other 2 and replace them with whatever the nicest fuel efficient vehicle you can find. If you eventually decide to reduce even further, sell the cabrio and 128i and replace with a Cayman. 

dps214 said:

Olemiss540 said:

Rav4 + Base PDK? 

BMW m2 for $35k with 60ishk miles. Then tack on a $10k dog/hauler mobile? Who needs a Porsche anyhow.

I mean $30-35k buys you a PDK 987.2, probably even cheaper if you can live with a boxster. Better car and more money for the second car, win-win.

Not sure a base Cayman is a better car than a flagship 2 series but regardless the point was that you would be going down to 2 vehicles thus would probably need a bit more versatility than a straight 2 seater sportscar.