Cheap track car to learn with

[marting]

I'm hoping to buy a cheap RWD car to just run on track days.

I've got basic mechanical knowledge but id like to be able to learn much more through preping a car for the track.

What cars would be suitable? I'm guessing the criteria is:

-Cheap - Could be a cosmetically damaged writeoff?
-Easy to pull apart and learn from
-Easy to source cheap parts

Cheers

[worldwidewebs]

Mk1 MX5.

end of thread

[Munter]

worldwidewebs said:

Mk1 MX5.

end of thread

Or the backup
The MK1 MR2 Bit older and a bit of a pain to work on but just as good.

[worldwidewebs]

Nowhere near as good IMHO

[HereBeMonsters]

Or a 200SX.

[Chris71]

HereBeMonsters said:

Or a 200SX.

Great fun, but aren't they prone to being a bit more problematic (turbo issues and the like) when used on track?

It depends what your budget is. Assuming you mean cheap in the same way that I would (i.e. up to a grand or so) not cheap in the way that some of the City types would (i.e. you go for the basic GT3 not the RS) then I'd say stick with the MX5 idea. Beats even the E30/MR2 for level of support and availability/price of bits.

[Coxy11]

BMW E30 325 , E36 318is or 325 etc .

?
I am a BMW nerd though.

Far as i can see it fulfils the criteria youve specified.
They are cheap, easy to find parts and upgrades , can be great fun, and can be gotten for peanuts in standard guise.

[marting]

Yeah my initial thought was a beamer, but the mx5 looks like a good option too after some research. hmmm

[JakeR]

marting said:

Yeah my initial thought was a beamer, but the mx5 looks like a good option too after some research. hmmm

I spoke to a max-5 race team chap once... he told me that after a seasons racing, the only non-service work the team's cars required was panel repairs, but that's not the car's fault!!

[T89 Callan]

There's a semi-prep'd BMW E30 325i on E30 Zone for £650, I'd start with that.

[Chris71]

JakeR said:

marting said:

Yeah my initial thought was a beamer, but the mx5 looks like a good option too after some research. hmmm

I spoke to a max-5 race team chap once... he told me that after a seasons racing, the only non-service work the team's cars required was panel repairs, but that's not the car's fault!!

In my experience of running them as road cars even the E30s look a bit pricey compared to an MX5. They cost peanuts. And you can buy anything from an oil filter to a 300bhp turbo kit readily from the same shop. Plus, there'll be half a dozen PHers falling over themselves to explain how to fit it.

I'm not one of those who subscribes to the idea that MX5s are the best thing since sliced bread, but if you want a proper sports car with all the boring sensible stuff like reliability, cheap parts and a working hood included, and you're on a budget, then they're pretty hard to beat.

[GravelBen]

Another vote for the MX5 (funny that ) - Mk1 MR2s are also a lot of fun but two things that probably count against it as a first track car to learn in:

1) Being mid-engined they're much less forgiving than an MX5, once they let go they like to swap ends pretty quickly whereas an MX5 will let you play around sideways all day.

2) MX5's are easier to work on, both are pretty simple mechanically but the mid-mounted engine in the MR2 just makes access etc a bit more difficult.

[marting]

I'm sold - thanks guys