Most Versatile Motorsport Car
Discussion
sassthathoopie said:
I entered my mk1 MX5 in a couple of historic navigational road rallies last year. Great fun chasing classic Elans, early 911s, 70s Astons and plenty of British classics. We ended up 2nd overall on tests for one, but dropped the ball on the nav mid afternoon.
Round the cones on tarmac the 5 was awesome. We actually had quite a lot of luggage in the boot which seemed to create a useful pendulum effect when turned in hard. Pick up a boot rack cheaply off one of the FB marketplace buy & sell groups and theirs your wheel stowage.
I'm pretty sure there are dedicated classes for MX5s in sprinting/hillclimbing
It is a cliche for a reason - you really can do everything with an MX5, and 4 or 5 grand will still get you a pretty good one.
Great recommendation and they are good fun, however is the £4/5k for a good one still accurate? Seen people asking £4k for Eunos Roadsters with the sills having 'been previously repaired' and now need doing again (looked like Stevie Wonder had done the welding tbh).Round the cones on tarmac the 5 was awesome. We actually had quite a lot of luggage in the boot which seemed to create a useful pendulum effect when turned in hard. Pick up a boot rack cheaply off one of the FB marketplace buy & sell groups and theirs your wheel stowage.
I'm pretty sure there are dedicated classes for MX5s in sprinting/hillclimbing
It is a cliche for a reason - you really can do everything with an MX5, and 4 or 5 grand will still get you a pretty good one.
bumskins said:
sassthathoopie said:
I entered my mk1 MX5 in a couple of historic navigational road rallies last year. Great fun chasing classic Elans, early 911s, 70s Astons and plenty of British classics. We ended up 2nd overall on tests for one, but dropped the ball on the nav mid afternoon.
Round the cones on tarmac the 5 was awesome. We actually had quite a lot of luggage in the boot which seemed to create a useful pendulum effect when turned in hard. Pick up a boot rack cheaply off one of the FB marketplace buy & sell groups and theirs your wheel stowage.
I'm pretty sure there are dedicated classes for MX5s in sprinting/hillclimbing
It is a cliche for a reason - you really can do everything with an MX5, and 4 or 5 grand will still get you a pretty good one.
Great recommendation and they are good fun, however is the £4/5k for a good one still accurate? Seen people asking £4k for Eunos Roadsters with the sills having 'been previously repaired' and now need doing again (looked like Stevie Wonder had done the welding tbh).Round the cones on tarmac the 5 was awesome. We actually had quite a lot of luggage in the boot which seemed to create a useful pendulum effect when turned in hard. Pick up a boot rack cheaply off one of the FB marketplace buy & sell groups and theirs your wheel stowage.
I'm pretty sure there are dedicated classes for MX5s in sprinting/hillclimbing
It is a cliche for a reason - you really can do everything with an MX5, and 4 or 5 grand will still get you a pretty good one.
mat205125 said:
The later Mk3 cars seem to be where the bargains have moved to .... Are they really that inferior to the Mk1 & Mk2, or just "different"
Good point, I think aside from the extra weight they're not a bad base car, lose the pop-up headlamps but gain the tuneability of that engine. Trouble is even the Mk3s have become rife with 'tin worm', suppose it'll be an issue afflicting most cars from that era now 
MX-5 really is the answer isn't it...
Another mk1 MX-5 was added to the household on Monday night. It's meant to be for my girlfriend.
My supercharged mk1 had to be retired a couple of months ago (damaged piston rings and severe rust). Feels like the best option is to move all of the good bits from that to this new mk1.
There was still some handling potential left with my mk1, but am I going to miss the supercharged power and noise?
Another mk1 MX-5 was added to the household on Monday night. It's meant to be for my girlfriend.
My supercharged mk1 had to be retired a couple of months ago (damaged piston rings and severe rust). Feels like the best option is to move all of the good bits from that to this new mk1.
There was still some handling potential left with my mk1, but am I going to miss the supercharged power and noise?
MX-5 really is the only concrete answer to your question. Also, consider looking at a Mk3 NC MX-5 too, not just the Mk1's.
BUT, if you could forgo the RWD element, then I can confidently recommend a Mk6 Ford Fiesta ST150 2.0. Its the FWD car that does everything. It fulfils all the rest of your criteria.
- Super cheap to run, repair and maintain
- Great handling, nippy, and fun
- 4-pot engine 1998cc
- Performs very well in its own right as a tin-top circuit racer
- Also does a great job as a road rally car, an auto solo car, sprint car, and even now sneaks its way into some of the 'classic' racing circles, for instance you can join the Classic Touring Cars in their BOSS race series; I've even hacked mine around Goodwood.
- And I can vouch for one of my Mk6 Fiesta's completing a full race season, driving to and from each race meeting with tools, fuel cans, and a couple of spare wheels in the back!
The same could of course also be said about a Civic Type-R or some of the other obvious choices we all know and love. But I can say I've done it all in a Mk6 Fiesta and thoroughly recommend it to anyone who asks for a solid 'all rounder' like you are looking for.
BUT, if you could forgo the RWD element, then I can confidently recommend a Mk6 Ford Fiesta ST150 2.0. Its the FWD car that does everything. It fulfils all the rest of your criteria.
- Super cheap to run, repair and maintain
- Great handling, nippy, and fun
- 4-pot engine 1998cc
- Performs very well in its own right as a tin-top circuit racer
- Also does a great job as a road rally car, an auto solo car, sprint car, and even now sneaks its way into some of the 'classic' racing circles, for instance you can join the Classic Touring Cars in their BOSS race series; I've even hacked mine around Goodwood.
- And I can vouch for one of my Mk6 Fiesta's completing a full race season, driving to and from each race meeting with tools, fuel cans, and a couple of spare wheels in the back!
The same could of course also be said about a Civic Type-R or some of the other obvious choices we all know and love. But I can say I've done it all in a Mk6 Fiesta and thoroughly recommend it to anyone who asks for a solid 'all rounder' like you are looking for.
MX5 is too slow to be that competitive in anything other than an MX5 race with spec regs, you’ll not get more than 125/150 bhp from an NA/NB model and whilst they don’t weigh that much, you’ll be at the back of a mixed grid. They are fun, but outclassed by most cars.
Clio 182 gets up my vote, quick enough out of the box to hold its own in any sub 2000cc class, suitable for sprints, hillclimb, targa, 12 car, circuit racing…
Clio 182 gets up my vote, quick enough out of the box to hold its own in any sub 2000cc class, suitable for sprints, hillclimb, targa, 12 car, circuit racing…
Edited by anonymous-user on Tuesday 8th August 18:43
SparrowHawk said:
MX-5 really is the only concrete answer to your question. Also, consider looking at a Mk3 NC MX-5 too, not just the Mk1's.
BUT, if you could forgo the RWD element, then I can confidently recommend a Mk6 Ford Fiesta ST150 2.0. Its the FWD car that does everything. It fulfils all the rest of your criteria.
- Super cheap to run, repair and maintain
- Great handling, nippy, and fun
- 4-pot engine 1998cc
- Performs very well in its own right as a tin-top circuit racer
- Also does a great job as a road rally car, an auto solo car, sprint car, and even now sneaks its way into some of the 'classic' racing circles, for instance you can join the Classic Touring Cars in their BOSS race series; I've even hacked mine around Goodwood.
- And I can vouch for one of my Mk6 Fiesta's completing a full race season, driving to and from each race meeting with tools, fuel cans, and a couple of spare wheels in the back!
The same could of course also be said about a Civic Type-R or some of the other obvious choices we all know and love. But I can say I've done it all in a Mk6 Fiesta and thoroughly recommend it to anyone who asks for a solid 'all rounder' like you are looking for.
I've been using a friend's mk3 for the past month or so. It just doesn't manifest the same excitement as a mk1 for me. Interesting to hear about your Fiesta and forgoing the RWD element. I have a MG ZR, which is rally prepared. Wouldn't take much to make it more versatile. And the mk1 MX-5 I'm now sharing with my girlfriend can provide the RWD thrills.BUT, if you could forgo the RWD element, then I can confidently recommend a Mk6 Ford Fiesta ST150 2.0. Its the FWD car that does everything. It fulfils all the rest of your criteria.
- Super cheap to run, repair and maintain
- Great handling, nippy, and fun
- 4-pot engine 1998cc
- Performs very well in its own right as a tin-top circuit racer
- Also does a great job as a road rally car, an auto solo car, sprint car, and even now sneaks its way into some of the 'classic' racing circles, for instance you can join the Classic Touring Cars in their BOSS race series; I've even hacked mine around Goodwood.
- And I can vouch for one of my Mk6 Fiesta's completing a full race season, driving to and from each race meeting with tools, fuel cans, and a couple of spare wheels in the back!
The same could of course also be said about a Civic Type-R or some of the other obvious choices we all know and love. But I can say I've done it all in a Mk6 Fiesta and thoroughly recommend it to anyone who asks for a solid 'all rounder' like you are looking for.
pablo said:
MX5 is too slow to be that competitive in anything other than an MX5 race with spec regs, you’ll not get more than 125/150 bhp from an NA/NB model and whilst they don’t weigh that much, you’ll be at the back of a mixed grid. They are fun, but outclassed by most cars.
Clio 182 gets up my vote, quick enough out of the box to hold its own in any sub 2000cc class, suitable for sprints, hillclimb, targa, 12 car, circuit racing…
Agree Clio 182s are quick. Sadly, they are the single car I have seen the most engine failures of. Puts me off owning one.Clio 182 gets up my vote, quick enough out of the box to hold its own in any sub 2000cc class, suitable for sprints, hillclimb, targa, 12 car, circuit racing…
Edited by pablo on Tuesday 8th August 18:43
The point is if you want to try circuit racing, you need a car that is eligible for a series and then investigate the regs. An NA/NB MX5 is only going to be competitive in MX5 races because they are just too slow. An NC has more chance but a 2000cc car making 160bhp is still not going to be any further up a CSCC grid than midfield when you have Clios and CTRs making 200 stock.
