Most race car-esque roadcar for £6k?
Discussion
Hi,
I've got a Corrado VR6 which I love but after a weekend of watching the racing at Brands Hatch it's got me thinking about getting into something a little more racing car specific, so I thought there wouldn't be any harm in asking about on here for advice....
If I were to spend £6k on my next car, what is the best car for both road, and a bit of fun on trackdays?
My initial thoughts are:
944 Turbo/S2
E30 325i/ engine swapped beast
E36 M3
I don'd need a car for work so it'd purey been for weekend hooning, trackdays and the occasional trip to the coast etc with the other half, and if I could squeeze a mountain bike in the back it'd be a definate bonus! Also rear wheel drive would be preferable for a change from my current car.
Thoughts?
I've got a Corrado VR6 which I love but after a weekend of watching the racing at Brands Hatch it's got me thinking about getting into something a little more racing car specific, so I thought there wouldn't be any harm in asking about on here for advice....
If I were to spend £6k on my next car, what is the best car for both road, and a bit of fun on trackdays?
My initial thoughts are:
944 Turbo/S2
E30 325i/ engine swapped beast
E36 M3
I don'd need a car for work so it'd purey been for weekend hooning, trackdays and the occasional trip to the coast etc with the other half, and if I could squeeze a mountain bike in the back it'd be a definate bonus! Also rear wheel drive would be preferable for a change from my current car.
Thoughts?
You should get a good 944 for that money. Boxsters are creeping into this territory but I'd avoid a really cheap one as it will probably have huge bills. Buy the best your budget will allow and if you can't afford a good one don't, it's better to drive a "lesser" that you can afford to run.
Same goes for the BMWs. M3s can be expensive to fix, the 325/330 route would allow you to get a really good example. What about the Z3 2.8?
TVR S3s are very cheap now and you're looking at Chimeras too. I'm not sure whether they'd necessarily be a decent buy though.
Of course if you're looking for something racy a Caterfield is excellent and if it's as play worn as my Locost you wouldn't worry about gaffa taping a bike to it either.
Elise?
Same goes for the BMWs. M3s can be expensive to fix, the 325/330 route would allow you to get a really good example. What about the Z3 2.8?
TVR S3s are very cheap now and you're looking at Chimeras too. I'm not sure whether they'd necessarily be a decent buy though.
Of course if you're looking for something racy a Caterfield is excellent and if it's as play worn as my Locost you wouldn't worry about gaffa taping a bike to it either.
Elise?
Forgot to mention the MX5/MG TF pairing.
Not a track car like an Elise but still be more fun than a VW if (probably) slower.
An Elise or Caterfield will still be the best track car for the budget but they really compromise your road use.
I still think your original idea of a really good 944 may have a lot going for it.
Not a track car like an Elise but still be more fun than a VW if (probably) slower.
An Elise or Caterfield will still be the best track car for the budget but they really compromise your road use.
I still think your original idea of a really good 944 may have a lot going for it.
Some nice ideas here, I've looked at some Elise adverts but they are beyond my budget I think.
Westfields look awesome and I doubt I'll go faster for the money, but the mountain bike requirement means that it'd be a pain in harris to take my bike out on Sundays and the girlfreind might object to the inevitable leaky roof/ broken heater etc.
So at the moment I'm thinking a 944 is the best allrounder, I've also noticed that Chimaeras can be had within my budget, but I have niggling doubts that it might let water in and generally not be suitable for weekends away touring the country but the prospect of the awesome V8 rumble is a major attraction!
RX-7s can also be had within my budget.
Westfields look awesome and I doubt I'll go faster for the money, but the mountain bike requirement means that it'd be a pain in harris to take my bike out on Sundays and the girlfreind might object to the inevitable leaky roof/ broken heater etc.
So at the moment I'm thinking a 944 is the best allrounder, I've also noticed that Chimaeras can be had within my budget, but I have niggling doubts that it might let water in and generally not be suitable for weekends away touring the country but the prospect of the awesome V8 rumble is a major attraction!
RX-7s can also be had within my budget.
