New TD car ideas?
Discussion
After many, many dozen Trackdays and club sprints with my TVRs, I am now looking for something completely different.
The TVRs are gone, I have retired and I'm looking for something which will be fun, reasonably low maintenance but enough to keep me involved and still enjoying Trackdays.
My last Chimaera was 400 BHP and very, very quick. I also had a MK1 vRS Octávia which I had an absolutely fantastic day at Bedford Autodrome last year. That was standard but with sticky track tyres and uprated pads. To be honest, that was one of the best Trackdays that I have ever done!
Looking for an easy life with a bit of fun. Don't want to be the fastest on track but looking to enjoy the twisties more. I have a Boxster S as a fun convertible. As great as the car is, handling and performance are fantastic, it is far too good to put on the track, (As much as I would like to). I shall save it for Euro tours when all this s
t is out the way!
Open to any ideas. Maybe some of you guys are giving up Trackdays and have something you no longer need which might suit me. I am in Surrey and don't want to travel a 1,000,000 miles for obvious reasons! Cheers
By the way, I am very handy with spanners and don't mind doing a bit of upgrading.
The TVRs are gone, I have retired and I'm looking for something which will be fun, reasonably low maintenance but enough to keep me involved and still enjoying Trackdays.
My last Chimaera was 400 BHP and very, very quick. I also had a MK1 vRS Octávia which I had an absolutely fantastic day at Bedford Autodrome last year. That was standard but with sticky track tyres and uprated pads. To be honest, that was one of the best Trackdays that I have ever done!
Looking for an easy life with a bit of fun. Don't want to be the fastest on track but looking to enjoy the twisties more. I have a Boxster S as a fun convertible. As great as the car is, handling and performance are fantastic, it is far too good to put on the track, (As much as I would like to). I shall save it for Euro tours when all this s
t is out the way! Open to any ideas. Maybe some of you guys are giving up Trackdays and have something you no longer need which might suit me. I am in Surrey and don't want to travel a 1,000,000 miles for obvious reasons! Cheers
By the way, I am very handy with spanners and don't mind doing a bit of upgrading.
Turn7 said:
Budget ?
Good point. Maybe in between 2– 5 K Max.Will probably only be used for track days although I would like it to be rather legal. What with coronavirus, Lockdowns and being retired I have to make a real effort to actually use a car! Going from 16–18 K miles a year this is all a bit weird.
if the octavia was fun because it was more exploitable, then you could build a very quick and fun clio 182 using the ktec spec series kit.
https://www.k-tecracing.com/750club.asp
https://www.k-tecracing.com/750club.asp
phazed said:
Even though I have the know how, would like something almost oven ready.
You young guys probably don’t understand but being 65 and having a serious recent health scare, time is finite.
I would like to squeeze in several TDs next year and not spend too much time in the garage!
Get it bought!You young guys probably don’t understand but being 65 and having a serious recent health scare, time is finite.
I would like to squeeze in several TDs next year and not spend too much time in the garage!
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Renult-Clio-182-ROAD-LE...
I recently bought a pretty thoroughly track prepared clio 172 for a bit over 3 grand, with a higher spec than the one listed above.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Plenty of those out there, broadly the more you pay the better the spec you end up with, and the better value it is than doing it from scratch yourself.
A 172 ph1 is a good shout as it has the best head and inlet manifold and ends up with really good power (190bhp or so) with GrpN cam timing and exhaust and remap.
Alternatively get a half decent mx5 and don’t be tempted to lower it or fit sticky wide tyres. Replace all the bushes for new and go thrash it. They’re awesome and the grip is really accessible, and the more you mod them the harder it is to go properly quick and get the same fun / reward.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Plenty of those out there, broadly the more you pay the better the spec you end up with, and the better value it is than doing it from scratch yourself.
A 172 ph1 is a good shout as it has the best head and inlet manifold and ends up with really good power (190bhp or so) with GrpN cam timing and exhaust and remap.
Alternatively get a half decent mx5 and don’t be tempted to lower it or fit sticky wide tyres. Replace all the bushes for new and go thrash it. They’re awesome and the grip is really accessible, and the more you mod them the harder it is to go properly quick and get the same fun / reward.
I get the Clio thing but there must be other sensible choices.
If I’m honest, as competent as the Clio is, it doesn’t grab me. I haven’t ruled it out but I’d like to look at alternatives. Probably my age, but French cars have never figured in my life.
