What trackday car
Discussion
I've tentatively decided that the GT3 has probably appreciated in value too much to use on track. Having done a couple over the last 2 years, I'm going to be doing several longer Euro road trips every year in it instead.
I'm wanting a cheaper (10-15k) trackday car. Has anyone done this I'd be interested in their thought processes. The choice is potentially huge. Wondering about 996s that have had hartech type rebuilds or 968s. Maybe M3s (or 328i sport for cheaper thrills) or Elises. The choice at the outset is too large to make a meaningful search I think the cars have got to be narrowed down first.
Thoughts welcome.
Cheers
I'm wanting a cheaper (10-15k) trackday car. Has anyone done this I'd be interested in their thought processes. The choice is potentially huge. Wondering about 996s that have had hartech type rebuilds or 968s. Maybe M3s (or 328i sport for cheaper thrills) or Elises. The choice at the outset is too large to make a meaningful search I think the cars have got to be narrowed down first.
Thoughts welcome.
Cheers
968 makes a lovely track day car. Ex race 944S2 should be in budget and won't require any mods.
E46 M3? Too heavy out of the box and will need brake mods at the very least and rear subframe rebuild etc...
None of these will come close to giving you the performance you're used to on track so perhaps the caterham/Elise route is worth looking at?
If it's sales per miles you want then Clio 182 cups or Zetec engined mx5's will answer your needs for a shed load less than your 10-15k.
In fact I know where there is a low mileage racing blue Clio 182cup with recaros and bills tines for sale...
E46 M3? Too heavy out of the box and will need brake mods at the very least and rear subframe rebuild etc...
None of these will come close to giving you the performance you're used to on track so perhaps the caterham/Elise route is worth looking at?
If it's sales per miles you want then Clio 182 cups or Zetec engined mx5's will answer your needs for a shed load less than your 10-15k.
In fact I know where there is a low mileage racing blue Clio 182cup with recaros and bills tines for sale...
You could just about pick up an ex-race Boxster for £15k but how about an E36 M3? There's a few listed in the BMW Racing Drivers' Club website:
http://www.bmwrdc.com/for-sale
http://www.bmwrdc.com/for-sale
Singh911 said:
I've tentatively decided that the GT3 has probably appreciated in value too much to use on track. Having done a couple over the last 2 years, I'm going to be doing several longer Euro road trips every year in it instead.
I'm wanting a cheaper (10-15k) trackday car. Has anyone done this I'd be interested in their thought processes. The choice is potentially huge. Wondering about 996s that have had hartech type rebuilds or 968s. Maybe M3s (or 328i sport for cheaper thrills) or Elises. The choice at the outset is too large to make a meaningful search I think the cars have got to be narrowed down first.
Thoughts welcome.
Cheers
Lotus Exige S, faster and cheaper to run on track than a GT3... I'm wanting a cheaper (10-15k) trackday car. Has anyone done this I'd be interested in their thought processes. The choice is potentially huge. Wondering about 996s that have had hartech type rebuilds or 968s. Maybe M3s (or 328i sport for cheaper thrills) or Elises. The choice at the outset is too large to make a meaningful search I think the cars have got to be narrowed down first.
Thoughts welcome.
Cheers
Elise Honda... http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/l...
Expensive when you can just get a Clio 182 though. Either way, as fantastic fun it is hanging the arse out in one of the Renaults, they are ultimately too one-dimensional to cut it; you need RWD.
I would recommend a Series 1 Elise. Not sure about the Honda converted cars; in theory the idea of replacing a K Series with a Honda makes perfect sense - a reliable Lotus! In reality, this is not OEM and, as such, do not expect the same build quality you would from a factory car.
The K Series is much maligned, but it's actually a fantastic engine as long as it's maintained. It is characterful in VHPD form and a very light engine; it is the sweetest handling set up for sure.
I would hunt for a Series 1 Elise with all the tasty bits done for you.
