MX5 as track toy - your help please
Discussion
I am going to buy an MX5 as a track toy - I would really appreciate any advice you all have on what to look for, what price range, whether to buy it already track prepped (I have been offered one ready to go with rollcage etc for 4.5k). I am not mechanically skilled so would have to pay for any track prepping rather than doing it myself.
All thoughts welcome
All thoughts welcome
I made this decision a year ago and came to the conclusion that you have 2 choices.
either
a) buy a Mk1 1.6 and make use of the MX5 race series knowledge that exists out there. End up with an extremely well prepped track focused car or possibly even buy one that has been raced - this may lead you to entering in a race series which might be what you want to do...?
or
b) buy a Mk2 1.8iS which comes with a limited slip diff and more ponies under the bonnet. Not in a race series in the UK, no real track prep stuff for it (harder to get a full cage etc) but probably a better car for several reasons.
I went for option b) and bought a ginger 1.8iS with the diff for £1100 a year ago. It has since had new brakes (calipers, discs and pads) all round and several fixes (clutch,exhaust etc) as well as a K&N LoudFilter...
It has been thrashed to within an inch of it's life doing 3 Trackdays, 8 Autosolos and 4 double driven Targa rallies.
I don't know what it would be like on a summer track day as all mine were winter ones. In winter, when everyone else is treading carefully, the Mazda just keeps going all day.....
Chuffin Brilliant car....should have bought it years ago.
Bob
either
a) buy a Mk1 1.6 and make use of the MX5 race series knowledge that exists out there. End up with an extremely well prepped track focused car or possibly even buy one that has been raced - this may lead you to entering in a race series which might be what you want to do...?
or
b) buy a Mk2 1.8iS which comes with a limited slip diff and more ponies under the bonnet. Not in a race series in the UK, no real track prep stuff for it (harder to get a full cage etc) but probably a better car for several reasons.
I went for option b) and bought a ginger 1.8iS with the diff for £1100 a year ago. It has since had new brakes (calipers, discs and pads) all round and several fixes (clutch,exhaust etc) as well as a K&N LoudFilter...
It has been thrashed to within an inch of it's life doing 3 Trackdays, 8 Autosolos and 4 double driven Targa rallies.
I don't know what it would be like on a summer track day as all mine were winter ones. In winter, when everyone else is treading carefully, the Mazda just keeps going all day.....
Chuffin Brilliant car....should have bought it years ago.
Bob
And that is the most important question really. What do you actually want to do with it?
For a race car, if you want to be competitive, you will want a full roll cage, racing buckets, fully striped out interior, best suspension you can get etc. and all while making sure the changes comply with the regulations of your chosen race series. It would most likely end up being a dedicated race car that you wouldn't want to take on the road even if it could pass an mot.
For autosolo or sprinting you don't need to take it as far, in fact you will probably need to keep it road legal. There will still be regulations as to what you can change.
If it's just for fun track days then the world is your lobster. Most operators want the car to be road legal.
Which modifications would help you most depends on your driving standard and skills and experience. While a fully sorted track car would undoubtedly be a serious track weapon that could embarrass a lot of more expensive machinery, you might not have any more real fun than if it was stock or just lightly nodded. For example, on my last track day I had great fun driving a mk1 1.6 with Gas Gold Pro shocks, rear roll hoop, very cheapo buckets and road tyres. The car cost us £750 about 6 years ago and other than the above is standard. I usually have more fun driving that on track than my 245bhp supercharged mk2.5 which also has rear hoops and Gaz Gold Pro, mostly because I'm happier to chuck it around without being concerned about bending it.
For a race car, if you want to be competitive, you will want a full roll cage, racing buckets, fully striped out interior, best suspension you can get etc. and all while making sure the changes comply with the regulations of your chosen race series. It would most likely end up being a dedicated race car that you wouldn't want to take on the road even if it could pass an mot.
For autosolo or sprinting you don't need to take it as far, in fact you will probably need to keep it road legal. There will still be regulations as to what you can change.
If it's just for fun track days then the world is your lobster. Most operators want the car to be road legal.
Which modifications would help you most depends on your driving standard and skills and experience. While a fully sorted track car would undoubtedly be a serious track weapon that could embarrass a lot of more expensive machinery, you might not have any more real fun than if it was stock or just lightly nodded. For example, on my last track day I had great fun driving a mk1 1.6 with Gas Gold Pro shocks, rear roll hoop, very cheapo buckets and road tyres. The car cost us £750 about 6 years ago and other than the above is standard. I usually have more fun driving that on track than my 245bhp supercharged mk2.5 which also has rear hoops and Gaz Gold Pro, mostly because I'm happier to chuck it around without being concerned about bending it.
I just want to get something I can track race at 10/10ths and not worry if it gets mashed up. I'm not sure I really even need to care about roll cages etc. Where is the best place to buy an MX5 where you dont give a s
t about paintwork, stereo erc and just want something mechanically sound to turn into a track slag?
t about paintwork, stereo erc and just want something mechanically sound to turn into a track slag?Still not sure what you want. You say "something to track race" and then say you aren't sure you need a roll cage. Are you expecting to race it or just drive it on track days? If its track days there is no racing at all, all overtaking is by consent. If its racing then you will need a roll cage. If its autosolo or sprinting then its a different set of requirements.
sorry - no - just track days. I'm still quite new to it all. I have tracked my s2000 for a year and half now and had amazing times,but I am always aware that I dont want to smash it up so never feel confident enough to give it 10/tenths. I want to buy an MX5 track slag that I can relax with on track enough to really give it full beans. I will be a strictly weekend track person, no proper racing or comps.
and let's not have any "hey-track days are fine - take your pride and joy out and just enjoy it" posts. I have only been doing track days since march this year and have seen awful 2 car smash ups (bedford autodrome) , and cars in the wall (Brands Hatch and Oulton) in that time. I want to get a cheap MX5 that I can enjoy and drive to the limit and be relaxed about potential dangers. and wallet rape
If you're interested in playing with the car on/over the limits and not bothered about trying to 'beat' people in other cars then a bog standard one on regular road tyres will do the trick.
