Best hyper hatch for trackdays?

[Steve H]

SpudLink said:

hunt123 said:

Derek182 said:

I've done quite a few trackdays over a lot of years in a TVR, a Caterham, several Westfields, every variety of Clio and a Megane RS250 Cup.
Before I finally give up and lease an electric car I have a budget of around £15k, maybe a little more, to buy a really quick daily/occasional track car.
I'm thinking of a BMW M135i/M140i, Mercedes A45, Audi RS/S3, Golf R or Seat Leon Cupra?
Not looking to modify them other than the usual uprated brake fluid and pads, definitely not running semi slicks and I've never been accused of being quick so shouldn't be too hard on the car.
I know something lighter may be more fun and cheaper to run but it's a type of car I've never owned and I like the idea of one.
Or is the answer a Megane 275 Cup?

OP 15k wouldn't buy a good Merc A45 or RS3. I'd go for the Golf R, in fact i did very recently, after weighing up several options I bought a good example for £15k. Not tracked it although i think it'd be good on track as it's got good pace. A rwd BMW would be more fun on track.

The cars in bold are all fast road cars, but almost never see them on a trackday. Not sure why.

Because they are all 4WD and will be potentially quick but fairly unsatisfying to drive on track.

Of all the options discussed I would probably go with the beemer but a 275 Megane is a very nice thing as well.

[popeyewhite]

Steve H said:

SpudLink said:

hunt123 said:

Derek182 said:

I've done quite a few trackdays over a lot of years in a TVR, a Caterham, several Westfields, every variety of Clio and a Megane RS250 Cup.
Before I finally give up and lease an electric car I have a budget of around £15k, maybe a little more, to buy a really quick daily/occasional track car.
I'm thinking of a BMW M135i/M140i, Mercedes A45, Audi RS/S3, Golf R or Seat Leon Cupra?
Not looking to modify them other than the usual uprated brake fluid and pads, definitely not running semi slicks and I've never been accused of being quick so shouldn't be too hard on the car.
I know something lighter may be more fun and cheaper to run but it's a type of car I've never owned and I like the idea of one.
Or is the answer a Megane 275 Cup?

OP 15k wouldn't buy a good Merc A45 or RS3. I'd go for the Golf R, in fact i did very recently, after weighing up several options I bought a good example for £15k. Not tracked it although i think it'd be good on track as it's got good pace. A rwd BMW would be more fun on track.

The cars in bold are all fast road cars, but almost never see them on a trackday. Not sure why.

Because they are all 4WD and will be potentially quick but fairly unsatisfying to drive on track.

i don't think that's it at all. The demographic that buys these cars are quite competitive upwardly mobile young men. These cars are very expensive and they seem to enjoy showing them off and tuning them for straight line performance rather than thrashing round a track where they are relatively anonymous. I'd add there's plenty of very quick 4WD cars seen on tracks nowadays..Subarus, Nissans etc. Yes they're not a GT3, but to normal mortals they're great fun, and there were plenty of Golf Rs last time I was at Oulton.

[Steve H]

popeyewhite said:

i don't think that's it at all. The demographic that buys these cars are quite competitive upwardly mobile young men. These cars are very expensive and they seem to enjoy showing them off and tuning them for straight line performance rather than thrashing round a track where they are relatively anonymous. I'd add there's plenty of very quick 4WD cars seen on tracks nowadays..Subarus, Nissans etc. Yes they're not a GT3, but to normal mortals they're great fun, and there were plenty of Golf Rs last time I was at Oulton.

I agree on the demographic and they do make epic road cars but that same safe handling that makes them good on the road also makes them a bit dull on track.

IME, on a typical trackday with 80ish cars it’s rare there is enough 4wds to break into double figures and they are generally either very trick/modded to make them work, or occasional visitors to a circuit because the majority of drivers that want to do it regularly will buy something more involving (and economic) to use.

[popeyewhite]

Steve H said:

I agree on the demographic and they do make epic road cars but that same safe handling that makes them good on the road also makes them a bit dull on track.

IME, on a typical trackday with 80ish cars it’s rare there is enough 4wds to break into double figures and they are generally either very trick/modded to make them work, or occasional visitors to a circuit because the majority of drivers that want to do it regularly will buy something more involving (and economic) to use.

I think you're right there, 4WD cars don't make up the hard core of track users. I think driving round and round on a track can get slightly tedious if the car does too much for you. Great for spirited road driving though.

[Steve H]

Yep, exactly that.

