Uni motorclub trackslag?
Discussion
Thought i would post here at our uni motor club are looking for the next club owned car for use by members on track days. Its not unheard of for us to keep an current mot as some form of proof to the union that its not totally shagged, but it probably wont be taxed or insured.
At the moment theres a bit of a toss up going on between getting a smaller car like a MX5, a larger car such as a E30. or a hatchback in the form of a 205 or a 106/saxo but i through i would post and see if we have missed anything.
It doesnt have to be pretty and we're not afraid to do whatever work needs doing on it (ie, free labour, half of us are graduate engineers) but obviously money is tightish so avoiding expensive work would be advantageous. Ditto, it might just get armoco'ed and is unlikly to be insured in any way if it does.
Daniel
At the moment theres a bit of a toss up going on between getting a smaller car like a MX5, a larger car such as a E30. or a hatchback in the form of a 205 or a 106/saxo but i through i would post and see if we have missed anything.
It doesnt have to be pretty and we're not afraid to do whatever work needs doing on it (ie, free labour, half of us are graduate engineers) but obviously money is tightish so avoiding expensive work would be advantageous. Ditto, it might just get armoco'ed and is unlikly to be insured in any way if it does.
Daniel
Edited by dhutch on Wednesday 7th October 19:24
So far suggestions have included.
BMW E30 320 (big fat beamerbox)
Mazda MX5 (light and fun, but some doubters, and mention of spares cost?)
VW Golf Mk2 (wouldnt mind one myself, but it is another fwd hatch)
Original Mini Cooper (im 6ft2 and dont fancy racing in a bean can, but maybe?)
Mercedes C Class (W202) or E Class (W124) (bleargg...)
Nissan S13 or S14 (i like the s14 a lot, but its a big tail happy car, and not cheap)
Saab 900 (urrrm, hummm, yes well....!)
BMW E30 320 (big fat beamerbox)
Mazda MX5 (light and fun, but some doubters, and mention of spares cost?)
VW Golf Mk2 (wouldnt mind one myself, but it is another fwd hatch)
Original Mini Cooper (im 6ft2 and dont fancy racing in a bean can, but maybe?)
Mercedes C Class (W202) or E Class (W124) (bleargg...)
Nissan S13 or S14 (i like the s14 a lot, but its a big tail happy car, and not cheap)
Saab 900 (urrrm, hummm, yes well....!)
Rover Vitesse (SD1) - if you could find one!
BMW 635CSi - they appear in PH classifieds for peanuts. Parts will be rare as rocking horse sht, and quite difficult to find, but hey, what a barge!!
Vauxhall Nova GTE/GSi (take injection off, fit twin 45's) - seriously! Cheap as chips, lots of tweaky parts available as well as the chavvy bits that you don't need. Easy to upgrade brakes (just fit Astra / Cavalier bits), and they are much much better than a Golf when set up, at a fraction of the price.
BMW 635CSi - they appear in PH classifieds for peanuts. Parts will be rare as rocking horse sht, and quite difficult to find, but hey, what a barge!!
Vauxhall Nova GTE/GSi (take injection off, fit twin 45's) - seriously! Cheap as chips, lots of tweaky parts available as well as the chavvy bits that you don't need. Easy to upgrade brakes (just fit Astra / Cavalier bits), and they are much much better than a Golf when set up, at a fraction of the price.
I'd say 200sx S13 tbh.
They can be had for pence, there's an abundance of spares available cheap, and aftermarket bits, masses of second hand kit available, they're a doddle to work on, and can make cracking track cars for not a lot of outlay. The drift folks will tell you all about how smashing them up isn't a big deal. Worst case scenario you can reshell them in no time. I've sold a couple of very clean shells for next to nowt. I much prefer them to S14's too, but both are light, can be stripped quite considerably of weight, and feel a lot smaller than they are to drive. S13's in particular are quite go-karty.
Known problems, well big end bearings, are the biggest prob with them really, and rust but that's an easy fix and do-able in no time at all, cheap too. The owners club is also one of the most knowledge filled and resourceful you'll find for any model, so you'll get all the advice and help you could ever need there.
Other than that, MK1 MR2's are a giggle but I'd get bored fast, MX5 is good but again, on track it'd bore me senseless without some power (unless it was a small twisty track). E36 is probably the alternative I'd choose if it wasn't a 200sx. Cheap to the point of being disposable, and a fine chassis with lots of potential.
They can be had for pence, there's an abundance of spares available cheap, and aftermarket bits, masses of second hand kit available, they're a doddle to work on, and can make cracking track cars for not a lot of outlay. The drift folks will tell you all about how smashing them up isn't a big deal. Worst case scenario you can reshell them in no time. I've sold a couple of very clean shells for next to nowt. I much prefer them to S14's too, but both are light, can be stripped quite considerably of weight, and feel a lot smaller than they are to drive. S13's in particular are quite go-karty.
Known problems, well big end bearings, are the biggest prob with them really, and rust but that's an easy fix and do-able in no time at all, cheap too. The owners club is also one of the most knowledge filled and resourceful you'll find for any model, so you'll get all the advice and help you could ever need there.
Other than that, MK1 MR2's are a giggle but I'd get bored fast, MX5 is good but again, on track it'd bore me senseless without some power (unless it was a small twisty track). E36 is probably the alternative I'd choose if it wasn't a 200sx. Cheap to the point of being disposable, and a fine chassis with lots of potential.
Locost or other Seven-type car?
Inexpensive, light (so light on brakes, tyres, wheel bearings etc.), simple, RWD and fun.
FWIW, I race a Birkin S3 and in addition to all these things, it's small so it feels like a race car, in a way that saloons and even semi-sensible 2-seaters (MX5) are not.
I'm not in the UK, so not sure where it would race.
Alternately, MG F or TF. Very cheap in the UK, and there are ways of curing the HGF issue.
James
ETA - I am aware of the lack of love for the F/TF, but resist any urge to turn my suggestion into endless repeats of stuff some guy told you once in a pub. And yes, there is one in my profile, just to save you the bother of checking.
Inexpensive, light (so light on brakes, tyres, wheel bearings etc.), simple, RWD and fun.
FWIW, I race a Birkin S3 and in addition to all these things, it's small so it feels like a race car, in a way that saloons and even semi-sensible 2-seaters (MX5) are not.
I'm not in the UK, so not sure where it would race.
Alternately, MG F or TF. Very cheap in the UK, and there are ways of curing the HGF issue.
James
ETA - I am aware of the lack of love for the F/TF, but resist any urge to turn my suggestion into endless repeats of stuff some guy told you once in a pub. And yes, there is one in my profile, just to save you the bother of checking.
Edited by bikemonster on Wednesday 7th October 08:48
Definitely don't go with the mini - it will be slow and unreliable unless you spend big £££ on it (then it will be quick and unreliable!). You'd also want to put in a cage for protection, plus they're not even cheap to buy so will be one of the more expensive of your list to get on track.
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