New track day car - would this be any good (to £5k)

[NeilPot]

Hi all,

My son is looking to start track days Abby has found this..

An MGF of all cars. He’s a limited budget as a beginner and is 19 yo, has a job and wants to think he can get into some basic mechanics etc.

https://m.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1239328980...

It’s £4k / new MOT / has the head gasket done and a recent roof.. would this be a good starter car or something else? I was thinking MX5 (although not for me) or a Clio / Megane, maybe a mini to get him going.

Anyone know of a car for sale to say £5k?

[WombleCate]

I've not seen an MGF on a track day before, but that doesn't mean they wouldn't be any good. Though I suspect with the layout there isn't much time between oversteer and facing backwards.

With £5k to spend, a car someone has already prepared for track makes sense, as you always lose money on mods.

It can also make sense to follow the path well trodden (for parts and advice). I don't know if any of the following can be found at that price point: MX5, Mini R53, MG ZR (if he has a thing for MG), Fiesta, Clio or even C1.

I just took a quick look on racecarsdirect, there may be a couple of road legal cars on there at around that budget.

[brillomaster]

Its not the usual route for a first track car... like you said, mx5s, clios, cheap bmws...

Does your son have any preference for front or rwd? Front or mid engined?

And does he want a project, or a car with things already done so he can just drive?

Tbh... any car can be a track car, as long as its runs. Some will be better than others for pace out the box and ability to upgrade. Id buy a bmw z4 3.0i.

[NeilPot]

Thanks for the replies and makes sense, esp thinking what others use / spare parts and user groups, Mini, MX5 etc.

[ChevronB19]

NeilPot said:

Thanks for the replies and makes sense, esp thinking what others use / spare parts and user groups, Mini, MX5 etc.

If you specifically want an MGF/TF, then you d be far better off spending 2k. There is nothing the seller has done that can t be done quite cheaply, and it looks awful as it stands.

But as per others, think specifically if you would prefer FWD or RWD. For 5k on a track day car, FWD generally equals Clio, RWD generally equals MX5.

P.S. Does it have to be road legal? MG ZR full race cars below…

https://www.mgocchampionship.co.uk/carsforsale.php

Edited by ChevronB19 on Thursday 2nd July 11:35

[Jamescrs]

I've seen MGF/ TF used on track days a few times, not used one myself no ideas what they are like.

I've been using R53 Mini's for a few years now, not bad to work on but they are getting on a bit now, the one I have will be my last one and i'll move on to either a Fiesta ST or a Clio sport of some description.

I've used an MX-5 before but I'm too tall for them really.

[Crumpet]

If you go on the Facebook Mini R53 groups there are frequently cars up for sale that have the bulk of the required mods completed and asking for sub £5k.

Mine is currently being prepped for track so I haven’t had chance to use it yet. Very excited, though!