£3000 - £4000 track friendly daily
Discussion
Posting this on behalf of a mate who isn't on here...
He is in the process of selling a Mk3 FRS and is now looking to spend £3-4k on a second car, which will be used on track throughout the year. The only requirements are that it can be driven to and from work, then given a spanking on track.
At the moment, it looks like a toss up between an FN2 Type R (EP3 's are too expensive now) and a Clio 182.
Where would your money be in today's prices?
He is in the process of selling a Mk3 FRS and is now looking to spend £3-4k on a second car, which will be used on track throughout the year. The only requirements are that it can be driven to and from work, then given a spanking on track.
At the moment, it looks like a toss up between an FN2 Type R (EP3 's are too expensive now) and a Clio 182.
Where would your money be in today's prices?
Some thoughts to try cover all bases:
The FN2 feels a much more premium car than the Clio, and is more practical for its enormous load space. Vtec is great, and I think its possibly the best looking Civic. I think the Clio looks great too though and feels more grunty lower down, but it does feel small and wouldn't want to be in the back of one. The stereo in the Civic is crap, and the ride is choppy, although you'll get used to it until you drive something else. The Clio stereo is surprisingly good, and rides far better. Seating position in both is often noted for being too high, though in reality only obviously so in the Clio I thought.
I've driven both (but only owned the FN2), and as for more track work, I'd buy the Clio, for more daily work, the Civic.
They both handle brilliantly, and you can ignore the Clarkson s
te about the FN2. I think the Civic is probably a bit quicker, at least in a straight line, although the Clio is agile, more responsive in the corners and less prone to understeer. Clio tyres will be easier on the wallet as they can be fitted with much smaller wheels.
They both seem reliable, although both have certain common problems which can usually be sorted easily enough. Gearboxes seem a bit weak for both cars and are known for a crunching third gear.
Test drive both and see what works for you, whichever you get I think you'll be happy.
The FN2 feels a much more premium car than the Clio, and is more practical for its enormous load space. Vtec is great, and I think its possibly the best looking Civic. I think the Clio looks great too though and feels more grunty lower down, but it does feel small and wouldn't want to be in the back of one. The stereo in the Civic is crap, and the ride is choppy, although you'll get used to it until you drive something else. The Clio stereo is surprisingly good, and rides far better. Seating position in both is often noted for being too high, though in reality only obviously so in the Clio I thought.
I've driven both (but only owned the FN2), and as for more track work, I'd buy the Clio, for more daily work, the Civic.
They both handle brilliantly, and you can ignore the Clarkson s
te about the FN2. I think the Civic is probably a bit quicker, at least in a straight line, although the Clio is agile, more responsive in the corners and less prone to understeer. Clio tyres will be easier on the wallet as they can be fitted with much smaller wheels. They both seem reliable, although both have certain common problems which can usually be sorted easily enough. Gearboxes seem a bit weak for both cars and are known for a crunching third gear.
Test drive both and see what works for you, whichever you get I think you'll be happy.
Edited by Pebbles167 on Monday 4th October 10:39
Clio 172/182 are cracking, I bought one to do as your friend is doing, odd trackday and daily drive.
Kept the full interior, set of decent coilovers, brake pads and tyres and they're a hoot.
Mine's actually for sale now, all the above still fitted £2.8k, 115k miles, just had all belts and service items done this year, Flame Red 172 in great nick, if he wants to give me a shout.
Kept the full interior, set of decent coilovers, brake pads and tyres and they're a hoot.
Mine's actually for sale now, all the above still fitted £2.8k, 115k miles, just had all belts and service items done this year, Flame Red 172 in great nick, if he wants to give me a shout.
I have a 182 track car and dailied it for quite some time.
It's a bloody brilliant car and is really impressive on track. I may be wrong but I would have thought it would be much quicker than an FN2 on track, especially with a bit of lightening.
They handle so well and as I'm a novice I feel mostly that I'm not about to suddenly crash which was why I went FWD for first track car.
Parts and work on the car is cheap too. And if you kept it relatively stock they are appreciating a little now too.
All of the above being said it will 100% be the less practical and safe car as they are small and not exactly plush in any way shape or form
But they are sooo much fun to drive. I'm getting rid of my Z4Coupe 3.0si and part of the reason is that I never wanted to drive it since I had the clio. Its just so much more engaging.
It's a bloody brilliant car and is really impressive on track. I may be wrong but I would have thought it would be much quicker than an FN2 on track, especially with a bit of lightening.
They handle so well and as I'm a novice I feel mostly that I'm not about to suddenly crash which was why I went FWD for first track car.
Parts and work on the car is cheap too. And if you kept it relatively stock they are appreciating a little now too.
All of the above being said it will 100% be the less practical and safe car as they are small and not exactly plush in any way shape or form
But they are sooo much fun to drive. I'm getting rid of my Z4Coupe 3.0si and part of the reason is that I never wanted to drive it since I had the clio. Its just so much more engaging.
Z4MCSL said:
I have a 182 track car and dailied it for quite some time.
It's a bloody brilliant car and is really impressive on track. I may be wrong but I would have thought it would be much quicker than an FN2 on track, especially with a bit of lightening.
They handle so well and as I'm a novice I feel mostly that I'm not about to suddenly crash which was why I went FWD for first track car.
Parts and work on the car is cheap too. And if you kept it relatively stock they are appreciating a little now too.
All of the above being said it will 100% be the less practical and safe car as they are small and not exactly plush in any way shape or form
But they are sooo much fun to drive. I'm getting rid of my Z4Coupe 3.0si and part of the reason is that I never wanted to drive it since I had the clio. Its just so much more engaging.
Quite the opposite in my experience, I've had and tracked a 172cup, a 182 and an FN2 and the Civics engine felt a fair bit stronger.It's a bloody brilliant car and is really impressive on track. I may be wrong but I would have thought it would be much quicker than an FN2 on track, especially with a bit of lightening.
They handle so well and as I'm a novice I feel mostly that I'm not about to suddenly crash which was why I went FWD for first track car.
Parts and work on the car is cheap too. And if you kept it relatively stock they are appreciating a little now too.
All of the above being said it will 100% be the less practical and safe car as they are small and not exactly plush in any way shape or form
But they are sooo much fun to drive. I'm getting rid of my Z4Coupe 3.0si and part of the reason is that I never wanted to drive it since I had the clio. Its just so much more engaging.
Just my opinion of course.
The 182 is the pick but with prices of those being strong, I'd also look at 197 Cups:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/224620585060?hash=item3...
F1
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110028...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/224620585060?hash=item3...
F1
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110028...
SBF said:
Clio 172/182 are cracking, I bought one to do as your friend is doing, odd trackday and daily drive.
Kept the full interior, set of decent coilovers, brake pads and tyres and they're a hoot.
Mine's actually for sale now, all the above still fitted £2.8k, 115k miles, just had all belts and service items done this year, Flame Red 172 in great nick, if he wants to give me a shout.
Thanks for that, are you able to send the link for the advert and I'll pass it on? Thanks Kept the full interior, set of decent coilovers, brake pads and tyres and they're a hoot.
Mine's actually for sale now, all the above still fitted £2.8k, 115k miles, just had all belts and service items done this year, Flame Red 172 in great nick, if he wants to give me a shout.
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