Hello all,

I am new to Piston heads so be gentle

I have recently returned from Nurburgring Nordschleife last month, (which I have pictures of the cars in the car park which i will upload soon, if anyone cares)But i have ultimately decided I want to buy a track car.

The cars I have been suggested by friends and what I believe to be a decent starting point. My Budget is £2000.

1. Mazda MX5 (mk1 or mk2) [Personal Choice]

Although these may be quite expensive when it comes to wanting to Turbo or Supercharge. I took a passenger ride in a mk2 1.8 Mx5 in Germany and loved it, the acceleration, the handling, just a superb car although, and although the car i was in was touching 160k on the clock, it had no technical faults at all.

2. Mazda RX7

This was recommended by a colleague and another also my friend, the driver who drove to Germany with us (in his 350z). I have done a bit of research on them, they are no doubt fast cars, and very cheap. This is where the problem lies, the engines are Rotary engines, which I know that the Mazda RX8's have... which break... after about 3000 miles.

3. Renault Clio Sport 2.0

I saw 3 or 4 of these at the campsite we stayed at, and saw them about on the track, and they were flying.

4. Toyota MR2

Cheap twin turbo, reliable, these always seem to draw a crowd when parked up if they are modified tastefully.

5. Mitsubishi Starion 2.6 turbo

An old school "performance" car my colleague keeps banging on about, haven't seen any for sale on PH so don't know on prices for them

Any other suggestions or opinions will be appreciated.

Thank you for reading.

I suspect with that budget and those choices you will end up spending a fare few quid on maintenance and mods. I'd add a bit more to initial outlay and get a kit-car. Whilst straight line speed won't be quite up there with some of the cars listed, it will out-handle, corner, and brake any you list and will cost beans to run.

Accord type R ?

Clio without question.

The RX7 will cost alot to run and has questionable reliability due to its age.

The MR2 is twin entry on its turbo, it only has one turbo though. It's a great car but if you loose it on the track that's it, your in the wall.

The MX5 is great fun but you really need more power on the straights

The Clio is cheap, quick and with so many about you should be able to get a nice one. You want to start slow with a good FWD car, certainly if you plan on Ringing it.

Nissan 200 SX.

306 GTi6 and save the rest for tyres and brake bits?

I'm seriously considering an MX5 next as a project car to tinker with and ultimately supercharge. Ideally a Mk2 RS, or more likely a Mk1 V-Special or similar model with all the toys.

The TR Lane conversion kits look pretty good.

I spent the day driving a friends RX7 round Bedford a couple of years back, only mods being a racing beat exhaust and 17" Enkei wheels. Fantastic chassis, totally predictable and incredibly communicative backed up by a silky smooth rotary eager to rev. I own an MR2 Turbo at the moment and I think the RX7 is far easier to drive fast. I'd love to drive one with 350 horses or so.

If you're considering one go in eyes wide open, look for a rebuilt one with proof, and get a compression test before putting your money down.

Anyone heard of these cars?

I am now tossing up between a Clio and a Mazda mx5, i can spend up to £3000 realistically, but I want to spend £2k on the car and £1k on mods.

Thanks for the feedback guys.

Paul Robinson on Neighbours had a red one.... best left in Ramsey street now though.

On your budget. Clio all the way.

Dont Mod the car. Just get it working properly and if the belts havent been done... get them done! decent brembo HC discs, good fluid and some Ds2500 pads or similar and they are great fun track cars.

I've just bought a Clio 172 as a track car. £1500 2 owner 75k. So far spent £300 on cup suspension, another £300 on brakes, now it's ready to rock. Other things will be replaced over time, steering wheel £100, new tyres £300. Absolute bargain, parts and servicing are also very reasonable (bar cambelt at circa £500)