Discussion
Ok am still tinkering with a track toy. Options so far are:
1. Clio 197 with a changed exhaust/map/filter/better pads/hoses and stripped out;
2. Megane 225 as above + intercooler; (trying to copy/replicate the R26R on a budget!)
3. VX220 NA as Nr 1
All are c£7k with the mods done.
Could also throw into the ring a Caterham-type but am worried I wont drive it as much on the road. I should add this is primarily for the track/weekend and occasional/rare use pootling about, so rear seats aren't necessary.
Thoughts?
Have discounted old Golf's etc as I don't want the maintenance aggro.
1. Clio 197 with a changed exhaust/map/filter/better pads/hoses and stripped out;
2. Megane 225 as above + intercooler; (trying to copy/replicate the R26R on a budget!)
3. VX220 NA as Nr 1
All are c£7k with the mods done.
Could also throw into the ring a Caterham-type but am worried I wont drive it as much on the road. I should add this is primarily for the track/weekend and occasional/rare use pootling about, so rear seats aren't necessary.
Thoughts?
Have discounted old Golf's etc as I don't want the maintenance aggro.
i'd 'steer' clear of the front drivers..
I considered a vx220 turbo as a track car but because i'm so big (and fat) i couldn't really fit. Worth bearing in mind if your tall. Great cars tho! There's a great forum too http://www.vx220.org.uk/forums/index.php?/index
Out of your list that's the car i'd choose;)
Have you considered a Skyline GTS-T? You could buy a mint one for about 4.5k and the engines are good for silly power in standard trim. Uprated parts are cheap and plentiful if your willing to buy second hand and a Brembo brake setup front and back can be bought for £600.. They're not that heavy either.. Lighter than modern subarus and evos.. Ultra reliable too
I considered a vx220 turbo as a track car but because i'm so big (and fat) i couldn't really fit. Worth bearing in mind if your tall. Great cars tho! There's a great forum too http://www.vx220.org.uk/forums/index.php?/index
Out of your list that's the car i'd choose;)
Have you considered a Skyline GTS-T? You could buy a mint one for about 4.5k and the engines are good for silly power in standard trim. Uprated parts are cheap and plentiful if your willing to buy second hand and a Brembo brake setup front and back can be bought for £600.. They're not that heavy either.. Lighter than modern subarus and evos.. Ultra reliable too
If it's got to be a road and rack car then what about an E46 M3, judging by the cars and mods you are suggesting your budget will get you one. An M3 would be much better on the road than any of the cars on your list and it'd probably be cheaper to insure as well because real performance mods push premiums sky high, especially on hot hatches. If it is purely a track day toy that will really never get used on the road apart from the odd hoon then VX220 all the way.
chrisispringles said:
If it's got to be a road and rack car then what about an E46 M3, judging by the cars and mods you are suggesting your budget will get you one. An M3 would be much better on the road than any of the cars on your list and it'd probably be cheaper to insure as well because real performance mods push premiums sky high, especially on hot hatches. If it is purely a track day toy that will really never get used on the road apart from the odd hoon then VX220 all the way.
£7k for an E46 M3? Don't think so.A lot will depend on your experience and what style of car you want to drive on track.
If you are pretty new to trackdays then one of the Renaults would be the easiest bet, I'd suggest the Clio would be the best. We used to run them on the race school at Oulton and they were great little cars, fun, quick and still pretty friendly in poor conditions.
If you've got some more experience or want something a bit more track-biased and extreme then the VX or Se7en is the better option. You can pick up a nice Westie at the moment within your budget and you won't get a better trackday car (especially for the dry days!).
Also worth remembering that a Se7en in particular will be extremely cheap to run on the track; tyres, brakes and fuel will probably be about half what you would be paying for the Clio and noticeably cheaper than the VX. If you were looking at bigger stuff like M3s and GTRs as have been suggested on here then your running costs will be a lot higher still. If you are looking at doing a good number of days then don't underestimate this aspect, you could possibly increase your purchase budget for a lighter car and still be quids in within a few months!
HTH
Steve H
If you are pretty new to trackdays then one of the Renaults would be the easiest bet, I'd suggest the Clio would be the best. We used to run them on the race school at Oulton and they were great little cars, fun, quick and still pretty friendly in poor conditions.
If you've got some more experience or want something a bit more track-biased and extreme then the VX or Se7en is the better option. You can pick up a nice Westie at the moment within your budget and you won't get a better trackday car (especially for the dry days!).
Also worth remembering that a Se7en in particular will be extremely cheap to run on the track; tyres, brakes and fuel will probably be about half what you would be paying for the Clio and noticeably cheaper than the VX. If you were looking at bigger stuff like M3s and GTRs as have been suggested on here then your running costs will be a lot higher still. If you are looking at doing a good number of days then don't underestimate this aspect, you could possibly increase your purchase budget for a lighter car and still be quids in within a few months!
HTH
Steve H
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