Track car for £2k with heritage
Discussion
I've been toying with buying a track car for the last few months but had limited success. I've had my heart set on a 106 Rallye as it's capable on track and also has some heritage behind it for it's era.
The biggest issue is finding one that's not a rust bucket or hugely overpriced. This has led me on to looking at alternatives but all 90's hot hatches seem to be fetching strong money.
Before anyone jumps in and mentions Clio 1*2 or MX-5 I've had both and I'm fairly sure I don't want another.
What other options should I look at? Hoping to find something that would be appreciated on and off the track and possibly earn a few £'s over the next few years.
The biggest issue is finding one that's not a rust bucket or hugely overpriced. This has led me on to looking at alternatives but all 90's hot hatches seem to be fetching strong money.
Before anyone jumps in and mentions Clio 1*2 or MX-5 I've had both and I'm fairly sure I don't want another.
What other options should I look at? Hoping to find something that would be appreciated on and off the track and possibly earn a few £'s over the next few years.
Hi Matt,
I feel your pain, as I spent ages searching for my S1 106 Rallye.
As you've already identified, it's unlikely that you will find one at that price point that doesn't need work. However, don't despair... An original XSI is pretty much the same as the Rallye and also benefits from homologation plates, if you're looking for something with some heritage. Good examples of the XSI often come up at the price point you are talking about.
Have a look here re: bit of heritage:
http://www.rallye-info.com/carmodel.asp?car=206
I feel your pain, as I spent ages searching for my S1 106 Rallye.
As you've already identified, it's unlikely that you will find one at that price point that doesn't need work. However, don't despair... An original XSI is pretty much the same as the Rallye and also benefits from homologation plates, if you're looking for something with some heritage. Good examples of the XSI often come up at the price point you are talking about.
Have a look here re: bit of heritage:
http://www.rallye-info.com/carmodel.asp?car=206
106 Rallye's are great but I'm afraid to say most/all have some rust and either need repairs or have already been repaired. I refreshed and upgraded an s1 for hillclimbs and it was brilliant- I was able to build a well-spec'd class leading car for about £3.5k doing the all the work myself with exception to a remap by Wayne Scofield. However I didn't take the car on a big track as I was concerned that I would have been spending so much time on the rev-limiter... On a big track a TUJ5 16v motor makes a lot more sense to be honest, couple it with a lower final drive from a Rallye gearbox and you'll have a quick and capable car. Providing everything else is up to scratch, which leads me on to rear beam bearings: again if this hasn't been fixed already it will need doing, a full recon is the only option as the bearings take the stub pins with them. A recon beam is around £300ish plus fitting (pretty easy to do yourself on the drive). Be aware that the MA gearbox can be a bit fragile too.
A 924s would be another good shout, but be prepared to spend a lot of money to get one up to scratch for track use. A Porsche comes with Porsche parts prices, again speaking from experience.
Provenance on a budget is difficult, but the Rallye still presents the best value homologation special available. They're great cars and I'll always remember mine fondly. My new long term project is a 944T club racer-cum-cup car inspired project, but it's a big step up in all areas (parts prices especially) including the driving experience. So if you're looking for a great driving exerience the Porsche transaxle cars offer a cracking sports car experience on a modest budget, for a sports car that is...
If budget is a big factor though then a Ford Puma is an excellent shout; they're quicker than the numbers suggest and have a very capable chassis. Having raced against them in Tintops a well driven and well prepared one is a very capable car indeed. It's just lacking in the provenance/image stakes of course. I'm currently considering one for myself as a cheap/fun road car...
A 924s would be another good shout, but be prepared to spend a lot of money to get one up to scratch for track use. A Porsche comes with Porsche parts prices, again speaking from experience.
Provenance on a budget is difficult, but the Rallye still presents the best value homologation special available. They're great cars and I'll always remember mine fondly. My new long term project is a 944T club racer-cum-cup car inspired project, but it's a big step up in all areas (parts prices especially) including the driving experience. So if you're looking for a great driving exerience the Porsche transaxle cars offer a cracking sports car experience on a modest budget, for a sports car that is...
If budget is a big factor though then a Ford Puma is an excellent shout; they're quicker than the numbers suggest and have a very capable chassis. Having raced against them in Tintops a well driven and well prepared one is a very capable car indeed. It's just lacking in the provenance/image stakes of course. I'm currently considering one for myself as a cheap/fun road car...
