New track day car - would this be any good (to £5k)
Discussion
Hi all,
My son is looking to start track days Abby has found this..
An MGF of all cars. He’s a limited budget as a beginner and is 19 yo, has a job and wants to think he can get into some basic mechanics etc.
https://m.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1239328980...
It’s £4k / new MOT / has the head gasket done and a recent roof.. would this be a good starter car or something else? I was thinking MX5 (although not for me) or a Clio / Megane, maybe a mini to get him going.
Anyone know of a car for sale to say £5k?
My son is looking to start track days Abby has found this..
An MGF of all cars. He’s a limited budget as a beginner and is 19 yo, has a job and wants to think he can get into some basic mechanics etc.
https://m.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1239328980...
It’s £4k / new MOT / has the head gasket done and a recent roof.. would this be a good starter car or something else? I was thinking MX5 (although not for me) or a Clio / Megane, maybe a mini to get him going.
Anyone know of a car for sale to say £5k?
I've not seen an MGF on a track day before, but that doesn't mean they wouldn't be any good. Though I suspect with the layout there isn't much time between oversteer and facing backwards.
With £5k to spend, a car someone has already prepared for track makes sense, as you always lose money on mods.
It can also make sense to follow the path well trodden (for parts and advice). I don't know if any of the following can be found at that price point: MX5, Mini R53, MG ZR (if he has a thing for MG), Fiesta, Clio or even C1.
I just took a quick look on racecarsdirect, there may be a couple of road legal cars on there at around that budget.
With £5k to spend, a car someone has already prepared for track makes sense, as you always lose money on mods.
It can also make sense to follow the path well trodden (for parts and advice). I don't know if any of the following can be found at that price point: MX5, Mini R53, MG ZR (if he has a thing for MG), Fiesta, Clio or even C1.
I just took a quick look on racecarsdirect, there may be a couple of road legal cars on there at around that budget.
Its not the usual route for a first track car... like you said, mx5s, clios, cheap bmws...
Does your son have any preference for front or rwd? Front or mid engined?
And does he want a project, or a car with things already done so he can just drive?
Tbh... any car can be a track car, as long as its runs. Some will be better than others for pace out the box and ability to upgrade. Id buy a bmw z4 3.0i.
Does your son have any preference for front or rwd? Front or mid engined?
And does he want a project, or a car with things already done so he can just drive?
Tbh... any car can be a track car, as long as its runs. Some will be better than others for pace out the box and ability to upgrade. Id buy a bmw z4 3.0i.
NeilPot said:
Thanks for the replies and makes sense, esp thinking what others use / spare parts and user groups, Mini, MX5 etc.
If you specifically want an MGF/TF, then you d be far better off spending 2k. There is nothing the seller has done that can t be done quite cheaply, and it looks awful as it stands.But as per others, think specifically if you would prefer FWD or RWD. For 5k on a track day car, FWD generally equals Clio, RWD generally equals MX5.
P.S. Does it have to be road legal? MG ZR full race cars below…
https://www.mgocchampionship.co.uk/carsforsale.php
Edited by ChevronB19 on Thursday 2nd July 11:35
I've seen MGF/ TF used on track days a few times, not used one myself no ideas what they are like.
I've been using R53 Mini's for a few years now, not bad to work on but they are getting on a bit now, the one I have will be my last one and i'll move on to either a Fiesta ST or a Clio sport of some description.
I've used an MX-5 before but I'm too tall for them really.
I've been using R53 Mini's for a few years now, not bad to work on but they are getting on a bit now, the one I have will be my last one and i'll move on to either a Fiesta ST or a Clio sport of some description.
I've used an MX-5 before but I'm too tall for them really.
You can buy an actual race car with provenance for £4-5,000! Quite a bit less in many cases.
I am probably still an MG OC member and I would still say no, certainly not an F and almost certainly not a TF. I haven't read the ad. but I will eat my Simpson that I am sat here polishing, if it isn't a steaming pile of s
te.
Brown sauce ready but I'm not going to need it, am I...
I am probably still an MG OC member and I would still say no, certainly not an F and almost certainly not a TF. I haven't read the ad. but I will eat my Simpson that I am sat here polishing, if it isn't a steaming pile of s
te. Brown sauce ready but I'm not going to need it, am I...
I've seen mgfs on track days. They are ok.
I've driven mgfs plenty of times too (I work with mgs in my business) they ok.
The problem mgfs have, is the mx5 exists. Which generally does anything an f does, but better. And I know that f enthusiasts will squeal at that, but the market has consistently shown that is most other people's opinion too.
