£20k Track Day car - also good for the drive there
Discussion
Hi there,
I am looking for a good track day car, ideally under £20k, but potentially up to £30k. It does not have to be an ultra light weight speed machine, just something fun that a novice can use to enjoy the freedom of blasting around tracks every other month or so. However, I am based in Poole and so all tracks are pretty much at least a 4 hour round trip from me - make that more like 5-6 hour round trip once traffic is factored in.
As such, the car really needs to be reasonable at cruising as well, or else I really can't see myself bothering to make the effort all that often. I have an F430 Spider which is perfect on track and is good enough for me to cruise to places in, not too bad anyway. However, it presents a real issue with DB limits - a lot of 100 limits I'm seeing. Also it is an expensive piece of metal, and I'd rather something just a bit towards the cheaper end so that I'm not too worried about any potential bumps or scratches here or there.
So I have been thinking, 997 Carrera, E92 M3? It's not an area of the market I've looked at much at all, though I have previously owned an E92 M3 and thought it was great, I never took it near a track.
Look forward to some pointers, thanks.
Seal
I am looking for a good track day car, ideally under £20k, but potentially up to £30k. It does not have to be an ultra light weight speed machine, just something fun that a novice can use to enjoy the freedom of blasting around tracks every other month or so. However, I am based in Poole and so all tracks are pretty much at least a 4 hour round trip from me - make that more like 5-6 hour round trip once traffic is factored in.
As such, the car really needs to be reasonable at cruising as well, or else I really can't see myself bothering to make the effort all that often. I have an F430 Spider which is perfect on track and is good enough for me to cruise to places in, not too bad anyway. However, it presents a real issue with DB limits - a lot of 100 limits I'm seeing. Also it is an expensive piece of metal, and I'd rather something just a bit towards the cheaper end so that I'm not too worried about any potential bumps or scratches here or there.
So I have been thinking, 997 Carrera, E92 M3? It's not an area of the market I've looked at much at all, though I have previously owned an E92 M3 and thought it was great, I never took it near a track.
Look forward to some pointers, thanks.
Seal
Robert Elise said:
E92 is too heavy imo.
ok, you need something comfortable enough to get you there, but don't make it so soft that the track day itself is wasted. You didn't give any other requirements for this car?
top of mind:
Porsche, obviously. mid-engined maybe better balanced for you?
Something stripped and prepped already (including M3s). just use ear plugs
Lotus, earplugs again for long m'way trips but seats and suspension are surprisingly relaxed, joy of lightweight.
Noble
i now track a stripped mx5 with bucket seats and drive it there. It's a compromise but not so bad, once ear protection in place. Tracking a standard, full-weight M3 would be too compromised the other way in imo.
The way you specified requirement, i suspect Cayman/Boxster is your answer..... although i'd urge you to consider lighter!
Yep only requirements are comfy enough to cruise 5-6 hour round trip in one day but still light weight, responsive and fun enough to make the track day worthwhile going to. ok, you need something comfortable enough to get you there, but don't make it so soft that the track day itself is wasted. You didn't give any other requirements for this car?
top of mind:
Porsche, obviously. mid-engined maybe better balanced for you?
Something stripped and prepped already (including M3s). just use ear plugs
Lotus, earplugs again for long m'way trips but seats and suspension are surprisingly relaxed, joy of lightweight.
Noble
i now track a stripped mx5 with bucket seats and drive it there. It's a compromise but not so bad, once ear protection in place. Tracking a standard, full-weight M3 would be too compromised the other way in imo.
The way you specified requirement, i suspect Cayman/Boxster is your answer..... although i'd urge you to consider lighter!
I think the Cayman/Boxster is likely to be the best balance of those suggested, shame the M3 is looking to be too heavy, I've always liked them, but no experience of it on track, I'm sure a more focussed machine would make sense though.
Thanks for all the ideas, Lotus is coming up a lot so I am going there tomorrow to test out. Didn't realise I had a lotus main dealer 5 mins from home.
Really like the look of the Evora, though it is pricey. If it's really good I'd even consider getting rid of my 430 for one.
I do have a Range Rover daily driver, but i don't really have anywhere to store a trailer. I don't mind long drives so it's ok to go and come back the same day so long as it doesn't turn into torture.
I would rather not go for a Porsche (sorry fans!) but I don't respect the brand that much after selling out with SUVs all over the place. I like the idea of a Lotus a lot more! Still if the car is perfect I won't let s badge put me off. I drove my dads brand new boxster and it didn't do that much for me. But never tried the Cayman. Feel like I'd always wish I had a 911 as that is the 'proper' Porsche, but as I say keeping an open mind.
