What Starter Track Day Car?

[Ecurie Ecosse]

Hi Guys

In the quest for a new hobby, and in a bid to further my driving enjoyment, I am going to start attending track days.

As I don't think my employer would be too chuffed if I used my company car for this, I am on the look out for a cheap-ish track day car.

As I am not planning on doing anything serious, just having some fun, I have the following criteria:

- Must be cheap - less than £5k;

- Must be reliable - I don't want to have to spend a fortune maintaining it; and

- Must be fun to drive. I'm not bothered if it's FWD, RWD or 4WD, and I don't want to have to make any mods to it.

So far I have come up with:

- Peugeot 205 GTi

- BMW E36 M3

- Honda Integra Type R

Any other ideas?

Many thanks

[rasputin]

Ford Puma.

[JJCW]

serious suggestion:

mx5?

[speed_monkey]

- 106 GTi or saxo vts?
- EK9 CTR
- CRX with change to fit a blower
- Impreza

Theres are LOTS to choose from.

[Ecurie Ecosse]

Thanks guys - some good suggestions.

I didn't think of the MX5. I am a fan of the mark 1 so I will check that out.

[joe_90]

Clio cup - striped with semi slicks (and maybe coilovers) for £5K, is a very quick track car, and forgiving too.

[V8mate]

MG ZR 160/ZS 180

[Ecurie Ecosse]

joe_90 said:

Clio cup - striped with semi slicks (and maybe coilovers) for £5K, is a very quick track car, and forgiving too.

Cheers - will look into that too. I was a big fan of the 197 I had for a weekend.

[paul99]

Agree with MX5, RWD handling, bullet proof engine, simple mechanics, tons of spares about and suprisingly capable even as standard round a track with a decent driver. Being lightweight it wont eat through tyres either.

If you want it to go faster, bolt on a Turbo/Supercharger, the standard engine can cope with 240BHP easily.

With a 5k budget you could get a car pretty much pre specced for the track with a turbo/SC already fitted.

Edited by paul99 on Wednesday 22 April 12:24

[Chris71]

Contemplating this myself at the moment. How about one of the Lotus Seven clones - an MK Indy or something? The top end of your budget woulkd probably get something vaguley respectable under current conditions. They use cheap, reliable mass produced parts and they'll murder a standard MX5 around a track.

An MR2 of some description might be an option too if you can find an early one that hasn't rusted or a late one for the budget?

To be honest though, the much-cliched MX5 does have a huge amount going for it. Will probably be my choice.

[sniff diesel]

Ecurie Ecosse said:

I don't want to have to spend a fortune maintaining it;

... and I don't want to have to make any mods to it.

Unfortunately a hard driven car is going to require more maintenance than a gently driven example on a road. Also a few choice mods so suspension and brakes will make a huge difference on track. You're best bet will be to choose one of the many cars for sale on PH that are readily modified for trackdays.

Having driven a MK1 MR2 for the first time recently I have to say I think they would make a good cheap TD car.

[jleroux]

just a quick word of advice - as a novice i'd avoid slicks like the plague. until you're happy with the car moving around you want the least grip possible, not the most.

Jonny
BaT

[Combover]

An MX5 without stiffer suspension rolls like mad. If you don't want to do anything to the car, i'd suggest an Integra Type R. If you're happy to do some gentle modding, then get an MX5 with some Performance 5 / Gaz Gold Pro etc suspension.

[paulmurr]

S13 Nissan 200SX? Can get one for a grand easily.

[sniff diesel]

paulmurr said:

S13 Nissan 200SX? Can get one for a grand easily.

Try finding a manual one with T&T that runs for less than a grand.

[paulmurr]

sniff diesel said:

paulmurr said:

S13 Nissan 200SX? Can get one for a grand easily.

Try finding a manual one with T&T that runs for less than a grand.

Fair point, well made. There were lots in the classifieds a while back. Seems that they've increased in value of late.

[worldwidewebs]

Mk1 MX5. All cars need mods to an extent but on the Mazda they're pretty cheap. I'd probably go for:
adjustable dampers (have a look at the MaX5 racing and www.ma5daracing.com sites for options)
front strut brace
decent pads
good geo

There's always more to do (and you will) but they really are a great toy. £2000ish will see you right too

[pikeyboy]

I have a perfect mx5 trackday car for sale

[joe_90]

Ecurie Ecosse said:

joe_90 said:

Clio cup - striped with semi slicks (and maybe coilovers) for £5K, is a very quick track car, and forgiving too.

Cheers - will look into that too. I was a big fan of the 197 I had for a weekend.

Yep, its a good car, but chuck some better pads in too (should still be under 5K) for the lot.

If you want to then get more power etc, you can get ITB etc, But the above car will keep up with (especially in the corners) a lot more expensive metal.

Edited by joe_90 on Wednesday 22 April 14:12

[Nurburgsingh]

Track prepped Cordoba GTI.? 2.0gti engine from MK3 golf

I might :cough: know of one that's for sale and it's already stripped, buckets, caged, etc.... and that'll be a lot less than £5K.