Track toy: MX5 1.8 S or Clio 172 Cup?

[BenLowden]

I'm spending more and more time looking into a toy that'll be great for track days but also some fun road use too.

I've narrowed it down to either a Mk1 Mazda MX5 1.8 S or a Clio 172 Cup. Both very different cars, but in the same sort of price range and attractive for various different reasons!

Does anyone have experience with either, or could you recommend why you'd choose one over the other?

At the moment the Clio wins on power and the fact that it's supposed to be one of the best hot hatches of all time (plus they're 10 years younger), but I think the MX5 would be a better all-rounder for a bit of road use too. And because RWD. Help please!

[chris7676]

MX5 - sublime, fun, basic, not fast (only had a 1.6).

172 - fast, practical (it's a shopping trolley with rear sets, so i would say it's a better all-rounder), economical, fun.

[R2T2]

IMO Clio.

Faster.
Not a convertible so spending money on an ARB isn't as necessary.
Loads about on ebay track prepped alreayd.

[luckystrike]

The MX5 is a fantastic roadster that happens to be a good RWD steer, whereas the clio is a fantastic hot hatch that happens to be a good car to drive on a daily basis.

I'd take the clio given your brief. They're quicker anyway, and I'd wager easier and cheaper to turn into a fantastic little track toy without compromising it on the roads. As far as MX5s go you need forced induction for any real power gains and throwing coilovers into the mix would make it a ballache on a daily basis. Throw in the useable boot on the clio and no brainer

[anonymous-user]

There is only one answer and that's drive them both and then buy the one you prefer.

They're both iconic cars in their own right and it's very much personal preference as to which is "best"

[BenLowden]

Thanks for all the feedback. Wasn't expecting everyone to be so pro the Clio!

It won't be a daily driver so it doesn't need to be practical, but the extra power of the Clio is definitely a win. It'll be for weekend driving fun and as many track days as I can afford! Time to dig out the Demon Tweeks catalogue and starting a wish list...

[Krikkit]

Definitely the Clio, I can't imagine an MX5 as a track toy.

[HorneyMX5]

I'm clearly biased but I think the MX5 is the better car for this. Out of the box not as quick as the Clio but as a platform to build on as you progress in trackdays it's a much better proposition. You can start out with 120bhp and after a few years be on the very naughty side of 300bhp with a chasis that will take everything you throw at it.

Anyway, my 2p's worth. I do also liek a good Clio, no ax to grind.

[C.A.R.]

I had a MK1 Eunos Roadster when my friend had a Clio 182. Whilst I may have been having an awful lot of fun, any attempt to keep up with him was futile. It was just a much, much faster car which generated considerably more grip, too.

So it really is apples and oranges - I'd drive both and see how you get on. I loved my MX5 to bits and the community is an indication that many owners also become very affectionate of their cars too. You can forgive the car a lot of its' shortcomings (pretty noisy, un-refined etc.) purely because they are incredibly reliable and cheap!

The Clio was a sublime hatchback, too. Like a more modern GTi6 considerably more practical.

[jamesedwards]

Don't get me wrong, I like the MX-5, and there are some cool looking ones about and RWD does appeal, but my choice would defiantly be Clio. They're faster than you might think and great fun!

Just head over to cliosport and have a look at the project thread section and you'll soon want one of the many 172/182s that have been turned into track cars. There's a reason they're popular.

DISCLAIMER: I'm biased as I own a 182.

[poing]

What do you want from your track days? Both provide different thrills and I suspect there isn't a wrong choice here.

[cheddar]

I've owned and tracked both, the Clio is much much quicker and drove like an impatient dog on a leash, heroic engine, great fun on track and, with the right tyres, can still set quick times.

The MX5 didn't enjoy track work as much, bit creaky, not really enough power to reveal and revel in rwd characteristics but they do put a big grin on your face away from the track.

[joefraser]

poing said:

What do you want from your track days? Both provide different thrills and I suspect there isn't a wrong choice here.

This.

I've owned both and they are equally fun to drive but in different ways. The clio is quicker, it's very good on the track/ as a weekend blast and most definitely packs a punch.

The Mx5 is more of an occasion, RWD with the top down is always fun whether it's as fast as the clio or not.

If I could have either for a track toy, I'd go for the Mx5 as it can grow a bit more... engine work on the clio is futile, both of them have great chassis.

[oilslick]

Shamelessly stolen from another thread from several years ago

[HorneyMX5]

lol, love that gif.

[Ilovejapcrap]

oilslick said:

Shamelessly stolen from another thread from several years ago

Well that gif has swung me mx5 all the way

[GravelBen]

I'd go MX5, no question. I get bored of Fwd pretty quickly.

[GrumpyTwig]

Depends if you want fwd or rwd, though at this power level it's somewhat academic imo.... But I wouldn't presume just because the mx5 is rwd it'd be more fun.

Setup a Clio right and it'll be fun, adjustable AND fast. They need pretty different driving styles though.

[Robert Elise]

I did try a track prepped 172 for a whole day at Bedford. Even joined Cliosport in expectation of getting one. But in the end the mx5 has such accessible RWD fun. My new Eunos (well, 25yrs young) is a std 1.6 and is a hoot in the twisties. I just pull over on the straights, no problem. And remember, power makes you lazy.... You have to get your entry speed and lines correct with an MX5, M3s are often driven badly on track, even if fast.

Try both see what suits your style.

[DanielJames]

Get an MX5 and hold everyone up, telling everyone how much fun you're having and that it's not about speed, it's about having a good day out.