Jap track car max budget £2k ( done lots of searching)

[samwise77]

Right , i know this subject gets a fairly regular airing but, firstly i feel that i need some more info/have different needs and secondly its always good to have as much input as possible.

Come September i plan on selling my dc2 to fund a dedicated track car and a daily driver/ tow car . From some rough workings i should have about £1500-£2000 to spend on a track car, which doesn't need to be on the road so mpg,size or insurance etc are not an issue

i intend to learn "proper" track driving in this car i have done some days before but nothing mad and have always had to worry about getting to work the next day haha Im guessing it would be good to get something fairly close to what im used to (n/a revvy high power engines and neutral handling ) i would also like something rwd and obviously jap so here are some of my ideas


Toyota altezza - the beams engine seems to be great 210hp is fine and should be able to strip it down to circa 1100kg which isn't too bad doesn't seem to much info RE track work with these

Mr2 mk1 or mk2 from what i have read engines are great as are gearboxes handling can be tricky near the limit plenty of track info and a race series !

Mitsubishi Starion - If i could find one these seem perfect strong engine and ,box simple rwd handling look amazing IMO not much track info

Mazda mx5 Great handling and track support although a little lacking power wise and very common (i like to be a bit odd lol )

Subaru legacy rs -yes i know its not rwd but there just awesome!! (mk1) plenty of poke and grip not too clued up on boxer engines guessing service items could be tricky as well as finding one in the first place

I have thought about engine swaps etc (cbr1100 engine in a k10 micra anyone ?? ) but this takes money out of the budget and could easily cost more than i plan for !

So there you go im after experiences had with any of the cars on track and any advice or suggestions also please feel free to tell me if im looking for too much for my budget Thanks Sam

[samwise77]

thanks for the replies , that's very true about people not saying the mr2 is under powered never thought of it tbh.

As for keeping the dc2 as much as i would love to there is no way i could get a tow car sorted in time and there are other reasons for selling (change of job mileage etc )and tbf its pretty tidy so i don't fancy stuffing it into a barrier haha also as a daily it can be a bit of a pain it deserves better

[samwise77]

that's just not going to happen tbh i enjoy the jap car meets and events to much.

[samwise77]

Thats a good option that i hadnt thought of , i am a big btcc fan so a race rep could be done aswell , how strong are the gearboxes? i only ask as i thought about accord type r but i know they anit got the best boxes. Also am i right in thinking they run a sr20 without the turbo?

[samwise77]

I did have a good think about the ,ludes do they have the same gearbox issue as the accord type r ? ( drops out of tec between 3rd and 4th? ) also a mk3 mr2 could be cool, would i get a 190 hp tho?

[samwise77]

i have also thought about kei cars just because they seem like such fun and some are quite tuneable

[samwise77]

im a bit scarred of the engine rebuild tbh although im not overly informed on the rx8 do they wear rotar tips like the rx 7?

[samwise77]

Thanks matt i ll have a butchers

[samwise77]

Cool, preludes sound interesting what kind of weight can i expect to get it down to? also do the lsd equpied cars make much more money,

As for the mx5 they sound perfect i just wish there wasnt so many of them ! i know that means plenty of parts etc and i guess there are popular for a reason maybe im being too fussy !

[samwise77]

I should also mention that i have a lexus is200 that is off the road as i was planning on trying my hand at drifting although im quite happy to make this the track car its already stripped out as well,

i know the original engines are not that great but plenty of room for conversion lexus v8 (1uzfe) would be great but i know these are expensive and i anit sure if i can get it track ready within budget ?

I do know of a Aristo thats available for around £250 with a good engine i guess i could use the 2jz engine and make it fit with the mounts etc from the Aristo (gs300) again anit sure if this would work.

Edited by samwise77 on Sunday 27th July 21:29

[samwise77]

cool, that sounds promising, thanks for the info

[samwise77]

thanks for all the input, i would prefer rwd yes although i would make an exception for another dc2 if one came up as i feel its unfinished business i guess, as for the sunny gtir/ pulsar i have had them in the back of my mind but i ve been told the gearboxes are made of chocolate??

[samwise77]

Well i ve found a new job which means i can keep the teg for track and sell bits for a cheap daily/ towcar... very useful thread i think though. will be doing cambelt next as its due then some ds2500s and should be away as it already has ad08rs all round