Which MX5 is best for the track?

[birdcage]

I have decided upon an MX5 as a track car.

Would someone mind pointing me in the right direction of which model might be the most suitable and could also be used to drive to the track too?

I appreciate I will need to make a few mods so again, if anyone has any expereince of this too, any pointers welcome.

I was looking to spend 2-3k?

Thanks

[Munter]

Cough...Cough...

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3989823.htm

Plenty of budget left for an LSD and power upgrades. The rest is ready.

[roddo]

Any mx5 will be good on track once its got decent suspension and tyres fitted........

Gaz suspension and Federal tyres are my choice....................

I also supply them if needed.

Paul

[skinny]

any apart from the 88bhp pony (unless you're planning forced induction)

i reckon early 1.8 mk1 import is the best - lightest (of the 1.8's), good power, got the stronger clutch, brakes, and (LS)diff.

[Riknos]

skinny said:

i reckon early 1.8 mk1 import is the best - lightest (of the 1.8's), good power, got the stronger clutch, brakes, and (LS)diff.

Yup, this is exactly what I had and I had a right hoot on track. I'm no track novice, after taking my ~300bhp GT4 on the track numerous times, but in the '5, I found it far exceeded my expectations and took a lot of laps before the limitations of the car stopped me instead of my lack of balls

[CaptainCrash]

Any as long as your having fun who care's

[MX-5 Lazza]

I'd say that the best car is the one you can get at the best price. I wouldn't even think about the model.
Much of the interior, AC, seats, shocks & springs etc. will be coming out anyway so the condition of those doesn't matter that much, however, if they are in reasonable condition you can usually sell them on to make up some of the conversion costs.

All in all I'd say that you should consider it pretty much the same as buying any MX5 price-wise i.e. go for one that's solid & rust free and mechanically sound. The only difference being that personal taste wrt the model is less important.

[jilbobagins]

Id go for mk1 all the way an early solid eunos roadster, strip it all out and cage the beast...

Heres mine

[jilbobagins]

And the inside can get quite focused too

[skinny]

who did your cage mate, i like it!!

[Munter]

skinny said:

who did your cage mate, i like it!!

Looks like the safety devices cage to me. http://www.ma5daracing.com/mk1/parts/

http://www.safetydevices.com/motorsport/products/r...

[Tyrewrecker]

Munter said:

Looks like the safety devices cage to me. http://www.ma5daracing.com/mk1/parts/

http://www.safetydevices.com/motorsport/products/r...

£900!

[Munter]

Tyrewrecker said:

£900!

Yeah. But you can do this with one... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfWjXzvVoL0

[jilbobagins]

Exactly why i bought it!

Built by a proper motorsport company, with a proven track record...

It really stiffens up the chassis as well

[rovermorris999]

MK2 RS. Not that I'm biased

[iguana]

I'd say my supercharged mazdaspeed Mk1 would be right up your street & is for sale & in budget, proper Torsen LSD, 1.8 so bigger brakes, p5 coilovers, rollbar & good reliable unstressed power.

Edited by iguana on Monday 16th July 00:40

[HeatonNorris]

Munter said:

Cough...Cough...

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3989823.htm

Plenty of budget left for an LSD and power upgrades. The rest is ready.

Must get myself some of that adjustable 'suspention'...

[HereBeMonsters]

Surely an RS-Limited fits the bill nicely?

[drchris]

Mk1 import gets my vote too.

Check mx5nutz. They have a few for sale and is a gold mine of info.

Chris

[MX-5 Lazza]

Import or UK model makes little difference. An import is more likely to have LSD but its also more likely to have other stuff like AC which you would want to remove. It's just like buying a road car i.e. you just want the most solid (no rust) and mechanically sound car you can get for the money. UK/import, Mk1/2 doesn't matter unless it's just about personal taste.