Which is the best track day car to hold it's £ value?
Discussion
Hi All,
RESALE VALUE
I want to buy a track day, but I plan to keep it for 12 months. I have a budget of £5,000, but i'd like to get something that will hold its value.
I was told a Golf, but if anyone has any better ideas?
My sole objective is t get a car that won't loose loads of its value after 12 months so maybe someone can let me know what's the best selling most in demand track day car that holds it's value and is.... REALLY easy to re-sell when it comes to me getting rid after 12 months?
Any ideas would be greatly appreciated?
Regards
Henry
RESALE VALUE
I want to buy a track day, but I plan to keep it for 12 months. I have a budget of £5,000, but i'd like to get something that will hold its value.
I was told a Golf, but if anyone has any better ideas?
My sole objective is t get a car that won't loose loads of its value after 12 months so maybe someone can let me know what's the best selling most in demand track day car that holds it's value and is.... REALLY easy to re-sell when it comes to me getting rid after 12 months?
Any ideas would be greatly appreciated?
Regards
Henry
Edited by talktohenry1 on Sunday 15th January 13:35
Trackdays can be a horribly expensive hobby and there is always the chance that you could blow something big up... or even dent something etc.
Even the consumables can really add up...
Not trying to scare you off at all. Its just if you think you can buy a £5k car and just do a £100 trackday a month and then sell it again and not spend to much money you may be very surprised.
Is it just for trackdays? or will you be using it on the road? just thinking a car thats already been prepped for trackdays or even a race car could be an option.
Even the consumables can really add up...
Not trying to scare you off at all. Its just if you think you can buy a £5k car and just do a £100 trackday a month and then sell it again and not spend to much money you may be very surprised.
Is it just for trackdays? or will you be using it on the road? just thinking a car thats already been prepped for trackdays or even a race car could be an option.
Hi Porkie,
Thanks for the reply.
I would like something that I can drive on the road to the circuit ideally. I understand that consumables will cost, but I'd like to buy a car car that has good re-sale demand, that will sell easy when i go to sell it after a year.
I was thinking I can transfer my own insurance for a day so i'm insured for the road journey to the circuit?
Have you any idea what's considered reliable and easy to re-sell in terms of a car that's suitable for track day use?
KR
Henry
Thanks for the reply.
I would like something that I can drive on the road to the circuit ideally. I understand that consumables will cost, but I'd like to buy a car car that has good re-sale demand, that will sell easy when i go to sell it after a year.
I was thinking I can transfer my own insurance for a day so i'm insured for the road journey to the circuit?
Have you any idea what's considered reliable and easy to re-sell in terms of a car that's suitable for track day use?
KR
Henry
Mk2 Golf, E36 BMW, Clio 172/182 and MX-5s are probably the most regularly tracked cheap cars and will always find a buyer.
But don't think for a moment it's anything but a complete money-pit of a hobby.
Effectively, a car which is ready for the road is a poor ride on track...and vice versa. So a standard road car which has had track use could see its value diminished (if a buyer sees any tell-tale signs) and a 'road legal track car' effectively has almost its entire value wiped out because its use is so limited.
Do plenty of research... once you've settled on the car you most fancy, join a marque-specific forum and check out the trackday threads theretoo; see what guys are doing to the cars to get the best from them.
But if you need money back back at the end of a year, get an ISA instead.
But don't think for a moment it's anything but a complete money-pit of a hobby.
Effectively, a car which is ready for the road is a poor ride on track...and vice versa. So a standard road car which has had track use could see its value diminished (if a buyer sees any tell-tale signs) and a 'road legal track car' effectively has almost its entire value wiped out because its use is so limited.
Do plenty of research... once you've settled on the car you most fancy, join a marque-specific forum and check out the trackday threads theretoo; see what guys are doing to the cars to get the best from them.
But if you need money back back at the end of a year, get an ISA instead.
The trouble is, if you want to sell it as a road car and you admit it has been tracked, most buyers will run away and buy another car or offer peanuts. If you sell it as a track car, you'll not recoup your money. I'd go for a track-prepped MX-5 (easily in budget) or Westfield/Locost (you should just get something decent for your money). You're paying for a track car and when you come to sell the buyers won't be worried about the track use. Plus these are light cars and cheap on consumables.
I have an MX-5 myself and a Sylva Riot. Very different cars but both fun on the track, the MX was transformed by a track-biased geometry and road-legal track tyres.
I have an MX-5 myself and a Sylva Riot. Very different cars but both fun on the track, the MX was transformed by a track-biased geometry and road-legal track tyres.
Hi thank you, that's good advice, I think a proper track day car like an MX5 or a Golf seems suitable as long as you all think it's easy to sell again once I want to get rid as I always try buy my cars on what will depreciate the least amount if at all possible. And with a track day in these recessionary days I think I need to be more careful.
