Buying a Track Car for the First Time

[Fiisch]

I am a long-time petrolhead, but racing novice with only karting experience under my belt. I've hit a bit of a crisis at 28 as my commute has forced a diesel - an Octavia vRS - which, economical and a great all-rounder that she is, I'm keen to give a petrol engine a good thrashing.

I'm not in a position to throw an endless sum of money at my new hobby, but appreciate doing this on the cheap is probably not an option! I have limited mechanical experience so looking for something to cut my teeth on. From browsing Gumtree, I see a few sub £1000 Saxo VTRs and the like which have already been stripped out. Would these be a terrible idea, or will this give me a taster for what I'm after?

Looking to spend no more than £2000-3000 on the car, accepting each track day will probably cost £4-500 in tyres, brakes etc. will be keeping the car road legal as don't fancy fitting a tow bar to my current pride and joy. Any suggestions on where to look, and whether buying a ready-made track car is a good starting point for a mechanical novice?

Live in West Sussex, so Brands and Bedford likely to be my first forays next Summer....

[ginger steve]

In your position I would also look at the option of hiring. Bookatrack offer very well prepared Caterham R300 hire and I believe the price includes fuel and a certain amount of instruction. When you take into account the purchase cost of your vehicle, tax and insurance and then the cost of the track day itself and the wear and tear on the car the hire option can soon make financial sense.

Also, a Caterham is way more fun on a track day than a tintop!

[Steve H]

16v Saxo/106 is a good option for fwd cheapness, MX5 inevitably is the rwd equivalent.

On your budget you should be able to make a reasonable start, buying a prepped car usually works out cheaper if it's been done properly so that is worth considering but even a standard hot hatch can be easily stripped of some weight and will go OK on a trackday.

[Aphex]

I'd be buying myself a e36 328 if I was in your shoes

[Pebbles167]

Any of the french 16v hatches, rwd jap hairdresser cars, 6 cylinder BMW's etc.

All make excellent track cars that can be had cheap, I'd be after a Clio 172 or a 206 gti 180, they offer good performance for £1500.

[andyiley]

We all have our own preferences, me included, but why not just go along to a couple of track days & see which cars there are lots of & who has the biggest grin!

[discodeek]

i bought a 205 gti, mi16v, throttle bodies, cage, big brakes etc -everything ready- it was mint at £3200.

that was 5 years back, lots of mates have had clios -172/182 - thats what id be looking for.

[McSam]

Aphex said:

I'd be buying myself a e36 328 if I was in your shoes

I sound like a stuck record on this subject, but it's the perfect answer.



Mine costs an average of £300 per two-driver track day including everything - entry, additional driver fee, fuel to get to the circuit and burnt on it, tyres, brakes, you name it. So about £2 per track mile. Not even a lot of money to prepare. A decent set of springs and dampers, a bit of weight out, serious brake pads, semi-slick tyres and you're done.

[the_stoat]

MX5 several of the guys I do track days have them and their smile per £ ratio is huge.

[Hol]

172/182 Cup Pack.

Cheap to buy, cheap to prep, cheap for parts.