Tin Top RWD Track Day Car - £2-3k?

[ribiero]

to add something in a little leftfield, what about an is200 ?

can be lightened up, beams engine isnt terrible, rear wheel drive..

[JB!]

ribiero said:

to add something in a little leftfield, what about an is200 ?

can be lightened up, beams engine isnt terrible, rear wheel drive..

Don't the UK cars come with an N/A 2jz? mostly Auto too?

the Beams stuff is Toyota Altezza?

[Christmassss]

T0MMY said:

Thinking 200SX, Supra, 300ZX type thing. Not going to be cheap to run though, and not great trackcars as standard.

Edited by T0MMY on Thursday 23 August 21:55

All way over budget these days.

If it was my money i'd get either -

E46 330
E36 328
RX8
Might be able to get a ropey MR2 turbo

If RWD wasn't a requirement i would also look at:

Mk1 Leon Cupra R

[Darkslider]

Would a MK2 MR2 fit the bill? Don't know if your budget would stretch to a turbo these days (unless it was a cosmetic disaster which wouldn't matter for a track slag I guess) but 150bhp in N/A form still isn't shabby.

[ribiero]

JB! said:

Don't the UK cars come with an N/A 2jz? mostly Auto too?

the Beams stuff is Toyota Altezza?

You're correct : Toyota Altezza RS200 - there's one on fleabay starting at £2,500 at the minute. It's in Salisbury though so best bought wearing a hazmat suit.

[C70R]

Christmassss said:

T0MMY said:

Thinking 200SX, Supra, 300ZX type thing. Not going to be cheap to run though, and not great trackcars as standard.

Edited by T0MMY on Thursday 23 August 21:55

All way over budget these days.

If it was my money i'd get either -

E46 330
E36 328
RX8
Might be able to get a ropey MR2 turbo

If RWD wasn't a requirement i would also look at:

Mk1 Leon Cupra R

As a driver's car, the RX8 is absolutely head and shoulders above all of the others (and I say that as the owner of one of them). £3k gets you into a standard one with a rebuilt engine if you're brave enough to buy privately.

[rallycross]

I’m a big fan of the 3 series had loads of them in all flavours but I would not suggest one as a cheap track car you’d need to spend a lot to make it much good on track and decent ones are never cheap to start with.

I’ve currently got a few cars that are on this thread - a 330 sport manual E46, a 350z Manual and a 130i - I don’t use any of these on track (I’ve got other things for that) but if I had to take one of the 3 it would be the 350z.

[markiii]

Rx8

[C70R]

I can't help but feel this represents stonking VFM as a track base... https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mazda-RX8-231-Black-wit...

[Evoluzione]

OP seems to have done a runner, but (as an NC owner with roll over bar) I'm struggling to see how you can manage to hit your head on it? The top bar is behind the head rest.

[kaveney]

Just because I run one as my track how about an MR2 Roadster with hard top .

[Angpozzuto]

kaveney said:

Just because I run one as my track how about an MR2 Roadster with hard top .

I'd say this would get my vote but with the 2zz corola t sport engine, it'll be like a poor mans lotus elise

[YTee]

I'm in the very same boat with a very similar budget. First dedicated track car, wanted to learn to drive a RWD car quickly

M3's are far too much money, Japanese drift-style cars too much money, classic fast Fords too much money, MR2 Roadsters aren't pokey enough standard (and are difficult/costly to make more pokey), while Mk2s are too much money or too shabby, MX-5 too hair-dressery (I know, I know, here we go again).

That leaves e36/e46 328i/330i, IS200, or the RX-8. None of them really get my juices flowing, although to be fair I've not driven any of them.

FWD gets you loads more options in this budget. It's tough to commit to RWD. What to do?

[300bhp/ton]

YTee said:

I'm in the very same boat with a very similar budget. First dedicated track car, wanted to learn to drive a RWD car quickly

M3's are far too much money, Japanese drift-style cars too much money, classic fast Fords too much money, MR2 Roadsters aren't pokey enough standard (and are difficult/costly to make more pokey), while Mk2s are too much money or too shabby, MX-5 too hair-dressery (I know, I know, here we go again).

That leaves e36/e46 328i/330i, IS200, or the RX-8. None of them really get my juices flowing, although to be fair I've not driven any of them.

FWD gets you loads more options in this budget. It's tough to commit to RWD. What to do?

If it's a dedicated track car, why not look at something more purpose built. Probably still a few older classics that might be viable and kit cars. Maybe something that has been used for rally or track events already.

[YTee]

300bhp/ton said:

If it's a dedicated track car, why not look at something more purpose built. Probably still a few older classics that might be viable and kit cars. Maybe something that has been used for rally or track events already.

Could do yes, needs to be road legal though. Driving some of them is probably a good place to start, to help make the decision

[300bhp/ton]

rossyl said:

Hi All,

I have an MX5 and do Sprints running in the road-going class. But the trips too and from the track are tiresome, noisy, too warm. Ideally what I'd like is an MX5 with a tin top and air con!

I'm after a relatively standard car that's good for the track without changing too much. Any thoughts?

Here's what I'm after:
- £2-3k
- RWD
- Tin Top
- Cheap to repair (cheap parts, cheap labour)
- Simple under the hood (not too many electrical gremlins etc)

I'm concerned BMW parts might be far too expensive.

