Budget - leftfield maybe, track car suggestions?
Discussion
Myself and a friend have spoken before of buying a track car between us, and have recently brought the subject up again.
We're not racers, and not looking for an out & out, full on track car - as our budget doesn't stretch that far yet.
We're just looking for something that will give us some giggles on track, out of the box - accounting for things like weight saving, sticky tyres and suspension/engine refreshing. Then over time we plan to spend more on the car has time/finances allow.
Looking for something sub £1k.
My suggestions were E30, E36, or something like an 80's hot hatch, Pug 205 GTi, or Golf GTi. With my recent 944 purchase, a 924S was a consideration, but not sure on that one.
A mk2 Golf GTi seems to be one of the more logical choices at the moment, cheap enought to buy and simple to work on. We (well, probably mainly me), will be spannering the car ourselves, so will only cost us parts, but I imagine the Golf will be cheaper to maintain than say an E36.
But still, that aside, I like obscure cars and underdogs - so what else is worth considering for a similar budget?
I still think a 924S would be great, but not convinced my friend is that keen!!
Incidentally, would a mk2 Golf be capable enough with just some stripping of the interior, sticky tyres and a suspension refresh? Or are there better options for similar money?
We're not racers, and not looking for an out & out, full on track car - as our budget doesn't stretch that far yet.
We're just looking for something that will give us some giggles on track, out of the box - accounting for things like weight saving, sticky tyres and suspension/engine refreshing. Then over time we plan to spend more on the car has time/finances allow.
Looking for something sub £1k.
My suggestions were E30, E36, or something like an 80's hot hatch, Pug 205 GTi, or Golf GTi. With my recent 944 purchase, a 924S was a consideration, but not sure on that one.
A mk2 Golf GTi seems to be one of the more logical choices at the moment, cheap enought to buy and simple to work on. We (well, probably mainly me), will be spannering the car ourselves, so will only cost us parts, but I imagine the Golf will be cheaper to maintain than say an E36.
But still, that aside, I like obscure cars and underdogs - so what else is worth considering for a similar budget?
I still think a 924S would be great, but not convinced my friend is that keen!!
Incidentally, would a mk2 Golf be capable enough with just some stripping of the interior, sticky tyres and a suspension refresh? Or are there better options for similar money?
I've had a couple of 850's before (T5 then an 850R). They are cheap to buy, but as a track car I imagine they might start costing you a bit. They're the sort of car that can run well enough day to day with lots of minor problems, but once you start putting them right you'll find that parts can be quite pricey, and with the weight, they are quite heavy on consumables - they are good fun though!
Alfa 155 - that is one I had considered. One of those cars I'd always fancied as well - defnitely one to consider!
Alfa 155 - that is one I had considered. One of those cars I'd always fancied as well - defnitely one to consider!
I'd be thinking of some kind of conversion car that needed finishing off, there's been a few Fiestas with Mondeo engines kicking around on forums recently, they'd probably tickle my tadger enough for a track car. Depends if you want to have it road legal - I think off the shelf I'd be looking into Volvos and Mr2 turbos really
Good suggestions so far guys 
Clio 172 I had considered, I've had a 182 previously and loved it!! Can you get a half decent 172 for £1k?
For Puma has passed through my mind before, but do they not need a few quid thrown at them for track use? A neighbour has one that I think she doesn't use anymore!
A eunos/mx5 would be right up there, but I've not long sold one that was pretty much track ready, so could argue I should have kept it! Although it was worth more than our £1k budget!
Clio 172 I had considered, I've had a 182 previously and loved it!! Can you get a half decent 172 for £1k?
For Puma has passed through my mind before, but do they not need a few quid thrown at them for track use? A neighbour has one that I think she doesn't use anymore!
A eunos/mx5 would be right up there, but I've not long sold one that was pretty much track ready, so could argue I should have kept it! Although it was worth more than our £1k budget!
Merc 190 2.6? 160bhp, rwd, this one is a manual and in budget.
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C400115
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C400115
190e I'd love - again, always fancied one.
Mr2 is actually a good shout, had forgotten how cheap they were now. Ditto with the saxo, when we spoke about it last a saxo vts was top of the list.
I've had another thought - stripped out ATR. I bet they'd be decent on track and will find a few within budget.
Lots of options now - so gives us more chance of finding something within budget!
Mr2 is actually a good shout, had forgotten how cheap they were now. Ditto with the saxo, when we spoke about it last a saxo vts was top of the list.
I've had another thought - stripped out ATR. I bet they'd be decent on track and will find a few within budget.
Lots of options now - so gives us more chance of finding something within budget!
AMH82 said:
Incidentally, would a mk2 Golf be capable enough with just some stripping of the interior, sticky tyres and a suspension refresh? Or are there better options for similar money?
I have a question that I think you should ponder.You said is 'x' car capable enough?
But capable at what exactly?
Track days are not races, there is no podium and no prize money. So any car can be capable on the basis of just needing to drive around a circuit. Although some will cost more or less to maintain to do this.
But think carefully on what you are actually trying to attain. And also think beyond track days. Are you likely to want to actually compete in motorsport events? Obviously there is actual circuit racing, but there are also sprints and hill climbs and even things like Targa rallies and autosolos.
But man of these events will have classes or restrictions for certain types of cars. So if you think there is the remotest possibility of wanting to do more than a track day, it's well worth taking a look before you purchase.
Hallsy01 said:
So last night we agreed to buy a 145 Cloverleaf.
Let the work begin!!!
A couple more points you might want to consider, especially if you are on a lowish budget.Let the work begin!!!
1. Pick a car that is actually cheap and easy to maintain. Meaning parts are plentiful, easy to come by and affordable. I'm not saying this isn't the case with the Alfa, but 145's are certainly not a common sight on the roads these days.
But think, if you are pounding on it, then replacing bushes, arms, track rods are likely to be common occurrences. Can you buy these easily and cheaply?
What about bigger items? If the motor or gearbox lets go, are these easy to source from scrap yards? And even things like bodywork. Running on a race track there is always the risk of an off. If you smash up a front wing, windscreen and bonnet. Are these cost effective items to source and replace?
2. Upgrades. If you want to improve the performance and/or durability of the vehicle. It's a heck of a lot easier to do it with vehicles where someone else has done the hard work already for you. Such as, can you buy off the shelf upgrade parts? And doing your own R&D can be costly, frustrating and disheartening if it goes wrong.
Again, not saying this is the case with the Alfa, I honestly don't know. But these are the sorts of things I'd be wanting answers to, before actually buying.
The Alfa is a 1998.
I suppose in terms of 'capable' I mean how useable on track would the car be, sure, you can have fun in anything on a track within the cars limits, but even so, some cars are better suited than others.
To be honest, this will be our first go at track driving (for me at least) and we just wanted something cheap and fun - without taking it too seriously.
I saw a thread about the 145 the other night and thought 'I remember those!' - mentioned it in passing to my friend and it just so happened there was one for sale up the road from him. A bit of research and a viewing, then a deal was struck.
I'd say even stripped out and used as it is it would be great fun, but yes, plenty of upgrades are available, brakes, suspension, roll bars, roll cage, etc. 2.0 twin spark engines are not exactly rare and there can be bits swapped between other platforms (155, 166 brakes iirc, fiat coupe).
It might not be the best option out there, but it's a bit different and was a straight car with good history, MOT & tax for less than £500.
Once we get started I'll get a thread up
I suppose in terms of 'capable' I mean how useable on track would the car be, sure, you can have fun in anything on a track within the cars limits, but even so, some cars are better suited than others.
To be honest, this will be our first go at track driving (for me at least) and we just wanted something cheap and fun - without taking it too seriously.
I saw a thread about the 145 the other night and thought 'I remember those!' - mentioned it in passing to my friend and it just so happened there was one for sale up the road from him. A bit of research and a viewing, then a deal was struck.
I'd say even stripped out and used as it is it would be great fun, but yes, plenty of upgrades are available, brakes, suspension, roll bars, roll cage, etc. 2.0 twin spark engines are not exactly rare and there can be bits swapped between other platforms (155, 166 brakes iirc, fiat coupe).
It might not be the best option out there, but it's a bit different and was a straight car with good history, MOT & tax for less than £500.
Once we get started I'll get a thread up
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff