Track car but also for weekend trips - RX8 or Clio 197/200?

[g40steve]

MrKipling43 said:

Not sure what you mean by this, really.

Anyway, the Clio is a better car than the RX-8. Better to drive, better to run, more options regarding making it faster. If it's strictly between the two, it's got to be the Clio.

Have you driven both?
RX-8 is very good track car standard, brakes etc are fine.
Unlike clio which needs several items upgrading.
RWD is SO much fun & this would seal the deal.

[kambites]

Track cars and racing cars do not have the same focuses. The primary purpose of a racing car is to be fast, the primary purpose of a track car is to be fun.

Having said that, I'm still rather surprised that anyone would consider a Clio to be a better track car than an RX-8.

[MrKipling43]

Fastdruid said:

For a track car I'd have RWD over FWD. As does every race series where they're allowed a choice.

This isn't racing though. I'd rather have one of the finest front wheel drive cars ever over a fair-middling rear-driver any day.

Fastdruid said:

MrKipling43 said:

Anyway, the Clio is a better car than the RX-8. Better to drive

Really?

Yes. Really.

g40steve said:

Have you driven both?

Yeah, otherwise I wouldn't be talking about how well they drive. Although, having said that, it doesn't seem to be a requirement on PH for judging how well a car drives!

I own a Clio 182, have driven it on track. And have driven an RX8 on the road and on track. It's a cool car, but the Clio is mega. That's why I bought one.

Edited by MrKipling43 on Thursday 15th March 13:19

[otolith]

I'd take the car designed to be sporting over the car modified to be sporty.

[g40steve]

Can I suggest MK3 MX5 2.0l as an alternative?
I have had one for 30 months now done 20+ trackdays & loving it.

Yes I have had clios for the OP, including 172, 182 trophy & 197CUP so feel I can comment
All were under 3yrs old & after tracking needed several items replacing/upgrading.

Got invited to Oulton park by Roddo on here who races MX5's, lets just say the 197Cup was sold 2 weeks later as I found a new direction.

[stew-S160]

http://pistonheads.com/sales/3730933.htm

Not that I'm trying to get a sale or anything...

[Krikkit]

Bodied inlets at the front always make me nervous for daily drivers... :\

[UnderTheRadar]

My brother had a Clio and when it worked it was a hoot but it didn't work that often. The final straw was the burnt out front loom, which cost a lot of money. That was after the pump for the power steering failed.

[GroundEffect]

Fastdruid said:

MrKipling43 said:

Fastdruid said:

Out of those two I'd have the RX-8. While the Clio is undoubtedly good its still a FF the RX-8 is a FR pretending its a MR.

Not sure what you mean by this, really.

Polarbert said:

Fastdruid said:

still a FF

So?

For a track car I'd have RWD over FWD. As does every race series where they're allowed a choice.

MrKipling43 said:

Anyway, the Clio is a better car than the RX-8. Better to drive

Really?

Except BTCC where the winners are invariably FWD..?

[Polarbert]

Fastdruid said:

Polarbert said:

Fastdruid said:

still a FF

So?

For a track car I'd have RWD over FWD. As does every race series where they're allowed a choice.

You say that like race cars have any relation to road cars what so ever.

[kambites]

GroundEffect said:

Except BTCC where the winners are invariably FWD..?

Because they kept adding ballast to the RWD and 4WD cars until they were uncompetitive?

[kambites]

Polarbert said:

You say that like race cars have any relation to road cars what so ever.

You say that like this thread was about road cars?

Well it sort of is, but only as an afterthought. Although I'd argue that track cars have more in common with road cars in terms of priorities than they do with racing cars.

[Fastdruid]

GroundEffect said:

Fastdruid said:

MrKipling43 said:

Fastdruid said:

Out of those two I'd have the RX-8. While the Clio is undoubtedly good its still a FF the RX-8 is a FR pretending its a MR.

Not sure what you mean by this, really.

Polarbert said:

Fastdruid said:

still a FF

So?

For a track car I'd have RWD over FWD. As does every race series where they're allowed a choice.

MrKipling43 said:

Anyway, the Clio is a better car than the RX-8. Better to drive

Really?

Except BTCC where the winners are invariably FWD..?

That's the given a choice bit. Touring cars are based on road saloon cars hence with very few exceptions FF.

[g40steve]

Polarbert rings a bell?

Rob?

[cib24]

Well this thread hasn't made the choice any easier! Haha. Does anyone have experience driving both?

[Captain Muppet]

cib24 said:

Well this thread hasn't made the choice any easier! Haha. Does anyone have experience driving both?

I don't. But you could, if you just popped to a dealer and got test drives. Until you do that you'll have to put up with the dreadful quality of biased advice everyone always gets on the internet. Only you will know if you like driving either car.

Having not driven either car I'd avoid the RX8 because I've had RX7s and I'd avoid the Clio because I've owned French hatches. See, totaly useless advice.

[kayzee]

You want a Clio, or RWD... how about both?

http://pistonheads.com/sales/3576557.htm

Or, these with the Sachs suspension are the ultimate track weapon...

http://pistonheads.com/sales/3657991.htm

[Polarbert]

g40steve said:

Polarbert rings a bell?

Rob?

Hiya mate! How are you?

[alfabadass]

Alfa 147 GTA, add q2 diff for mental fun....

[Altrezia]

I have a 182 which has 'sold' but the buyer has gone silent and isn't replying to emails or whatever - if you want a cheap car let me know

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/300675136559