MX5 for trackdays ??

[Dinod]

Hi,

I'm thinking about getting an MX5 for trackday use (but will have to road legal to drive there and back). I would love to get an Elise but can't afford that.

Any thoughts on how an MX5 will do? I know its not the fastest thing, but I don't need mega speed to have fun. Also, I'm not very good with fixing things so will need something reliable that has cheap parts and availibility.

Any thoughts/reccomendations will be appreciated?
Has anyone out there got an MX5 for track use?

Thanks

[DustyC]

I reckon it would be a fantastic car for tracking.
I dont now much about them but this year 4 of us rented a track for the day.
2 elises, one CRX and one series2 unmodified MX5 (1.8i).

Although the Elises were fastest the most fun car was the MX5.
Easy tail out action at low enough speeds to handle and loads of fun.

I reckon a track prepared one would be even more fun.
If you really enjoyed it you could even look to entering the race series.

[Simon Mason]

They handle brilliantly, they are easy to work on, infact as easy as you get, there are loads of cheap upgrade bits for them and infact everything is cheap. New Oil filter £1.50, new front brake discs £20 the set, you get the idea.

They are as you know slow but you will learn loads.

[GarrettMacD]

I've seen lots of MX5's at trackdays, of all sorts - racecars, road cars, road cars with cages, etc.
I've never seen one break down, and they appear to be great fun. Only problem for me is that at 6' 5" I can't fit in one.
The only other problem is all of the gay/hairdresser jokes you will be subjected to...
Just ask Simon Mason, it really is the bane of his life - he used to be a paragon of masculinity, and now, well, it's just sad...

Garrett

[DustyC]

GarrettMacD said:

I've seen lots of MX5's at trackdays, of all sorts - racecars, road cars, road cars with cages, etc.

Although I think they are great the only other one I have seen at a trackday (caged and supercharged) had a major oil leak problem!

Its probably in the minority for faults though.
As for the hairdresser jokes, the banter is all part of the fun!

[cptsideways]

Pick up a cheap supercharged/turbo'd import one for less than 3k, most come with an LSD great fun. Fit a decent cage, some bucket seats & the hairdresser jokes soon stop.

I've been running mine with 200bhp for over two years now without an engine fault to speak of.


Did I mention they're also great for going sideways in

[iguana]

Ive seen a few at track days too, tho mainly supercharged or turboed & going very well, way quicker than std elise pace- tho to be fair thats not hard!

Mate of mine has done quite a few days in his missis' late MX5, all its had done is thicker aftermarket ARBs (which he said improved it hugely) & he really rates it & its done quite a few days now, its not 'fast' obviously & a lot slower than his track car, but he very much rates it as fun & controlable & loves tracking it.

[Dinod]

Thanks for the replys. Sounds like it is a great car for tracks.

cptsideways-had alook at yours-looks like fun. So you get paid to go sideways for aliving. Sounds like heaven

[heebeegeetee]

In my slow MX5 I was able to mix it with Elises at Donington.

[Simon Mason]

GarrettMacD said:

Just ask Simon Mason, it really is the bane of his life - he used to be a paragon of masculinity, and now, well, it's just sad... Garrett

Yeah, hiding behind the old hairdressers line again. Your scared of it and you know it

You must let me buy you a Breazer some time. Greens your favourite as I recall?

[GarrettMacD]

Simon Mason said:

GarrettMacD said: Just ask Simon Mason, it really is the bane of his life - he used to be a paragon of masculinity, and now, well, it's just sad... Garrett Yeah, hiding behind the old hairdressers line again. Your scared of it and you know it You must let me buy you a Breazer some time. Greens your favourite as I recall?

Oi, Mason, you haven't got time to be on t'internet!

You've got that perm to do for Doris, then there's Elsie's highlights, and then you need to give yourself a Brazilian...

Speaking of Brazilians, I often tell people how your driving reminds me of Senna...







Bruno Senna !!!