Thanks for the informative responses, it's always good to hear advice from owners.
I've owned and worked on 106's before and I think that's why I've brainwashed myself into thinking it's the best option. I've still got one more lined up to view which is an S1 1.3, never driven one so have no idea what to expect.
I think I'd prefer a Clio or MX-5 over the Puma, it's never drawn me in enough to except it as a fun car.
I've owned and worked on 106's before and I think that's why I've brainwashed myself into thinking it's the best option. I've still got one more lined up to view which is an S1 1.3, never driven one so have no idea what to expect.
I think I'd prefer a Clio or MX-5 over the Puma, it's never drawn me in enough to except it as a fun car.
Richair said:
I refreshed and upgraded an s1 for hillclimbs and it was brilliant
I recently discovered your cherry red build on the 106RallyeForum; looked like a great example!I think you ended up fitting throttle bodies. I would be keen to hear your thoughts on this (from a value for money perspective), as a 1.3 8V owner myself.
Matt106 said:
I've still got one more lined up to view which is an S1 1.3, never driven one so have no idea what to expect.
The Rallye got under my skin in a way that my previous cars have never done.I had a 106 GTI about 10 years ago and I know deep down that it was even better than the Rallye. I wouldn't even dream about swapping though; there is just something beautifully purposeful and analogue about the Rallye.
I don't know what the 1.3 8V would be like for a track day, but hoping to have a go in mine at Brands Hatch next month. It really feels at home on roads prefixed with the letter B, or without white markings.
Are you going to see the one on fleabay?
t4thomas said:
The Rallye got under my skin in a way that my previous cars have never done.
I had a 106 GTI about 10 years ago and I know deep down that it was even better than the Rallye. I wouldn't even dream about swapping though; there is just something beautifully purposeful and analogue about the Rallye.
I don't know what the 1.3 8V would be like for a track day, but hoping to have a go in mine at Brands Hatch next month. It really feels at home on roads prefixed with the letter B, or without white markings.
Are you going to see the one on fleabay?
That's my only concern, lack of straight line speed. I even found my Clio 182 a struggle on long straights such as Bedford. The chassis on both is obviously the plus point and I probably need to set my expectations before driving one. I had a 106 GTI about 10 years ago and I know deep down that it was even better than the Rallye. I wouldn't even dream about swapping though; there is just something beautifully purposeful and analogue about the Rallye.
I don't know what the 1.3 8V would be like for a track day, but hoping to have a go in mine at Brands Hatch next month. It really feels at home on roads prefixed with the letter B, or without white markings.
Are you going to see the one on fleabay?
It's on the RR forum and hasn't sold since last year which worries me a little. I also got hugely let down by another chap on the forum selling the high spec S1 16V as well.
106 Rallye.. fond memories :-) used to have a white S1, fairly standard when I got it, ended up with a 106 GTi engine (original rallye box), hi specs, Avo's, Turnis, pugsport, grp n mounts and stripped out, mega fun car. Though as others have said, you won't get a nice one for 2k, and would know doubt need to spend at least the same again to get it up to standard.. which I'm afraid will be the same for any of the cars of that era you find within your budget, a 2k car can very quickly become 4-5k!
Heres an old ball suggestion for you, a mk4 Fiesta Zetec.. these little guys supported the super touring cars in the late nineties in the ford fiesta credit championship, certainly not cool in the sense of a 106 rallye, but you can build one for pennies, puma engines are an easy swap so you could probably pick up one already converted for £500, which gives you plenty to get it absolutely on point, the puma used the same underpinnings so the cars potential is undeniable.
Inspired by the championship myself I currently own a mk4 running the correct 1.4 zetec, its had a complete going over with every bush replaced, upgraded suspension/brakes and is a blast to drive! Owing me roughly your budget completed.
Heres an old ball suggestion for you, a mk4 Fiesta Zetec.. these little guys supported the super touring cars in the late nineties in the ford fiesta credit championship, certainly not cool in the sense of a 106 rallye, but you can build one for pennies, puma engines are an easy swap so you could probably pick up one already converted for £500, which gives you plenty to get it absolutely on point, the puma used the same underpinnings so the cars potential is undeniable.
Inspired by the championship myself I currently own a mk4 running the correct 1.4 zetec, its had a complete going over with every bush replaced, upgraded suspension/brakes and is a blast to drive! Owing me roughly your budget completed.
306 Rallye would be another option, or like me a GTi6 - VERY affordable, you could get a mint one with 2k, or like me, spend £1100 on a full fat gti6, remove plenty of weight without ruining it, a set of decent brakes/tyres/suspension and a trackday or 3 a year for £2k ish...
That said i've since spent a lot more than that but once you've been bitten there is no going back :-D
I would echo Clio's too though, they are great little cars albeit literally too little for me - i just do not fit/get comfortable in them...
Here is some encouragement....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYSQveHD0y8
That said i've since spent a lot more than that but once you've been bitten there is no going back :-D
I would echo Clio's too though, they are great little cars albeit literally too little for me - i just do not fit/get comfortable in them...
Here is some encouragement....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYSQveHD0y8
t4thomas said:
Richair said:
I refreshed and upgraded an s1 for hillclimbs and it was brilliant
I recently discovered your cherry red build on the 106RallyeForum; looked like a great example!I think you ended up fitting throttle bodies. I would be keen to hear your thoughts on this (from a value for money perspective), as a 1.3 8V owner myself.
I sold it in favour of developing my Porsche, which initially was going to be for hillclimb but after some arm-twisting from my pal I've now gone in to circuit racing. Wish I could have kept the Rallye though!! Can't drive them all though and it was too nice not to drive.
It's new owner is currently going through the same morale dilemma regarding cutting a hole in the bulkhead...
I could get behind the 306 recommendation, especially at this sort of budget; I am a sucker for French tat though.
Thanks Richair! I haven't looked into what's involved with fitting bodies. I do have an increasingly tempting quote for a satchell manifold and 40mm jenvey bodies though; could be a great way to thicken up the power delivery.
Thanks Richair! I haven't looked into what's involved with fitting bodies. I do have an increasingly tempting quote for a satchell manifold and 40mm jenvey bodies though; could be a great way to thicken up the power delivery.
You don't have to cut the scuttle on the 106 to fit bodies when using the Satchell/brown inlet - piper ross jc40 filter and short trumpet's will just fit.
Won't get the optimum inlet tract length without cutting the scuttle a little bit to allow filtration for longer trumpets though - sounds ace, bring the noise.....bwaaarp.
Regarding being on the limiter on the straights - if straightline speed is your thing then the Rallye's the wrong car... I'm quite happy to cruise at 115 on the straights and corner harder than all those fatty fat cars out there.
Won't get the optimum inlet tract length without cutting the scuttle a little bit to allow filtration for longer trumpets though - sounds ace, bring the noise.....bwaaarp.
Regarding being on the limiter on the straights - if straightline speed is your thing then the Rallye's the wrong car... I'm quite happy to cruise at 115 on the straights and corner harder than all those fatty fat cars out there.
The 306 route was an option about 6 months ago when I came across a couple of cheap cars. Unfortunatley it never materialised and started looking at Rallye's!
I even went to a car show this evening (Mod Stock) to gather some ideas but nothing realistic inspired me. Also a serious lack of 80's 90's hot hatches which was a shame.
I even went to a car show this evening (Mod Stock) to gather some ideas but nothing realistic inspired me. Also a serious lack of 80's 90's hot hatches which was a shame.
I have a 306 GTI-6 sitting in my garage. 81k miles.
Needs a little bit of bodywork to make it mint, but mechanically she's good. Just had new clutch and associated bits, plus throttle cable. New Potenzas in correct size 50 miles ago. Refurbed wheels and i have a spare set that you could stick track tyres on. Could do with discs and pads as it's been stood for about 6 months but that's no big deal as you'd want DS2500s on it i'd expect.
Mint driver's seat (very rare) and still got the original Clarion tape stereo.
PM me if interested.
Needs a little bit of bodywork to make it mint, but mechanically she's good. Just had new clutch and associated bits, plus throttle cable. New Potenzas in correct size 50 miles ago. Refurbed wheels and i have a spare set that you could stick track tyres on. Could do with discs and pads as it's been stood for about 6 months but that's no big deal as you'd want DS2500s on it i'd expect.
Mint driver's seat (very rare) and still got the original Clarion tape stereo.
PM me if interested.
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