Will see what Lotus is all about tomorrow and go from there, thanks for the tips. I've never actually considered a lotus before!
Really like the look of the Evora, though it is pricey. If it's really good I'd even consider getting rid of my 430 for one.
I do have a Range Rover daily driver, but i don't really have anywhere to store a trailer. I don't mind long drives so it's ok to go and come back the same day so long as it doesn't turn into torture.
I would rather not go for a Porsche (sorry fans!) but I don't respect the brand that much after selling out with SUVs all over the place. I like the idea of a Lotus a lot more! Still if the car is perfect I won't let s badge put me off. I drove my dads brand new boxster and it didn't do that much for me. But never tried the Cayman. Feel like I'd always wish I had a 911 as that is the 'proper' Porsche, but as I say keeping an open mind.
Will see what Lotus is all about tomorrow and go from there, thanks for the tips. I've never actually considered a lotus before!
Thanks, will do. The dealer has most models in stock so I should be able to get a really good feel for which model suits best.
I would consider shopping in the F430 if required, but my girlfriend and daughter would kill me! Probably just try and make the original budget work if possible, better too as less money tied up in metal being thrown around a track. We'll see how it goes tomorrow
I would consider shopping in the F430 if required, but my girlfriend and daughter would kill me! Probably just try and make the original budget work if possible, better too as less money tied up in metal being thrown around a track. We'll see how it goes tomorrow
Ok just back from Lotus dealership. First of all what fantastic service, really great sales guy who knows his stuff. Highly recommended - westover Poole.
So tried out the 1.8 supercharged Elise and even though the novelty of it having the same name as my girlfriend was great, the car really didn't deliver what I was looking for. Not powerful enough and not enough of a 'car' felt too much like a toy, I actually like the car feel.
Next went out in the Evora S, so also supercharged of course. It was brand new and I thought the cabin was lovely. A perfect balance between sporty basics and a touch of luxury to make the drive to the track comfy. The handling is fantastic and the engine punchy and definitely a quick little car. My biggest issue, I just can't see the point in an Evora and a f430 in the garage. With both of them there, the f430 is just always going to win as despite everything it just has that noise and drama that the Evora can't match on its own. Drive them both properly and that changes, but as an ultra novice a lot of the drama and excitement for me has to come from the car, and noise and low down power and big parts of that.
I really want to get the Evora I think it's so good, but I'd regret selling my f430 for one - especially losing the cabrio functionality - and having both cars makes very little sense, I'd rather just buy a 458. As such unfortunately no purchases today and I don't think there will be.
I will keep on eye on the 400 though, who knows that might have that added splash of drama required. In the meantime I'm going to try and find a way to make my f430 quieter!!!
So tried out the 1.8 supercharged Elise and even though the novelty of it having the same name as my girlfriend was great, the car really didn't deliver what I was looking for. Not powerful enough and not enough of a 'car' felt too much like a toy, I actually like the car feel.
Next went out in the Evora S, so also supercharged of course. It was brand new and I thought the cabin was lovely. A perfect balance between sporty basics and a touch of luxury to make the drive to the track comfy. The handling is fantastic and the engine punchy and definitely a quick little car. My biggest issue, I just can't see the point in an Evora and a f430 in the garage. With both of them there, the f430 is just always going to win as despite everything it just has that noise and drama that the Evora can't match on its own. Drive them both properly and that changes, but as an ultra novice a lot of the drama and excitement for me has to come from the car, and noise and low down power and big parts of that.
I really want to get the Evora I think it's so good, but I'd regret selling my f430 for one - especially losing the cabrio functionality - and having both cars makes very little sense, I'd rather just buy a 458. As such unfortunately no purchases today and I don't think there will be.
I will keep on eye on the 400 though, who knows that might have that added splash of drama required. In the meantime I'm going to try and find a way to make my f430 quieter!!!
Yes, I think as the Elise S didn't quite do it for me, the sort of cars which I do start to find enjoyable - e.g. the Evora S - are getting right up there in price to the point where I may as well just use my F430 and spend the money on track day insurance and a quieter exhaust (if that is even possible).
I am seriously impressed with the Evora S though, has the F430 beat for cruising ability and it's incredible handling. Just needs a bit more drama from the exhaust noise & a touch more power to really feel lively even lower down the rev range.