I'm worried i get a car, use it for a year, get fed-up of it AS i will, and then end up having to take a bit hit on what I paid when it comes to re-sale.
I'm worried i get a car, use it for a year, get fed-up of it AS i will, and then end up having to take a bit hit on what I paid when it comes to re-sale.
talktohenry1 said:
Hi thank you, that's good advice, I think a proper track day car like an MX5 or a Golf seems suitable as long as you all think it's easy to sell again once I want to get rid as I always try buy my cars on what will depreciate the least amount if at all possible. And with a track day in these recessionary days I think I need to be more careful.
I'm worried i get a car, use it for a year, get fed-up of it AS i will, and then end up having to take a bit hit on what I paid when it comes to re-sale.
Buy one that is already tracked then assuming you don't stuff it or blow it up the resale value will be similar.I'm worried i get a car, use it for a year, get fed-up of it AS i will, and then end up having to take a bit hit on what I paid when it comes to re-sale.
talktohenry1 said:
Hi thank you, that's good advice, I think a proper track day car like an MX5 or a Golf seems suitable as long as you all think it's easy to sell again once I want to get rid as I always try buy my cars on what will depreciate the least amount if at all possible. And with a track day in these recessionary days I think I need to be more careful.
I'm worried i get a car, use it for a year, get fed-up of it AS i will, and then end up having to take a bit hit on what I paid when it comes to re-sale.
You need to bear in mind that a car which has just had all the consumables refreshed will be worth more than one which needs everything doing. Which also then applies to the condition of the car when you come to the end of your attention span.I'm worried i get a car, use it for a year, get fed-up of it AS i will, and then end up having to take a bit hit on what I paid when it comes to re-sale.
I'd go for something like an ex Caterham Academy car from several years ago. They tend to drop to a point then bottom out, they are easy to work on, cheap to run, plenty of parts available and an ideal "my first trackday" car. The only downsides are if you don't really fit in one, or its wet and youve got a 2 hour motorway drive to the trackday.
Thanks matt, the Caterham Academy is out as I want a roof, but something like where you said, ''they hit the bottom in terms of value and don't go much lower'' that's exactly what I'm thinking of finding, but in a tin top! Loads of Golfs on ebay, but they all standard cars and I'd want something that has all the track day mods already...
Not much on piston heads for sale that's suitable at the mo anyway...
Not much on piston heads for sale that's suitable at the mo anyway...
Always AX GT/VTS / Saxo VTS / 106 GTI / 205 GTI / CLIO 182 etc track cars for sale.
almost anything french hot hatch will cost a lot less than what your budget is, cost next to nothing to maintain, have a roof, have good community support when advice is needed etc.
A lot of folk with cars listed above are moving into the MX-5 world, as a cheap RWD track car there will be loads knocking about.
Wasnt that long ago i remember seeing a 230bhp 2.1 vtec 205 for sale, full multipoint cage, buckets &harnesses, slicks, big brakes for about 5k.. Just wish i could find it for myself now lol
Good luck anyway
almost anything french hot hatch will cost a lot less than what your budget is, cost next to nothing to maintain, have a roof, have good community support when advice is needed etc.
A lot of folk with cars listed above are moving into the MX-5 world, as a cheap RWD track car there will be loads knocking about.
Wasnt that long ago i remember seeing a 230bhp 2.1 vtec 205 for sale, full multipoint cage, buckets &harnesses, slicks, big brakes for about 5k.. Just wish i could find it for myself now lol
Good luck anyway
Thanks that's interesting that your saying a lot of people moving into the mx 5 as a track day car. There are loads on ebay too, but i will probably buy from the auction where I buy all my cars at trade price, and I always get low milage clean cars with full service history. I just got my wife a b class last week in Manheim auctions in Manchester.
i'd like to get a track day already prepared car, but on the other hand, there are so many for sale on the general market with low miles for sensible money I may end up just getting a straight car untracked then learn from you guys what's the best mods to make it faster and handle better. The benefit of buying a non track days car is i can get a low milage and I'll know the service history too, and at least when its thrashed on the track, it will be by myself for the first time.
Is it true that the mx 5 is slow on the straights though they great on the corners, i wonder if it's that slow will I get bored or frustrated!
i am amazed at how many mx 5's for sale on ebay, it means I'l have loads of choice anyway that's for sure, but like all cars there will be a colour and model type that's popular and I need to find out this so that have the right particular colour and model when it comes to re- sale. so if there any mx5 experts out there?
