1.5k and RWD

[steve singh]

Hi - I'm currently researching which track day car to get for next year.

My budget is between 1-2k and I'm looking for RWD, reliability and cheap consumables - doesn't have to to be road legal but it would be good if it was...

Any suggestions?

Cheap running costs are key - perhaps FWD is more realistic ?

[iangex]

An MR2 of some description must be on the list....

I had a mk2 and it was good fun. I learned a lot by commuting down neglected country roads in the snow in that thing. Never took it on a track though, which I regret. Wasn't the last word in handling, but at the price (£1500 should buy you a reasonable NA),I would have thought it would be hard to beat.

[Porkie]

mx5? or what about an E36 BMW.

if you go FWD look at Clio 172's.

[Bladedancer]

Look up Practical Performace Car 999 quid challenge.
That should give you some ideas (albeit theres a mix of RWD, FWD and AWD cars)

My bet would be S13 200SX, E36, MR2 or Soarer.
Then there's slightly older stuff, like pre-1993 supras, Starions etc.
Heck, even Merc 190 2.6 might do the trick...

[fat80b]

I had a similar plan and this is what I did.....



bought it last Saturday for £1100, tracked it today at Snetterton

MX5 Mk2, 1.8 S, 140bhp, RWD, Limited Slip Diff, revs to 7250 and pulls like a train.. perfect for the track.

It also has leather seats and a Bluetooth handsfree kit (less essential for the track but nice to have (as was the heater this morning which works rather well))

It was a bit of a handful early doors with the black ice everywhere on the circuit, but by the afternoon and with the track a bit drier, it was bang on and as much fun as the TVR on track (although obviously a wee bit slower in a straight line.. ) RWD is definitely the way to go imho.

It gave a lot more expensive metal something to think about in the twisties and so far, consumables have cost ~£5 worth of oil.

I can confirm from personal experience, the answer as ever is an MX5....

Bob

p.s. winter is the perfect time to buy one.....

[dmitry]

Not even funny, but it's an MX5 again. RWD - check; reliable - check; cheap consumables - check; easy on fuel - check.

I've actually been in the same position and got me 1.8 Mk1 Roadster. Still can't think of a better choice.

[steve singh]

Thanks guys - i'll have a look into thr suggestions now - i was looking at the mx5 but was worried by the lack of roof protection if things went upside down! It seems roll cages are about a grand...

Out of interest, how much do rear tyres cost on thr mx5 and how about front discs and pads?

Appreciate the help.

[dmitry]

Full roll cage is around a grand, but a roll bar can be had for around £400. Re tyres, depends on what you want, semi-slick tyres obviously are more expensive than usual street ones. In any case you're looking at 14" or 15" tyres which are on the cheaper side of the scale.

[src1971]

steve singh said:

Thanks guys - i'll have a look into thr suggestions now - i was looking at the mx5 but was worried by the lack of roof protection if things went upside down! It seems roll cages are about a grand...

Out of interest, how much do rear tyres cost on thr mx5 and how about front discs and pads?

Appreciate the help.

MX5 is deffo the way to go.

2nd hand roll bars can be had for £250 but you are very unlikely to roll an MX5 on a track day.
Decent road tyres are about £40 per corner, decent track tyres about £75. Decent track pads about £60 per axle. OEM discs are sufficient.

[steve singh]

Thanks for the responses...i'm off to go and look at some mx5s on autotrader!

[sbird]

steve singh - if you do go down the MX5 route, then give me a shout. There's a handful of track enthusiasts in the Midlands.

src1971 will also tell you how good Donnington is, and persuade you to join him there.

[steve singh]

sbird said:

steve singh - if you do go down the MX5 route, then give me a shout. There's a handful of track enthusiasts in the Midlands.

src1971 will also tell you how good Donnington is, and persuade you to join him there.

Thanks - donnington works well as it's not too far from me...be great to hook up.

I'll look into classic insurance tomorrow as well...could do with the insurance premium not being too silly given my NCB is attached to my other cars!

[redback911]

Nice thread.

Been pondering something similar myself. The MX5 is such a great handling car, I drove the Rent4Ring MX5 a few times at the Nordschleife and always came away wanting more power. Maybe fit a supercharger in the MX5. Or for an extra 2k you could have an S2000 which is around 230bhp.

[wackojacko]

I'd rec' and Mr2 Turbo or any MK2 Mr2 infact in both NA and Forced Induction formats they're hard to beat for the grin factor.

Many second hand Performance parts on the market for such cars. PHer Kovac and I picked up our Rev2 track car that is caged, paddle clutch, buckets etc for just shy of £1500.

Bargain of my life so far.

Any questions to do with Mr2's don't hesitate to PM me.


