Track Car for 5-10k ?

[ukwill]

Contemplating having a bit of fun on a few tracks next year.. probably around 5-10k budget (for car).

Contemplating: Mk1 Elise, 306 Rallye, Clio 182 Cup, 924S, VW Golf Mk2, Fiesta (tuned zetec poss)

Can anyone think of any others to contemplate? Also would love to here from anyone that has tracked any of the above - regarding costs/maintenance etc.

cheers

[kusee pee]

That's a right old range you're considering there. And for your budget you can get something pretty decent for the track, no worries. All the ones you mention will offer fun but in different ways. My advice would be to go for something RWD with a decent chassis and not too much power - you'll learn far more about driving skills this way and the more you learn the more fun you'll have. With this in mind, I'd suggest the Elise, a 944, an MX5 or a 3-series BMW. All will give you a lot of fun and test your skills too. Good luck!

[hengti]

regarding the FWD cars; i'd discount the 182 Cup in favour of the much lighter (and cheaper) 172 Cup but be wary of the gearboxes as they don't appreciate abuse; if you're considering something of the Mk2 Golf's vintage, you might also think about a 205 GTi - they're light, mechanically strong and really good fun

[ukwill]

thanks guys - keep em coming

curve ball... I've just been reading about what can be done to the Mk3 MR2...

got me thinking.. get one for around £4.5-5k. Spend the rest at SP... Result = What (on paper) looks to be a lot of fun... hmmm

[kusee pee]

ukwill said:

thanks guys - keep em coming

curve ball... I've just been reading about what can be done to the Mk3 MR2...

got me thinking.. get one for around £4.5-5k. Spend the rest at SP... Result = What (on paper) looks to be a lot of fun... hmmm

Could be interesting and I bet it would handle very nicely. You'd learn a lot about precision being a mid-engined car. May not be that good if you're looking for some drifting fun though. I've just spent 5K on my new to-be track car; an E36 M3 Evo and I hope to get a lot of fun out of it for not many mods. Keep looking and let us know what you get. Track driving is THE most fun ever and there's nothing better to spend your money on!

[Mark83]

I think I've settled on a DC2 Integra Type R as my track car.

[smckeown]

If I had a budget of £5k, i'd either spend the lot on a race prepped car, or about £2k max and spend the rest on handling and safety modifications. Any left over i'd spend on tuition. You can hire a professional for about £350 a whole day and you'll be a load faster than any modifications you car to add to the car. You'll also drive a lot safer too

Sean

i'd have one of these but i'm biased:

Edited by smckeown on Sunday 30th December 19:28

[juansolo]

kusee pee said:

ukwill said:

thanks guys - keep em coming

curve ball... I've just been reading about what can be done to the Mk3 MR2...

got me thinking.. get one for around £4.5-5k. Spend the rest at SP... Result = What (on paper) looks to be a lot of fun... hmmm

Could be interesting and I bet it would handle very nicely. You'd learn a lot about precision being a mid-engined car. May not be that good if you're looking for some drifting fun though.

Oh I don't know about that It's an often overlooked car, which is a shame as it's stonking on track out of the box, requiring no more modification than a decent set of tyres and the right pressures in them.

[Wayney]

juansolo said:

kusee pee said:

ukwill said:

thanks guys - keep em coming

curve ball... I've just been reading about what can be done to the Mk3 MR2...

got me thinking.. get one for around £4.5-5k. Spend the rest at SP... Result = What (on paper) looks to be a lot of fun... hmmm

Could be interesting and I bet it would handle very nicely. You'd learn a lot about precision being a mid-engined car. May not be that good if you're looking for some drifting fun though.

Oh I don't know about that It's an often overlooked car, which is a shame as it's stonking on track out of the box, requiring no more modification than a decent set of tyres and the right pressures in them.

Totally agree, I went out in the Mk3 MR2 a supercharged version and it was driven by Boss Cerbera, which some of you may know. It was awesome, the car was suprcharged for that extra 70 bhp. The handelling and grip was amazing, mid engine (VVTi) and it just loved to revv. I'd def recommend one of these.

