Beginner track car choice

[BlandyM]

I've done a lot of searching already but I'm so stuck on which trackday toy to look for. I know every time track cars get mentioned mx5s are top choice but I'm 6'4 and cannot fit (did try) so small cars are defiantely out. I have done a few track days in my old 306 rallye which was 195bhp and weighed at 998kgs (without driver) and although I'd be the first to admit the car was far more capable than me but I would like to feel like I've "upgraded" with a new toy after selling the pug due to house purchase but hopefully looking to buy in new year so ongoing costs are a big consideration as want something to enjoy not be frightened of breaking etc.

I'm not adverse to any drivetrain still being a novice but I would like something with tuning options so that it can grow with me. I've never had a proper rwd car so that could be a nice learning curve also. Lastly I would also keep it road legal to drive to tracks so after reliable also but it's main focus will be track days.

Cars that spring to mind at the min are

Clio 182 (pos bit small and to similar to my old car)
Clio 197
Megane 225 (mixed reviews not the best looker but apparently capable?)
Leon cupra r
Integra type r
Bmw e36 328 (hear mixed reviews pos underpowered and lack of further tuning)
Bmw e36 m3 (possible high maintenance costs to fully enjoy)
Civic type r ep3
Toyota mr2 rev3 turbo (difficult to tame?)

[Krikkit]

I think a step up from a 306 Rallye (sounds like a nice car btw) would be to look at an E36 328i, they're a very good basis to get a balanced track car; power isn't everything!

[itz_baseline]

You mention ongoing costs being an issue so I would say go with the Integra Type R (ukdm). Bullet proof engine and the fact that its light and runs on 15" wheels means tyres and breaks are silly cheap compared to some of the other stuff mentioned. A set of 4 tyres like Yoko AD08s will only set you back £300. You will probably only get 1 tyre for that if you go with a BMW.

They are great on track and will stick with most things road legal through the twisties. You don't need to be driving at stupid speeds to get the most from it and you will get more satisfaction driving a car 9/10ths on track than maybe an M3 when you aren't confident enough to push more than 5/10ths safely.

[JordanTurbo]

BlandyM said:

Bmw e36 328 (hear mixed reviews pos underpowered and lack of further tuning)

Look into the M50 manifold swap for the 328 engine. Easy mod that releases the extra potential that the engine should have always had.

Edited by JordanTurbo on Sunday 8th December 12:36

[james_gt3rs]

Anything that's light, so you don't mash your brakes and tyres in one track day. So, MX5, MR2, 106GTI etc.

Although if I wasn't paying for tyres I'd love to take an M3 on track

[Billywizz74]

Proton Satria GTI?

[McWigglebum4th]

Weestfield or a caterham

[davemac250]

If you want cheap and durable go down the MX5 route.

[BlandyM]

Thanks for the replays, yes I've looked at the manifold swap etc for the 328 but I believe beyond that there's no real beneficial tuning that's cost effective, but yes as mentioned power isn't everything but is it enough? Although I've seen some vids on YouTube of a guy in a prepped 328 round the ring which is very impressive

Integra is a positive choice to but are they really as reliable as people say as price wise there up the higher end of the budget but all have lot of miles which I guess proves reliability to some extent I guess lol

[BlandyM]

Again mx5 and small cars are not going to happen there far to small having sat in a mx5 last night I could just about drive it physically but my eye line is level with the roof

I'm guessing websites and caterams will be a similar problem

[davepoth]

BlandyM said:

Again mx5 and small cars are not going to happen there far to small having sat in a mx5 last night I could just about drive it physically but my eye line is level with the roof

I'm guessing websites and caterams will be a similar problem

It is possible to lower the seat a few inches. Doing this sort of modfication will cost a couple of hundred pounds, and will probably get you sorted.

http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/lowerin...

[BlandyM]

Yeah but I still wouldn't feel comfortable driving to track days etc I'm afraid, I think as a trailered track car it could be do able but I think something a bit bigger would be better

[McWigglebum4th]

BlandyM said:

Again mx5 and small cars are not going to happen there far to small having sat in a mx5 last night I could just about drive it physically but my eye line is level with the roof

I'm guessing websites and caterams will be a similar problem

This is where you guess wrong

Take the seat out of a caterham or a westfield and making a racing bag seat and you have loads or room

[BlandyM]

Interesting point but still not the cars for me I'm afraid.

How about the Leon and he megane etc how would they compare to the likes of the 328?

[itz_baseline]

BlandyM said:

Thanks for the replays, yes I've looked at the manifold swap etc for the 328 but I believe beyond that there's no real beneficial tuning that's cost effective, but yes as mentioned power isn't everything but is it enough? Although I've seen some vids on YouTube of a guy in a prepped 328 round the ring which is very impressive

Integra is a positive choice to but are they really as reliable as people say as price wise there up the higher end of the budget but all have lot of miles which I guess proves reliability to some extent I guess lol

Yep plenty of Integras out there with 150k+ miles on them, so if you track one down with only 70k miles on you car drive it silly for another 10 years. Plus I think they are pretty much depreciation free. I have a 70k mile Integra I might part with as I have a hankering for a 911 turbo.

Pm me if interested.....

[BlandyM]

I used to have a rev2 turbo few years back but was more of a show car than anything else I did love it and it felt very quick and was nice to drive tbh its just the horror stories of people losing them which put me off but is it something you can adjust to I.e I'm guessing once it's mastered it could be a very very quick track car in the right hands

[Freddy88FM]

I have a 106 GTi, my 6ft 8 friend can drive it fine ... my advice would be to look at one - cheap and a hoot on a track.

[BlandyM]

Wow I wouldn't of imagined that in my 306 I had to cut the transmission tunnel skin out a little to sit the seat right down for when I had a helmet on so just assumed that cars like the 106 and 205 are out of my size lol

Here's the 306





I did fit fine with standard seats it's just with a helmet on I only had a hands width between my helmet and the roof/cage so I dropped it to give as much clearance as pos. I have driven a saxo vtr back in the day and yes I did fit but it was tight and from memory the pedals were more of a issue than anything else with size 12 feet

[Zeemax_Mini]

I'm 6'4" too and have an MX5 for the track, don't have any real problems with it...I guess maybe I just slouch down a bit but don't notice (perhaps my legs are longer and body shorter or something). I have the seat as far back as it'll go but don't find it a problem at all, and it is fantastic fun on the track!

Dom

[samdale]

MR2 turbo.

Horror stories over exaggerated referring to rev 1 cars, suspension revision on later models.

Tuning potential. Check.

Get a t-bar if you have trouble fitting in