Track Day Car New or Old

[BBS-LM]

Hi

So I seem to be a little stuck on what do buy, here are my options my budget is bout £10K

1: 2017 Festa ST with no mods more expensive in the long run.

2: An Old EP3 Type R, Race prep seem well looked after, but has done 150K Miles, might have some small rust issues?

3: Clio Cup 200, Race prep, and only 54K Mile on the clock

[samoht]

BBS-LM said:

Hi

So I seem to be a little stuck on what do buy, here are my options my budget is bout £10K

1: 2017 Festa ST with no mods more expensive in the long run.

2: An Old EP3 Type R, Race prep seem well looked after, but has done 150K Miles, might have some small rust issues?

3: Clio Cup 200, Race prep, and only 54K Mile on the clock

I think it's better getting a car that someone else has done the track prep on, than doing it yourself, as long as it's been done well with quality parts. At least if money is an issue I think it's better value.

Of 2 and 3, the Clio is a newer car and lower mileage, and I have the impression is inherently a more track-biased car than the EP3, so of those choices that jumps out as the obvious one, assuming the condition of the car and track modifications are satisfactory.


If it was me I'd go for an MX-5 or MR2 mk3 for track, as I reckon RWD is where the fun is on track, but that's just personal preference.

Eg this looks to me like much more fun than any of the options above

[Rockettvr]

My son and I had a mk3 mr2 and did a couple of track days - good fun but underpowered ( unless you get a 2zz converted one) and being mid engined not the easiest thing to catch once the back steps out.
Been to a few track days and clios are very popular- and fwd hot hatches are the norm
they can’t all be wrong

[BBS-LM]

The Clio is a fun car to drive on track, and out of the box is mush better then a EP3, but the EP3 was looked after buy a Garage and race in the 2021 Clubsport trophy so has Been well looked after, I'm just worried about the milage and Rust issue with these cars.

The Fiesta ST would be a contender, but you are looking at an extra £5K for mods on top of the £10K asking price.