Track day car 1-3k
Discussion
I considered an MX5 and an mk3 MR2 with a similar budget in mind. Was nervous about the MX5 rust issue, particulaly the NB models that were in budget. Almost bought a couple of MR2 but was beaten to it. Ended up getting a 325ti (the compact), an am currently dealing with rust & spiraling project costs. In hindsight should have raised the budget slightly and gone was a well-cared for 5.
I had a ride around Mallory Park in an RX8 - surprisingly fast and good handling on the limit in the corners.
I have read that your only risk is with the rotary engine, but the poster who commented above will know better then me, as it may just be a motor trade myth because they don't understand anything non-standard.
After all I own a TVR and am sick to death of being told that they are unreliable.....they are far from unreliable if used regularly.
I have read that your only risk is with the rotary engine, but the poster who commented above will know better then me, as it may just be a motor trade myth because they don't understand anything non-standard.
After all I own a TVR and am sick to death of being told that they are unreliable.....they are far from unreliable if used regularly.
I'm due to be selling my BMW E46 330ci very soon. Just waiting for a MOT and then will stick it up on eBay.
The car has been utterly perfect and I have spent a fortune on it over the last 2 years. Mods include -
Bilstein B12 suspension
Eibach springs
Polybushed in places
Full geo done for fast road setup
Michelin cup 2 tyres
Partially stripped interior
Msport front bumper (SE model car)
I've had a lot of track cars over the years and this has been far the most fun. I would highly recommend one, OP
The car has been utterly perfect and I have spent a fortune on it over the last 2 years. Mods include -
Bilstein B12 suspension
Eibach springs
Polybushed in places
Full geo done for fast road setup
Michelin cup 2 tyres
Partially stripped interior
Msport front bumper (SE model car)
I've had a lot of track cars over the years and this has been far the most fun. I would highly recommend one, OP
Pig benis said:
I'm due to be selling my BMW E46 330ci very soon. Just waiting for a MOT and then will stick it up on eBay.
The car has been utterly perfect and I have spent a fortune on it over the last 2 years. Mods include -
Bilstein B12 suspension
Eibach springs
Polybushed in places
Full geo done for fast road setup
Michelin cup 2 tyres
Partially stripped interior
Msport front bumper (SE model car)
I've had a lot of track cars over the years and this has been far the most fun. I would highly recommend one, OP
How much you looking for? PM me if preferred. The car has been utterly perfect and I have spent a fortune on it over the last 2 years. Mods include -
Bilstein B12 suspension
Eibach springs
Polybushed in places
Full geo done for fast road setup
Michelin cup 2 tyres
Partially stripped interior
Msport front bumper (SE model car)
I've had a lot of track cars over the years and this has been far the most fun. I would highly recommend one, OP
From the list MX5 is the obvious choice for me. I've had one and had a lot of fun in it but I'm a bit too tall for the Mk2 really, I can't get a helmet on with the roof up which makes it cold on winter track days.
I drive a R53 Mini on track now.
Clios used to be the standard choice but I think they have become less popular on track days recently, I suspect as the prices have been rising and they have become less available.
I drive a R53 Mini on track now.
Clios used to be the standard choice but I think they have become less popular on track days recently, I suspect as the prices have been rising and they have become less available.
1781cc said:
Oh, and if you prefer FWD, you can get a 225 and convert to FWD pretty easily, saving even more weight.
]
Or you could just buy a Seat Leon Cupra R 1.8t which is effectively a FWD Audi TT/S3 with a 225hp engine, alloy lower arms,tt steering rack, brakes an hubs all from the factory and in my opinion is the best of the PQ34 platform VAG cars. ]
However out of the original choices I think the mk3 MR2 is the closest thing to the perfect track car out of the box plus with plenty of scope to improve it. What you could do is buy a MR2 mk3 and a Celica 190 and swap the engines over , the mr2 with 200hp is a huge improvement, shed some weight and improve the suspension and you're not far off a Lotus Exige for 1/8th of the price
All that said the Celica is a very good suggestion, the 190 is great for the track as you can really make use of the high revs, you can swap the LSD from the MR2 gearbox into the Celica to. Speaking of high revs the Honda Civic Type R ep3 is an obvious choice.
bigothunter said:
How could you possibly prefer FWD on the track? 
Depends what you are more comfortable with IMO. I have just bought a Fiesta ST as a track car, I want to have fun, and have much more experience in FWD than RWD, so for me FWD is a good place to start to remove the unknown aspect. As experience builds then I fully expect to convert to RWD at some point.Megaflow said:
bigothunter said:
How could you possibly prefer FWD on the track?
Depends what you are more comfortable with IMO. I have just bought a Fiesta ST as a track car, I want to have fun, and have much more experience in FWD than RWD, so for me FWD is a good place to start to remove the unknown aspect. As experience builds then I fully expect to convert to RWD at some point.
Currently hunting for a track car myself. The price of things has been skyrocketing over lockdown. A couple of MX5's have popped up local to me for £1k with no MOT and welding work required. Anything remotely well-priced is gone same-day. Missed a 1.8T Cupra for £1,100 and I'm gutted. Fiesta STs, Swift Sports, and the like are all well into £2k now. Getting bored of checking the marketplace etc every single day now. Going to miss the track season at this rate.
Yeti97 said:
Currently hunting for a track car myself. The price of things has been skyrocketing over lockdown. A couple of MX5's have popped up local to me for £1k with no MOT and welding work required. Anything remotely well-priced is gone same-day. Missed a 1.8T Cupra for £1,100 and I'm gutted. Fiesta STs, Swift Sports, and the like are all well into £2k now. Getting bored of checking the marketplace etc every single day now. Going to miss the track season at this rate.
This game isn't cheap anyway. You need a realistic purchase budget.Yeti97 said:
Or perhaps lower my expectations massively 
We have just been thorough a cost analysis for 2021. Total average cost for a track day in a budget car is around £700 per event. Race meetings start around £1200 per event. And that's before it blows up, breaks anything or hits the barrier.Whether your track hack costs £1k or £3k is almost irrelevant over a track day season, except the £1k car is unlikely to last many laps or drive properly.
Yeti97 said:
bigothunter said:
Total average cost for a track day in a budget car is around £700 per event.
Would be interested in the breakdown of that. Guessing tyres, pads, ticket cost, fuel and other repairs? bigothunter said:
1781cc said:
Oh, and if you prefer FWD, you can get a 225 and convert to FWD pretty easily, saving even more weight.
How could you possibly prefer FWD on the track? As for the Cupra R... it subjective, but looks awful to me, I find the TT to be a better shape and has a lot of aero related parts available for it as well
aka_kerrly said:
However out of the original choices I think the mk3 MR2 is the closest thing to the perfect track car out of the box plus with plenty of scope to improve it. What you could do is buy a MR2 mk3 and a Celica 190 and swap the engines over , the mr2 with 200hp is a huge improvement, shed some weight and improve the suspension and you're not far off a Lotus Exige for 1/8th of the price
I went with an E46 325ti, but only since it came up locally for cheap. Otherwise was actually looking for a mk3 MR2. Poor man's Lotus. Gassing Station | Track Days | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff