RWD FE track cars - suggestions
Discussion
I already have the Elise so fancy some variety - that is a front engined but real wheel drive. Thinking of an MX5 (turbo/supercharged), maybe a E36 328/M3 (I know it can be expensive to track though). Are there any other potential candidates for around £3000-£6000+ that apart from lovely handling will have good performance as well ? It needs to be a decent road car as well so anything like Caterham is not really an option I guess.
Depends how much of a road car you need, but something like an SSC Stylus has a rudimentary boot, lockable doors and a half decent hood.
If you want to go mainstream it's hard to think of anything without a BMW, Porsche or Mazda badge. For some reason 200SX's don't seem to be popular as track cars.
Actually one semi-sensible suggestion is a TVR. You could get a Tasmin racer for that sort of budget I suspect (V6 wedge) and even a fixed head or 2+2 version. The S is an option too.
If you want to go mainstream it's hard to think of anything without a BMW, Porsche or Mazda badge. For some reason 200SX's don't seem to be popular as track cars.
Actually one semi-sensible suggestion is a TVR. You could get a Tasmin racer for that sort of budget I suspect (V6 wedge) and even a fixed head or 2+2 version. The S is an option too.
I can vouch that tracking an E36 328i can be expensive, but once I fixed it, sold the interior and some spare bits and such it cost the equivalent of £40.
I'm not suggesting you find a mildly crashed one with lots of miles like mine, but a tidy 325 saloon with a slippy diff is pennies now.
On the bad side it eats a full set of endurance racing spec pads in 2 sessioned trackdays, and I mean right to the plates. Discs aren't far behind either. I had to bin a set of half worn brembo discs because they were badly cracked and warped. Tyres go quickly too, but I get them for free which is a bonus, otherwise it'd be getting silly.
If I'd known then what I know now, I'd tell myself to find a featherweight MX5.
I'm not suggesting you find a mildly crashed one with lots of miles like mine, but a tidy 325 saloon with a slippy diff is pennies now.
On the bad side it eats a full set of endurance racing spec pads in 2 sessioned trackdays, and I mean right to the plates. Discs aren't far behind either. I had to bin a set of half worn brembo discs because they were badly cracked and warped. Tyres go quickly too, but I get them for free which is a bonus, otherwise it'd be getting silly.
If I'd known then what I know now, I'd tell myself to find a featherweight MX5.
chris7676 said:
Thanks for suggestions. I once tried to fit in a 924 and could not(!), are 944 as cramped as well (leg space issue)? I assume track running costs of a 944 would be similar to a BMW 328 ?
924s and 944 are very similar from an interior point of view so if you can't fit a 924 I would suggest you bin that idea.declasm said:
OP mentioned getting a turbo MX-5 - why not go for a 3rd gen RX-7? Light, fast, characterful, great chassis although I am biased 
I've had both, and the FD is a lot more expensive to run compared to an MX5 turbo. Well, as long as the latter doesn't constantly develops new ailments...chris7676 said:
E30 325 is interesting but assume a bit underpowered ?
They're not that much less powerful than an E36 325/328 and do weigh less. Like to wag their tails, too.The main problem with finding a good 'un is finding one that doesn't need rusty flakes hoovering up wherever it goes. Your budget should buy you a good 325 Sport if you look carefully.
Bit biased as we've run one for 3 year noe, but for great fun at a reasonable price a track prepped e30 325 or 327 if you find one with LSD is an ideal track toy. They can turn out 200bhp with a few mods and once stripped can be brought down to about 1050kg so Power to Weight is ok.
Uprated parts are cheap and original parts even cheaper... may not be as fast as some exotica but normally plenty quick enough through the twisties and on short straights. We didnt get embarrassed by too much at Spa...
Maybe even look for an ex=race car as there are a number of race series for them...
Uprated parts are cheap and original parts even cheaper... may not be as fast as some exotica but normally plenty quick enough through the twisties and on short straights. We didnt get embarrassed by too much at Spa...
Maybe even look for an ex=race car as there are a number of race series for them...
An FD RX7 can be had for reasonable money but make sure you get one with a recent engine rebuild.
They were the fastest stopping car when they first came out so brakes are pretty good. You would need decent fluid and pads.
They come with a lovelly gearbox and LSD as standard and as said, have a really good chassis.
If you can stretch to a single turbo converted one it should be emmensley fast as 350 RWHP is easily obtainable.
I have an E36 M3 which is a great car for road use and a ring toy but a bit lardy in stock trim for smaller circuits.
I also have an SSC Stylus (rotary powered) and its still very much a kit car and not great as an everyday car although more practical than a Locaterfield style car.
They were the fastest stopping car when they first came out so brakes are pretty good. You would need decent fluid and pads.
They come with a lovelly gearbox and LSD as standard and as said, have a really good chassis.
If you can stretch to a single turbo converted one it should be emmensley fast as 350 RWHP is easily obtainable.
I have an E36 M3 which is a great car for road use and a ring toy but a bit lardy in stock trim for smaller circuits.
I also have an SSC Stylus (rotary powered) and its still very much a kit car and not great as an everyday car although more practical than a Locaterfield style car.
Some interesting suggestions. Was thinking of an RX7 but the turbo system complexity and potential costs are not encouraging. SSC Stylus is completely unkown to me though tempting, but not sure what sort of disadvantages go with these cars (reliablity, roof issues), especially if I kept it as a road car parked outside ? I guess I need to go and have look at some of those cars anyway.
chris7676 said:
Thanks for suggestions. I once tried to fit in a 924 and could not(!), are 944 as cramped as well (leg space issue)? I assume track running costs of a 944 would be similar to a BMW 328 ?
The major problem is the steering wheel - The 3 spoke wheel on the 924 does limit leg room significantly. The 4-spoke wheel is slightly smaller. I don't know why, but the early cars seem to be tighter. Try a later S2 or turbo. Running costs should be similar to an E36. They are fairly kind on tyres for a heavy car.Ed, the reason is that the later (series two) cars have a different steering column mounting bracket, so the wheel is in a better, higher, position.
The poor position in 924s and series one 944s can be aleviated to a worthwhile degree by fitting a 65mm spacer which brings the wheel closer and up. Not ideal if youve only got short legs, but for many and tall people especially this helps in two ways, as the wheel could do with being closer when the seats adjusted, to set your legs in the correct position.
The poor position in 924s and series one 944s can be aleviated to a worthwhile degree by fitting a 65mm spacer which brings the wheel closer and up. Not ideal if youve only got short legs, but for many and tall people especially this helps in two ways, as the wheel could do with being closer when the seats adjusted, to set your legs in the correct position.
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