Track car

[Ajohno818]

Hi guys this is my first post.
I'm in a little bit of a dilemma I currently own an 08 plate focus St-3 and I'm stick wether to tune the focus or to buy a dedicated track car. If I bought one i would like 4 wheel drive and turbo. I'm thinking classic impreza turbo or a3 1.8t Quattro.
What do you guys think is best?
Cheers in advance.

[SonicShadow]

Option 1 / A: MX5.

[Stuart0620]

You don't mention a budget so difficult to comment but something like a Caterham

4wd is not ideal and a recent trackday I went too saw an Impreza and Evo both spin into a wall and we're both nearly written off

[Ajohno818]

Excuse my naivety but what are the mx5s like.
People say good things but the only thing that puts me off is there quite mmmmmmm cute looking. Doesn't look very track focused. (No offence obviously. I am open to be persuaded into one though)

[Don1]

Because they are one of the finest RWD cars produced, cheap as chips and it's a standard joke here on PH - after an estate? MX-5. Want a new battletank with turbine and 76mm gun? MX-5.

I would say that having a track car is expensive, and mine just doesn't get driven. So much so, it's SORN'd and I'm going to get it fettled and sold.

I have to ask - why 4WD turbo for the track?

[Monty Python]

Do you intend to do a lot of track days? It's a (potentially) a lot of money to tie up on something that might be used a few days a year. Why not spend the money on a series of driving experiences - that way you get to drive a lot of different cars.

[kambites]

Ajohno818 said:

... Doesn't look very track focused...

And an Audi A3 does?

[Robert Elise]

i spend a fair amount on cars and driving, and for track, MX5 is still the answer ;-)
turbo 4wd is not the way to have (manly) fun on track or improve your car control.

[Ajohno818]

So
Budget I was thinking around the £2k mark for the base car. Then as I am no rush the main priority would be to do it properly.
In terms of why 4x4 and turbo. (Apparently I'm very naive at this) but I thought 4x4 would give more grip making it quicker. I get the turbo would create lag so I understand there not the best choice for track but I'm more thinking in terms of tunability.
(As you can tell I'm pretty new at this. So please put me right)

I wouldn't be using it a great deal on track but I would like to use it for enjoyable days off driving as well as track use.
Why do it
I want something to call my own. My own vision so to speak. My brother is a mechanic so I would save a lot of labour bills.

[kambites]

4x4 probably would make it quicker but the point of a track car isn't to be quick, it's to be fun. I'd want a car with approachable limits, first and foremost. That typically means front engined and 2WD.

Edited by kambites on Monday 9th February 20:05

[Ajohno818]

So mx5 is a track day gem then?

[kambites]

Ajohno818 said:

So mx5 is a track day gem then?

It's certainly a reasonable place to start. I'd want a full roll cage, though, at least.

[Ajohno818]

Well like I said my aim would be to do it properly.
I get there money pits etc but most things in life are.
It's what brings a smile to your face isn't it!!

Anyway what about tuning the focus?

[kambites]

If you were going to use the Focus, the first step would probably be to strip out weight.

[juansolo]

Ajohno818 said:

Well like I said my aim would be to do it properly.

Then hire a Caterham

[Ajohno818]

Well to be honest that's what puts me off doing it to the focus (in my opinion) it's a nice place to be. And I wouldn't want to destroy to much of that. Hence where this whole thing came from!!

[Grey Ghost]

OP, keep your money in your pocket for a while and when the weather picks up visit a few track day events and get a feel for what makes a good track day car in other peoples eyes. Lots of options re FWD, RWD and AWD and all will handle differently and come with a variety of BHP. If you are lucky you could blag a few passenger rides (take a helmet and long sleeved top) and see that you can have as much fun in a RWD with lowish BHP (yes, an MX5) as a Scooby with 300+BHP.

Without seeing what is what and how much track day cars, track days themselves and all the ancillaries cost you could end up buying something that you don't use and struggle to sell.

[LasseV]

Mr2? Little bit of more challenging drive than mx5.

[hondansx]

Then listen to what people are saying and get an MX5 or Eunos.

[Ajohno818]

That's pretty good advice ghost. Is there any tracks/days in particular I should be looking at?