Very late mid life crisis

[Quintaint]

I (almost a pensioner) regularly get my bottom kicked by my daughters (19 & 22) at kart racing. It's not my lack of skill (well actually it is) and I blame the weight difference. So the plan is get an MR2, do some track days and see who can drag it round the quickest. So having researched the marks and revisions extensively I am completely confused. Daughter number 1 prefers a mk3 for the better handling, daughter number 2 prefers the mk2 for the extra power (and the pop up headlights). I prefer a roof over my head and an LSD.
If either of my daughters turns out to be reasonably competitive (i.e. fast enough to not get lapped) we might have a go at some racing, otherwise me and the missus will strap a picnic basket to the back and potter annoyingly slowly round country lanes. So what's the best option to go for?

[Trev450]

If your funding it then he who pays the piper............

[mdm1uk]

Very much depends on budget mk2 are great fun and very cheap but age is not on there side look out for rust especially in hidden places. Mk3 is less powerfully but much lighter so should produce almost the same lap times as mk2. If you don't like wind in your hair fit the hard top. I have herd about early mk3 eating there own engines in a catastrophic way so I would investigate that before you buy. But all in all a superb choice sir have fun.
Oh and if you think about racing contact stoner racing in Basingstoke mr2 specialists you won't believe how cheap they can fit an MSA roll bar and race prep for.

[Quintaint]

Thanks for the thoughts. I am funding it, though I have a race sponsor who will buy me lunch (just lunch) if I put his logo on it...

I'd heard the mk3 could chew it's engine prior to late 2002/early 2003. The one with the good engine is referred to the "refreshed" model I think. But the mk2 is prettier...

[cjj799]

mdm1uk said:

Mk3 is less powerfully but much lighter so should produce almost the same lap times .

Agree. MK2 is quite heavy for its era/power.

If it was me, I'd consider a Clio 172. You will get a good 02 or 03 for 1500 quid. It will be a great car for the purpose.

Edited by cjj799 on Sunday 19th May 23:55

[mdm1uk]

The Clio is fantastic and should not be discounted when considering budget track cars but if you want cheap mid engine RWD thrills where else can you look but mr2.

[Quintaint]

Yup, the Clio is an exciting car (I'm a BTCC fan) but I really wanted to go for RWD as it relates more closely to my daughters kart racing experience. I thought about the MX5 but I like the idea of a mid engine as the lighter front end requires as bit more precision on the brakes.

Plus I've only had Toyota's for the last 25 years...

[WhereamI]

Putting an old car on a track is, IMHO, a recipe for disaster. The stresses and strains it will be under make the chances of it failing pretty high meaning that it's quite likely that you'll be getting the session red flagged and your day will be a short one.

Of course that changes if you have the skills to properly prepare the car, failing that hiring a car from someone like Bookatrack for the day may seem expensive, but you'll get something that works and is designed for what you are using it for. If you enjoy it then the next step is to get a Caterham or similar.

All IMHO of course.

[spyderman8]

Talk to Rogue Motorsport if you want to get into MR2s - Patrick, Matthew and the guys know pretty much everything there is to know about them.

http://www.roguesystems.co.uk/

[mdm1uk]

Rogue are expensive try www.stonerracing.co.uk

[Quintaint]

I saw a car drop it's sump in a European Nascar event at Brands a couple of years ago, and although it was entertaining for the crowd, it caused serious problems for the drivers. I don't want to be the car that does that, so I anticipate having the car properly prepared. I'll look into the recommendations.

Thanks for the thoughts.

[RogueMotorsport]

We are indeed the people to speak to when it comes to MR2s - road, track or race. More than happy to chat through your options if you want to give me a call.

mdm1uk said:

Rogue are expensive try www.stonerracing.co.uk

It's all relative Mark, I think we're actually quite cheap. We work to a standard rather than a price and are up front about this. People are putting their lives in our hands and it's a responsibility we take seriously.