I would recommend a Series 1 Elise. Not sure about the Honda converted cars; in theory the idea of replacing a K Series with a Honda makes perfect sense - a reliable Lotus! In reality, this is not OEM and, as such, do not expect the same build quality you would from a factory car.
The K Series is much maligned, but it's actually a fantastic engine as long as it's maintained. It is characterful in VHPD form and a very light engine; it is the sweetest handling set up for sure.
I would hunt for a Series 1 Elise with all the tasty bits done for you.
hondansx said:
Expensive when you can just get a Clio 182 though. Either way, as fantastic fun it is hanging the arse out in one of the Renaults, they are ultimately too one-dimensional to cut it; you need RWD.
Clio 182 too slow. Megane at the money is excellent value. Not sure i could live with an S1 Elise for "longer euro road trips". MX5 with a supercharger it is then... 
DMC2 said:
Caterham all day long. Best fun you will EVER have on track. Hire one for a day, guarantee you will be hooked.
Seems quite an endorsement considering the list of previous cars you've had OP if you go down the Caterham route, also look at things like MK Indy, practically the same car for 1/3 the money
Caterham with a few horses.
An R300 K is a good start , but does run out of puff a bit. I would say R400 upwards type power is about right.
Counteracting the lack of aerodynamics requires a fair bit of grunt on the straights.
But any Caterham is a bundle of fun in the corners.
Must be aeroscreen to get that race car feel.
To get a tin top as a track car to me loses some of the appeal of what it's about. To drive something so different , exposed to the elements is what adds up to making the occasion . It's getting back to basics.
I like them
ETA: Sorry just noted your budget , so obviously the higher powered Caterhams will be a tad harder to source for that.
An R300 K is a good start , but does run out of puff a bit. I would say R400 upwards type power is about right.
Counteracting the lack of aerodynamics requires a fair bit of grunt on the straights.
But any Caterham is a bundle of fun in the corners.
Must be aeroscreen to get that race car feel.
To get a tin top as a track car to me loses some of the appeal of what it's about. To drive something so different , exposed to the elements is what adds up to making the occasion . It's getting back to basics.
I like them
ETA: Sorry just noted your budget , so obviously the higher powered Caterhams will be a tad harder to source for that.
Edited by Se7enheaven on Tuesday 14th April 10:36
I track my Mx5 - probably once a month, or at a min once every two months.
It costs me next to nothing to run, gets used daily for the station commute, gets the top down when its sunny, and on track is massive fun.
Its also nippy enough with commitment.
FYI I run track tyres (R888, N2-SRs), yellow stuff pads, HSD coilovers, a bucket seat, 4 points, and a roll hoop. Its good to go all year and more.
It costs me next to nothing to run, gets used daily for the station commute, gets the top down when its sunny, and on track is massive fun.
Its also nippy enough with commitment.
FYI I run track tyres (R888, N2-SRs), yellow stuff pads, HSD coilovers, a bucket seat, 4 points, and a roll hoop. Its good to go all year and more.
Caterham is just a brilliant track car even the low powered k-series ones. One question will be whether a drive to the track car is needed or whether it'll go on a trailer.
You can and should drive a caterham to the track but it's hard work and you don't get to easily take spare wheels, tools, jacks etc. If you are going to Spa for a track day and driving then you need to be hardy and hopeful that you don't need too much stuff when you are there. I used to drive to circuit in my Caterham for a while, but then gave up and trailered. It was much easier.
So perhaps the practicalities have a bearing on the decision too.
Bert
You can and should drive a caterham to the track but it's hard work and you don't get to easily take spare wheels, tools, jacks etc. If you are going to Spa for a track day and driving then you need to be hardy and hopeful that you don't need too much stuff when you are there. I used to drive to circuit in my Caterham for a while, but then gave up and trailered. It was much easier.
So perhaps the practicalities have a bearing on the decision too.
Bert
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