Tin Top RWD Track Day Car - £2-3k?

[Steve H]

If you're competing in a capacity based class ^^^^^ this is true. If you're competing in a power/weight class then you're unlikely to get a better starting point.

For trackdays a well set up 328 can stay with the vast majority of stuff with a roof over a lap.

[JB!]

C70R said:

JB! said:

I spent slightly over OPs budget on an E36 328i.

Parts are cheap and plentiful, easy to work on to boot.

First day in it is Bedford 5th November

If you're sprinting, prepared to be VERY slow. The 328 puts you in with 2WD turbo/supercharged cars, which are probably going to be a lot quicker lb-for-lb.

Trackdays only.

If i was competing i'd be in the 750MC Clio championship or something.

1200kg and 200bhp will be plenty for now.

[aka_kerrly]

ribiero said:

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

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

It's the Toyota Altezza that comes with the 2.0 I4 BEAMS 210hp engine + LSD that is a Japan/Asia market only job. They are available in the UK for £6-8K , I have one on a boat from Japan at the moment ;-)

A UK standard IS200 is a 2.0L I6 engine with 60 odd less HP. They are not that quick off the line and are akin to 320I performance but with close gearing when they are in 2nd-4th they shuffle along well. The Sport models come with LSDs installed. They handle well as a result of independent suspension all round , a 50/50 weight balance and hide their weight well, id go so far as saying I enjoy the IS more than E36/46 BMWs

Autocar did a video series recently where they took a standard IS200 to couborough an modified it in stages until it was quicker around the track than their Toyota GT86 benchmark and only a few fractions of a second behind a new Civic Type R.