Cheapest RWD track car
Discussion
What's the cheapest RWD track car? Mostly pipe dreaming, but me and a mate have been talking about doing something like this for a while. Ignoring the RWD thing for a second, I think something like a 309 GTi would be the obvious choice for a budget track day car - reasonably reliable mass produced car, plentiful spares, cheaper than its hatchback brother.
Can you get something like that in RWD? It has to have a sufficient power-to-grip ratio to be fun, but we're not at all interested in outright times.
I guess the answer would be a 3 series of some description? Are the bits expensive? Can you get low mileage insurance with track day cover at a sensible price for two blokes in their early twenties?
Are there any alternatives? (Kind of wish I ahdn't sold my Sylva Leader now!)
The sort of budget we were talking about was £2k for something that would be cheap to run, cheap (and easy) to repair and capable of being driven to and from the events without huge insurance costs.
The other factor is I wouldn't want to spend money on something I only used a few weekends a year. Something which could either double for road use or would be eligible for some minor competition use like autotesting would be good.
Can you get something like that in RWD? It has to have a sufficient power-to-grip ratio to be fun, but we're not at all interested in outright times.
I guess the answer would be a 3 series of some description? Are the bits expensive? Can you get low mileage insurance with track day cover at a sensible price for two blokes in their early twenties?
Are there any alternatives? (Kind of wish I ahdn't sold my Sylva Leader now!)
The sort of budget we were talking about was £2k for something that would be cheap to run, cheap (and easy) to repair and capable of being driven to and from the events without huge insurance costs.
The other factor is I wouldn't want to spend money on something I only used a few weekends a year. Something which could either double for road use or would be eligible for some minor competition use like autotesting would be good.
Mk1 MR2 or MX5 Over here the budget RWD track s
g is the E30 325i - there seem to be thousands of the things burning their last litres of oil past the valve stem seals on tracks... It exactly fits your criteria - which is both its strength and weakness; as a spectator you want to see anything but yet another E30...
g is the E30 325i - there seem to be thousands of the things burning their last litres of oil past the valve stem seals on tracks... It exactly fits your criteria - which is both its strength and weakness; as a spectator you want to see anything but yet another E30...An e30 does sound like the way forward.
I think it would be nigh-on impossible to build an MX5 to a fun spec for £2k.
An MR2 would be a distinct possibility, but I'm not sure it would have quite the same fun factor as a front engined car.
So, assuming I looked at an E30 325 - what's needed to prepare one for track use? Would it survive with just some high performance brake pads?
Also, what's likely to go pop?
I think it would be nigh-on impossible to build an MX5 to a fun spec for £2k.
An MR2 would be a distinct possibility, but I'm not sure it would have quite the same fun factor as a front engined car.
So, assuming I looked at an E30 325 - what's needed to prepare one for track use? Would it survive with just some high performance brake pads?
Also, what's likely to go pop?
Nurburgsingh said:
As with most things like this i suspect it would be cheaper to buy one ready built...
Just changing the brake pads doesnt = trackcar.
Oh I don't doubt it... that's kind of why I asked.Just changing the brake pads doesnt = trackcar.
I suspect we would buy one ready built if it was to be a focused track machine, but the other thought that occurs is my income is pretty marginal to justify a car that just does the occasional track day. If I had something that could be used as a daily driver and occasional track s
g that might appeal. I suspect the eventual solution is I'll just use the TVR, but I'm a little bit paranoid about coming back covered in stone chips, or worse still broken fiberglass and bits of crash barrier! I'd obviously aim to keep anything in one piece, but with something a bit more disposable I wouldn't have to be quite so nervous about tracking it.
Chris71 said:
I think it would be nigh-on impossible to build an MX5 to a fun spec for £2k.
The thing is.. a standard, off-the-shelf Mk1 MX5 is capable of being tracked all day long. The engine takes the abuse happily and, because they're pretty light, consumable stuff like brakes (esp. on the 1.8) and tyres last for ages.GHW said:
Chris71 said:
I think it would be nigh-on impossible to build an MX5 to a fun spec for £2k.
The thing is.. a standard, off-the-shelf Mk1 MX5 is capable of being tracked all day long. The engine takes the abuse happily and, because they're pretty light, consumable stuff like brakes (esp. on the 1.8) and tyres last for ages.
Parts for 309s are becoming fewer and further between what with many being stripped for parts for 205s (wider rear beam, drive shafts etc). In 205 circles they are often refered to as 'donors'.
Bit sad really as they are arguably a better base for a track car than the 205, just not as pretty.
Jonny.
Bit sad really as they are arguably a better base for a track car than the 205, just not as pretty.
Jonny.
DiscoColin said:
The only thing about an early MX5 is that you would surely want a cage in it for track use (which is going to crank up both the weight and budget)? Great fun certainly, but quite high on my "wouldn't like to be in an accident in" list
http://www.performance5.com/interior_rollbar.asp Edited by anonymous-user on Wednesday 4th June 09:27
).Ok - I think I have a plan!
My reservations about getting a track day car, were that I'd spend a significant amount of money (by my meagre standards) and then only use it for a few weekends a year. So, to get a bit more use from it the idea is thsi:
Get something for about £1k over the winter. Use it as a daily driver and/or for a few track days and possibly club autotests, then take it on the Scumball next year.
If I was to use it as a daily drive it would have to be vaguely civilised (no ripping out the sound deadening or anything!) and reasonably tough, even at £1k.
So, back to an e30 3-series or e34 5-series I guess.
My reservations about getting a track day car, were that I'd spend a significant amount of money (by my meagre standards) and then only use it for a few weekends a year. So, to get a bit more use from it the idea is thsi:
Get something for about £1k over the winter. Use it as a daily driver and/or for a few track days and possibly club autotests, then take it on the Scumball next year.
If I was to use it as a daily drive it would have to be vaguely civilised (no ripping out the sound deadening or anything!) and reasonably tough, even at £1k.
So, back to an e30 3-series or e34 5-series I guess.
DiscoColin said:
CombeMarshal said:
why RWD?
If you have to ask...
Ultimately it is a taste thing I guess as some love their FWD toys, but those of us who are hooked on RWD will always find steering the driven wheels to be that bit less rewarding
My personal reasoning is the feel. I've owned a 205 GTi and driven quite a few other well respected FWD drivers cars and the feel just isn't the same as wheels which have a little less weight over them and no torque going through them.
That said, if it looked like I was never possibly going to get a half decent RWD track-banger for £1k then I would consider something like a Pug or Golf. I'd just rather not. Plus, I'm a bit of a hooligan and I quite like oversteer on demand.
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