Good commuter / track day cars

[Matt UK]

I do 20,000 business miles a year and also track days in two different cars, both of which are quite well suited to the tasks they are given - but I'm considering consolidating down to one car.

I'm thinking Honda S2000.

I throw it open to PH - is this a good/bad idea?

[alfa pint]

Boxster S?

[Munter]

Good idea. Not a bad car choice either.

[ewenm]

If you (or someone else) damages your car on a track day, can you do without it for a few days while it get repaired? It might well be unlikely but Murphy's Law and all that...

Personally I like having a very focused trackday car and a more relaxed family car.

[300bhp/ton]

Matt UK said:

I do 20,000 business miles a year and also track days in two different cars, both of which are quite well suited to the tasks they are given - but I'm considering consolidating down to one car.

I'm thinking Honda S2000.

I throw it open to PH - is this a good/bad idea?

lol, bet your Scenic really flies on track


I think the biggest thing to consider is, "what if". What if you stack it or break it on track? Will it be an issue? If so then two cars may be a better solution still, even if the track car is a real cheapy.

[Matt UK]

Current cars are e39 530i for the road and a Mk1 MX5 for the track.

The 'what if I bin it' is a good point. If the MX5 didn't come home with me, I'd have an admittedly moody train ride home and then that evening be PH looking for another one...
Yeah, it's a good point - would I really enjoy track days in my P&J, not sure...

Decisions, decisions... maybe I just fancy a change... the eternal petrolhead state of mind I guess

[300bhp/ton]

Matt UK said:

Current cars are e39 530i for the road and a Mk1 MX5 for the track.

The 'what if I bin it' is a good point. If the MX5 didn't come home with me, I'd have an admittedly moody train ride home and then that evening be PH looking for another one...
Yeah, it's a good point - would I really enjoy track days in my P&J, not sure...

Decisions, decisions... maybe I just fancy a change... the eternal petrolhead state of mind I guess

If you just want a new track and daily then I think there's good choice available.

I've been on the look out for a vehicle to use as a track/rally car. And there is a surprisingly pleasant choice of cars around the £1500 outlay mark.

[Gummy Sagoo]

I understand the Camaro is a much-overlooked option.

[300bhp/ton]

Gummy Sagoo said:

I understand the Camaro is a much-overlooked option.

But not for £1500


And while I'm fully aware your are fishing... lol Yes I believe the Camaro and other similar cars are used on track and for things like autoX quite a bit in the US:

[rhinochopig]

Presumably the cones were knocked over when trying to negotiate a corner

[zebra]

300bhp/ton said:

[ Yes I believe the Camaro and other similar cars are used on track and for things like autoX quite a bit in the US:

Shows you how bad the handling is; look how many cones he's knocked over

As for the OP _ I personally think you should stick where you are with two cars. The MX5 is a great little track car and almost the perfect car for a B-road blast.

[Munter]

Gummy Sagoo said:

I understand the Camaro is a much-overlooked option.

Out. Just get out. And think about what you've done.

[Ozzie Osmond]

zebra said:

As for the OP _ I personally think you should stick where you are with two cars.

+1

[snorkel sucker]

a dedicated track day car is great, but might i be right in saying that the reason you are thinking of one car to fit all occasions is because you would like some thrills inbetween the trackdays? (thats always been my logic!)

there are a few cars that would fit the bill, of course, budget dependent but, for starters

clio trophy
honda integra type r
cooper s works GP
focus RS mk1
honda S2000 (as you mention)
evo
megane R26

ETA - have just realised they are pretty much all fwd! oops! (still, at least 4 of them have an LSD...)

Edited by snorkel sucker on Friday 16th July 10:41

[300bhp/ton]

rhinochopig said:

Presumably the cones were knocked over when trying to negotiate a corner

Either that or they indicate direction of travel past the cones and through the gates

[chrisr29]

Bought my s2k last May and have done over 20k business miles and a couple of 'ring trips so far.

It's a prety good compromise though is NOT the most relaxing car for long haul business trips. The wind/road noise can be quite wearing after a long day, but it's sort of made up for by the extra dimension top-down track days add. Apart from the noise it's pretty comfy, the seats are great, really keep you in position on twisty roads and tracks.

I've got an old Cossie Merc 190 as well and that's another good compromise, except in this instance the seats are rubbish and you tend to go round fast bends hanging onto the wheel and bracing yourself against parts of the interior. On long business trips though it's a lot more relaxing. With decent seats it could be the perfect, affordable compromise.