cant find a suitable trackday car...help?!?!!
Discussion
Im looking for something which i can convert into a road legal track day car. Can spend up to about 1500 but would like to spend closer to a grand.
I would actually prefer it to be a cat d as i am going to strip it all out and would feel better about doing that to a car that is already a bit knackered! plus itd be cheaper.
I saw a good 55k 52plate clio 172 cat d on the trader but its sold.
So im just looking for a car that fits that bill (obviously doesnt have to be cat d). I want it to be cheap to modify so im looking at:
clio 172's, 306 gti-6's, 106 gti's, possibly saxo VTS's.
Ive looked on ebay, trader and pistonheads but nothing seems to be out there!
ive seen a 106 gti with nearly 100k - ive noticed a lot of cars listed above seem to have had the head gasket changed! is this preventative maintenance or have they just gone?!?!? it seems very common?!
p.s. dont want one that has already done any track days / racing as i want the fun of doing it myself.
I would actually prefer it to be a cat d as i am going to strip it all out and would feel better about doing that to a car that is already a bit knackered! plus itd be cheaper.
I saw a good 55k 52plate clio 172 cat d on the trader but its sold.
So im just looking for a car that fits that bill (obviously doesnt have to be cat d). I want it to be cheap to modify so im looking at:
clio 172's, 306 gti-6's, 106 gti's, possibly saxo VTS's.
Ive looked on ebay, trader and pistonheads but nothing seems to be out there!
ive seen a 106 gti with nearly 100k - ive noticed a lot of cars listed above seem to have had the head gasket changed! is this preventative maintenance or have they just gone?!?!? it seems very common?!
p.s. dont want one that has already done any track days / racing as i want the fun of doing it myself.
fridaypassion said:
Why not the MX5? If its for track use I wouldn't dream of wasting time with a FWD car. RWD is where its at! You'll also get a nice one for your money instead of some abused write off hatch.
i want a roof over my head! feel too exposed when really pushing it otherwise, dont fancy rolling one. I agree rwd would be better but apart no rwd cars fit the bill really. Im not into old 3 series' and i have a new one already. other jap cars seem a bit too expensive / costly to fix.torqueofthedevil said:
fridaypassion said:
Why not the MX5? If its for track use I wouldn't dream of wasting time with a FWD car. RWD is where its at! You'll also get a nice one for your money instead of some abused write off hatch.
i want a roof over my head! feel too exposed when really pushing it otherwise, dont fancy rolling one. I agree rwd would be better but apart no rwd cars fit the bill really. Im not into old 3 series' and i have a new one already. other jap cars seem a bit too expensive / costly to fix.If you plan to strip it and mod it, buying a "newish" car seems counter productive. If you want the "fun" of modding it, then surly buying something worth modding would be more fun
By this measure there are hundreds, nay thousands of suitable hatches for this currently for sale.
I can't help thinking something like a classic would be better.
Either that or just buy something already setup for track work.
Closing all the other options/doors just seems a hard way about doing it IMO. Sort of cutting your nose to spite your face type of thing.
Can get plenty of roll bars for the Mx5 after market and can also get hold of a hardtop.
Would be a very good track tool.
Handles well, is light and therefore won't be too heavy on consumables. The 1.8 is quick enought to be entertaining. There are also a whole host of mods that can be done later on, to not only the engine but the handling and brakes as well.
Would be a very good track tool.
Handles well, is light and therefore won't be too heavy on consumables. The 1.8 is quick enought to be entertaining. There are also a whole host of mods that can be done later on, to not only the engine but the handling and brakes as well.
fridaypassion said:
Lotus Nick said:
MR2 Mk1 or Mk2 seems to fit the bill - watch out for the rust on the Mk1, but apart from that reliablity and fun for around a grand can be had!
Good call. Sorts the roof issue and correct wheel drive.
I also prefer the MR2 to MX5, and I've driven several examples of both (and owned a Mk1 MR2).Personally I'd buy an ex race car. It'll have had the mods already done, including a full roll cage, and everything will have been adjusted and tuned for track use already. For example, a racing 924 from the one make championship (now abandoned?) should be well within you initial budget, or if you include the money you're going to spend on mods on this car anyway, you can buy a whole load of cars. Racing MX5s and MR2s are within budget, and the MX5 will have a full cage so don't worry about open top. This is by far the best option from my point of view.
MarJay said:
torqueofthedevil said:
not interested in convertables, bmw's or kit cars.
cheers tho!
Hmm. I can't help but think if you've ruled out all that you've kind of missed the point of a trackday car... cheers tho!
That did occur to me! BMWs are rear drive and therefore far more satisfying on a track than many FWD saloon alternatives. Kit cars like Westfields, if done well, are in a different league of performance and fun to most other cars. Oh well!Gassing Station | Track Days | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff