Performance and track cars in 2026
Discussion
I'm in a bit of a pickle... I've been doing trackdays for several years now, first in cheap 3 series, then a z4, a 986 boxster and now a 987 boxster. Which by most admissions have been great track cars.
However, im now starting to get the itch to try something else, and want a step up in performance on track. Now in days gone by, to go much faster than 300bhp, meant fairly serious sportscars, the likes of a 911, r8, perhaps a tvr, that kinda thing. But... nowadays, that level of power is easily attainable from modern turbocharged stuff, various M or M lite bmws, audi RS, and so on.
I guess my query is, is there still greater enjoyment to be gained from an ultimately slower, naturally aspirated, mid engined sportscar from the 2000s, or should I just join the crowd with a cheap modern turbocharged car?
As an example, I can spend £35-40k on a R8 V8, or £15k on a tuned TT-RS/ M240i which would be just as fast. Are they actually fun to drive?
It seems that at a trackday these days, everyone is in relatively modern turbocharged stuff, no one drives older naturally aspirated stuff. But for someone who values a great soundtrack combined with a manual gearbox (which a lot of more modern stuff doesn't have) am i holding on to the past unnecessarily?
What would you buy? Old school n/a manual, or turbocharged flappy paddle?
Ps lightweight stuff like elises and Caterhams are out, I do occasionally take my missus away for the weekend, so it needs a roof and a boot.
However, im now starting to get the itch to try something else, and want a step up in performance on track. Now in days gone by, to go much faster than 300bhp, meant fairly serious sportscars, the likes of a 911, r8, perhaps a tvr, that kinda thing. But... nowadays, that level of power is easily attainable from modern turbocharged stuff, various M or M lite bmws, audi RS, and so on.
I guess my query is, is there still greater enjoyment to be gained from an ultimately slower, naturally aspirated, mid engined sportscar from the 2000s, or should I just join the crowd with a cheap modern turbocharged car?
As an example, I can spend £35-40k on a R8 V8, or £15k on a tuned TT-RS/ M240i which would be just as fast. Are they actually fun to drive?
It seems that at a trackday these days, everyone is in relatively modern turbocharged stuff, no one drives older naturally aspirated stuff. But for someone who values a great soundtrack combined with a manual gearbox (which a lot of more modern stuff doesn't have) am i holding on to the past unnecessarily?
What would you buy? Old school n/a manual, or turbocharged flappy paddle?
Ps lightweight stuff like elises and Caterhams are out, I do occasionally take my missus away for the weekend, so it needs a roof and a boot.
If you’re using as a road car also then modern stuff I’d say. What about some M car with a manual like a 240? Can tune for all the power you want/suspension mods, rear wheel fun and perfectly usable day to day.
I’d assume an R8 V10 manual for instance would be more fun if not ultimately much faster but would be massively more expensive to run, the modern stuff is relatively cheap and also highly reliable most of the time.
I’d assume an R8 V10 manual for instance would be more fun if not ultimately much faster but would be massively more expensive to run, the modern stuff is relatively cheap and also highly reliable most of the time.
We had a similar dilemma recently, came from a well sorted SC Elise, but wanted more practicality and ease of getting in and out now getting older
We looked at mx-5 RF 30th anniversary, with the view of getting it sorted buy a few choice BBR bits either SC or NA. Didn t initially gel with it, maybe needed to drive a post sorted one
A lot of the Lotus owners have started going over to the A110, so when we were at Biscter heritage in August we came home via Alpine Banbury to take a look, short story shorter , a test drive in a S and deal was done there and then, as cheesey as it is, it s exactly as I thought a replacement to an Elise should be, really impressed with it. Dynamicly it’s fantastic great place to be in and we’re finding that we use it now more than the Elise which turned into a TD only outing car, it’s surprisingly quick feels much faster than the figures on paper suggest, was not sure on going flappy paddle but to be fair the gearbox is great to use and track mode is great as you have to interact with it.
Done a few upgrades and a good geo.
have done two TDs in it so far one at Snetterton and one at Bedford, only thing to upgraded are breaks now and suspension in time thinking nitron R3 s
Jon seal (fridaypassion on here)has his personal car for sale which is well sorted as you would expect at a great price
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/19327835
We looked at mx-5 RF 30th anniversary, with the view of getting it sorted buy a few choice BBR bits either SC or NA. Didn t initially gel with it, maybe needed to drive a post sorted one
A lot of the Lotus owners have started going over to the A110, so when we were at Biscter heritage in August we came home via Alpine Banbury to take a look, short story shorter , a test drive in a S and deal was done there and then, as cheesey as it is, it s exactly as I thought a replacement to an Elise should be, really impressed with it. Dynamicly it’s fantastic great place to be in and we’re finding that we use it now more than the Elise which turned into a TD only outing car, it’s surprisingly quick feels much faster than the figures on paper suggest, was not sure on going flappy paddle but to be fair the gearbox is great to use and track mode is great as you have to interact with it.
