What cheap, fun track car?

[Byard]

I'm thinking of a Puma. Also thinking of an MX-5 but, don't think I could bring myself to buy one. Any other PH recommended cars? Whats the 'funnest' to drive?


And yes my focus is fine before anyone asks

[Defcon5]

106 GTI/Saxo VTS

[Riknos]

Budget?

Drive a mk1 MX5 before you 'poopoo' it.

[falkster]

Clio 172

[Byard]

Defcon5 said:

106 GTI/Saxo VTS

Thats a good suggestion, I already have a VTS but don't really want to track it as its low miles with FSH, would be a shame to ruin a good example.

[Chrisw666]

Depends if you want Front or RWD.

MX5, MR2 and E36 328 would top the cheap RWD list for me.

Puma, 306 GTI6, Xsara VTS, Fiat Coupe, or an awful lot of things lightened and set up well would be on the FWD menu.

[rovermorris999]

Riknos said:

Budget?

Drive a mk1 MX5 before you 'poopoo' it.

This, or a MK2. Get over any 'image'. It is a great driver's car, more fun than fwd in my opinion. Cheap at the moment too.

[Byard]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Toyota-MR2-2-0-twin-turb...

A bit down the page

ebay said:

On 26-Jun-12 at 13:33:16 BST, seller added the following information:

sorry this is a 1.8 vvti roadster not a 2.0 litre twin turbo

Easy mistake to make I guess

[C.A.R.]

Get an Import mx5, it is better prepared for track work. Whilst most mk1s will be a 'special edition' of some description, any 'uprated' suspension they have is likely to be tired.

Budget for a suspension refresh and a decent set of tyres. 1.8 or 1.6 doesn't really matter, just make sure it's an import. Many have LSD's as well, which make them a giggle on wet roundabouts (not that I would ever be so childish).

If you're worried about image then fit a small half-cage. There are so many about it's untrue, MX5nutz.com is a fantastic community to get onto for second hand parts and advice.

I'd own another one in a heartbeat.

[Laughingman21]

What's the budget and is it purely for the track?

Have you had a look at the kit car forum? There's the MEV Exocet which is an exoskelton design based on the MX5 which has had very good review and is cheap as chips.

[Defcon5]

Byard said:

Thats a good suggestion, I already have a VTS but don't really want to track it as its low miles with FSH, would be a shame to ruin a good example.

What do you use it for at present?

[300bhp/ton]

Byard said:

I'm thinking of a Puma. Also thinking of an MX-5 but, don't think I could bring myself to buy one. Any other PH recommended cars? Whats the 'funnest' to drive?


And yes my focus is fine before anyone asks

How cheap, how much fun, is it only for track. If so what sort of track? Does it need to be road legal?

Think I'd be looking at kit cars of some kind personally.

[rossub]

Imprezas for £1200. Put a thicker anti-roll bar at the rear and ensure it has the later 4 pot calipers and away you go.

Not the best track cars in the world, but definitely cheap. Lots of second hand spare parts now aswell. Complete running engines for £3-400, gearboxes £100 etc

[Byard]

Think its gotta be a Rev 3 MR2 Turbo. Or maybe a 2.3T old volvo. Both great performance / cost ratio.

Also what is the difference between a Rev 2 and Rev 3 MR2? They look the same?

[bicycleshorts]

Non turbo MR2s are good fun, check out the MR2 championship.

You can get one for less than a grand, spend the rest on stripping/caging/suspension.

[Byard]

300bhp/ton said:

How cheap, how much fun, is it only for track. If so what sort of track? Does it need to be road legal?

Think I'd be looking at kit cars of some kind personally.

Less than 1k, cheaper the better. Doesn't have to be road legal. Just track use!

[roystinho]

Phase 1 Clio 172. £1500 add new springs, dampers, brakes for £600 and you're ready to race...well track. That's what I've done, and though it's not been on track yet, it's an absolute hoot on the back roads, can't wait to track it

[bicycleshorts]

roystinho said:

Phase 1 Clio 172. £1500 add new springs, dampers, brakes for £600 and you're ready to race...well track. That's what I've done, and though it's not been on track yet, it's an absolute hoot on the back roads, can't wait to track it

£1500 for coilovers

[roystinho]

bicycleshorts said:

£1500 for coilovers

No no no. £1500 for the car!!! £600 for brakes and better spring and dampers. Though a couple of friend want to 'buy in' and might get a set of AST Coilovers for £1200, but that's only £400 for me