£8500 for a daily driver and occasional track car

[kieranrb]

So I had a motorcycle accident last year and there has been a claim in against the 3rd party, it now finally looks like I'm getting my money and I want to spend some of it on a decent car. I've recently moved to bedford to do a placement for my degree so I'm earning a few quid and would like to do a couple of track days whilst I'm here. I need some level of practicality from the car and it needs to be under 8 years old as my parents are paying for AA recover and repair which will save me a fortune if anything goes wrong! I'm currently think maybe a MK5 GTI as a more practical car or a clio rs200 for something a bit more rapid. Thoughts people?

[Test driver]

For that money a vw r32, leon Cupra or e46 m3.

[Qwert1e]

In my experience road cars are useless on track. What's more, if you use a road car on track you will very rapidly destroy a set of tyres and brakes.

• Buy a road car
• Hire track cars.

It will work out (a) better, and (b) cheaper.

[d3llams]

What he said ^^^
or if you are looking at Rs200 how about a Renault Megane R26, it is practical for most and can be good fun on a track. http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/r...

Something a bit different, http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/b...

or the pistonheads default choice get a Mazda MX-5 and a daily snotter or even better get a Westfield and a daily snotter.

[paul383]

Qwert1e said:

In my experience road cars are useless on track. What's more, if you use a road car on track you will very rapidly destroy a set of tyres and brakes.

No it won't. Keep it light.

[kieranrb]

I've considered all them, trouble is insurance with the accident and my age, because they'll only offer primary liability so it's pretty pricey R32 etc are well north of 2k. That's not a bad idea, I'm only planning on doing a couple over the year I figured it wouldn't be too bad doing a couple of track days through the year, don't mind replacing pads and tyres.

[Roverload]

Get a MG ZS 180 and with the 7.5k you have left go on holiday or take it to all the European tracks! Problem solved!

[kieranrb]

I'm not a fan of the look of the Megane tho otherwise it would be ideal :P

[d3llams]

Some more options.

Subaru Impreza
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/s...

Mini Cooper S
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/m...

Vauxhall Astra VXR

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/v...

Often overlooked but how about a http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/m... you can getter a newer, lower mileage and faster car than you have been looking at for less similar money.

Mazda RX-8- http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/m...

Yes, I have too much time on my hands

[topless360]

Depending on how much practicality you're after, you may just be able to get an early Lotus Elise within your budget.

[S14]

Go for an s1 elise. You can get one for £8500, will have a few miles in it but then that's fine if you wish to use it everyday. They aren't that bad as a daily driver at all - really depends how fussy you are!

You can then do done simple mods to improve it slightly. Nice thing is they do not really loose any money, great on fuel, cheap to service, tyres are cheap as are brakes etc.

[Speed Badger]

Honda Integra DC5

[Chr1sch]

I love the idea of an Elise s1 as a daily!

That said why not spend 7.5k on the dd and spend £1k on a cheap track hack

I've just bought a tricked out 306 gti6 for £1100, big brakes, stripped out, rose jointed etc

[S14]

Got for an elise! You won't look back! Such great little cars and out the box they are very good - a little soft for track use but with a few mods they are just brilliant.

[MG CHRIS]

Just get one car for a daily and another for track. When you track your daily if the worst happen accident damage or car problems your stuffed then to be able to get to work the following day.

[va1o]

Mk5 GTI is a good call. It's practical and economical enough as a daily driver whilst been quite capable on the track. Lots of extra performance can be gained relatively easily with just a Stage 1 remap taking it up to 250bhp.

Your budget would comfortably get a nice one or a slightly leggy/ high mileage edition 30