[Blanchimont]

For 15k you could get an FK2 Type R. It would be my pick, having owned a Leon Cupra, 3x Megane RS', and a M135i.

[Dixie]

Megans seem really quick on track.  They'd definitely be a good shout.  135s seem leery but fun looking.  As others have said though they'd need some money spending on them.  Not sure if that is the case with the Megan.


I've seen a few Golf Rs on track. They never seem to be very quick despite the power they have. Could have just been the drivers though i guess.  They seem a bit anonymous.

A mate has a new FK8 Civic.  It was amazingly capable.  No issues with brakes or temperatures straight out the box. If an FK2 is anywhere near as good it be a good shout.

Edited by Dixie on Friday 13th October 13:22

[RB Will]

Bit left field but you could get a cat S Hyundai i30N performance for £15k.
Great on road and track and for the family. Did 5 hard trackdays in the year or so I had mine and a lot of abusive road miles and it is the only car I’ve owned which didn’t have a single thing go wrong.
Standard brakes, suspension etc all perfect on track, would keep up with all the usual suspects.
Has a bit of a sense of humour about it and is just fun to drive.

[Rob_R]

Blanchimont said:

For 15k you could get an FK2 Type R. It would be my pick, having owned a Leon Cupra, 3x Megane RS', and a M135i.

Agree with this too. A good friend of mine has one and tracks it, very quick, fun car to drive. Actually makes a nice noise as well unlike a lot of other 4 cylinder hatchbacks.

Other strengths are that it has supportive seats, a brilliant gear shift, solid brakes and is reliable too. Just needs sticky tyres and decent brake pads and off you go.

[braddo]

Rob_R said:

Actually makes a nice noise as well unlike a lot of other 4 cylinder hatchbacks.

Are you talking about being inside the car?

It has been quite a disappointing surprise over the years that turbo and supercharged cars sound absolutely horrible at track days. Like an angry hairdyer. Even supercharged Lotuses, let alone renaultsport meganes, nissan gtrs, 911 turbos etc. Meganes from the last decade sound absolutely horrid.

One of the best things about going to track days - as spectator or driver - is the sound. NA cars with good intakes sound incredible, but they are becoming increasingly rare. The induction noise from throttle bodies...

[braddo]

Here is an example of induction noise.


90s caterham (rover k-series)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-iiMP27xac

With a close ratio gearbox. A DC2 integra type-r is the same kind of thing.

[culpz]

Never took my Cupra 290 on track but I do think it would have been an absolute riot. Extremely capable on the road.

Megane's are hard to look past and will be more engaging. Pretty much ready out of the box too. M140i/M240i for RWD action but the standard suspension will need upgrading ideally.

[MightyBadger]

Hyper hatch

Maximum cringe.

[the_stoat]

If you have had RenaultSports in the past do not go near a Golf R, as once you get over the launching abilities it is such a dull car. I got one after Mégane R26, stupidly without a test drive based on the hype, it was the most disappointing car I have ever owned and would be very frustrating on track. It is not playful unless you are brutal with it and that wears a bit thin.

[mmm-five]

MightyBadger said:

Hyper hatch

Maximum cringe.

Isn't that just the next level of shopping car?

Super-Hatch for normal supermarkets
Hyper-Hatch for hypermarkets
Coupe for Coop

[popeyewhite]

the_stoat said:

If you have had RenaultSports in the past do not go near a Golf R, as once you get over the launching abilities it is such a dull car. I got one after Mégane R26, stupidly without a test drive based on the hype, it was the most disappointing car I have ever owned and would be very frustrating on track. It is not playful unless you are brutal with it and that wears a bit thin.

I've owned a RenaultSports Clio, a fantastic car, and.....a one trick pony. The Golf R isn't as much fun in standard trim on country bends or round a track, but my word it does so much more overall than the Clio. I have driven a RenaultSport Megane, other than it was a bit underpowered and I couldn't see the speedo it was a great car. Unfortunately I couldn't find one that was for sale at that time that ticked all the boxes.

[Cambs_Stuart]

I've also been looking at the mazda 3 MPS. 260 hp, LSD, plus 5 doors and lots of kit for when it's not on track. Which will be most of the time...
Well under budget too.

[MightyBadger]

Best hot hatch for track days.

Please cut this hyper bs.

[bennno]

Decent mx5 or gt86 would be a blast. Clio 200 cup or Megane if it must be a hatchback.

[MightyBadger]

Page two and still no hyper hatches posted