8k. What Performance Car?
8k. What Performance Car?
Author
Discussion

Blanchimont

Original Poster:

4,089 posts

142 months

Thursday 2nd August 2018
quotequote all
Another typical "what car" post from an indecisive pillock.

8K, want a car that's good on track, and great on a B road. Car will be modified to improve it in these areas.

Not worried about seat capacity - It's not the daily.
No MX5's.
Decent aftermarket support (not vital)
Can take track abuse.
Look cool, subjective I know.


So far I've narrowed it down to:

Nissan S14 (has benefit of being RWD, so could also look at doing drifting too.
Nissan 350Z, ditto the above.
Honda Integra Type R (DC5) Great handling, no skids, but shares a lot of parts with UK cars, making it (in theory) cheaper to run, and cheaper to fix when things go crunch.
Clio RS182 (with a turbo) Had 2 Renaults already, not massively keen, but as a cheap way for big fun, it's appealing.

i don't want to lease or finance a car as it'll be fairly extensively modified, and I don't want the ballache if/when I get it wrong.

I've already had 2 Megane RS250's, that itch has been truly scratched and I don't want another.

Any cars I may have missed?

TheAlastair34

369 posts

148 months

Thursday 2nd August 2018
quotequote all
vauxhall vx220

you might have to spend 1k more but wont drop in price like the rest

SaggyOstrich

392 posts

95 months

Thursday 2nd August 2018
quotequote all
With your budget and requirements, go for the DC5.

designforlife

3,742 posts

183 months

Thursday 2nd August 2018
quotequote all
DC5 if you want something for track/B road that doesn't need modifying to be more than capable.

Decent set of rubber and a proper 4 wheel alignment and it'll be good to go.

Couple of warnings though - new OEM parts aren't cheap (although getting hold of second hand bits is easy enough), and make sure you don't buy one with any hint of rust.

Blanchimont

Original Poster:

4,089 posts

142 months

Thursday 2nd August 2018
quotequote all
As (for my sins) I commute by bus (Parking is more expensive for 1 day, than a whole weeks bus) and work from home so I don't need something refined, infact I don't want much refinement. Just enough to be able to listen to music and not go deaf after 30 minutes.

DC5 is a firm favourite.
VX220 isn't something I looked at tbh

TheAlastair34

369 posts

148 months

Thursday 2nd August 2018
quotequote all
Blanchimont said:
As (for my sins) I commute by bus (Parking is more expensive for 1 day, than a whole weeks bus) and work from home so I don't need something refined, infact I don't want much refinement. Just enough to be able to listen to music and not go deaf after 30 minutes.

DC5 is a firm favourite.
VX220 isn't something I looked at tbh
vx220 prices on the up have been for last 5 years, your budgt will buy you a 2.2 n/a engine can be supercharged with american oe stuff for 2-3k 260bhp then

they are good on fuel, dont rust or rot, look special, are great to drive, reliable too

R8Steve

4,150 posts

195 months

Thursday 2nd August 2018
quotequote all
Blanchimont said:
Clio RS182 (with a turbo) Had 2 Renaults already, not massively keen, but as a cheap way for big fun, it's appealing.
You could have mine for about half your budget, might be a bit hardcore for using as a daily though!

As suggested above, the Boxster S would be a good shout IMO

T0M

733 posts

197 months

Thursday 2nd August 2018
quotequote all
Leggy E46 M3?

Blanchimont

Original Poster:

4,089 posts

142 months

Thursday 2nd August 2018
quotequote all
M3 is a shout, but the boot floor bits, and various issues they have, along with the repair costs kind of put me off a little. Plus, I've just come from a fked BMW, I can't be assed with hassle from another already. I think the Mrs would kill me aha.

To clarify. The car would end up in a "clubsport" type spec. Semi slick tyres, half cage, decent bucket seats. Pretty much full interior etc.

DC5 is the current front runner, as I've kind of wanted one for a while.
Not a fan of the Boxsters, that model specifically.
VX220 is an option.
Clio turbo. I would most likely keep everything intact forward of the drivers seat, carpets etc. It'll mainly be used for B road fun, track days, and seldom trips to the shops.

ZX10R NIN

29,749 posts

145 months

Thursday 2nd August 2018
quotequote all
Go for the 350Z they're a great car that can do it all & seeing as you'll be upgrading the suspension you'll find it a real fun car to own.

SaggyOstrich

392 posts

95 months

Thursday 2nd August 2018
quotequote all
ZX10R NIN said:
Go for the 350Z they're a great car that can do it all & seeing as you'll be upgrading the suspension you'll find it a real fun car to own.
Not really the greatest track/B road car though, feel a bit heavy and definitely more suited as a GT type cruiser.

R8Steve

4,150 posts

195 months

Thursday 2nd August 2018
quotequote all
Blanchimont said:
To clarify. The car would end up in a "clubsport" type spec. Semi slick tyres, half cage, decent bucket seats. Pretty much full interior etc.

Clio turbo. I would most likely keep everything intact forward of the drivers seat, carpets etc. It'll mainly be used for B road fun, track days, and seldom trips to the shops.
Have a search for mine in readers cars, it's exactly that spec. smile

ZX10R NIN

29,749 posts

145 months

Thursday 2nd August 2018
quotequote all
SaggyOstrich said:
ZX10R NIN said:
Go for the 350Z they're a great car that can do it all & seeing as you'll be upgrading the suspension you'll find it a real fun car to own.
Not really the greatest track/B road car though, feel a bit heavy and definitely more suited as a GT type cruiser.
They're quite decent on the track, yes they're softer than a Megane but in the OP's case he'll be changing the suspension & these cars are transformed by a good suspension setup (& the OP has good form for getting his setups right) then add a decent exhaust setup & you get a great Clubsport car.

Fastdruid

9,247 posts

172 months

Thursday 2nd August 2018
quotequote all
If you want something that will take track abuse then the smaller and lighter the better.

M3 and the 350/370Z etc are great cars but they're heavy and that means a high cost in consumables and wear on parts. Fantastic road cars but while they will be fun on track they're going to need regular work and are going to be expensive to run. Plus for B-roads they can be a bit physically big. Kind of depends what your mix is going to be though. One trackday a year and I wouldn't worry too much, every month and it becomes more important.

I'd certainly be thinking VX220, Elise, MX-5, Clio etc rather than a heavy GT car.

Angpozzuto

1,060 posts

129 months

Thursday 2nd August 2018
quotequote all
Sorry to add another suggestion but have you considered a civic type r? Good aftermarket support and loads available for sensible money

mrtwisty

3,057 posts

185 months

Thursday 2nd August 2018
quotequote all
Surprised no one has mentioned S2000 yet. Are they still available for 8k? You certainly won't lose much money on it, might even make some.

Christian85

900 posts

158 months

Thursday 2nd August 2018
quotequote all
Z4 3.0si?

Justinas

57 posts

102 months

Thursday 2nd August 2018
quotequote all
Impreza wrx sti - can be converted into a proper track day beast +500bhp

Edited by Justinas on Thursday 2nd August 23:17

ericmcn

1,999 posts

117 months

Thursday 2nd August 2018
quotequote all
Blanchimont said:
Another typical "what car" post from an indecisive pillock.

8K, want a car that's good on track, and great on a B road. Car will be modified to improve it in these areas.

Not worried about seat capacity - It's not the daily.
No MX5's.
Decent aftermarket support (not vital)
Can take track abuse.
Look cool, subjective I know.


So far I've narrowed it down to:

Nissan S14 (has benefit of being RWD, so could also look at doing drifting too.
Nissan 350Z, ditto the above.
Honda Integra Type R (DC5) Great handling, no skids, but shares a lot of parts with UK cars, making it (in theory) cheaper to run, and cheaper to fix when things go crunch.
Clio RS182 (with a turbo) Had 2 Renaults already, not massively keen, but as a cheap way for big fun, it's appealing.

i don't want to lease or finance a car as it'll be fairly extensively modified, and I don't want the ballache if/when I get it wrong.

I've already had 2 Megane RS250's, that itch has been truly scratched and I don't want another.

Any cars I may have missed?
Subaru Legacy TS tbh, end thread*