Which track/autotest car would you buy?
Discussion
Hi,
My brother and I are looking for a track car. It's about time. We've been tracking our own cars (previously VX220 NA and VX220 Turbo) but we'd like to buy something dedicated to track work, autotests and maybe even a bit of drifting if the car is right.
Our limit is ideally around £1,500 for the car, we'll then tidy it up, strip unnecessary parts and add other parts as required and as funds allow in the new year.
I think we'd ideally be looking for something suited to autotest type events at the local car club. Air field coned events, but would also like to do the odd track day. Short list so far...
1990's BMW 328i Coupe
Peugeot 205 GTi
Renault Clio 172
Porsche 944
The only advantage of the BMW is that it would be good for drifting, but otherwise it's quite big and heavy. I must admit, top of my current list is the Peugeot 205 GTi. I have a real soft spot for these and I bet it will be great fun! Nice and simple to work on too.
What do you guys think? What would you go for?
Cheers,
Dan
My brother and I are looking for a track car. It's about time. We've been tracking our own cars (previously VX220 NA and VX220 Turbo) but we'd like to buy something dedicated to track work, autotests and maybe even a bit of drifting if the car is right.
Our limit is ideally around £1,500 for the car, we'll then tidy it up, strip unnecessary parts and add other parts as required and as funds allow in the new year.
I think we'd ideally be looking for something suited to autotest type events at the local car club. Air field coned events, but would also like to do the odd track day. Short list so far...
1990's BMW 328i Coupe
Peugeot 205 GTi
Renault Clio 172
Porsche 944
The only advantage of the BMW is that it would be good for drifting, but otherwise it's quite big and heavy. I must admit, top of my current list is the Peugeot 205 GTi. I have a real soft spot for these and I bet it will be great fun! Nice and simple to work on too.
What do you guys think? What would you go for?
Cheers,
Dan
doogz said:
MK3 MR2.
Might need to stretch your budget a little bit though.
Depending on how well you can swing a spanner, you might find something in budget that needs a couple of things sorted?
Yeah, not a bad idea, but as you say - over budget. Had one before actually, although not a track car. Might need to stretch your budget a little bit though.
Depending on how well you can swing a spanner, you might find something in budget that needs a couple of things sorted?
of your choices I'd go clio 172, they have most of the qualities of the 205, more power and a little newer.
I can see you spending a fair amount of time maintaining a 205 if it's going to get driven hard on auto tests etc.
I'd also look at saxo's, 106 GTI's etc.
What ever you choose I'm sure you'll have a lot of fun, I helped out on an Autosolo run by Sevenoaks motor club and it did look like a good way to get involved in motorsport, very relaxed and friendly.
I can see you spending a fair amount of time maintaining a 205 if it's going to get driven hard on auto tests etc.
I'd also look at saxo's, 106 GTI's etc.
What ever you choose I'm sure you'll have a lot of fun, I helped out on an Autosolo run by Sevenoaks motor club and it did look like a good way to get involved in motorsport, very relaxed and friendly.
danyeates said:
Hi,
My brother and I are looking for a track car. It's about time. We've been tracking our own cars (previously VX220 NA and VX220 Turbo) but we'd like to buy something dedicated to track work, autotests and maybe even a bit of drifting if the car is right.
Our limit is ideally around £1,500 for the car, we'll then tidy it up, strip unnecessary parts and add other parts as required and as funds allow in the new year.
I think we'd ideally be looking for something suited to autotest type events at the local car club. Air field coned events, but would also like to do the odd track day. Short list so far...
1990's BMW 328i Coupe
Peugeot 205 GTi
Renault Clio 172
Porsche 944
The only advantage of the BMW is that it would be good for drifting, but otherwise it's quite big and heavy. I must admit, top of my current list is the Peugeot 205 GTi. I have a real soft spot for these and I bet it will be great fun! Nice and simple to work on too.
What do you guys think? What would you go for?
Cheers,
Dan
TBH I think you'd have to pretty mental to not buy a kit car or something more purpose built for doing this kind of thing. The only exception would be if you are wanting a classic/historic vehicle specifically for inclusion in certain events or classes at an event.My brother and I are looking for a track car. It's about time. We've been tracking our own cars (previously VX220 NA and VX220 Turbo) but we'd like to buy something dedicated to track work, autotests and maybe even a bit of drifting if the car is right.
Our limit is ideally around £1,500 for the car, we'll then tidy it up, strip unnecessary parts and add other parts as required and as funds allow in the new year.
I think we'd ideally be looking for something suited to autotest type events at the local car club. Air field coned events, but would also like to do the odd track day. Short list so far...
1990's BMW 328i Coupe
Peugeot 205 GTi
Renault Clio 172
Porsche 944
The only advantage of the BMW is that it would be good for drifting, but otherwise it's quite big and heavy. I must admit, top of my current list is the Peugeot 205 GTi. I have a real soft spot for these and I bet it will be great fun! Nice and simple to work on too.
What do you guys think? What would you go for?
Cheers,
Dan
Also I suspect any fwd will not be ideal for drifting.
EDIT:
Maybe something like a basic or part finish Robin Hood, Locost or Quantum.
MX5.
I know, standard answer. However my MX5 has won autotests (it has a huge hydraulic handbrake and extra steering lock, plus the quick release bumpers can make it a few inches shorter if I need it to be) and it also scored several top 16 places in the semi-pro class of the British Drift Championship back in 2008/9. Pretty sucessful car, especially as I'm not even that good at driving.
It cost me £1500, plus £500 for the turbo. It lacks PAS, which is a pain for autotests (but stops the PAS fluid boiling when drifting) and has a welded diff (again a pain for autotests but ace for drifting).
You don't need a turbo to drift an MX5, and I've been beaten at autotesting a well driven standard MX5 several times.
I know, standard answer. However my MX5 has won autotests (it has a huge hydraulic handbrake and extra steering lock, plus the quick release bumpers can make it a few inches shorter if I need it to be) and it also scored several top 16 places in the semi-pro class of the British Drift Championship back in 2008/9. Pretty sucessful car, especially as I'm not even that good at driving.
It cost me £1500, plus £500 for the turbo. It lacks PAS, which is a pain for autotests (but stops the PAS fluid boiling when drifting) and has a welded diff (again a pain for autotests but ace for drifting).
You don't need a turbo to drift an MX5, and I've been beaten at autotesting a well driven standard MX5 several times.
Wow, great suggestions. Thanks a lot.
I am tempted by this:
http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/mot...
and this
http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/use...
as a project over the winter.
However, I am tempted by an MX5...especially that one above.
I am tempted by this:
http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/mot...
and this
http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/use...
as a project over the winter.
However, I am tempted by an MX5...especially that one above.
Well, we were going to buy this, but got outbid by £20 at the last minute!!!
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Peugeot-205-Gti-Track-Ca...
Gutted.
I'm now tossing up whether to go for the MX5 posted above, or the MSA logbooked 205 GTI shell and fit either a standard 205 GTI engine or a GTI 6 engine, or maybe go for a Clio 172.
Can't decide. I am drawn to the drifting ability of the MX5.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Peugeot-205-Gti-Track-Ca...
Gutted.
I'm now tossing up whether to go for the MX5 posted above, or the MSA logbooked 205 GTI shell and fit either a standard 205 GTI engine or a GTI 6 engine, or maybe go for a Clio 172.
Can't decide. I am drawn to the drifting ability of the MX5.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff