Best trackday car for 2.5k

[Piers917]

What's the best trackday car for around 2.5k? Must be fairly reliable and not too expensive on parts or fuel. I've been thinking about a 306 Rallye or Clio 172. Any other suggestions?
Cheers

[chrisr29]

Is that your all-in budget? I would have thought you'd be lucky to even buy a 172 for 2.5k!

You'd be better off spending a grand on something like a mk2 Golf gti and the rest on sorting it.

[Piers917]

I'd probably spend 2.5k on the car and gradually add the necessary bits, cage etc over time. I don't really want to buy a shed for about 1k and have to spend loads of time and money getting it all sorted.

[Chris71]

Piers917 said:

I'd probably spend 2.5k on the car and gradually add the necessary bits, cage etc over time. I don't really want to buy a shed for about 1k and have to spend loads of time and money getting it all sorted.

I suspect you'd be better off spending £1k on something like a basic 205 or Golf, than you would spending £2.5k on a Clio 172. Last time I looked half decent examples started at about twice that.

If you're happy with FWD I'd go with one of the above. That's what everybody else does seemingly and hence there are plenty of spares and some decent cars going around. £2.5k should get you a good example of either.

[agent006]

BMW e30 325. Has the gearbox attached to the correct wheels and everyfink.

[Piers917]

I'd quite like an e30 actually, but it's gonna be atleast 20 years old and therefore tinworm is probably as issue. I really want a structurally sound car to begin with.

[anonymous-user]

An imported Eunos Roadster - lightweight: low consumable costs, RWD and very well balanced: great fun, plenty of FI options: more power in the future.

[Piers917]

LexSport said:

An imported Eunos Roadster - lightweight: low consumable costs, RWD and very well balanced: great fun, plenty of FI options: more power in the future.

Good shout Lexsport,definitely on the shortlist. How much for a decent one?

[anonymous-user]

Depends on what you want - a good rust free import 1.8 (so with LSD, bigger brakes than the 1.6 etc.) can be anywhere from £1500 to £3k with the top end being very recently imported, late models.

[agent006]

Piers917 said:

I'd quite like an e30 actually, but it's gonna be atleast 20 years old and therefore tinworm is probably as issue. I really want a structurally sound car to begin with.

Buy wisely and rust will be no issue at all. Mine has the odd small patch but all cosmetic and the chassis itself is fine. Bought for £400 2 years ago. There are an awful lot of sheds out there but it's only the neglected or damaged ones that rust badly in anywhere structural.

[jleroux]

having driven most/all of the suggested cars so far on track - my money would be on an imported MK1 MR2 supercharger

Jonny
BaT

[Piers917]

jleroux said:

having driven most/all of the suggested cars so far on track - my money would be on an imported MK1 MR2 supercharger

Jonny
BaT

Why is that then Jonny?

[RMac]

I won't say it's necassarily the best option but I like it.

http://www.306gti6.com/forum/showthread.php?id=920...

[jleroux]

Piers917 said:

Why is that then Jonny?

Rear Wheel Drive, ~170bhp IIRC, handling not dissimilar to the elise S1 in many ways, reasonably lightweight (<1100 kgs), LSD. I just had far more fun in that than any of the other "usual suspects" in that price range.

Jonny

[scottbm]

just hired a pug 205 and a maza mx5 for silverstone. Get a rear wheel drive. SOOOOOOOOOO much more fun than the front wheel drive. I have now bought a bmw e36 328 for £2000 and spent £500 on bucket seats, harnesses,discs and pads.
Stripped out the interior

great car lots of fun
reliable engine for 250,000 miles

[chris7676]

The standard MR2 Supercharged is hardly 140hp+. You are talking about the newer/modifed engine (170-190hp). In any case not easy to find a good example.
Can also consider the N/A MR2 MK1 or MX5.

[Pentoman]

I would go for the BMW if cost is an issue because I'm guessing it's all a bit more heavyweight and will likely survive a continual thrashing round a race track better than a 10-15 year old MR2 or MX5 which, while reliable, aren't exactly built to roam the Serengeti? Also may be a bit easier to work on and parts may be cheaper.
Ditto the French stuff which I'm not sure how it holds up to a track trashing?

Much as I'd like to see something interesting being tracked....

[ol]

An E36 BMW would be my choice. Get a 320 or 325 for under a grand, RWD and good fun.

I sold mine and got a MK2 GOlf GTI, which although i totally love it, the BMW was more fun on track. The Golf handles better, but the BMW just felt more alive

[anonymous-user]

Pentoman said:

Also may be a bit easier to work on and parts may be cheaper.

Entirely wrong IMHO. Not only are you throwing around another 400kg and therefore wearing everything down quicker, good pads for the MX5 (Axxis Ultimates) are about £100 all around ( Performance5 ). Discs are the same ( MX5Parts ). Tyres are 195/50/15 so £25 a corner for cheap stuff, £50 for a good road tyre or £60/70 for R tyres ( WIM or Camskill ). Try matching any of those prices for E36 parts AND make them last as long!

Edited by anonymous-user on Friday 10th October 11:20

[sniff diesel]

ol said:

An E36 BMW would be my choice. Get a 320 or 325 for under a grand, RWD and good fun.

Agree with the E36 but don't bother with a 320i, get a 2.5 or 2.8