RX8, having read Seiben's thread, the RX8, whilst it can take a pasting, it does through its toys out of the pram. Flooding the engine, throwing codes, being upset if you spin backwards and the engine revolves the wrong way etc...

Cheap to run is hugely important. Tin top for comfort and safety.

So...recommendations please

Thanks
R

I suppose first it's worth considering some points.

1. Will any other vehicle for this use really be less tiring or quieter?
2. I'm not sure I get the "too hot" bit. Can't you just put the roof down? Plus we are coming into winter now.


The problems you have are:

-Not all that many RWD cars suitable for track work
-Not all of them have air con
-many not in budget


So you are going to have to take your pick of what is available.


-Toyota MR2 MK1, 2 & 3 - probably find a candidate of each in budget. Not all have air con, not all are tin tops. Can't see them being less tiresome.

-MGF/TF - similar to the MX-5 and MR2 MK3

-RX-8

-BMW Z3/e36/e46

-Impreza Turbo - ok it's 4wd, but it isn't fwd. If you can find a Jap spec STI they have DCCD which allows you to make them very rwd biased. Budget might make this difficult though.


Can't think of much else at this price point. You might find something like a Rover SD1, Vauxhall Carlton/Senator or an old Ford in budget with RWD. But probably unlikely to have air con and maybe not the most ideal track vehicle.

[rossyl]

Hi All

To respond to many thoughts.

300bhp/ton said:

I suppose first it's worth considering some points.

1. Will any other vehicle for this use really be less tiring or quieter?
2. I'm not sure I get the "too hot" bit. Can't you just put the roof down? Plus we are coming into winter now.

A drop-top without air con can actually be hotter with the roof down. Strange, I do agree. But, when you have zero shade and the sun is as it was this summer, and beating down on you, having the roof up was actually cooler.

Noise - i've actually fixed this significantly in the MX5 by replacing the upper and lower gear lever boots. Made a huge difference. Seriously before that we were shouting at each other to be heard.



An MR2 with a hardtop i think is a questionable improvement on a MX5 with a hardtop.

300bhp/ton said:

If it's a dedicated track car, why not look at something more purpose built. Probably still a few older classics that might be viable and kit cars. Maybe something that has been used for rally or track events already.

That won't work for many Sprint regulations. You cannot strip the car out if you want to go in the roadgoing class. That's why BMWs and Porsche's aren't an option i think as they seem to require a complete strip out to be viable.

ribiero said:

to add something in a little leftfield, what about an is200 ?

can be lightened up, beams engine isnt terrible, rear wheel drive..

Had a look and the decent engined version is a Auto box in the UK.

Evoluzione said:

OP seems to have done a runner, but (as an NC owner with roll over bar) I'm struggling to see how you can manage to hit your head on it? The top bar is behind the head rest.

In an NA the seats are very flimsy and not too tall, your head could easily go above the headrest. In fact, generally your head can quite easily touch the roof, dependent on your build, and you don't need to be a giant for that. For example, with my helmet on, I cannot sit in my normal position in the MX5, I have to tilt the seat back.

Car wise - I think my options are:
RX8 or 350z. Though a 350z does seem a heavy car.

If I get a RX8 i would need to go into the higher categories due to the way wankel engines are categorised. Also not being able to sping backwards and the flooded engine stuff has made me wary.

I therefore might just go whole hog and get a 350z but think i might wait another season.

2019 season i think i will stick with the MX5 and upgrade the coilovers.

[YTee]

300bhp/ton said:

You might find something like a Rover SD1, Vauxhall Carlton/Senator or an old Ford in budget with RWD. But probably unlikely to have air con and maybe not the most ideal track vehicle.

Of course, a Vauxhall Senator! That could be the most fun you have in your life!

Imagine this sex machine dropped and stripped out...

Edited by YTee on Thursday 27th September 11:45

[YTee]

Being serious again... the IS250 seems to fit into that budget these days as well. More power than the 200, but too heavy?

[C70R]

YTee said:

300bhp/ton said:

You might find something like a Rover SD1, Vauxhall Carlton/Senator or an old Ford in budget with RWD. But probably unlikely to have air con and maybe not the most ideal track vehicle.

Of course, a Vauxhall Senator! That could be the most fun you have in your life!

Imagine this sex machine dropped and stripped out...

Edited by YTee on Thursday 27th September 11:45

He's absolutely comical sometimes, and I very much doubt he has any real-world experience of the OP's scenario. I was waiting for the TR7/Camaro suggestion...

Honestly OP, as someone who has spent a fair amount of time driving a track car to/from tracks (most decent tracks are 2-3hr+ from Central London), if you can't tow then make sure you buy something which is suitable for the schlep because otherwise it will get old quickly.

It's all fine and well to spend £3k on the ultimate, hardcore, stripped, polybushed MX5 for the 5-6hrs you'll spend on track during the day. However, you don't want to find yourself then stuck in it for 2-3hrs on the return journey, when it's revving its nuts off at 80mph, the seat is making your backside numb, it's boiling/freezing, and the exhaust/road noise is giving you a headache.
That's a way to fall out of love with trackdays very quickly, and the very reason I'm getting a more civilised one next time.