New track/road car for 10k suggestions please!
Discussion
Hi all,
I'm looking to get a new track car... I'm too big for Caterham, Lotus Elise/VX220 but desperately want something small, light and rear drive or a rear bias 4wd..
I've been using a Skyline GTR for the last 5 yrs and have probably been spoilt with its reliability but have been scared off TVR's which I suppose would be my next logical choice..
Can anyone suggest another car that I may have overlooked?
M3's are great but heavier than a Skyline and i'd want something that was at least as quick in a straight line..
Would appreciate any comments
Thanks all,
Sam
I'm looking to get a new track car... I'm too big for Caterham, Lotus Elise/VX220 but desperately want something small, light and rear drive or a rear bias 4wd..
I've been using a Skyline GTR for the last 5 yrs and have probably been spoilt with its reliability but have been scared off TVR's which I suppose would be my next logical choice..
Can anyone suggest another car that I may have overlooked?
M3's are great but heavier than a Skyline and i'd want something that was at least as quick in a straight line..
Would appreciate any comments
Thanks all,
Sam
Don't be put off by TVR's because of stories!
You musn't forget that a lot of them are 10-20 years old in your price range.
Power, handling and smiles for your money, there's not a lot out there to match, you just have to pick a good un.
Paid £7500 for my chim 4.6 and another 2-3 upgrading and replacing suspension, bushes, wheels and tyres etc.
It has done about 20 T/D's in the last couple of years and hasn't missed a beat.
With the older cars, you just need to be on top of maintainance, as I said, don't forget how old they are
.
HCM.
You musn't forget that a lot of them are 10-20 years old in your price range.
Power, handling and smiles for your money, there's not a lot out there to match, you just have to pick a good un.
Paid £7500 for my chim 4.6 and another 2-3 upgrading and replacing suspension, bushes, wheels and tyres etc.
It has done about 20 T/D's in the last couple of years and hasn't missed a beat.
With the older cars, you just need to be on top of maintainance, as I said, don't forget how old they are
.HCM.
I agree with Haircutmike. My old Chimaera 450 and Tuscan 2 road cars were and are faultless on the track and very reliable, although I have most fun in my Tasmin 2.9 V6 race car which goes around Oulton Park quicker than the other two ever did.
Please don't just dismiss TVR's, have a look at them and then make your mind up.
Please don't just dismiss TVR's, have a look at them and then make your mind up.
When you say you're too big for Caterhams I presume you're talking width wise? If it's height you won't have any problems, especially if you look into SVs and tall cages. With a lowered floor and the right seating position even a standard car can be made to fit drivers up to 6'5.
TVR is the classic choice for larger people looking for a sports car as Peter Wheeler was about eight feet tall! As mentioned above you can ignore the 'my mate's sister's boyfriend's mechanic knew someone who had a really unreliable TVR' stories. It is true that you need to buy carefully and there are some dogs, but the good ones are great and will continue to be if you look after them. The only thing I would say is you need to be mindful of the cost of big low profile tyres and upkeep on a big meaty V8 (much like you would on a sports saloon like an M3) compared to a flyweight Caterham or similar if you're going to track it regularly.
TVR is the classic choice for larger people looking for a sports car as Peter Wheeler was about eight feet tall! As mentioned above you can ignore the 'my mate's sister's boyfriend's mechanic knew someone who had a really unreliable TVR' stories. It is true that you need to buy carefully and there are some dogs, but the good ones are great and will continue to be if you look after them. The only thing I would say is you need to be mindful of the cost of big low profile tyres and upkeep on a big meaty V8 (much like you would on a sports saloon like an M3) compared to a flyweight Caterham or similar if you're going to track it regularly.
haircutmike said:
Don't be put off by TVR's because of stories!
You musn't forget that a lot of them are 10-20 years old in your price range.
Power, handling and smiles for your money, there's not a lot out there to match, you just have to pick a good un.
Paid £7500 for my chim 4.6 and another 2-3 upgrading and replacing suspension, bushes, wheels and tyres etc.
It has done about 20 T/D's in the last couple of years and hasn't missed a beat.
With the older cars, you just need to be on top of maintainance, as I said, don't forget how old they are.
HCM.
Hi Mike, Glad you are still enjoying my old car You musn't forget that a lot of them are 10-20 years old in your price range.
Power, handling and smiles for your money, there's not a lot out there to match, you just have to pick a good un.
Paid £7500 for my chim 4.6 and another 2-3 upgrading and replacing suspension, bushes, wheels and tyres etc.
It has done about 20 T/D's in the last couple of years and hasn't missed a beat.
With the older cars, you just need to be on top of maintainance, as I said, don't forget how old they are
.HCM.
Brummmie said:
haircutmike said:
Don't be put off by TVR's because of stories!
You musn't forget that a lot of them are 10-20 years old in your price range.
Power, handling and smiles for your money, there's not a lot out there to match, you just have to pick a good un.
Paid £7500 for my chim 4.6 and another 2-3 upgrading and replacing suspension, bushes, wheels and tyres etc.
It has done about 20 T/D's in the last couple of years and hasn't missed a beat.
With the older cars, you just need to be on top of maintainance, as I said, don't forget how old they are.
HCM.
Hi Mike, Glad you are still enjoying my old car You musn't forget that a lot of them are 10-20 years old in your price range.
Power, handling and smiles for your money, there's not a lot out there to match, you just have to pick a good un.
Paid £7500 for my chim 4.6 and another 2-3 upgrading and replacing suspension, bushes, wheels and tyres etc.
It has done about 20 T/D's in the last couple of years and hasn't missed a beat.
With the older cars, you just need to be on top of maintainance, as I said, don't forget how old they are
.HCM.
.git-r said:
Mate you tvr looks gorgeous! Hearing stories like yours makes me really want one...
I'd never considered a xonvertible as a track car but maybe I should. Have you ever driven a coupe to compare?
Thanks;)
No, not a coupe.I'd never considered a xonvertible as a track car but maybe I should. Have you ever driven a coupe to compare?
Thanks;)
The only other cars I have driven on track are a sorted Griff, much the same and a late 240 bhp Exige.
To be honest, there wasn't much in it inbetween the Lotus and chim, but, and it's a big but, the Lotus is cheating it is so planted!
Course the chim makes a fantastic noise and is a comfy weekend driver, depends what you want.
HCM.
Chris71 said:
TVR is the classic choice for larger people looking for a sports car as Peter Wheeler was about eight feet tall!
I'm 6'5" and tried to fit into a few TVRs a couple of years back.I could just fit in them headroom wise (so I wouldn't have fitted with a crash helmet on) but the width was very narrow, could only just get the door shut. And I'm not that fat!
As it was going to be a daily driver they were just too uncomfortable.
fwaggie said:
Chris71 said:
TVR is the classic choice for larger people looking for a sports car as Peter Wheeler was about eight feet tall!
I'm 6'5" and tried to fit into a few TVRs a couple of years back.I could just fit in them headroom wise (so I wouldn't have fitted with a crash helmet on) but the width was very narrow, could only just get the door shut. And I'm not that fat!
As it was going to be a daily driver they were just too uncomfortable.
My 6'-7" son fits!!!
HCM.
fwaggie said:
Chris71 said:
TVR is the classic choice for larger people looking for a sports car as Peter Wheeler was about eight feet tall!
I'm 6'5" and tried to fit into a few TVRs a couple of years back.I could just fit in them headroom wise (so I wouldn't have fitted with a crash helmet on) but the width was very narrow, could only just get the door shut. And I'm not that fat!
As it was going to be a daily driver they were just too uncomfortable.
Agree - you must be MASSIVE or the seat runners weren't standard. I am a good 6'5" and was very comfy for years in a Griff - Cerb took a fair bit of fiddling but once you accept you have to lay lower in it to fit it was fine too. The seat wasn't even on it's last notch in the Cerb when I test drove them.
I haven't driven a Tuscan or Tam/T350 havign said that but can't believe they're that much smaller...
I haven't driven a Tuscan or Tam/T350 havign said that but can't believe they're that much smaller...
Again thanks so much for all your replies;)
I find it so helpful knowing what others have experienced...
Fitting into a car with a helmet is essential for me.. I'm nearly 6,4 and about 15 stone (all fat of course!) too and was fine in a vx220 without helmet. Put the helmet on tho and i'd be too paranoid about breaking my neck if I rolled it
I must say I seem to have fallen in love with the cerbera 4.5 but don't think I'll get a decent one with my budget. Was also dissapointed someone mentioned there not being a lot of room but think I'll need to try one for myself before deciding.
Also, EVO suggests a 2k yearly budget for maintenance. Is this realistic for sombody who only plans to do about 3k miles a year (mostly on track mind) and would like to do oil and brake changes themselves? Is there a recommended garage in south london area?
Is there another car that I haven't considered?
Thanks again for any help, it's much appreciated
Cheers,
Sam
I find it so helpful knowing what others have experienced...
Fitting into a car with a helmet is essential for me.. I'm nearly 6,4 and about 15 stone (all fat of course!) too and was fine in a vx220 without helmet. Put the helmet on tho and i'd be too paranoid about breaking my neck if I rolled it
I must say I seem to have fallen in love with the cerbera 4.5 but don't think I'll get a decent one with my budget. Was also dissapointed someone mentioned there not being a lot of room but think I'll need to try one for myself before deciding.
Also, EVO suggests a 2k yearly budget for maintenance. Is this realistic for sombody who only plans to do about 3k miles a year (mostly on track mind) and would like to do oil and brake changes themselves? Is there a recommended garage in south london area?
Is there another car that I haven't considered?
Thanks again for any help, it's much appreciated
Cheers,
Sam
Yeah i had thought about a 944 turbo... Would be great with 300+bhp but there's really not many about
There's a TVR 4.5 98 with aircon advertised at £8995 with 40k.. Phoned up about it today but not returned my message so maybe too good to be true.. http://www.justcerberacars.com/search_results_larg...
There's a TVR 4.5 98 with aircon advertised at £8995 with 40k.. Phoned up about it today but not returned my message so maybe too good to be true.. http://www.justcerberacars.com/search_results_larg...
It's been a while...
I finally sold my old Datsun..
I bought something even older!
Another Skyline
Haven't got it yet as it's coming from Japan.. it'll be a long 2 months
It's got AP 6 pots, medium turbos and some really nice running gear...
Should be a lot of fun
Wish me luck !!
Cheers all;)
I finally sold my old Datsun..
I bought something even older!
Another Skyline
Haven't got it yet as it's coming from Japan.. it'll be a long 2 months
It's got AP 6 pots, medium turbos and some really nice running gear...
Should be a lot of fun
Wish me luck !!
Cheers all;)
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