Jacko.

[src1971]

redback911 said:

Nice thread.

Been pondering something similar myself. The MX5 is such a great handling car, I drove the Rent4Ring MX5 a few times at the Nordschleife and always came away wanting more power. Maybe fit a supercharger in the MX5. Or for an extra 2k you could have an S2000 which is around 230bhp.

My mate has a track S2000 and it has proven to be a reliable and fun track hack. But, running costs (tyres, brakes, insurance etc) are twice that of my MX5.

[src1971]

steve singh said:

Thanks - donnington works well as it's not too far from me...be great to hook up.

I'll look into classic insurance tomorrow as well...could do with the insurance premium not being too silly given my NCB is attached to my other cars!

Speak to Greenlight for mod-friendly MX5 insurance.
Donington is great on a frosty morning (last Friday)!

Edited by src1971 on Monday 3rd December 20:55

[marky911]

BMW E46.

£1500 gets you a nice 6 pot such as a 325 coupe. Cheap consumables (especially compared to the M3 version), 190BHP, sound great and they're just a really good car to drive, fast or slow.

I've just picked up a lovely, rust free, dark blue 325 coupe for £1300 which I'm using as a daily, with a view to gradually upgrading things for track use by next summer. In all honesty the only thing that would let it down on track would be the brakes, so I'll fit new discs and fast road/track pads (DS2500) and AP race fluid.

Yes it will be a bit soft but having moved up the scale from hot-hatches to bike engined race-cars, I just want some good cheap fun in a car I can use for work. I get sick of having a track car sitting about all year apart from the 8-10 days it's on track, hence I want a daily car come track car.

I would like a Civic Type R EP3 really but they're at least twice the price of the BMW and I wouldn't be twice as quick in one. The BMW is also more suited to someone of my age (35) than the Type R, for everyday use. Plus it sounds better, is comfy when cruising and isn't any thirstier.




ETA - I'd probably have to agree though, for ultimate cheapness I doubt you'll beat an MX5. They sound a bit pants though and aren't exactly quick. Yes you can bolt Turbos/superchargers onto them but there goes your bulletproof reliability.

Depends how little you want it to cost you. I've owned 4 E36s before this E46 and have never spent more than £500 on any of them and that includes a clutch in my M3 evo. They were just roadcars though.

The Mr2s are ok too, but they are getting a bit long in the tooth and there are some tatty ones out there. the turbo motors do eventually break aswell. Great engine (developed by Yamaha) and I loved my turbo when I was 22 but they are just so rough now.
Also they're great while they're gripping but they don't inspire confidence like some other cars, especially in the wet.
Put it this way, my good mate Chris runs GTSChris.com (MR2 specialist). What does he have as a race car? A Subaru Impreza. After building 2 MR2 racecars over the years, which were much better for promoting the business, he gave up and built the Impreza.

Edited by marky911 on Tuesday 4th December 09:03

[Bladedancer]

Can you really recommend alloy engined E46 for heavy track work?
If it overheats that's pretty much it. And track driving will get it hot.

I'd prefer to go for 325 E36. Iron block, early no Vanos model.

Besides, I'd expect 1.5k E46 to require some work...

[TDIfurby]

The amount of MX5s at Cadwell Park on Sunday was testament to how good they are on a track, and clearly within budgets too. They took corners well but perhaps in a straight line, not as quick as some. Still, pound for pound, awesome fun for trackdays.

[marky911]

Bladedancer said:

Can you really recommend alloy engined E46 for heavy track work?
If it overheats that's pretty much it. And track driving will get it hot.

I'd prefer to go for 325 E36. Iron block, early no Vanos model.

Besides, I'd expect 1.5k E46 to require some work...

I see where you're coming from and that's always a decision to weigh up, but if the car is going to overheat there is something the matter anyway. Sitting in traffic in the summer has the engine temperature rise, at least on track you have airflow, hence cooling. The cooling system on both E36's and E46's can be troublesome as they get older anyway.

I know several lads who track E46's and they're fine but like I say, yep it's always a consideration.
I suppose for me the car doubles up as my daily (infact that's all it is until next spring), hence the E46 is the nicer car.

I'm a massive E36 fan though and would highly recommend a 328 sport or even just a 325. Good compromise of performance and running costs, compared to the M3.

As for needing work though, any £1500 car will need something and that's before track mods. Although I did buy a fully track prepped 306 GTI6 for £1500 and it was immaculate.

That's a good shout actually OP. 306GTI6. Problem I have with hot hatches as road cars, they turn me 17 again and I can't just potter about like I can in a BM.


Just £995 for this.

http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/use...

Edited by marky911 on Tuesday 4th December 16:53