What track car....??

[Don1]

OK, I have been bitten by the trackday bug.

So, I'm thinking that the Sagaris is too nice for use all the time as a trackday car, so what to do? I'd probably get rid of the Chimera to make space in the garage (and not kill myself financially), so I have around £8k to play with.

I'm thinking I want rear wheel drive, and around 400bhp/tonne. So far the list I see is... stripped (etc) M3, modified RX-7 or a modified Elise.

Am I missing anything?

[Diablos-666]

A modified RX7 will be a money pit! awesome car though.

Not sure what they go for but what about a Caterham?

or sell the Sag and get an Ultima... lol only kidding, i didnt mean it

[MarJay]

Has to be a Caterfield 7 really for that kind of money.

[Don1]

Ah yes, forgot to say.... I don't really like the look of Caterhams (or that style car). No idea why, and I know I'm being stupid....

[Herman Toothrot]

You'll struggle to get 400bhp/tonne out of any of those for 8k Inc the car, you'd get a stock elise for £8k. RX7 maybe but I doubt it's do two laps before needing a cool down.

Honda supercharged elise will get you there but closer to £20k.

Heavily modified VXT also capable but similar sort of price to modified elise.

Strip an mr2 turbo bare and get a forged lump and big turbo maybe for £8k but it'll still not be much cop round the bends.

supra and skylines may hit the figure but will still in the real world get mullered by a modifed Elise.

Think for the budget you'd need a cosworth Or V8 powered Westfield or similar to actually have fun and it be half reliable.

[RobM77]

An ex-racing Caterham (Megagrad, Roadsport A etc) might just about be doable for that budget, especially seeing as most championships are moving towards Duratec now, which presumably devalues the k series cars. As time and money allows you can then upgrade the engine to suit your needs (you'll need 200bhp to get 400bhp/tonne, which is easily possible in a Caterham, whether you stay k series or convert to a Duratec).

[lunchbox]

Don1 said:

Ah yes, forgot to say.... I don't really like the look of Caterhams (or that style car). No idea why, and I know I'm being stupid....

Drive one. Yea, they look like a 4 year old child designed it using bits of old lego but it'll run rings around most other things in that price range.

http://pistonheads.com/sales/1891005.htm

[Silent1]

audi'd elise/exige

[Munter]

There's a v8 westfield in the classifieds in your price range if you want to keep the V8 burble...
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1842657.htm

Or something like this!
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1890980.htm

Edited by Munter on Thursday 22 July 15:13

[RobM77]

Don1 said:

Ah yes, forgot to say.... I don't really like the look of Caterhams (or that style car). No idea why, and I know I'm being stupid....

They (Caterhams that is) are in a different league to other cars in terms of on-track enjoyment (according to every review I've ever read, even some like Mark Hales written from the point of view of Caterham cynicism, Caterhams are in a different league to the replicas, but I'd rather not open that can of worms!). You can't buy a car you don't like though, so how about an Elise instead? It's probably the next best thing, and offers more comfort on the way to each track as well. Again, very tuneable cars, and ultimately if funds allow you could get a Honda conversion to achieve your 400bhp/tonne. Initially though, the Elise is very slow - I still love them though and I'm never selling mine, ever!

[Don1]

I guess I will just have to bite the bullet, and have a go in a Caterfield... How are they size wise normally? I'm over 6ft 3, and around the 17 stone area.

Thanks all for your suggestions.

[RobM77]

Don1 said:

I guess I will just have to bite the bullet, and have a go in a Caterfield... How are they size wise normally? I'm over 6ft 3, and around the 17 stone area.

Thanks all for your suggestions.

The chap I bought my Caterham off was 6'4" and probably around that weight. Because we raced, we had moulded seats so he was fine. He had to space out the pedals with washers (they all just sit on a pivot, and there's a cover in the engine bay for easy access so this is easy to do), and the only awkward bit was he had to modify the cover to allow for the wider pedals.

You may find an Elise copes with your weight better though.. Both from a F:R weight distribution point of view (you sit almost over the rear axle in a Caterham, and at 6'3" you certainly will be!!), and also from an absolute weight point of view - at 17 stone you'll be over a fifth of the total weight of the car! That would be like putting a Caterham on top of a Range Rover...

I would go for a Caterham though if you can afford it, but as I said, I don't want to open the can of worms - just do a search through PH threads and read it all there

[braddo]

What about modifying your Chim to make it more trackable? Just guessing but let's say adding coilovers, a good geo, better brake pads and some sticky tyres should make for some decent fun.

[Gad-Westy]

Phoenix

http://pistonheads.com/sales/1617508.htm

Fury

http://pistonheads.com/sales/1740672.htm

A Radical inc. Trailer - yes really!

http://pistonheads.com/sales/1696723.htm

Food for thought

[jon-]

MR2 is a good shout. I'm usually quickest on the day with mine ( http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1863700.htm ) so with 400bhp you'll be laughing.

They strip out good.

[RobM77]

Needless to say there's a difference between going fast and having fun, and you need to decide what you want to do. With a limited budget like £8k, it may be a choice between one or the other. An Elise will handle better than a modified MR2 Turbo, but it'll be very slow in comparison!

[Edmundo2]

Stripped out CAT C Cerbera?

[tim2100]

M3?