Here's a question - does it matter if it's a soft top or roadster for track day use; which one is more suitable for track days?
i'd like to get a track day already prepared car, but on the other hand, there are so many for sale on the general market with low miles for sensible money I may end up just getting a straight car untracked then learn from you guys what's the best mods to make it faster and handle better. The benefit of buying a non track days car is i can get a low milage and I'll know the service history too, and at least when its thrashed on the track, it will be by myself for the first time.
Is it true that the mx 5 is slow on the straights though they great on the corners, i wonder if it's that slow will I get bored or frustrated!
i am amazed at how many mx 5's for sale on ebay, it means I'l have loads of choice anyway that's for sure, but like all cars there will be a colour and model type that's popular and I need to find out this so that have the right particular colour and model when it comes to re- sale. so if there any mx5 experts out there?
Here's a question - does it matter if it's a soft top or roadster for track day use; which one is more suitable for track days?
i've got a 1.6 turbo mx5 with all the right bits and it is a weapon on track (250bhp/ton, full weld in cage, racing suspension/brakes/tyres) one like mine will eat up all of your budget, but you can get 90% for a couple of grand (roll bar/aftermarket suspension and brakes/ little supercharger for a bit more pep, stripped out) and you will have a car that will certainly not embarrass you on track and will always be worth the money whilst being as economical to run as you could possibly expect - replacement engine £200, replacement box £100, discs and pads all round £150, easy home maintenance.
they are popular for a reason.....
they are popular for a reason.....
(LEG), Richard, you mentioned a 'kit' not sure what you mean by that. It seems your saying a soft top is lighter faster and easier on consumables etc., because its lighter? That makes sense...
'Rovermorris999' - also mentioned earlier that ''the MX was transformed by a track-biased geometry'' I'd like to know more about this.
It looks like my best option is a MX 5 soft top, buy it at the auction with as low a mileage as my budget allows.
It then needs some mods, but I assume I can take it on the track with no mods initially and have loads of fun even with mods or will the standard car burn itself up on a track day with standard tyres and brakes?
'Rovermorris999' - also mentioned earlier that ''the MX was transformed by a track-biased geometry'' I'd like to know more about this.
It looks like my best option is a MX 5 soft top, buy it at the auction with as low a mileage as my budget allows.
It then needs some mods, but I assume I can take it on the track with no mods initially and have loads of fun even with mods or will the standard car burn itself up on a track day with standard tyres and brakes?
talktohenry1 said:
(LEG), Richard, you mentioned a 'kit' not sure what you mean by that. It seems your saying a soft top is lighter faster and easier on consumables etc., because its lighter? That makes sense...
'Rovermorris999' - also mentioned earlier that ''the MX was transformed by a track-biased geometry'' I'd like to know more about this.
It looks like my best option is a MX 5 soft top, buy it at the auction with as low a mileage as my budget allows.
It then needs some mods, but I assume I can take it on the track with no mods initially and have loads of fun even with mods or will the standard car burn itself up on a track day with standard tyres and brakes?
don't worry about mileage with mx5s, it is all about condition, rusty rear arches being the only thing that will cause you any (relatively) expensive grief'Rovermorris999' - also mentioned earlier that ''the MX was transformed by a track-biased geometry'' I'd like to know more about this.
It looks like my best option is a MX 5 soft top, buy it at the auction with as low a mileage as my budget allows.
It then needs some mods, but I assume I can take it on the track with no mods initially and have loads of fun even with mods or will the standard car burn itself up on a track day with standard tyres and brakes?
standard engines are totally bomb proof
Geometry:
the geo below is possibly a bit racey, you could ask your man to tone it down a bit if you wanted it a bit less snappy
Rear
Camber: -1 degree
Toe: +30' total
Front
Camber: -1 degree 50'
Castor: + as high as possible, over 4 degrees would be ideal
Toe: - 20'
as mentioned before, the car you need to buy will be ready modded anyway, so going on track with standard brakes and suspension is a moot point as your car will not have it
Good god man, listen.........
Hi Greg D,
I am listening!, but I haven't seen many ads for a prepped track day MX5's for sale yet that's in my budget. I now think I should spend no more than £3,500.
I am saying to buy a standard car (may be an option)in case I can't get one with the mods as even looking through ebay there wasn't any track day cars with the necessary mods on there as yet anyway...
Not saying I won't find one, but the choice is nil at present! Looked on here, ebay, various race car sites etc.
I am listening!, but I haven't seen many ads for a prepped track day MX5's for sale yet that's in my budget. I now think I should spend no more than £3,500.
I am saying to buy a standard car (may be an option)in case I can't get one with the mods as even looking through ebay there wasn't any track day cars with the necessary mods on there as yet anyway...
Not saying I won't find one, but the choice is nil at present! Looked on here, ebay, various race car sites etc.
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