Done a few upgrades and a good geo.
have done two TDs in it so far one at Snetterton and one at Bedford, only thing to upgraded are breaks now and suspension in time thinking nitron R3 s
Jon seal (fridaypassion on here)has his personal car for sale which is well sorted as you would expect at a great price
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/19327835
Edited by matt5964 on Sunday 21st December 16:44
I do really like the alpines... perhaps they do offer the driving enjoyment im after even if not necessarily the soundtrack or the heel and toe, which I might miss.
Other possible option is a newer cayman s - while it would be a step up from my boxster with a bit of extra power, its still a long way short of what a turbocharged car can muster for less money.
Another vote might be for a e92 m3... gets the power, revs and multi cylinder I crave, but at a lower price point now and doesn't feel like I've turned to the dark side with a turbo.
Other possible option is a newer cayman s - while it would be a step up from my boxster with a bit of extra power, its still a long way short of what a turbocharged car can muster for less money.
Another vote might be for a e92 m3... gets the power, revs and multi cylinder I crave, but at a lower price point now and doesn't feel like I've turned to the dark side with a turbo.
brillomaster said:
I do really like the alpines... perhaps they do offer the driving enjoyment im after even if not necessarily the soundtrack or the heel and toe, which I might miss.
Other possible option is a newer cayman s - while it would be a step up from my boxster with a bit of extra power, its still a long way short of what a turbocharged car can muster for less money.
Another vote might be for a e92 m3... gets the power, revs and multi cylinder I crave, but at a lower price point now and doesn't feel like I've turned to the dark side with a turbo.
With our thought process we factored in consumables cost and servicing etc, which put out modern Porsche even though I have longed for a gt4 since they came out and as soon as I was in the position to get one, I looked they other way as could not stomach the costs, that took out the BMWs as well, other thing was did not like the weight they carried and preferred the feel of a lightweight steed, not after laptimes, just want to enjoy the day and do the driving and not the computer getting me roundOther possible option is a newer cayman s - while it would be a step up from my boxster with a bit of extra power, its still a long way short of what a turbocharged car can muster for less money.
Another vote might be for a e92 m3... gets the power, revs and multi cylinder I crave, but at a lower price point now and doesn't feel like I've turned to the dark side with a turbo.
what about a 997.2 with more track-focused fancy dampers and a good fast road and track geo? Manual, n/a, space for weekend trips and a new driving experience after the mid-engined cars. It'll also be lighter (or at least just as light) as newer high-powered turbo hot-hatch, so bhp per tonne is probably similar and as a weekend car, I would much rather drive the 911.
Hmmm not many manual 997.2s around, but it is a good shout. Keep the flat 6, manual, but have a decent chunk of poke and lightness. Plus reliable engines. Will have a look.
There aren't many manual m240s, but there is one for sale currently for £11K. which is huge potential for the money...
There aren't many manual m240s, but there is one for sale currently for £11K. which is huge potential for the money...
brillomaster said:
I”Another vote might be for a e92 m3... gets the power, revs and multi cylinder I crave, but at a lower price point now and doesn't feel like I've turned to the dark side with a turbo.
I’ve had a lot of track cars over the years and recently bought a E92 ‘Clubsport’ spec. Great cars, I’m very impressed.Well just tried a gen 1 audi R8 and... I don't really fit with a helmet on. So that's out... which while sad, is probably for the best. It would be an expensive car to take on track, I'd likely be better off with a cheaper alternative.
Also considering a 370z... manual, v6, decent slug of power, relatively affordable.
Also considering a 370z... manual, v6, decent slug of power, relatively affordable.
Evora S maybe could work. Next LoT trackday i should try and get a ride in one, wonder if it would be too low. But surely can't fault the driving dynamics of any lotus.
M2/M3/M4... no offence if you drive one but... id really like to go down a different route, there's an image of a bmw m driver on trackdays that's... not really what I resonate with.
M2/M3/M4... no offence if you drive one but... id really like to go down a different route, there's an image of a bmw m driver on trackdays that's... not really what I resonate with.
brillomaster said:
Evora S maybe could work. Next LoT trackday i should try and get a ride in one, wonder if it would be too low. But surely can't fault the driving dynamics of any lotus.
M2/M3/M4... no offence if you drive one but... id really like to go down a different route, there's an image of a bmw m driver on trackdays that's... not really what I resonate with.
Yes you'd definitely want an Evora S rather than NA for the performance you're after - they seem to hold their value decently-well too, and are certainly a 997.2 competitor (which is also a great shout). M2/M3/M4... no offence if you drive one but... id really like to go down a different route, there's an image of a bmw m driver on trackdays that's... not really what I resonate with.
brillomaster said:
Other possible option is a newer cayman s - while it would be a step up from my boxster with a bit of extra power, its still a long way short of what a turbocharged car can muster for less money.
As a road car my 718s is absolutely superb, can’t think of anything I would prefer. As a track car it feels a little too road biased (in the dry, it is very good in the wet) but some suspension and brakes would sort that out so I guess if you are comparing to other cars with light chassis mods the Cayman should be right up there. Got to say that the Alpines are a lovely alternative, if possibly a bit more flimsy feeling.
Been discussing this with some friends who have a cayman and a pair of vx220s... they pointed out that after a porsche, the only things are on a par is another porsche, or a lotus. So its likely either an evora S or a cayman is probably what id have next.
Or, I sack the whole thing off and keep thrashing my already brilliant, 120k miles boxster, which is probably only now worth £7k, but happily worries most things on a trackday, especially in the wet.
Or, I sack the whole thing off and keep thrashing my already brilliant, 120k miles boxster, which is probably only now worth £7k, but happily worries most things on a trackday, especially in the wet.
This is a hard one. I agree with Steve. It’s hard to get a car that does two jobs. The Alpine or GT4 are probably the best at doing the two you want to do.
I have a 996.1 which is setup for the road, but, was far too soft when I tried it on track.
Can you store two cars?
A Caterham 420r and 986 would fit your budget.
I have a 996.1 which is setup for the road, but, was far too soft when I tried it on track.
Can you store two cars?
A Caterham 420r and 986 would fit your budget.
Great question. I guess the first thing to note is that faster doesn't always mean better. Otherwise, you'd be asking which is the best EV and you haven't mentioned any EVs. For the best all round experience, I'd think more about how something behaves on track. A FWD 300bhp hatchback would be the least interesting to me. Sure, it might lap a TVR Chimaera round a track but I know who will be having much more fun and it won't be the guy picking up his wife and kids in the same car later.
I'd definitely be tempted by a 2WD 911 of some kind - you can really explore the benefits of having a RWD rear-engined car in a relatively safe environment with the driver aids switched off!
I'd definitely be tempted by a 2WD 911 of some kind - you can really explore the benefits of having a RWD rear-engined car in a relatively safe environment with the driver aids switched off!
Suspension secrets have been doing a series of you tube videos based on a 718 GT4 that's turned into a fairly rapid trackday tool with Suspension alignment and geometry being the main focus obviously. You can still have a road car that drives to and from the track with ease.
Evora was a good shout, bargain in comparison to a 718 GT4 and probably cheaper to run for brakes and pads etc.
I've had various iterations of trackday fun from a trailered only Gardner Douglas T70 which was often one of the fastest cars on trackdays (other than radicals) and took the abuse in its stride, to cheap stuff like mx5 and mk3 mr2 which in fairness were just as much fun and could be driven without concern for value etc.
There's a certain assurance to trailering your choice of car to/from if its a second car as opposed to something you have to make sure gets you home, but the flipside is obviously the extra hassle towing etc.
I've driven an Atom on track , very impressive if a bit cold and breezy, might limit you to decent weather days only. A friend has an rapid Honda engined Elise which is fab on track but at the limit of comfort/usable on long trips.
The Alpine mentioned would be a decent shout too, if you did want modern turbocharged, not sure how robust they are as yet but they certainly drive and handle brilliantly.
Evora was a good shout, bargain in comparison to a 718 GT4 and probably cheaper to run for brakes and pads etc.
I've had various iterations of trackday fun from a trailered only Gardner Douglas T70 which was often one of the fastest cars on trackdays (other than radicals) and took the abuse in its stride, to cheap stuff like mx5 and mk3 mr2 which in fairness were just as much fun and could be driven without concern for value etc.
There's a certain assurance to trailering your choice of car to/from if its a second car as opposed to something you have to make sure gets you home, but the flipside is obviously the extra hassle towing etc.
I've driven an Atom on track , very impressive if a bit cold and breezy, might limit you to decent weather days only. A friend has an rapid Honda engined Elise which is fab on track but at the limit of comfort/usable on long trips.
The Alpine mentioned would be a decent shout too, if you did want modern turbocharged, not sure how robust they are as yet but they certainly drive and handle brilliantly.
Edited by 200Plus Club on Friday 26th December 08:11
Edited by 200Plus Club on Friday 26th December 08:21
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