I'm not even going to comment on the engine, I've got a derivative of the same engine in my Elise, it's a great engine.
The car for me has always just felt a bit meh. They aren't particularly quick (nor are mx5s till you get to NC/Nd 2.0 and they aren't quick) I'd argue they don't handle that well, they feel a bit wooden, the suspension is stupid. Only word for it, the F with hydragas and the later cars with the springs, there's just not enough travel I don't think. The interior is odd, the whole cars a bit odd, they are starting to rust now, granted not as badly as mx5s, they are a right pain to work on the engine, it's in a horrible location, a clutch change is miserable.
It's not that I don't like them, I've been around mgs my whole life, it's just that for me, an mx5 is a better mg than the mgf.
Talking about that car, it's been prepped for trackday use by the looks of it, I assume the attraction of it still being MOTd is that he can drive it to track rather than trailer? Because in my experience a trailer with track car is a lot less hassle, when it breaks and it will, you pull it back on to the trailer and take it home, will he be able to insure it with those mods?
If I had 5k to burn on a track day car, I'd be looking for a £1500 trailer and a 2k mx5/mini/Clio etc. To sit on it. The extra £1500 for repairs. I'd start with it bone stock and go from there. He will learn more from the build than buying a ready made car (plus avoid someone else's bodges).
I've driven mgfs plenty of times too (I work with mgs in my business) they ok.
The problem mgfs have, is the mx5 exists. Which generally does anything an f does, but better. And I know that f enthusiasts will squeal at that, but the market has consistently shown that is most other people's opinion too.
I'm not even going to comment on the engine, I've got a derivative of the same engine in my Elise, it's a great engine.
The car for me has always just felt a bit meh. They aren't particularly quick (nor are mx5s till you get to NC/Nd 2.0 and they aren't quick) I'd argue they don't handle that well, they feel a bit wooden, the suspension is stupid. Only word for it, the F with hydragas and the later cars with the springs, there's just not enough travel I don't think. The interior is odd, the whole cars a bit odd, they are starting to rust now, granted not as badly as mx5s, they are a right pain to work on the engine, it's in a horrible location, a clutch change is miserable.
It's not that I don't like them, I've been around mgs my whole life, it's just that for me, an mx5 is a better mg than the mgf.
Talking about that car, it's been prepped for trackday use by the looks of it, I assume the attraction of it still being MOTd is that he can drive it to track rather than trailer? Because in my experience a trailer with track car is a lot less hassle, when it breaks and it will, you pull it back on to the trailer and take it home, will he be able to insure it with those mods?
If I had 5k to burn on a track day car, I'd be looking for a £1500 trailer and a 2k mx5/mini/Clio etc. To sit on it. The extra £1500 for repairs. I'd start with it bone stock and go from there. He will learn more from the build than buying a ready made car (plus avoid someone else's bodges).
Thanks for the reply, thats really interesting thoughts. He went ahead and bought the car anyway - we did discuss a few options and ideas, but he wanted this car… stickered up, prepped and ready to go.
One useful feature for the MG is spares. We are members of MGOC (with an MGA) so hopefully plenty of spares avaiable - although i’m sure your experience might say otherwise 😃
One useful feature for the MG is spares. We are members of MGOC (with an MGA) so hopefully plenty of spares avaiable - although i’m sure your experience might say otherwise 😃
NeilPot said:
Thanks for the reply, thats really interesting thoughts. He went ahead and bought the car anyway - we did discuss a few options and ideas, but he wanted this car stickered up, prepped and ready to go.
One useful feature for the MG is spares. We are members of MGOC (with an MGA) so hopefully plenty of spares avaiable - although i m sure your experience might say otherwise ?
You probably know of this place already but if notOne useful feature for the MG is spares. We are members of MGOC (with an MGA) so hopefully plenty of spares avaiable - although i m sure your experience might say otherwise ?
https://www.trophycars.co.uk/
NeilPot said:
Thanks for the reply, thats really interesting thoughts. He went ahead and bought the car anyway - we did discuss a few options and ideas, but he wanted this car stickered up, prepped and ready to go.
One useful feature for the MG is spares. We are members of MGOC (with an MGA) so hopefully plenty of spares avaiable - although i m sure your experience might say otherwise ?
No spares aren't an issue, although engines are probably going to dry up as us inconsiderate Elise owners keep breaking them for the drive train One useful feature for the MG is spares. We are members of MGOC (with an MGA) so hopefully plenty of spares avaiable - although i m sure your experience might say otherwise ?
In the event you want a donor I've got a purple mgf with an electrical fault (non runner, but the engine is good) here that I'll be starting to try to move later in August.
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