Which Clio 172 Cup should I buy?
Discussion
I'm looking to get a Clio 172 Cup to strip out and run as a weekend/track day car. I've currently got two options with similar mileage but can't decide which would be best:
Option 1: Current track car, 79K miles with lots of specialist history, been run on slicks for maybe a dozen track days and already has a cage/exhaust. Up for £2,600 but needs around £500 of paintwork (I think) so I'll try and get it for £2K. Has had a gearbox rebuild recently along with new hubs/bearings, perhaps due to having a hard life and abuse, but has also had cambelt/dephaser changed at a well known specialist. Has around £1K worth of extras.
Option 2: Road car, 72K on clock and been with current owner for 8 years. As far as I'm aware hasn't been tracked, can possibly be had for £1,200/1,300 due to needing cambelt/dephaser changing taking cost up to £2K.
So essentially, option 1 will cost me around £2,500 by the time I've bought it and sorted the paintwork, but its got pretty good history and already has around £1K worth of cage/exhaust/bucket seat etc. Worry is, its had so much replaced recently, is it an ongoing problem car? Option 2 will cost around £2K but the time I've sorted the belt but will then need money spending on getting it ready for track. Hasn't needed any of mechanical work of option 1 car, either through better use or it could all be coming.
Haven't seen either in the flesh yet so both could well need more work. What would you go for? Higher spec but well used car with track history, or unabused car that'll cost more to get ready for track use?
Option 1: Current track car, 79K miles with lots of specialist history, been run on slicks for maybe a dozen track days and already has a cage/exhaust. Up for £2,600 but needs around £500 of paintwork (I think) so I'll try and get it for £2K. Has had a gearbox rebuild recently along with new hubs/bearings, perhaps due to having a hard life and abuse, but has also had cambelt/dephaser changed at a well known specialist. Has around £1K worth of extras.
Option 2: Road car, 72K on clock and been with current owner for 8 years. As far as I'm aware hasn't been tracked, can possibly be had for £1,200/1,300 due to needing cambelt/dephaser changing taking cost up to £2K.
So essentially, option 1 will cost me around £2,500 by the time I've bought it and sorted the paintwork, but its got pretty good history and already has around £1K worth of cage/exhaust/bucket seat etc. Worry is, its had so much replaced recently, is it an ongoing problem car? Option 2 will cost around £2K but the time I've sorted the belt but will then need money spending on getting it ready for track. Hasn't needed any of mechanical work of option 1 car, either through better use or it could all be coming.
Haven't seen either in the flesh yet so both could well need more work. What would you go for? Higher spec but well used car with track history, or unabused car that'll cost more to get ready for track use?
bump 
as luck would have it, yesterday i was sharing the driving of a clio 172 (lotus test track). stripped out, on stiffer springs and with some track day tyres i have to say it was absolutely brilliant
its got less than half the power of my sprint car, but was easily just as much fun to drive
its got me thinking about a "cheap" track car alongside the race one...
as luck would have it, yesterday i was sharing the driving of a clio 172 (lotus test track). stripped out, on stiffer springs and with some track day tyres i have to say it was absolutely brilliant
its got less than half the power of my sprint car, but was easily just as much fun to drive
its got me thinking about a "cheap" track car alongside the race one...
andycaca said:
bump
as luck would have it, yesterday i was sharing the driving of a clio 172 (lotus test track). stripped out, on stiffer springs and with some track day tyres i have to say it was absolutely brilliant
its got less than half the power of my sprint car, but was easily just as much fun to drive
its got me thinking about a "cheap" track car alongside the race one...
I was there, overtaking you in the lighter mauve TVR, but I have to say you were one of the faster chicanes and therefore fun to chase.as luck would have it, yesterday i was sharing the driving of a clio 172 (lotus test track). stripped out, on stiffer springs and with some track day tyres i have to say it was absolutely brilliant
its got less than half the power of my sprint car, but was easily just as much fun to drive
its got me thinking about a "cheap" track car alongside the race one...
That Golf was quick too - stripped out down to 900 kg, but only 183 bhp they said.
I didn't know MX5s could go so slowly.
It's not all about power on a track day, as you found out. Those Clios are seriously good cheap fun.
I even got overtaken by a 1098cc Hillman Imp at Cadwell Park last summer.
I went to see option 1 on Friday and it was a complete dog, sadly. I know track day cars can be a bit tatty, but this had damage on every single panel. There was a worrying amount of rust on a rear wheel arch too – I didn't think Clios generally rusted at all!
Since had more photos sent through of option 2 and that's a bit too rough for my liking, so I'll just sit and wait and see what else comes up. Not in a rush so I'm sure a decent one will emerge eventually.
Since had more photos sent through of option 2 and that's a bit too rough for my liking, so I'll just sit and wait and see what else comes up. Not in a rush so I'm sure a decent one will emerge eventually.
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