Recomend me a track car, very specific requirements

Recomend me a track car, very specific requirements

Author
Discussion

matt5964

51 posts

17 months

Tuesday 30th April
quotequote all
Stu-nph26 said:
Well I fit in an Exige, kind of. It was very tight and the seats were a little snug and very unforgiving being carbon buckets. I may have to find a car without the carbon buckets for my fat ass and thighs to fit better.




Edited by Stu-nph26 on Tuesday 30th April 13:10
Replace oem seats with tillett B5 , you will gain room and be more comfortable in the process.

Stu-nph26

Original Poster:

2,002 posts

106 months

Wednesday 1st May
quotequote all
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

SpudLink

5,920 posts

193 months

Wednesday 1st May
quotequote all
Stu-nph26 said:
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
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.

Edited by SpudLink on Wednesday 1st May 15:09

1781cc

578 posts

95 months

Wednesday 1st May
quotequote all
Stu-nph26 said:
740EVTORQUES said:
Isn’t a Cayman the obvious choice? You said 2 seats was ok?
Never thought of that. I'd be concerned it's pricey to run as a track car
This is what I am thinking too, so I booked myself onto a Porsche Experience Day this past Monday and hammered a 718 Cayman S around their proving grounds, really opened my eyes - and considering you can get a 718 Cayman S on Autotrader for under £40K it fits the bill perfectly.

The day cost me £295 and its well worth every penny, this isn't pootling around, I was pushing on, drifting on the oval, skid pan, wet slalom, and two handling circuits, full launches, emergency braking from 120mph.

https://experienceshop.porsche.com/booking/build-e...

This was my car, it took a pasting and didnt miss a beat, stock S too running PS4S N spec tyres (I checked)

Oh, and ignore all that nonsense about noise and it being a 4 pot, sounded great to me!



Edited by 1781cc on Wednesday 1st May 15:51

DanGPR

989 posts

172 months

Wednesday 1st May
quotequote all
There's a reason you see alot of the same cars if you regularly attend track days...

A clubsport style E92 would fit the bill perfectly circa 30k for a nice one.

For the money you won't go faster than a Caterfield or Atom style car, cheap on consumables but not as usable on the road.

For me a well built M3 is probably the last step in a mixed road/track car for usability and pace before you're in to the realms of GT4/GT3s. A Noble would make an interesting left field choice if you want something a bit more exotic looking, or stretching the budget a bit would get you in an Ultima GTR?

Steve H

5,340 posts

196 months

Wednesday 1st May
quotequote all
1781cc said:
Stu-nph26 said:
740EVTORQUES said:
Isn’t a Cayman the obvious choice? You said 2 seats was ok?
Never thought of that. I'd be concerned it's pricey to run as a track car
This is what I am thinking too, so I booked myself onto a Porsche Experience Day this past Monday and hammered a 718 Cayman S around their proving grounds, really opened my eyes - and considering you can get a 718 Cayman S on Autotrader for under £40K it fits the bill perfectly.

The day cost me £295 and its well worth every penny, this isn't pootling around, I was pushing on, drifting on the oval, skid pan, wet slalom, and two handling circuits, full launches, emergency braking from 120mph.

https://experienceshop.porsche.com/booking/build-e...

This was my car, it took a pasting and didnt miss a beat, stock S too running PS4S N spec tyres (I checked)

Oh, and ignore all that nonsense about noise and it being a 4 pot, sounded great to me!



Edited by 1781cc on Wednesday 1st May 15:51
Yep, the perfect all-rounder. Will do days on track without a second thought and be amongst the best road cars you can ever buy.


After 11 years in a 987 Cayman S and despite regularly instructing in all types of car the only clear winner when I was ready tor a change was the same thing but newer and I couldn’t be more pleased with it -


braddo

10,589 posts

189 months

Wednesday 1st May
quotequote all
DanGPR said:
...

A clubsport style E92 would fit the bill perfectly circa 30k for a nice one.
Very high consumables costs with 1600kg-ish. Same with 1400kg Porsches. Difficult for anything to beat a V6 Exige for a mix of road and track.

SpudLink

5,920 posts

193 months

Thursday 2nd May
quotequote all
braddo said:
DanGPR said:
...

A clubsport style E92 would fit the bill perfectly circa 30k for a nice one.
Very high consumables costs with 1600kg-ish. Same with 1400kg Porsches. Difficult for anything to beat a V6 Exige for a mix of road and track.
I don't see many E92 BMWs on track. Certainly not lapping all day the way the E46 and E36 car do.

Sub8

56 posts

103 months

Thursday 2nd May
quotequote all
C6 Z06.

Stu-nph26

Original Poster:

2,002 posts

106 months

Thursday 2nd May
quotequote all
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

Jacobyte

4,726 posts

243 months

Friday 3rd May
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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.

Zarco

17,958 posts

210 months

Friday 3rd May
quotequote all
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.
I like them, but auto box and uninspiring engine put it behind many choices for me.

Sub8

56 posts

103 months

Friday 3rd May
quotequote all
Stu-nph26 said:
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
Fast (Very!), relatively simple, thrilling, cheap bits, relatively light, great noise, not a Porsche or BMW!

About the only downside is LHD and slightly lacking steering feel.

TimRV57

84 posts

74 months

Friday 3rd May
quotequote all
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.
This is a super interesting thread for me, was contemplating very similar question, but for me I want a DCT gearbox for a track car, otherwise would say Exige hands down (loved my Cup it really is perfect for this brief as others have said).

Alpine is the one that keeps coming back to me given that constraint.

braddo

10,589 posts

189 months

Friday 3rd May
quotequote all
TimRV57 said:
This is a super interesting thread for me, was contemplating very similar question, but for me I want a DCT gearbox for a track car, otherwise would say Exige hands down (loved my Cup it really is perfect for this brief as others have said).

Alpine is the one that keeps coming back to me given that constraint.
I think I've only been on track with one once but it was bloody quick. A bit like the road-biased Caterhams with chrome - their slightly twee looks seem to make you think they won't be as quick as they are.

Stu-nph26

Original Poster:

2,002 posts

106 months

Friday 3rd May
quotequote all
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.
This is a super interesting thread for me, was contemplating very similar question, but for me I want a DCT gearbox for a track car, otherwise would say Exige hands down (loved my Cup it really is perfect for this brief as others have said).

Alpine is the one that keeps coming back to me given that constraint.
Daft as it is I can’t get away with the looks that the Alpine. All roads lead to the Exige but I think I’m too big to get comfortable unfortunately.

740EVTORQUES

460 posts

2 months

Friday 3rd May
quotequote all
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.
This is a super interesting thread for me, was contemplating very similar question, but for me I want a DCT gearbox for a track car, otherwise would say Exige hands down (loved my Cup it really is perfect for this brief as others have said).

Alpine is the one that keeps coming back to me given that constraint.
Why do you want a DCT?

I was of a similar mindset to you having only driven paddle shift sequentials on track and of course lots of semi autos of various types in the sim, but when I finally took my manual 997 on track I was blown away at how much fun the experience was. It doesn’t matter if you’re not the most gifted heel and toe driver either.


I’d definitely recommend trying a conventional manual on track, it’s an experience.

TimRV57

84 posts

74 months

Saturday 4th May
quotequote all
740EVTORQUES said:
Why do you want a DCT?

I was of a similar mindset to you having only driven paddle shift sequentials on track and of course lots of semi autos of various types in the sim, but when I finally took my manual 997 on track I was blown away at how much fun the experience was. It doesn’t matter if you’re not the most gifted heel and toe driver either.


I’d definitely recommend trying a conventional manual on track, it’s an experience.
Yeah I’ve always had manuals previously, whilst certainly not the most gifted heel and toer I can manage alright.

My current car has a good dual clutch box and for me that works so well on track I can’t imagine going back to a manual. I love the full power upshifts, definitely adds to the experience and compensates for not heel and toeing down the box, and it’s given me the space to think about the rest of my driving, which can always be improved!

Jacobyte

4,726 posts

243 months

Saturday 4th May
quotequote all
Zarco said:
I like them, but auto box and uninspiring engine put it behind many choices for me.
The very same thought stopped me from considering one. Then after testing the Emira then the Cayman, I by chance drove the Alpine and was astonished how much the engine and box felt "just right" in that chassis. For some reason, it just works as greater than the sum of its parts, and I'm a proper manual V8 heel'n'toe philistine. I now have one.

MMarkM

1,571 posts

172 months

Monday 6th May
quotequote all
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.

Edited by SpudLink on Wednesday 1st May 15:09
You're actually getting close to McLaren money there anyway.....