Just make sure the brakes are in healthy condition (fresh fluid and plenty of meat on the pads), and get the wheel alignment/geo set up so it handles like it should.
If you want to spend a bit more then a half cage does stiffen the chassis up nicely and give that extra safety margin if you do happen to fall over though, and a bucket seat gives a lot more support in the corners.
Just make sure the brakes are in healthy condition (fresh fluid and plenty of meat on the pads), and get the wheel alignment/geo set up so it handles like it should.
If you want to spend a bit more then a half cage does stiffen the chassis up nicely and give that extra safety margin if you do happen to fall over though, and a bucket seat gives a lot more support in the corners.
Edited by GravelBen on Tuesday 26th November 08:12
While the above is true, if you've been tracking an S2k for 18 months then you will probably want something that rolls a bit less than standard suspension so I'd say you should look for something with uprated suspension. The alternative is to get uprated suspension fitted yourself but that's the more expensive route.
I do know what you mean about not wanting to damage your S2k though as I get the same thing with my MX5 which is why I am part owner of a dirt cheap Mk1 track dog
I do still track my own car but I don't feel as relaxed about chucking it around as I do in the Mk1.
I do know what you mean about not wanting to damage your S2k though as I get the same thing with my MX5 which is why I am part owner of a dirt cheap Mk1 track dog
I do still track my own car but I don't feel as relaxed about chucking it around as I do in the Mk1.I would check mx5nutz - theres usually a few cheaper cars for sale that would be a good base for a track car. Bit scruffy but has all the right elements. Spend a bit more and get a car with the cage etc already in though tbh. If you want something thats a bit more potent then the money is going to go up a fair whack if considering something thats been turbo'd or charged.
I would not even botrher looking at standard cars unless you are prepared to throw time and money into it. Plus you will quickly tire of the body roll etc.
I would not even botrher looking at standard cars unless you are prepared to throw time and money into it. Plus you will quickly tire of the body roll etc.
Yup, even on the sport Blisteins mine ducks and dives on the brakes. I spent a lot of time on the door handles throgh the corners.
It just means I take liberties on the exits and kurbs :-)
(Im getting some HSDs fitting next week!).
Advice the OP (you asked one post above).
Make sure get one with a decent diff, most 1.8s have them, some 1.6s has viscous diffs or are just open.
Mx5 Nutz will inform you.
Rust: is not as bad as people say to repair, £200/side.
Mk2 (like mine) can have serious chasis rail rot.
Good luck, and enjoy.
It just means I take liberties on the exits and kurbs :-)
(Im getting some HSDs fitting next week!).
Advice the OP (you asked one post above).
Make sure get one with a decent diff, most 1.8s have them, some 1.6s has viscous diffs or are just open.
Mx5 Nutz will inform you.
Rust: is not as bad as people say to repair, £200/side.
Mk2 (like mine) can have serious chasis rail rot.
Good luck, and enjoy.
MX-5 Lazza said:
Rust repairs for £200 a side can be done but in most cases that means a patch-repair which will only cover up the rust rather than fix it properly so it will be back very soon. To get the job done properly I'd expect to be paying a fair bit more than that.
I just paid £600 a side for a full on sill and new arches job for reference...I look after both road and track MX5s. Watch for rust, the issue can be straightforward, but can be very serious indeed. I have had two 2003 cars in in two weeks, one was £400 to fix, the other £1500, such was the extent of the corrosion. From a track prep point of view, it is generally cheaper to buy one done unless you do not plan to modify too much.
Flatinfourth said:
I look after both road and track MX5s. Watch for rust, the issue can be straightforward, but can be very serious indeed. I have had two 2003 cars in in two weeks, one was £400 to fix, the other £1500, such was the extent of the corrosion. From a track prep point of view, it is generally cheaper to buy one done unless you do not plan to modify too much.
Do you sell them? PM me if soMy advice would be to get at least a half cage if you're planning on doing track days. Get a eunos and it'll likely have a diff (I've yet to see one which doesn't), a 1.8 will have a Torsen which locks better (but is snappier) than a vlsd. Standard shocks will be soft on track, so would get bilsteins as a minimum. S-specials have more underbody bracing which will help as well.
Also be advised that you may not fit with the hood up and a helmet on, I'm 5'10" and I don't:
This guy is an old family friend and has had a few track ready cars up for sale recently. He fully restores them, including a full respray if necessary. He'll probably put one together for you if you know what you want: http://www.bordermx5s.com/cars-for-sale.html
Also be advised that you may not fit with the hood up and a helmet on, I'm 5'10" and I don't:
This guy is an old family friend and has had a few track ready cars up for sale recently. He fully restores them, including a full respray if necessary. He'll probably put one together for you if you know what you want: http://www.bordermx5s.com/cars-for-sale.html
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