Same old question........track day car !!
Discussion
I am thinking of buying a track day fun car, nothing serious, exotic or mega expensive to run.
Have done a couple of track days already and just come back from my first trip to the Nurburgring (yes, i'm hooked).
As most of us can't afford GT3's a lot of people seem to use hot hatchbacks, most popular being Pug GTI's. My father spent all his working life in a Vauxhall garage (poor chap) so my head says go for a GM car - Astra GSi maybe, 2 litre reliable twin cam with a bit of power, got the knowledge to run it and as the garage is still playing ball, staff discount on parts. Don't see too many being used though, is this because they are crap ??!! Don't know anything about Peugeots but everybody goes on about the 205 GTi being a fab handling car. The Clio seems to have quite good reviews too, again no knowledge on Renaults.
Ultimately I want to become proficient at driving my Ginetta G33 with confidence (at the ring!!). Is it unwise to get experience with a FWD car at track days then go back to a RWD car ?? Or vice versa ?? Maybe get a RWD track day car but nothing comes to mind (don't want any Jap stuff like 200SX's)
So to sum up - a couple of grand (maybe get a mate to throw some cash in) user friendly track day hot hatch (or RWD if anybody can think of anything), will teach me to drive briskly and safely, reliable with a bit of poke.
Not too much to ask surely ??
All comments/advice gratefully received (apart from ''Don't be a big girls blouse, get out there and ring the nuts out of your G33''. It can be a little scary at times.......
Regards,
Simon.
Have done a couple of track days already and just come back from my first trip to the Nurburgring (yes, i'm hooked).
As most of us can't afford GT3's a lot of people seem to use hot hatchbacks, most popular being Pug GTI's. My father spent all his working life in a Vauxhall garage (poor chap) so my head says go for a GM car - Astra GSi maybe, 2 litre reliable twin cam with a bit of power, got the knowledge to run it and as the garage is still playing ball, staff discount on parts. Don't see too many being used though, is this because they are crap ??!! Don't know anything about Peugeots but everybody goes on about the 205 GTi being a fab handling car. The Clio seems to have quite good reviews too, again no knowledge on Renaults.
Ultimately I want to become proficient at driving my Ginetta G33 with confidence (at the ring!!). Is it unwise to get experience with a FWD car at track days then go back to a RWD car ?? Or vice versa ?? Maybe get a RWD track day car but nothing comes to mind (don't want any Jap stuff like 200SX's)
So to sum up - a couple of grand (maybe get a mate to throw some cash in) user friendly track day hot hatch (or RWD if anybody can think of anything), will teach me to drive briskly and safely, reliable with a bit of poke.
Not too much to ask surely ??
All comments/advice gratefully received (apart from ''Don't be a big girls blouse, get out there and ring the nuts out of your G33''. It can be a little scary at times.......
Regards,
Simon.
MK1 MR2. 130ish bhp, nice handling, RWD, fairly reliable. if you can get past the image and the rust I think they make excellent cheap track day toys. should get a nice one for your budget, too.
don't be tempted by a MK2 though - FAR too heavy for track work and brakes like chocolate. (/shanks & bigfoot)
Jonny
BaT
don't be tempted by a MK2 though - FAR too heavy for track work and brakes like chocolate. (/shanks & bigfoot)
Jonny
BaT
If you favour VX & want RWD, then how about a Carlton GSi? You can get them for silly money, even a 24v if you're lucky; 200bhp. Strip out some weight & it should be good fun.
Other than the newer VX's, they never made a front wheel drive car that could handle in my opinion.
Mark.
>> Edited by raceface on Friday 5th May 22:07
Other than the newer VX's, they never made a front wheel drive car that could handle in my opinion.
Mark.
>> Edited by raceface on Friday 5th May 22:07
Thats a good idea actually, 325i. Bet their built well with a solid engine that could take a hammering for a couple of years of track days. Probably just need some shocks/spings and some better discs and pads on the front and your away............
I'm off to search Autotrader.........
I'm off to search Autotrader.........
Golfs are big at the Ring, where RWD means nothing.
even...dare I say it...diesels!
Beamer 3 would be my choice it has to be said. lots around easy to big up for the track etc, not bullet proof but close. but don't forget the first 5 series...possible M? helluvacar!
(a tweaked golfD will get you to the Ring more often for less though!)
even...dare I say it...diesels!
Beamer 3 would be my choice it has to be said. lots around easy to big up for the track etc, not bullet proof but close. but don't forget the first 5 series...possible M? helluvacar!
(a tweaked golfD will get you to the Ring more often for less though!)
