Same old question........track day car !!

[simonb9]

I am thinking of buying a track day fun car, nothing serious, exotic or mega expensive to run.
Have done a couple of track days already and just come back from my first trip to the Nurburgring (yes, i'm hooked).
As most of us can't afford GT3's a lot of people seem to use hot hatchbacks, most popular being Pug GTI's. My father spent all his working life in a Vauxhall garage (poor chap) so my head says go for a GM car - Astra GSi maybe, 2 litre reliable twin cam with a bit of power, got the knowledge to run it and as the garage is still playing ball, staff discount on parts. Don't see too many being used though, is this because they are crap ??!! Don't know anything about Peugeots but everybody goes on about the 205 GTi being a fab handling car. The Clio seems to have quite good reviews too, again no knowledge on Renaults.
Ultimately I want to become proficient at driving my Ginetta G33 with confidence (at the ring!!). Is it unwise to get experience with a FWD car at track days then go back to a RWD car ?? Or vice versa ?? Maybe get a RWD track day car but nothing comes to mind (don't want any Jap stuff like 200SX's)

So to sum up - a couple of grand (maybe get a mate to throw some cash in) user friendly track day hot hatch (or RWD if anybody can think of anything), will teach me to drive briskly and safely, reliable with a bit of poke.

Not too much to ask surely ??

All comments/advice gratefully received (apart from ''Don't be a big girls blouse, get out there and ring the nuts out of your G33''. It can be a little scary at times.......

Regards,

Simon.

[simonb9]

Thats a good idea actually, 325i. Bet their built well with a solid engine that could take a hammering for a couple of years of track days. Probably just need some shocks/spings and some better discs and pads on the front and your away............
I'm off to search Autotrader.........

[simonb9]

Thanks Guilotine. Yes, you're right, Golf diesels seem to be popular at the ring with many people racing them there. I was talking to a chap who said that you just need to upgrade the turbo, injectors and intercooler and your there,the internals of the engine already being very strong. Don't know where to go for the parts though.......and just think ...it would be bloody cheap getting to the ring !!

[simonb9]

Hi Gary. I had a quick chat with you at the Ring on the Monday after you had just done a lap. I was the guy who had a Ginetta G33 (but left it at home). As you said you keep it at the Ring for a few months of the year, what do you do about insuring your Pug ?? I heard you showed a Gallardo driver a thing or two ??!!

Regards,

Simon.

[simonb9]

Alex, yes, I already have a G33 but don't neccesarily (however you spell it) want to thrash it repeatedly or risk crashing it at the ring before I've had more track day experience !!. Want something cheap and cheerful to put a few miles under my belt so to speak.

[simonb9]

FrancisB,

I'll admit i'm a total BMW virgin, only started to work out what all the numbers mean !!

I take it from your comments that a E30 325i does not come with a LSD as standard, dies that mean that an 'S' might ?? Is the 'S' model simply a 'sports' version ?? Do these models have ABS or power steering as standard ??

Regards,

Simon.