One other car to look at is the Honda S2000, fablous unbreakable VTEC engine and revs to 9k rpm. Lovely close short shift gear boy, great driving position, and did I mention the lovely sound track. You can pick up an early clean example for £8k.

[phatgixer]

E36 M3 Evo is the only way to go. Spend a bit on upgrading the stoopers and fit some adjustable suspension and you'll lap quicker than 95% of trackday goers.

[bertie]

Or get this and be quicker than everything else...
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/312351.htm

[Maxx]

ukwill,

Mk3 MR2 is a great choice and, although by no means as easy as some, certainly does drift well ...



I have lots of vids of this car on Youtube which you should find easily enough.

The car in the vids has had TRD lowered springs and a TTE Chassis brace (from SP) and has also had pre-cats removed (very important). It also has a Blue Flame exhaust and recently a SP cat bypass pipe.

Even more recently (summer 2007) it's had a 2zz fitted (Rogue Motorsport). This is the same engine that is in the latest Elise/Exiges and car is probably a little over 200bhp at the moment.

If i'd managed to snap up an S2 Honda Elise a few weeks back that I was after it would have been for sale and, if/when I find another good one up for sale it will be. Drop me a mail if you want to be kept updated, price wise it will be around 6-7k.

Maxx

[chris7676]

If I was spending 5-10k I would not even consider something like Golf or other RWD. Get an Elise then

[LadyRuston]

Maxx said:

Even more recently (summer 2007) it's had a 2zz fitted (Rogue Motorsport). This is the same engine that is in the latest Elise/Exiges and car is probably a little over 200bhp at the moment.

Well that explains it...I was beginning to worry that the reason you were quicker than me at Snetterton last October was because you were a better driver .

Another vote for the Mk3 MR2 from me:



Worth remembering that £5-6k will get you a standard year 2000 MR2 whereas you'll need to spend more like £10k to get an Elise of similar age. Of course the Elise will be ultimately quicker but Maxx proves that a well driven MR2 is more than a match for an Elise driven by the average track day driver .

The MR2 should be more reliable as well - my MR2 did 15 trackdays and 15,000 miles last year all for the cost of two sets of pads, a set of tyres and a new wheel. My Elise cost significantly more and hasn’t made it onto track yet (cambelt failed on its' way to sign on for the first track outing!) but I still love it!

Edited by LadyRuston on Sunday 13th January 22:03

[v6ter]

Is it just going to be a tracktoy / weekend car

If so:

I can recommend a Caterham / Westfield / Tiger

Mine is only 120bhp - but with Toyo R888s on or even T1-Rs it handles superb and teaches you alot about control.

[bertie]

v6ter said:

Is it just going to be a tracktoy / weekend car

If so:

I can recommend a Caterham / Westfield / Tiger

Mine is only 120bhp - but with Toyo R888s on or even T1-Rs it handles superb and teaches you alot about control.

Off topic but I'd get a FIA roll bar on that if you track it.

The owners club insist on it for their track days and I have seen one roll with a standard road bar, goes frighteningly bent.

But yes you can't beat a Caterham on track!

[v6ter]

Bertie

Thanks for the advice, I know I should and theres no point me making excuses. Becuase cost shouldnt be an issue when its my life involved

[TIPPER]

Caterfield type car or an Elise. (As an Elise owner I'm biased of course!). Spend up to £8k on a straight Elise and keep the balance for suspension/brakes refresh. If you go for an Elise look out for the S2 Bilstein upgrade (much better than the stock Konis) and many have better stoppers. Pads of choice are Mintex 1144 or Pagid Rs42 or SBS pro.
Great thing about these cars is that they are great fun on warm sunny days in the summer too.
There's plenty opf power upgrade options for the Elise from simple cam upgrades to full on engines conversions (220bhp Honda for £10k). Best value are head porting and cams for about £1500 to give about 155bhp.