Track Day Car - Opinion

[wilbo]

I am going to build a track FWD hatch track day toy.

The choice is between:

a) Saxo VTS

or

b) Pug 306 GTi-6


Which one??

Not nessacerily which is the fastest. Which will be the most fun, enjoybale, driveable...

Your opinion counts...

[RMac]

my opinion would be completely biased so there is no point me giving you one. You are more than welcome to come and have a nosey at my 306 if you want an idea of how to go about it.

I am near Leyland / Eccleston.

[Chris71]

The extra gear might be useful on the GTi6? Other than that I think the Saxos are unfairly berated because of their image. If you can use that to find a decent one for a lesser price then go for it.

[RMac]

The 6th gear is of absolutely no use whatsoever on a uk track. it does however have a tall first and very closely stacked 2nd - 5th which is useful.

[RT106]

I used to rally a 106. They're great fun but fragile, especially the gearboxes. I also found them difficult (awkward) to work on, but that's probably just me.

The 306 is in a different league, in my opinion. Quicker and stronger out of the box, and with loads of potential for sensible upgrades.

[cavebloke]

The 306 would wipe the floor with the saxo - no competition.
WARNING: POST MAY BE BIASED

[andye30m3]

A friend of mine took at standard 306 on a trackday and it seamed to work very well, no idea how it would compare to the saxo although i would have though the extra power would make a better starting point.

[madmatt1985]

325 bmw ?

[hazy]

trabant????

[DiscoColin]

Sorry, you lost me at FWD...

[rdjohn]

DiscoColin said:

Sorry, you lost me at FWD...

I am affraid that he is right - you are talking about a car that you want to Max through every corner.
FWD means; lift right foot = physics will be your master!!

[wilbo]

rdjohn said:

DiscoColin said:

Sorry, you lost me at FWD...

I am affraid that he is right - you are talking about a car that you want to Max through every corner.
FWD means; lift right foot = physics will be your master!!

No guys, I am much more advanced than that...

It means left foot on brake and plant the right foot!!!

[wilbo]

Thanks guys for the genuine feedback; that's good - it helps.


Anyone tried a 206 GTi - are they good fun?

(PS> What ever I get I will modify; such as suspension and brakes).

Thanks guys.



Opinion appreciated...

[gtikurt]

206 GTi's aren't very good, and can't imagine them being good as a sole track car.

Out of your 2 I'd choose the VTS. But if for any reason you don't wan't either...get a early 90's B16 Civic.

[titchster]

Another slightly biased opinion.

Im gonna say the VTS, the GTI6 has more power, yet at the same time, more weight. And parts for the 'S' are unbelievably cheap.

[RMac]

Wilbo, just bear in mind that by the time you have finished modyfying your saxo or 306, you could have bought a nice integra type R or a clio trophy etc. etc. etc......

I did all this to a 306 last year, I would recommend weighing up what you will do to it before buying it. I did more to the 306 than originally planned and therefore ended up spending more than planned.

I would sell for the right offer too.

[jimmy306]

how about putting the engine from a Gti-6 into a 205 Gti, fairly common conversion and very very fast.

[Antj]

206 gti or

citroen Xsara VTS, cheaper than the GTI-6 and is essentially the same car.

[RMac]

Ant - you say essentially the same car - the engine is nothing special - the 6 speed gearbox however is. For track use, the 6 speed gearbox is fantastic. Admittedly on the road, it has little benefit. Seeing as £1000 will get a 306 gti, I am not sure how much cheaper anything else could possibly be?

[Antj]

RMac said:

Ant - you say essentially the same car - the engine is nothing special - the 6 speed gearbox however is. For track use, the 6 speed gearbox is fantastic. Admittedly on the road, it has little benefit. Seeing as £1000 will get a 306 gti, I am not sure how much cheaper anything else could possibly be?

For what i am using my new track purchase for the 6 speed box would be of no use. I mainly use it for work at the ring. My current Cooper S has never ever seen 6th on the ring. Bearing in mind that the fastest sections your going to see 120 max why would i need 6th.

The engine is the same engine, a revised version of the old Mi16, and the real t5hing about the 306 / xsara is the chasis. The 6 speed gearbox is not the decision maker.

If its great gearbox you want you go and get a Civic type-r. but then for track day use thats an expensive car as they are holding their price ( and rightly so)