I am seriously impressed with the Evora S though, has the F430 beat for cruising ability and it's incredible handling. Just needs a bit more drama from the exhaust noise & a touch more power to really feel lively even lower down the rev range.
Stuart0620 said:
Lotus Exige or Lotus Evora are good choices but if you have a £20,000-£30,000 budget I would try something more trackday focused like an Ariel Atom or Caterham. Try a Caterham as they are awesome trackday cars and once you have driven one you will be hooked. I have an Audi R8 which is a fantastic trackday car but not as much fun as my Caterham.
You mention most circuits are between 4 to 6 hours away but you seem to be overlooking great circuits around you, e.g; Goodwood 1.5 hours, Castle Combe 2 hours, Silverstone 2.5 hours, etc
Yes I meant 4-6 hours round trip. All those places take at least 4 hours once you factor in traffic and stops. It's a lot of driving in an all out sports car before and after a long day on the track. You mention most circuits are between 4 to 6 hours away but you seem to be overlooking great circuits around you, e.g; Goodwood 1.5 hours, Castle Combe 2 hours, Silverstone 2.5 hours, etc
Robert Elise said:
OP admits to being a track noob. the cycle normally goes one of two paths:
- big fast road car, ooh that's a bit heavy, get something lighter, power isn't the whole story, mods, compromise the drive there to enjoy a more focused track experience & you're hooked!
- try a couple of track days. quite good fun, but been there got the T-shirt back to road cars.
deciding what car to get before driving on track is wrong simply because track driving is different to road driving.
Best advice: hire a few cars at track first to better understand. It's not too expensive to hire MX5s, Caterhams and prepped BMWs.
Well I did a track day in my F430 Spider before and I loved it. I also did some time on track (a half hour at Castle Combe) in a borrowed 458 Spider which was even better, but too expensive. So I do like this style of car, though from a practical side of things - risk of totalling an expensive piece of metal, UK track sound limits, etc - I wanted to investigate slightly cheaper alternatives.- big fast road car, ooh that's a bit heavy, get something lighter, power isn't the whole story, mods, compromise the drive there to enjoy a more focused track experience & you're hooked!
- try a couple of track days. quite good fun, but been there got the T-shirt back to road cars.
deciding what car to get before driving on track is wrong simply because track driving is different to road driving.
Best advice: hire a few cars at track first to better understand. It's not too expensive to hire MX5s, Caterhams and prepped BMWs.
However, having gone to see the Lotus cars, it seems that what I really want is the Ferrari experience - both on the road and on track for my fun car. And cars from other brands are unlikely to replicate that. So my conclusion is that I'll be best off sticking with the F430 and using the money to make it work for me on track days - so getting insurance and a quieter DB exhaust if possible.
That being said, I take onboard what you are saying and maybe it would be a good idea to try out a Caterham for example on a track to see if I would enjoy it more. I expect that just because of my preferences and how I like to drive (I'm certainly no racing driver, just out to enjoy the car) the Ferrari is going to be the best choice as I love the cars. But still worth a try, so when I see a Caterham available at a track day I will give it a go in the next month or two just to be sure.
Not considered the noble, I will take a look if any near by.
Yes I know what you mean with the Elise SC, though I guess I just like high powered cars now and have got quite used to them and 500bhp+ cars provide instant gratification in a way a smaller car can't. I fully appreciate spending time, learning the car and getting good at driving it (and at driving on track in general) will yield fantastic results in the Elise, but at this stage im just looking for something I can get in, turn the key and get the adrenaline pumping - regardless of how good I am at driving. Hence loving the f430 experience more than the rest I've looked at.
On a side note re the 'comfy drive there'.. We just visited Warwickshire this weekend and like the area, might look at moving here for a couple of years - nice and close to a few tracks and lots of nice country roads !
Thanks for all the advice.
Yes I know what you mean with the Elise SC, though I guess I just like high powered cars now and have got quite used to them and 500bhp+ cars provide instant gratification in a way a smaller car can't. I fully appreciate spending time, learning the car and getting good at driving it (and at driving on track in general) will yield fantastic results in the Elise, but at this stage im just looking for something I can get in, turn the key and get the adrenaline pumping - regardless of how good I am at driving. Hence loving the f430 experience more than the rest I've looked at.
On a side note re the 'comfy drive there'.. We just visited Warwickshire this weekend and like the area, might look at moving here for a couple of years - nice and close to a few tracks and lots of nice country roads !
Thanks for all the advice.
Gassing Station | Track Days | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff