Help with decision on a Track Day Car!!
Discussion
Me and a mate have decided that we are going to spend some cash on a trackday toy. But we are a little stuck on the first hurdle; what car should it be?.
We've been bouncing a few ideas around, some based on threads on here, and others just by looking in the classifieds in our budget.
Anyway we've got a list together of 5 cars:
1. MX5
2. E36 328
3. Z3 (2.8)
4. Toyota Celica
5. Toyota MR2
Our budget is around £3-4k but this also includes for modifications / upgrades,(suspension, brakes, track tyres, etc). So we would be looking for something reasonably priced so we had enough left over to modify / upgrade or something a little pricier that has had some work done already.
Should the above 5 cars been on our list? what other cars should we be considering? what upgrades people think are important or not necessary for a track toy. Note the car wont be used on the road at all, if this makes any difference.
We've been bouncing a few ideas around, some based on threads on here, and others just by looking in the classifieds in our budget.
Anyway we've got a list together of 5 cars:
1. MX5
2. E36 328
3. Z3 (2.8)
4. Toyota Celica
5. Toyota MR2
Our budget is around £3-4k but this also includes for modifications / upgrades,(suspension, brakes, track tyres, etc). So we would be looking for something reasonably priced so we had enough left over to modify / upgrade or something a little pricier that has had some work done already.
Should the above 5 cars been on our list? what other cars should we be considering? what upgrades people think are important or not necessary for a track toy. Note the car wont be used on the road at all, if this makes any difference.
MX5 - Mk1 at around £1500 should be tidy and in good service. Good example: http://pistonheads.com/sales/3099123.htm
Pads / Discs / hoses upgrade - £200 or so.
Polybush - £2-300 including fitting
HSD coilovers from driftworks - http://www.driftworks.com/shop/car-parts/suspensio... £775
From that , total spend is £2775
This can be left for servicing the car, new wheels and semi slicks, maybe installing a half cage + harness / decent seats and maybe some power upgrades.
Pads / Discs / hoses upgrade - £200 or so.
Polybush - £2-300 including fitting
HSD coilovers from driftworks - http://www.driftworks.com/shop/car-parts/suspensio... £775
From that , total spend is £2775
This can be left for servicing the car, new wheels and semi slicks, maybe installing a half cage + harness / decent seats and maybe some power upgrades.
Edited by Sf_Manta on Sunday 14th August 20:26
I have an E36 328 and i've spent almost £7k including the cost of the car, you could do it alot cheaper though. I bought all new parts.
I think you should go for an MX5 though, the 328 feels a bit underpowered as its a big car and its going to cost me a large whack to get it upto the performance i want from it.
I keep getting stuck in bidding wars on ebay for BMW parts and it really mounts up, i wasnt expecting to pay £225 for an M3 diff for example!
I think you should go for an MX5 though, the 328 feels a bit underpowered as its a big car and its going to cost me a large whack to get it upto the performance i want from it.
I keep getting stuck in bidding wars on ebay for BMW parts and it really mounts up, i wasnt expecting to pay £225 for an M3 diff for example!
E36 328i, there's a reason as to why they are so popular
M3's are far too much money to maintain plus a new engine is 3k second hand whereas a 2.8 is £500 same if you need to re-shell a normal e36 you can pick a decent shell up for £300-£500.
MX5's are great through the twisties but I DO NOT CARE what any one says without forced induction they just arn't quick enough to be really fun and hold some hooligan slides etc.
M3's are far too much money to maintain plus a new engine is 3k second hand whereas a 2.8 is £500 same if you need to re-shell a normal e36 you can pick a decent shell up for £300-£500.
MX5's are great through the twisties but I DO NOT CARE what any one says without forced induction they just arn't quick enough to be really fun and hold some hooligan slides etc.
Hooligan slides will get you blackflagged anyway.
I honestly believe that a well-sorted MX-5 will get you round corners better than anything else out there. So-called hot hatchbacks might be snapping at your heels in the braking areas, but come out of the next corner and they're nowhere to be seen. Obviously you won't expect to keep up with the Porsches and M3's of this world, but is absolute speed what trackdays are about anyway? I'd venture to say no!
I honestly believe that a well-sorted MX-5 will get you round corners better than anything else out there. So-called hot hatchbacks might be snapping at your heels in the braking areas, but come out of the next corner and they're nowhere to be seen. Obviously you won't expect to keep up with the Porsches and M3's of this world, but is absolute speed what trackdays are about anyway? I'd venture to say no!
Evangelion said:
Hooligan slides will get you blackflagged anyway.
No not all I have never seen anyone get blacked flagged for controlled persistent powerslides whether it be Airfield days right upto Brands hatch etc. Start spinning out and most will bring you in due to being a danger/not in control/trying to hard. But if all is controlled they don't give a s
t 
wackojacko said:
MX5's are great through the twisties but I DO NOT CARE what any one says without forced induction they just arn't quick enough to be really fun and hold some hooligan slides etc.
Have to disagree with that - having done trackdays in a standard MX5 on budget road tyres and a 250+bhp turbo MX5 on semislicks, I had a truckload of fun in both.wackojacko said:
Evangelion said:
Hooligan slides will get you blackflagged anyway.
No not all I have never seen anyone get blacked flagged for controlled persistent powerslides whether it be Airfield days right upto Brands hatch etc. Start spinning out and most will bring you in due to being a danger/not in control/trying to hard. But if all is controlled they don't give a s
t Scandinavian flicks and smoking drifts (controlled or otherwise) tend to be frowned upon from both the basis of safety, and consideration for the local neighbours from a noise point of view.
The OPs budget will buy a really sound Clio 172, and a healthy bounty of performance braking and handling parts.
From experience, I'd advise forgetting power upgrades to begin with ... The speed and the enjoyment is all in the reliability, handling, and fade free braking.
joehirth said:
For me it would have to be something turbo. 1.8t infaact, OK so I'm partial but I'm going to be since I have one. 106's are great handling little cars, throttle bodies on the engine will make it awesome. Let us know what you get
For simple cheap trackday fun, you want something small, light and normally aspirated .... A crisp normally aspirated throttle responce is much more fun than a bit extra turbo shove on the straights.
Your 2nd suggestion of a 106 GTi on throttle bodies is near perfection for a cheap and reliable trackday toy ... The pleasure is in the enjoyment of the car, the challenge of carrying the speed through the corners, and most importantly the giant killing.
mat205125 said:
For simple cheap trackday fun, you want something small, light and normally aspirated .... A crisp normally aspirated throttle responce is much more fun than a bit extra turbo shove on the straights.
Your 2nd suggestion of a 106 GTi on throttle bodies is near perfection for a cheap and reliable trackday toy ... The pleasure is in the enjoyment of the car, the challenge of carrying the speed through the corners, and most importantly the giant killing.
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