Recomend me a track car, very specific requirements
Discussion
After experiencing the Mercedes track day last week, I loved every minute and decided I need to get more time on track but I don’t want to use my Taycan for obvious reasons.
I was going to buy a Mclaren 570s (not for track) as a toy for my 40th next year, but I’ve decided I want something to use on track more.
I live in the North East so I’ll be looking at tracks like Croft and Teesside Autodrome most of the time. Unless I’m missing other options up North.
Car will be used 60/70% of the time on the road.
I’m 6-3 so I might struggle with an MX5/Caterham. I do love the look of Lotus Exige S3 but again might struggle due to my size.
Here’s my list of requirements.
- I want it to be quick 0-60 sub 5 maybe even sub 4
- Read wheel drive (maybe 4 wheel)
- Not ridiculously expensive to run (Staying away from big M3s etc with the cost of brakes and tyres.
- Lightweight
- £40k or under. Would consider something a lot cheaper don’t need to spend the budget.
- I’ll fit. I’m 6-3 about 16 stone so it needs to be a decent size.
- Minimum of 2 sears. Back seats would be a bonus with 2 kids 4 and under but not a must have.
- Sounds nice.
- Looks pretty good.
Cars I’ve considered:
Yaris GR - I’ve already had one and I loved it. But concerned it doesn’t sounds great and doesn’t look the best imo.
Lotus Exige S3 - Seems to be perfect other than I may not fit and no backs seats.
Megane Cup 250 (I think it is). Seems to be a good cheapish first choice.
Nissan GTR - Super quick but will be very heavy on breaks and tyres etc.
TVR T350 - Love this and always wanted one. Being an older car I’m imagining it’ll be a bit of a pig on track and pricey to run. (unless I’m mistaken)
What should I consider? TIA!
brillomaster said:
how about a 997 911? a C2S could be had for well under budget, arguably a very good road car with rear seats, but also more than capable of some track work too...
failing that, lightweight and a 2+2 doesn't really compute... could go down the fast VAG/BMW route with an M135i/M140i, or an RS3, something like that...
how much are evoras these days?
Great shout I'll have a look into it failing that, lightweight and a 2+2 doesn't really compute... could go down the fast VAG/BMW route with an M135i/M140i, or an RS3, something like that...
how much are evoras these days?
E-bmw said:
I am sure others will have other opinions but here are mine on what you are looking for.
No matter how fast your car is on a TD, there WILL be someone faster & they may not be in the car you expect them to be in when you look round the paddock.
For this reason any first TD car, I would recommend a well-trodden path and one that can be fun wherever you are.
Pretty much the only car that fulfils this on your list and that you will fit in is the Megane.
The power is more for the road than the track as daft as that sounds. I intend to invest in lessons to try and improve so I know power isn’t the be all and end all on track No matter how fast your car is on a TD, there WILL be someone faster & they may not be in the car you expect them to be in when you look round the paddock.
For this reason any first TD car, I would recommend a well-trodden path and one that can be fun wherever you are.
Pretty much the only car that fulfils this on your list and that you will fit in is the Megane.
shorts! said:
Plenty of taller drivers fit into TVRs including T350s, possibly due to TVR head honcho Peter Wheeler being a similar height to you. However they will not get through noise tests at Croft. Havent been able to take a TVR there for a loooong time........
T350 is great fun on track though......
That’s good to know I never thought of noise limits. T350 is great fun on track though......
LennyM1984 said:
Stu-nph26 said:
Never thought of that. I'd be concerned it's pricey to run as a track car
I did about 30-40 track days in a Boxster and then a lowly 2.7 987 Cayman (still have the Cayman but have been focusing on the racing in the past couple of years and so haven't used it on track). Apart from tyres and brake pads, it didn't really cost me much at all and I was often quite a bit quicker over a lap than much more powerful stuff (M3s, A110s etc).If it were me, I'd go for something lightweight with decent suspension/tyres (Elise, Exige, Caterham, Zenos etc etc). If you want something a little more civilised, the Cayman is a great option. Handling is very forgiving, it turns well, and it is a comfortable place to be on hot days or soaking wet days.
ETA: I'm 6'2" and race a Ginetta G40 (which really is tiny) and so an Elise/Exige/Caterham will likely be fine.
Edited by LennyM1984 on Monday 29th April 16:47
Glenn63 said:
If you don’t mind a hot hatch, for half your budget you could get an M140 modded with LSD, coilovers, bigger brakes, and 500bhp. Not the ultimate in ‘driving machine’ but be pretty quick on track, reliable and pretty cheap to maintain compared to proper M cars.
Do you think there’d be a huge difference in running costs between a 140 and an M2?740EVTORQUES said:
I normally drive a lightweight track car, but the other week at Silverstone it was just too wet and cold, so not wanting to waste the fee, I took my 2005 997.1.
It was brilliant, it coped magnificently, and was huge fun, so confidence inspiring the way you can feel the limits of grip and trail brake to tighten the corners. I can’t imagine anything better for the price.
I’d highly recommend this as an option.
I’d never have considered these as an option they seem great value and tick most of not all of the boxes It was brilliant, it coped magnificently, and was huge fun, so confidence inspiring the way you can feel the limits of grip and trail brake to tighten the corners. I can’t imagine anything better for the price.
I’d highly recommend this as an option.
Dynion Araf Uchaf said:
Stu-nph26 said:
E-bmw said:
I am sure others will have other opinions but here are mine on what you are looking for.
No matter how fast your car is on a TD, there WILL be someone faster & they may not be in the car you expect them to be in when you look round the paddock.
For this reason any first TD car, I would recommend a well-trodden path and one that can be fun wherever you are.
Pretty much the only car that fulfils this on your list and that you will fit in is the Megane.
The power is more for the road than the track as daft as that sounds. I intend to invest in lessons to try and improve so I know power isn’t the be all and end all on track No matter how fast your car is on a TD, there WILL be someone faster & they may not be in the car you expect them to be in when you look round the paddock.
For this reason any first TD car, I would recommend a well-trodden path and one that can be fun wherever you are.
Pretty much the only car that fulfils this on your list and that you will fit in is the Megane.
ben5575 said:
Just to echo this.
Fantastic that you've got the bug, but as suggested I would seriously recommend trying a proper lightweight sportscar (caterham/lotus etc) if you've only ever done tin tops as they're a completely different experience. You may hate it, but I suspect that once you've had a taste you'll realise how much more fun they are.
I'm also local to you (having taken the long way home via kirklevington, picton, croft, cowtons, danby wiske, hurworth this afternoon following a run up on the moors around osmertherly). I took my old 118bhp caterham academy car around Teesside and that felt too big on that circuit. There's no way I'd take my M2C on it, let alone anything bigger/more powerful.
Elvington is also reasonably local but I've never done it.
I'd love to but how can i try before I buy? Do you mean another track day of some form? Any recommendations? Fantastic that you've got the bug, but as suggested I would seriously recommend trying a proper lightweight sportscar (caterham/lotus etc) if you've only ever done tin tops as they're a completely different experience. You may hate it, but I suspect that once you've had a taste you'll realise how much more fun they are.
I'm also local to you (having taken the long way home via kirklevington, picton, croft, cowtons, danby wiske, hurworth this afternoon following a run up on the moors around osmertherly). I took my old 118bhp caterham academy car around Teesside and that felt too big on that circuit. There's no way I'd take my M2C on it, let alone anything bigger/more powerful.
Elvington is also reasonably local but I've never done it.
Some great suggestions here everyone thanks so much. I went to see an Exige 380 yesterday and it was a stunning looking thing. I managed to get in and out (just) and once I was in it was OK. I'm trying to arrange a test drive to see what it's like on the road and if I can get comfortable and live with it
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403257...
This one's also way over my budget but I could make it happen if I fall in love with some man maths and a bit finance
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403257...
This one's also way over my budget but I could make it happen if I fall in love with some man maths and a bit finance
Sub8 said:
C6 Z06.
Funny you mentioned these a mate suggested them too not sure I could like with LHD on the road. This is a beauty looks like the batmobile https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/10953991
TimRV57 said:
Jacobyte said:
Nexus Icon said:
A110 ?
Yup, the Alpine must be a serious contender, dipping below the £40k mark for early ones. More comfy/practical than an Exige for your road duties, lighter than a Cayman for tactility duties, easily pass noise limits, beautifully balanced on the limit, and not too fast on the straights that you're constantly catching everything up. Basically, a miniature 570S.
Alpine is the one that keeps coming back to me given that constraint.
MMarkM said:
SpudLink said:
That is gorgeous! Not the lightest thing on track, but should be a much better road car than a stripped out track special.
You might want to check what the usual noise limits are at your local circuits. I believe the Exige does fall foul of the limits at some track days.
You're actually getting close to McLaren money there anyway..... You might want to check what the usual noise limits are at your local circuits. I believe the Exige does fall foul of the limits at some track days.
Edited by SpudLink on Wednesday 1st May 15:09
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