Late to the thread but here are my pics:

http://www.get-fast.net/gallery/virga05

Enjoy,

Jon

Depends on the brand.  I have Akebono Ceramic pads (like the ones Tire Rack sells) on my Grand Cherokee and they don't produce any more dust than stock.  They also stop it very well every time, even when towing.  They were expensive but I would buy (and recommend) them again.

However, the Axxis/PBR Ultimate ceramics I've had on my last three track/autox cars on the other hand... are the dustiest pads I've ever seen in my life.  They stop the hell outta any car up to very extreme temperatures and last a good long time with proper venting/ducting but they definitely make a mess.  Then again, they're the cheapest trackable pads known to man, so I really shouldn't complain.

Hope it helps-

Jon

I forwarded your message to every NASA autoxer I could think of and posted it on autocross.us.  

Hope it helps,

Jon
(who will be at VIR instead, sorry)

From my experiences, an 80's 911 on stock suspension will do both of those things almost simultaneously, depending upon where you are in each corner (and how much throttle you're using.)  I've never driven anything that required alternating amounts of abuse and finesse behind the wheel so instantly, depending upon how much weight was being transferred rearward at the time.  For me it was a very steep learning curve.  But anyone who can drive one of those fast can drive anything else fast with their eyes closed.  Enjoy!  

Jon

[Edited on 4-10-2005 by getfast]

Excellent summary on all counts, thank you

STi is more car than I'm looking for (with higher insurance than I feel like paying also.)  Ditto for a used Evo 8.  I'm hoping to spend around $18k.  

WRX would indeed be very versatile but I don't need 4 doors or AWD for any other reason (I'm keeping the Jeep around for those duties.)  I also don't particularly love the look or sound of them.

Cooper S is out of my price range unless I lease it, in which case I can't modify it very much.  And I'm not so sure about the long-term reliability with purchasing a slightly used one in my price range.  And I'm not a huge fan of FWD.  But I consider "kartlike" to be a very good thing.

E36 M3 will require the most maintenance and potentially the highest costs on top of a payment.  But I can't think of a better car in that price range for "triple duty."  Plus, I've wanted one since they came out.

Maybe a strong running 100k+ mile '95 M3 for around $12k is the answer, and keep the dollar difference around to pay for the long list of "minor" things I'm sure it will need... Real suspension, light wheels, sticky tires, real brakes, rollbar, harnesses, seats, intake, full exhaust, ECU, etc

Thanks again,

Jon

Don't fret, Al... I know your egg went to a great home

Now as for me, I have a decision to make...

Old: '90 BMW 325is STX/DSP & borrowed '91 911 Turbo ASP

New: '95-'98 M3, '03-'04 WRX, or leased '06 Cooper S

I'm basically looking for a triple duty car... commuting, track days occasionally, and autocrosses regularly.  Classing and outright speed are secondary to finding something that is really fun to drive.  And I will keep my old Grand Cherokee for all season people & stuff hauling.

Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Jon

SOLD 9/12/05, thanks for playing

Jon

I can only afford one project at a time and an M3 is calling my name.  Therefore, my stock '91 SE-R beater/commuter is for sale.  Pics & details are here: http://www.get-fast.net/ser3

Thanks,

Jon

[Edited on 11-9-2005 by getfast]