Patrick

[spyderman8]

I believe the old adage "you get what you pay for" may be applicable here:

http://www.locostbuilders.co.uk/viewthread.php?tid...

[nsa]

Get it bought!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1994-Toyota-MR2-Turbo-Ra...

[vanman1936]

Man - buy one - did exactly the same for the same reasons (pace) - was great in the dry at bedford; wet a little more demanding !

[Murray993]

Get a caterham. Pay 12k sell it for lets say 11k 2 years later and spend way less than anything else on fuel, brakes parts etc. Much faster in the corners, weight wont count. Mind you getting in with a roll cage might cause some laughs.

I am mid life and I dont like to waste money so its just a thought.

[dapearson]

Murray993 said:

Get a caterham. Pay 12k sell it for lets say 11k 2 years later and spend way less than anything else on fuel, brakes parts etc. Much faster in the corners, weight wont count. Mind you getting in with a roll cage might cause some laughs.

I am mid life and I dont like to waste money so its just a thought.

This. Definitely.

You'll spend way more in prep and maintenance of a "normal" car over a couple of years. Plus a caterham will teach you more about car control and feedback in one lap than you'll get in a whole day with an MR2.

£50 for trackday pads for a caterham. Discs are £20. Tyres are £60 each for A539s or £80 each for A048s. They'll last between an entire year (A539s) or about 4-5 trackdays (A048s), which is much more than you'll get out of similar rubber on a heavy car.

Plus if you really want to compete, you can do sprints in a caterham and be timed.

[LightningMat]

There are quite a few Mk2 MR2's doing track days now and they are very capable cars on track. Yes they are heavy (relatively), but if you are prepared to strip out the dead weight, you can shave quite a bit off the standard car. They are pretty bomb-proof too (The NA cars more so). The turbo's offer more power standard and far more power upgrade options, but this does came at increased cost and the risk of something going bang! You can even go for a V6 engine transplant, but this is fairly costly unless you are doing most the work yourself.

I have had my NA Mk2 (Rev3) for around 5 years now, it had 125k on the clock when I got it, and other than regular maintenance and replacing the parts that I wanted to replace for track use over the years, the only mechanical issue I have had is with the alternator, which was just over £100 to replace (fitted it myself).

There is a race series specifically for the MR2's too, should you be tempted into that in the future. There is a load of info out there, and some forums specific to MR2's if you need anything else specific to the MR2.

Of course, there are a whole load of other cars that would be just as suited for track use, and each with their relative merits, but sometimes there are some specific things that you just "want" - Like RWD and mid-engine layout - that narrows your choice down considerably!... Other people may want the open air thrills that only a seven type car, or the like, can provide, others may want a touring car type experience. For other people it is all about having the most powerful car on track... It is the vast array of different machinery at track days that adds to the fun and atmosphere in my opinion.

And anyway, It is nothing but a good thing to get more females at track days (especially those that can drive quickly), so whatever you do choose, hope to see you all on the circuit soon!

[s10mph]

Welcome to the Grandad and pensioner club. I'm 62 and discovered trackdays about 10 years ago, I share my Westfield with the the son in law, good times on track and lots of banter on who's quickest. I'm like you, giving a few kilos away to the kid but like to think I'm bit more smoother and skillfull We did have a Clio Cup 172 previously and that was great, very forgiving when charging into corners at silly speeds. Another car you might consider is the MX 5, there is a racing series for theses and is probably the cheapest race series you can get into. A 7 type car will also be fun with a capital F, if like like tinkering with cars then this is for you.
Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

[mdm1uk]

RogueMotorsport said:

It's all relative Mark, I think we're actually quite cheap. We work to a standard rather than a price and are up front about this. People are putting their lives in our hands and it's a responsibility we take seriously.

Patrick

I agree Patrick it is relative you are cheap compared to a professional racing team but as I posted above you are dear compared to others. Would you be happy if the the people that charged more than you implied that your product were substandard just because it is cheaper ?