Fast track car for sub 5K

[grandmasterramro]

I'm sure this has probably been covered numerous times but i was wandering what track car to get and if you guys have any input on my possible choices. I want to spend under 5K and would like turbo power rwd or 4wd fancy something jap don't know why

1. subaru impreza poss type ra
2. Nissan pulsar gti-r
3. Nissan Skyline
4. Toyota MR2 turbo
5. Toyota Celica GT4 ST205
6. Toyota carrola levin
7. Mitsubishi EVO 1/2/3
8. BMW M3 E36 3.0L

I would probably try and get a car that needs an engine rebuild then rebuild it myself and replace anything that needs doing at the same time fit a cage coilovers brakes etc. I am hoping to get something that will not be too costly to track and don't want to have to worry about it breaking down once i have got it ready. any comments would be great but please don't tell me i need to get an MX5 as that will not be happening

[james S]

944 turbo - solid, reliable with plenty of oportunities to improve

[silent k]

I've got an ST205 GT4 with coilovers on it, and although it's a great road car wouldn't recommend it as a track car. It's a bit too heavy feeling and uninvolving to be used on track (that's why I've got a MK1 MR2 for track days - much cheaper to run as well). I used my old MR2 Turbo on track a couple of times and it was pretty good, went through tyres and brakes very quickly though.

[jleroux]

Mk1 MR2 is actually a much better track car than the MK2 - even with the turbo. i had a MK2 for a while and it was costing me more in brakes & tyres in 1 track day than the elise does for about 10! my money would be on an import MK1 supercharger - great fun and best VFM track car you can buy, IMO.

Jonny
BaT

[boxsey]

I can't really understand why the car has to be a turbo? There's a nice track prepared 944 here:

http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/www/dealerservice...

all ready to go and in your budget (no affiliation).

[Vixpy1]

I shall shortly be doing an article for PH on 'Can you build a track car for 5K'

I shall not spoil it be revealing the answer now

[grandmasterramro]

I would consider a 944 always fancied one of these the only part of them that puts me off is with it been a porsche parts could be quite expensive should i break it. I would seriously consider a mk1 mr2 i always loved them when i was younger. Think i'll give the mk2 mr2 a miss as i am looking for something that is not going to eat tyres. What about the subaru does anyone have any experiance of them and ideas of running cost per track day? do they eat tyres with tham been 4wd?

[matc]

A colleague used to track his Scooby STI on a regular basis and said he went through an unbelievable amount of tyres brakes etc. He now runs an elise which is obviously much better due to the decreased weight.

Mk1 MR2 sounds like it could be a good bet though. It makes interesting reading this thread as I'm probably looking at a similar budget myself. I have been looking at M3's or maybe a 325/8 and spending more on the suspension brakes etc. though.

[WEREWOLF]

IMHO what you want to spend and what you actually do spend on your trackday slag are miles apart.

[System-G]

I have been using MK1 MR2's (N/A & Supercharged) for 3 years of track days now and love em. Granted they're not the fastest out there, but they're also not the slowest. And as far as smiles/£ - nothing comes close.

If you can get a Supercharged version (Imported) with manual box & slippy diff - deffo the way forward

At one point I was tempted by a 944. Had a go in one and never got on with it at all.

I think the next step up for us now would have to be an Elise.

[dgboxer123]

I'd echo the positive comments about the MR2 (Mark 1) - I've had all sorts and keep coming back to them.

Just took a massive loss selling a very fully prepared race spec. E36 M3 saloon and a joint road/track E36 coupe - still with AST suspension, weld in cage etc. etc - as the feeling never connected as much as the MR2s I've used, which have so much feeling to the steering and chassis. Do need to be set up well though as geometry etc. makes a big change (I've had 6!)

Very easy on tyres and brakes too - engines plentiful and cheap and more power available when you want. Most fun I have ever had on track would be either of a supercharged one on Avon ABC10 crossply tyres at Donington or a day at Cadwell in a race prep'd, light weight special.

Love them!!!

[fastfreddy]

Vixpy1 said:

I shall shortly be doing an article for PH on 'Can you build a track car in under 5 months'

I shall not spoil it be revealing the answer now

EFA

[rustybin]

I would suggest an under 5k Impreza R/RA may not be a good gamble. You should also consider running costs. Brakes and petrol can be manageable depending on the circuit type. Petrol is a bit of a killer. Budget £1/minute on track for fuel alone. There is a degree too that the more you get a scoob to work on track the worse it gets on the road, so you start to consider a trailer and...

Having said all that a good sorted scoob with the right mods can be the performance bargain of the century.

[OlberJ]

I know am biased but a mk1Mr2 with a V6, hell even a S/C V6 has gotta be one of the best track cars out there.

One recently sold for only £3.5K. The S/C'd version.

[DanH]

Turbos are often a bad idea on track unless they have exceptional heat management and the cars don't weigh a tonne.

I'd of your list I'd get the m3 every day...

[nsa]

Porsche 924 Turbo

[andybg40]

Can you get an early DC2 Integra for that money now? If so, wins hands down for me, for obvious reasons.

[houlbt]

andybg40 said:

Can you get an early DC2 Integra for that money now? If so, wins hands down for me, for obvious reasons.

Obvious how?

[4pot]

andybg40 said:

Can you get an early DC2 Integra for that money now? If so, wins hands down for me, for obvious reasons.

Superb trackcar! You'll be able to get a higher mileage one, but they do go forever

[JDM-San]

200sx S14. Light, rwd, turbo. Nice handling and with minor modifications you have rather quick car.