Thanks Guilotine. Yes, you're right, Golf diesels seem to be popular at the ring with many people racing them there. I was talking to a chap who said that you just need to upgrade the turbo, injectors and intercooler and your there,the internals of the engine already being very strong. Don't know where to go for the parts though.......and just think ...it would be bloody cheap getting to the ring !!
Hi Gary. I had a quick chat with you at the Ring on the Monday after you had just done a lap. I was the guy who had a Ginetta G33 (but left it at home). As you said you keep it at the Ring for a few months of the year, what do you do about insuring your Pug ?? I heard you showed a Gallardo driver a thing or two ??!!
Regards,
Simon.
Regards,
Simon.
e30 325i (decent s probably too much)
LSD £150-200
h&r cup suspension £400
adjustable front camber plates £150 (need more neg front camber with decent drop)
seats £200
std brakes are fine with std 170 bhp (decent pads/fluid and braded hoses are good idea but rear hoses onto swingarm are a complete BITCH so expect big labour bill or no knuckles - cheap grooved discs good idea too)
dada - cheapo brilliant track car
LSD £150-200
h&r cup suspension £400
adjustable front camber plates £150 (need more neg front camber with decent drop)
seats £200
std brakes are fine with std 170 bhp (decent pads/fluid and braded hoses are good idea but rear hoses onto swingarm are a complete BITCH so expect big labour bill or no knuckles - cheap grooved discs good idea too)
dada - cheapo brilliant track car
Loads of people mentioning E30 325i which are a good track car.
But don't forget the 318is. Don't confuse with the 318i though which is only an 8V as opposed to the 16V 318is.
The "is" is a cracking little car and so revvy plus a lighter front end helping turn in. Okay so it is slower in a straight line than a 325 but all the fun is in the corners anyway.
I run an is as a track car. You can see my pics at www.chrisu.f2s.com look in the track slag section. Just get one strip as much weight as possible and off you go.
But don't forget the 318is. Don't confuse with the 318i though which is only an 8V as opposed to the 16V 318is.
The "is" is a cracking little car and so revvy plus a lighter front end helping turn in. Okay so it is slower in a straight line than a 325 but all the fun is in the corners anyway.
I run an is as a track car. You can see my pics at www.chrisu.f2s.com look in the track slag section. Just get one strip as much weight as possible and off you go.
Guillotine said:
Golfs are big at the Ring, where RWD means nothing.
even...dare I say it...diesels!
Beamer 3 would be my choice it has to be said. lots around easy to big up for the track etc, not bullet proof but close. but don't forget the first 5 series...possible M? helluvacar!
(a tweaked golfD will get you to the Ring more often for less though!)
Spot on if it's a car for the 'ring. Was there recently & a guy in a Renault diesel was mega-fast - turned out to be a 1.5dci (whatever that means). He reckoned on just keeping it planted pretty much everywhere - and was certainly faster than some pretty serious machinery...
Guillotine said:
Golfs are big at the Ring, where RWD means nothing.
not sure thats why (i dont see too many fwd cars on the lap record table
) i think theres a bit of an e30 cult in germany where good examples are WAY more expensive than in the uk. conversley golfs are even cheaper there. but agree at that end of the mkt theres nothing in lap times.
at the ring a golf in the right hands is faster than a carrera gt in the wrong hands
FrancisB,
I'll admit i'm a total BMW virgin, only started to work out what all the numbers mean !!
I take it from your comments that a E30 325i does not come with a LSD as standard, dies that mean that an 'S' might ?? Is the 'S' model simply a 'sports' version ?? Do these models have ABS or power steering as standard ??
Regards,
Simon.
I'll admit i'm a total BMW virgin, only started to work out what all the numbers mean !!
I take it from your comments that a E30 325i does not come with a LSD as standard, dies that mean that an 'S' might ?? Is the 'S' model simply a 'sports' version ?? Do these models have ABS or power steering as standard ??
Regards,
Simon.
simonb9 said:
FrancisB,
I'll admit i'm a total BMW virgin, only started to work out what all the numbers mean !!
I take it from your comments that a E30 325i does not come with a LSD as standard, dies that mean that an 'S' might ?? Is the 'S' model simply a 'sports' version ?? Do these models have ABS or power steering as standard ??
Regards,
Simon.
yep the s models came with LSD's (which is an absolute must), a close ratio gearbox (which is nice), lower suspension (but not low or hard enough for a track toy), and sports seats (but not suportive or light enough for a track car). the s's will probably take up your whole budget and given that an lsd is so cheap and you'll repace seats and suspension might as well get a cheaper model to start.
the 325's all had PAS not sure about the 318's. that said i ran my 325is with a manual rack, very heavy at parking speeds but beautifully comunicative at speed. all the standard racks are too slow and many replace with faster e36 m3 racks and a nice smaller wheel.
Gassing Station | Track Days | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff