Recomend me a track car, very specific requirements

[Stu-nph26]

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!

[Stu-nph26]

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

[Stu-nph26]

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

[Stu-nph26]

Ken_Code said:

Until I saw your list I was going to suggest the Yaris, so I still will.

Loved mine and it’s a strong contender but I’d prefer RWD and a tad more power.

[Stu-nph26]

Turn7 said:

Caterham SV with lowered floors will suit you fine, I’m 6’4 and no racing snake

Is it a big job to get the floors lowered?

[Stu-nph26]

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

[Stu-nph26]

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.

[Stu-nph26]

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

Never thought of a Cayman I’ll have a look they do seem to fit the bill.

[Stu-nph26]

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?

[Stu-nph26]

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

[Stu-nph26]

Over over under steer said:

I’m 6’4” 110kg ex rugby chap and I fit in s3 lotus no issues

Exige? That’s interesting all things considered they do seem to fit most of the boxes

[Stu-nph26]

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

Except it’s FWD and he stated he wants RWD

I don’t think a car exist that’s hits everything so I’ll have to concede something and compromise.

[Stu-nph26]

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?

[Stu-nph26]

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

[Stu-nph26]

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

[Stu-nph26]

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

[Stu-nph26]

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.

[Stu-nph26]

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.

Edited by SpudLink on Wednesday 1st May 15:09

You're actually getting close to McLaren money there anyway.....

Yeah I did think that but I’d be very concerned about the costs of running a McLaren as a track car