Absolutely anything, as long as it is stripped out with a full cage, dropped to the floor and stiff as a board, on top end adjustable suspension. The biggest big brake setup you can get wearing the lightest wheels money can buy, shod with cut slicks. No interior at all, straight through exhaust, polycarbonate windows, lots of stickers/livery. If you did all that to pretty much anything then IMO it will be 'race-esque'. Is that really what you want from a car though? My money would be going on something like a red top powered Tiger Avon.
The other important question is where will you keep it? A seven will be very difficult to keep in good condition if you park it outside let alone on the street.
My brother had a Chimera and until a very expensive but highly effective hood service it would fill up with water whenever it rained. If looking at Chimps check the carpets very carefully.
My other brother's Elise leaked too but at least it didn't have a carpet.
On my Locost I simply drilled more holes in the floor, which is the only really effective solution on a seven.
My brother had a Chimera and until a very expensive but highly effective hood service it would fill up with water whenever it rained. If looking at Chimps check the carpets very carefully.
My other brother's Elise leaked too but at least it didn't have a carpet.
On my Locost I simply drilled more holes in the floor, which is the only really effective solution on a seven.
You cannot afford an RX7 and run it, so don't do it if you can't do it properly.
An skyline can be stripped out to save a good bit of weight and the parts sold on easy enough and you should get one with coilovers and all tht already fitted or an s14 200sx. Lots of secondhand bits for them as well. Much cheaper to run than an RX7!
I'd go for a saxo vtr or vts and do all the work you can for 6k all in and you'll get something ready for sprints and or hillclimbs. Ok it'll be fwd but it will be yours and be a race car.
An skyline can be stripped out to save a good bit of weight and the parts sold on easy enough and you should get one with coilovers and all tht already fitted or an s14 200sx. Lots of secondhand bits for them as well. Much cheaper to run than an RX7!
I'd go for a saxo vtr or vts and do all the work you can for 6k all in and you'll get something ready for sprints and or hillclimbs. Ok it'll be fwd but it will be yours and be a race car.
carter711 said:
Westfields look awesome and I doubt I'll go faster for the money, but the mountain bike requirement means that it'd be a pain in harris to take my bike out on Sundays and the girlfreind might object to the inevitable leaky roof/ broken heater etc.
My OH loves touring in the 7 even with the inevitable wet days, and as for bike-carrying...
Of course, it's not for everyone 
ewenm said:
carter711 said:
Westfields look awesome and I doubt I'll go faster for the money, but the mountain bike requirement means that it'd be a pain in harris to take my bike out on Sundays and the girlfreind might object to the inevitable leaky roof/ broken heater etc.
My OH loves touring in the 7 even with the inevitable wet days, and as for bike-carrying... Of course, it's not for everyone 
I'd look at the OP's suggestions, plus an MR2 Turbo, 200SX or a 328i with a view to modifying it.
slipstream 1985 said:
dc2 was a good shout above, perfect for track loads of space in the back once seats folded down. race type approach to driving. ie rev the nuts off it.
ITR is about the only 'practical' car which can cut it on-track without any real mods (braided hoses and fast-road pads would be enough).If it's your only car for £6k, get one of them (£5k will get a decent one, £6k a minter), as anything rwd more track-focused than a blown MX-5 or an RX-7 is going to be dog-tired and cost you a lot in bills. BTW, those would be my two alternatives if it has to be rwd.
If it's a weekend car, then get a cheap Locost/etc. - you'll learn a LOT more about driving in one of them.
Mx5 or a 944
Nothing else rear wheel is going to be sensible in budget.
Mx5 leads you straight to max5 championship racing and there's a great trackday scene/owners club.
944 is often seen as a poor man's porsche so it's not as widely accommodated for trackday clubs etc.
Circuit driver magazine are rebuilding a 944 as a track/race car so worth signing up for a free copy.
Nothing else rear wheel is going to be sensible in budget.
Mx5 leads you straight to max5 championship racing and there's a great trackday scene/owners club.
944 is often seen as a poor man's porsche so it's not as widely accommodated for trackday clubs etc.
Circuit driver magazine are rebuilding a 944 as a track/race car so worth signing up for a free copy.
Gassing Station | General Gassing [Archive] | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff