Daily-Track Day Car for £2K Lap times, weight, power + more
Discussion
Justinas said:
Great point. The lighter the car, the better it is on consumables - this is why we have that column called 'Weight'. However, I would not agree that both Clio and MX5s are great dailies, especially the MX5 (for example, one important reason - Safety 0 points)
The aim of this topic is to find well balanced cheap cars for track and daily use (despite how optimistic that sounds). I will create a new topic for track oriented cars within different budgets and Clio/MX5s will definitely be there.
The Mx5 I can understand, it only hast 2 seats for one thing. However excluding the clio is nonsense. It's not 'track focussed', it's a bloody shopping trolley - in it's vanilla form driven to tescos by more grannies than anything; they just happen to make a half decent hot version.. It's also no more 'compromised' than a mini (I'd actually argue one has more useful interior space than a mini). If you're determined to overlook the obvious, I guess it's your party.. but don't pretend it's objective The aim of this topic is to find well balanced cheap cars for track and daily use (despite how optimistic that sounds). I will create a new topic for track oriented cars within different budgets and Clio/MX5s will definitely be there.
Edited by Justinas on Tuesday 18th July 20:38
C70R said:
TBF, I found the seats and driving position horrid, so I can sort of see where he's coming from.
its not great, but doesnt effect day to day driving and once you be come accustomed to it, its not a problem.The 197/200 is loads better, and should also be on the list as they are now on the cusp of the £2k cost. (197 is anyway)
Edited by loggyboy on Wednesday 19th July 16:52
HugoFastmann said:
BMW 325ti (E46 compact). Lots of these starting to find track use. Good, reliable engines putting out 192hp, lighter and more nimble than the 328/330 E46's, and easy to find under £2k. Not the best looking cars, but great for track use!
The 325ti is certainly the PH darling of the moment, to the extent that it's becoming a bit 'the man, the myth'.To add a bit of fact to the discussion, particularly around your bolded part, the 325ti is only 25kg lighter than a 330ci. So, if you really value the weight of two bags of shopping (while giving away ~40bhp), then definitely choose it ahead of the 330ci.
I personally wouldn't be starting the base of a track car with anything that was in the 1500kg ballpark, particularly given that there are numerous better/lighter alternatives at this budget.
C70R said:
The 325ti is certainly the PH darling of the moment, to the extent that it's becoming a bit 'the man, the myth'.
To add a bit of fact to the discussion, particularly around your bolded part, the 325ti is only 25kg lighter than a 330ci. So, if you really value the weight of two bags of shopping (while giving away ~40bhp), then definitely choose it ahead of the 330ci.
I personally wouldn't be starting the base of a track car with anything that was in the 1500kg ballpark, particularly given that there are numerous better/lighter alternatives at this budget.
I've no doubt the 330ci is a faster car in a straight line, but the 325ti is certainly more agile in the corners, and that 25kg you speak of is more like 50kg (or a small human) so is actually a noticeable weight in the corners. Remove the heavy factory seats and drop in a race seat and you've saved a further 50kg. Quite quickly you're closing in on sub-1300kg package weight. To add a bit of fact to the discussion, particularly around your bolded part, the 325ti is only 25kg lighter than a 330ci. So, if you really value the weight of two bags of shopping (while giving away ~40bhp), then definitely choose it ahead of the 330ci.
I personally wouldn't be starting the base of a track car with anything that was in the 1500kg ballpark, particularly given that there are numerous better/lighter alternatives at this budget.
andburg said:
Are we also missing the MK3 Toyota Mr2
Pos - revvy 130bhp, 1000KG , RWD and bulletproof
Neg - only 130bhp, mid engine so higher servicing costs, roll cage required?
plenty around from £800
no good for ikea but they deliver anyway
I was going to suggest one, I do like them but you really have to be dedicated to use one as a daily. I guess it depends on where exactly you want to be between track fun thing and daily driver. Pos - revvy 130bhp, 1000KG , RWD and bulletproof
Neg - only 130bhp, mid engine so higher servicing costs, roll cage required?
plenty around from £800
no good for ikea but they deliver anyway
Edited by andburg on Thursday 20th July 11:37
HugoFastmann said:
C70R said:
The 325ti is certainly the PH darling of the moment, to the extent that it's becoming a bit 'the man, the myth'.
To add a bit of fact to the discussion, particularly around your bolded part, the 325ti is only 25kg lighter than a 330ci. So, if you really value the weight of two bags of shopping (while giving away ~40bhp), then definitely choose it ahead of the 330ci.
I personally wouldn't be starting the base of a track car with anything that was in the 1500kg ballpark, particularly given that there are numerous better/lighter alternatives at this budget.
I've no doubt the 330ci is a faster car in a straight line, but the 325ti is certainly more agile in the corners, and that 25kg you speak of is more like 50kg (or a small human) so is actually a noticeable weight in the corners. Remove the heavy factory seats and drop in a race seat and you've saved a further 50kg. Quite quickly you're closing in on sub-1300kg package weight. To add a bit of fact to the discussion, particularly around your bolded part, the 325ti is only 25kg lighter than a 330ci. So, if you really value the weight of two bags of shopping (while giving away ~40bhp), then definitely choose it ahead of the 330ci.
I personally wouldn't be starting the base of a track car with anything that was in the 1500kg ballpark, particularly given that there are numerous better/lighter alternatives at this budget.
In the real world, that's less than half a tank of petrol. I can't imagine many Average Joes being able to notice a 1.6% weight difference.
Anyway, it's a moot point. Both are fine road cars at this budget, but there are many many better trackday choices.
Harrison-91xcg said:
Also for general input I have an e90 330i daily I also use for track. Book figures quote 1450kg.
I took it on track with duff SE(comfort setup) rear suspension (dead shocks) and it held up fantastically . I was able to keep up with a friend's mapped Audi TT 2.0 TFSI and just about hang onto my brothers mapped 123d at Blyton. Our cars all weigh near the same and have roughly the same power. My downfall was transitions where the dead rear meant I had to slow right down to keep control.
It was always my intention to turn this car into a daily track car. It now has a chunky steering wheel, weighted gear knob, Eibach springs, Bilstein dampers, mv3 alloys (wider rears) and yellowstuffs all round. I think it adds up to about 1k-1.5k.
I commute 50 miles per day and it's brilliant. It doesn't handle bumpy B roads like my 182 used to (I think this is fwd territory), but A roads it's amazing and comfortable. It's going to Donnington at the end of the month then hopefully Silverstone.
This is the reason why the E90 chasis is so popular in the VLN endurance racing championship. Would be the choice for £4k.I took it on track with duff SE(comfort setup) rear suspension (dead shocks) and it held up fantastically . I was able to keep up with a friend's mapped Audi TT 2.0 TFSI and just about hang onto my brothers mapped 123d at Blyton. Our cars all weigh near the same and have roughly the same power. My downfall was transitions where the dead rear meant I had to slow right down to keep control.
It was always my intention to turn this car into a daily track car. It now has a chunky steering wheel, weighted gear knob, Eibach springs, Bilstein dampers, mv3 alloys (wider rears) and yellowstuffs all round. I think it adds up to about 1k-1.5k.
I commute 50 miles per day and it's brilliant. It doesn't handle bumpy B roads like my 182 used to (I think this is fwd territory), but A roads it's amazing and comfortable. It's going to Donnington at the end of the month then hopefully Silverstone.
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