Osmoliver said:
SparrowHawk said:
MX-5 really is the only concrete answer to your question. Also, consider looking at a Mk3 NC MX-5 too, not just the Mk1's.
BUT, if you could forgo the RWD element, then I can confidently recommend a Mk6 Ford Fiesta ST150 2.0. Its the FWD car that does everything. It fulfils all the rest of your criteria.
- Super cheap to run, repair and maintain
- Great handling, nippy, and fun
- 4-pot engine 1998cc
- Performs very well in its own right as a tin-top circuit racer
- Also does a great job as a road rally car, an auto solo car, sprint car, and even now sneaks its way into some of the 'classic' racing circles, for instance you can join the Classic Touring Cars in their BOSS race series; I've even hacked mine around Goodwood.
- And I can vouch for one of my Mk6 Fiesta's completing a full race season, driving to and from each race meeting with tools, fuel cans, and a couple of spare wheels in the back!
The same could of course also be said about a Civic Type-R or some of the other obvious choices we all know and love. But I can say I've done it all in a Mk6 Fiesta and thoroughly recommend it to anyone who asks for a solid 'all rounder' like you are looking for.
I've been using a friend's mk3 for the past month or so. It just doesn't manifest the same excitement as a mk1 for me. Interesting to hear about your Fiesta and forgoing the RWD element. I have a MG ZR, which is rally prepared. Wouldn't take much to make it more versatile. And the mk1 MX-5 I'm now sharing with my girlfriend can provide the RWD thrills.BUT, if you could forgo the RWD element, then I can confidently recommend a Mk6 Ford Fiesta ST150 2.0. Its the FWD car that does everything. It fulfils all the rest of your criteria.
- Super cheap to run, repair and maintain
- Great handling, nippy, and fun
- 4-pot engine 1998cc
- Performs very well in its own right as a tin-top circuit racer
- Also does a great job as a road rally car, an auto solo car, sprint car, and even now sneaks its way into some of the 'classic' racing circles, for instance you can join the Classic Touring Cars in their BOSS race series; I've even hacked mine around Goodwood.
- And I can vouch for one of my Mk6 Fiesta's completing a full race season, driving to and from each race meeting with tools, fuel cans, and a couple of spare wheels in the back!
The same could of course also be said about a Civic Type-R or some of the other obvious choices we all know and love. But I can say I've done it all in a Mk6 Fiesta and thoroughly recommend it to anyone who asks for a solid 'all rounder' like you are looking for.
pablo said:
MX5 is too slow to be that competitive in anything other than an MX5 race with spec regs, you’ll not get more than 125/150 bhp from an NA/NB model and whilst they don’t weigh that much, you’ll be at the back of a mixed grid. They are fun, but outclassed by most cars.
Clio 182 gets up my vote, quick enough out of the box to hold its own in any sub 2000cc class, suitable for sprints, hillclimb, targa, 12 car, circuit racing…
Agree Clio 182s are quick. Sadly, they are the single car I have seen the most engine failures of. Puts me off owning one.Clio 182 gets up my vote, quick enough out of the box to hold its own in any sub 2000cc class, suitable for sprints, hillclimb, targa, 12 car, circuit racing…
Edited by pablo on Tuesday 8th August 18:43
Perhaps the lads racing in the 182 championship do hammer them a bit hard
I am biased as I own and compete in an MX5.
For autosolos you cannot beat it, most of the solos i compete in are won by an mx5 and there are lots at every event.
I do this
https://bristolmc.org.uk/mx5challenge/
which is a mix of hillclimbs, sprints and solos. The results are close and it is competitive. As the cars are mostly standard it is cheap and down to the driver.
You can also do targa rally, drifting and there are even some that do trials.
Circuit racing is a whole other can of worms.
Cheap mx5s are mk2 and mk3. The mk3 is quicker in the events I do but that may be because it can use michelin ps4. We are limited to list 1a tyres so no sticky track day tyres.
Driving an mx5 is also a good way to learn car control.
For autosolos you cannot beat it, most of the solos i compete in are won by an mx5 and there are lots at every event.
I do this
https://bristolmc.org.uk/mx5challenge/
which is a mix of hillclimbs, sprints and solos. The results are close and it is competitive. As the cars are mostly standard it is cheap and down to the driver.
You can also do targa rally, drifting and there are even some that do trials.
Circuit racing is a whole other can of worms.
Cheap mx5s are mk2 and mk3. The mk3 is quicker in the events I do but that may be because it can use michelin ps4. We are limited to list 1a tyres so no sticky track day tyres.
Driving an mx5 is also a good way to learn car control.
Autotests, auto solos and Targas a lot of my friends use Citroen C2’s, obviously front wheel drive. The rear wheel drive cars are predominately MX5 with the odd BMW Z3 thrown in. From a Autotest perspective then MX5 etc tend to go through more tyres as they are power sliding as opposed to hand braking.
Gassing Station | UK Club Motorsport | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff