Track day car

[Stu-nph26]

Me and a mate are looking to buy a track day car or a road car and modify it. We have a very modist budget, where would our budget (2k) be best spent? We're based in the north east anyone know of any decent tracks around the north. Thanks in advance.

[anonymous-user]

MX-5, Clio 172/182, BMW 323/325/328.

They're the default choices for a reason - easily and cheaply available, lots of independant companies making track day bits for them and they're popular on track so parts are easy to come by via forums, eBay etc.

[the chav]

As above clio's go really well or even a honda those engines can take some abuse

Or look on copart for a write off i payed 630 for this 225 quattro

[Stu-nph26]

charltjr said:

MX-5, Clio 172/182, BMW 323/325/328.

They're the default choices for a reason - easily and cheaply available, lots of independant companies making track day bits for them and they're popular on track so parts are easy to come by via forums, eBay etc.

Is there a specific forum I should check out other than PH? A quick Google and I can't fine one.

[Stu-nph26]

the chav said:

As above clio's go really well or even a honda those engines can take some abuse

Or look on copart for a write off i payed 630 for this 225 quattro

I never thought of that mate cracking idea cheers I'll have a look.

[Undirection]

See MG ZS thread...its very hard to ignore these and this guy is absolutely desperate to sell:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/151895049419?_trksid=p20...

[Stu-nph26]

Undirection said:

See MG ZS thread...its very hard to ignore these and this guy is absolutely desperate to sell:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/151895049419?_trksid=p20...

Can't imagine an MG being that reliable but for the price might be worth looking into

[neil jdmr]

Croft is your local circuit as a fast international professional affair. Me personally wouldn't even entertain teesside autocross as it's 1, tiny and 2, sooo cheap that it attracts to many beauties trying to drift and bouncing of stuff.

Honda vtec, older bmws,mx5's seems the norm.

Rx8 is the track option I would plumb for, can be had for as little as £500 or less and loads of cheapies for sale everywhere for a donor car.
190-230 hp as a base car

Just a little different to the usual suspects.

[Stu-nph26]

neil jdmr said:

Croft is your local circuit as a fast international professional affair. Me personally wouldn't even entertain teesside autocross as it's 1, tiny and 2, sooo cheap that it attracts to many beauties trying to drift and bouncing of stuff.

Honda vtec, older bmws,mx5's seems the norm.

Rx8 is the track option I would plumb for, can be had for as little as £500 or less and loads of cheapies for sale everywhere for a donor car.
190-230 hp as a base car

Just a little different to the usual suspects.

Thanks Neil that's great advice I was thinking about Teesside but maybe I'll give it a miss.

[Undirection]

Stu-nph26 said:

Undirection said:

See MG ZS thread...its very hard to ignore these and this guy is absolutely desperate to sell:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/151895049419?_trksid=p20...

Can't imagine an MG being that reliable but for the price might be worth looking into

They seem to be tough enough, fast enough and very cost effective as posted in that thread. The more I looked into the more I wanted one. Hard not to choose one tbh. Don't forget how many old french hatchbacks are used for track work and they were hardly a paragon of reliability!

[Pebbles167]

Clio would be one of my choices. But if you wanted cheaper, the Citroen Xsara VTS is available for around £500 in many cases. It's got the Gti6 engine and running gear and so 90% of things are interchangeable. It's a quick car and would leave plenty of money left over for the various track based mod's you'd want to do. Alternatively, if you can find a 306 Gti6 grab that.

Left field choice? 206 Gti 180. Generally unliked, but that means they are available very cheaply.

[joe_90]

Stu-nph26 said:

Me and a mate are looking to buy a track day car or a road car and modify it. We have a very modist budget, where would our budget (2k) be best spent? We're based in the north east anyone know of any decent tracks around the north. Thanks in advance.

Did a 325 for under 2K initially.. Now we have spend much more..

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Now with it has a fiberglass bonnet, and (not in the photo) better seats.

£200 quid paint job:

So this is about 4.5K in now.. I would guess. Great fun, never seems to break.. Just jump in and go.. (its road legal too)

[patmahe]

MK3 MR2? should be able to get one in budget, I think.

I also had a Suzuki Ignis Sport which is cheap to run and should be able to take your pick with your budget, benefit is you should be able to drive it to and from circuit rather than trailer it. Comes with Recaros and a short ratio box as standard. Won't break lap records but will put a smile on your face.

Ford Puma would do a similar job.

[Stu-nph26]

Some great ideas cheers I think the old 3 series is the favourite at the moment.

[E-bmw]

Having done 2 I am biased & agree.

Every bolt comes off, every bolt goes back on, I have only ever had issues with aftermarket stuff, everyone makes bits for them & everything is readily available with lots of experience out there.

Having done a 325 & 328 I would say the best bet is a 325 compact or saloon. They are the cheapest available & the power difference between the 325 & 328 is not worth it. Especially with the now rarity of the inlet manifolds.

[mikey P 500]

Mx5 or mk3 mr2, as a track car a hot hatch wouldnt get a look in when I could have rear wheel drive sports car for the same cash.

[neil jdmr]

Also most cars you "can" drive to and from the circuit if you like and can be arsed to get it mot'd.

I have drove my 3Rd gen rx7 to and from the track everytime for the past 3-4 years without any issue as I don't have room for a trailer and enjoy countryside blasts up hartside.

Once you get into fully stripped, caged, plexy'd and slicks though you obviously need a trailer.

[JeffC]

Cheap honda Civic takes some beating for a track toy, engines really take some abuse and handling is unreal , well driven will be as quick as a lot of more expensive cars. I have tracked an old School Honda Crx for the last year and it never fails to amaze me at the lap times it will put in and I have come from a background of tracking caterhams/westfields for over 12 years. other car I would consider is an Mx5 they are also good fun.

[Hol]

I always say clio these days as they are so cheap to buy now, the parts are cheap to modify and you will always find second hand track cars and used track day parts.

Unless, you want RWD in which case I would say Mx5 with a hard top, so you can park it up outside, like any other tin top.

You will 'always' see a Clio and/or MX5 on a track day - for good reason.


Dont go Evo, Subaru or similar unless you want the higher running costs associate with the higher powered cars.



Cheap is always going to be more fun and less stressful.

[jimi]

I have just picked up a 2003 Audi S3 for a grand.

I'm doing some simple mods, remap, coilovers, uprated rear ARB, Porsche 911 brakes, strip out a little weight.

I am aiming to have something reasonably decent and it would have cost a little over £2k in total.