For instance, I like the Fiesta ST150. The driving position and ergonomics for me are spot on. As standard, they are a bit breathless although they can be tweaked to 185bhp fairly easily. I have a low mileage 07 plate one on the driveway. Belongs to No3 son’s fiancé and will be sold on shortly. I am tempted as it’s there. Thoughts on these please?
If I’m honest, as competent as the Clio is, it doesn’t grab me. I haven’t ruled it out but I’d like to look at alternatives. Probably my age, but French cars have never figured in my life.
For instance, I like the Fiesta ST150. The driving position and ergonomics for me are spot on. As standard, they are a bit breathless although they can be tweaked to 185bhp fairly easily. I have a low mileage 07 plate one on the driveway. Belongs to No3 son’s fiancé and will be sold on shortly. I am tempted as it’s there. Thoughts on these please?
I had one of those a couple of years ago and I have to admit it felt like more fun than the Clio I've just bought - the steering is way better, for example.
Mine had a Quaife diff which really did transform it out of corners, not a cheap option though. It also had 15" wheels, which shortened the gearing and reduced rotational inertia of the wheels which made it seriously nippy and likely very well geared for the track. Reduced unsprung weight helps handling and ability to hop kerbs too.
Also had Mk1 Focus caliper carriers and discs, which are a bit larger but keep the same calipers and pads. Easy cheap upgrade for a bit larger brake front and rear, can't hurt to do and still fit under a 15" wheel if you were going that route.
Overall it's probably a nicer thing for the track, provided you can get decent power out of it. That red one if it has a true 181bhp will be respectable enough.
Only comments I'd make on them:
1. seat height, as mentioned in the Clio 2 (and 3) you sit high. I don't think the Fiesta seats are much lower, if any. They also aren't at all supportive.
2. Mine wasn't the best kept car, but it was quite rusty underneath and had hard brake pipes starting to furr up etc, at 14 years old. My current 20 year old Clio is a lot less rusty. May have been individual cars. Just something to watch for.
Regarding the Clio 197 / 200 option, I was initially tempted but they are a fair bit heavier than a 182 with not enough power to make up the shortfall. Also the gearboxes are notoriously weak. Not to say they aren't decent and successful track cars but I wasn't convinced they're a better track car than a 172/182.
Mine had a Quaife diff which really did transform it out of corners, not a cheap option though. It also had 15" wheels, which shortened the gearing and reduced rotational inertia of the wheels which made it seriously nippy and likely very well geared for the track. Reduced unsprung weight helps handling and ability to hop kerbs too.
Also had Mk1 Focus caliper carriers and discs, which are a bit larger but keep the same calipers and pads. Easy cheap upgrade for a bit larger brake front and rear, can't hurt to do and still fit under a 15" wheel if you were going that route.
Overall it's probably a nicer thing for the track, provided you can get decent power out of it. That red one if it has a true 181bhp will be respectable enough.
Only comments I'd make on them:
1. seat height, as mentioned in the Clio 2 (and 3) you sit high. I don't think the Fiesta seats are much lower, if any. They also aren't at all supportive.
2. Mine wasn't the best kept car, but it was quite rusty underneath and had hard brake pipes starting to furr up etc, at 14 years old. My current 20 year old Clio is a lot less rusty. May have been individual cars. Just something to watch for.
Regarding the Clio 197 / 200 option, I was initially tempted but they are a fair bit heavier than a 182 with not enough power to make up the shortfall. Also the gearboxes are notoriously weak. Not to say they aren't decent and successful track cars but I wasn't convinced they're a better track car than a 172/182.
id be looking at an MX5. a Mk1 , 2 or 3 . Great rear wheel drive on the limit fun. Very cheap parts and convertible open roof fun which makes it fun to drive to the track day as well as on it. £5k you could stretch to a Mk3 sport with the 2.0 engine 6 speed box and lsd. Manifold and remap gets you 185 hp.
Got to be more than an FWD hatch? other alternative would be a Toyota MR2 Mk3, even better if you can find one with a 190 celica engine conversion which frequently come up within your budget.
Got to be more than an FWD hatch? other alternative would be a Toyota MR2 Mk3, even better if you can find one with a 190 celica engine conversion which frequently come up within your budget.
phazed said:
Just sat in the fiesta on my drive. I only have an inch maximum above my head for fresh helmet space so a bit tight.
My friend just sent me this. A bit left-field as it is probably a bit of a wallower The performance is good as a manual though!
Did you mean to post a pic or a link?My friend just sent me this. A bit left-field as it is probably a bit of a wallower The performance is good as a manual though!
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