Which weekend fun / track car would you pick?
Poll: Which weekend fun / track car would you pick?
Total Members Polled: 22
Discussion
Afternoon all, just mulling this one over really.. Please have a quick read below to get some context of where I am coming from 
I have a 1996 Mk1 MX5 with the 1.8 engine purchased a fews years back and I've grown rather fond of it. It's in good nick and has proved strong over a track days / 'ring trip it's been subjected to. We've sort of bonded
I've invested time and money in good servicing, Gaz Golds, braided brake hoses - basically some mild but good upgrades. It's been 100% reliable and I like that. I often have to work away so the car can lie dormant for months, especially over the winter - and when I put the key in the Mazda it starts first time, every time.
The handling on this car is fantastic but... I'm getting itchy feet for a bit more power to make things more interesting. So I'm considering getting maybe BBR to bolt a turbo on. Wa-hay more power! But I'll lose most of this money come resale the minute I drive off, so it's sunk money unless I keep the car for a while. Plus I may as well do it properly and splash out on proper seats, harnesses, roll bar etc. Also, I'm not sure if pumping 200+bhp through an MX5 adds to the 'package' or starts to fundamentally move away from it's low-power-fun ethos...
So all that would add up to an MX5 which owes me the thick end of £8k... which would get me a solid Chim. 'TVR' and 'V8' are both boxes that I'd like to tick at some point. The Tiv would be lovely for burbling around in, WOT in tunnels and every drive would be an event, no doubt about it. But not convinced in standard form it would be great on track. I've done a bit of research and I reckon I'd need to find a sorted car, or budget another couple of £k to sort it myself, so could get pricey. Also TVRs seem to love being 'fettled'. Not really keen on using my weekends driving to far flung specialists. Reliability is key for me, mainly due to convenience - love the fact that the Mazda can be abused / neglected and shoulders the burden with a smile. But the noise of that Rover V8, the occasion when opening the garage door...
Decisions, decisions...
I have a 1996 Mk1 MX5 with the 1.8 engine purchased a fews years back and I've grown rather fond of it. It's in good nick and has proved strong over a track days / 'ring trip it's been subjected to. We've sort of bonded
I've invested time and money in good servicing, Gaz Golds, braided brake hoses - basically some mild but good upgrades. It's been 100% reliable and I like that. I often have to work away so the car can lie dormant for months, especially over the winter - and when I put the key in the Mazda it starts first time, every time.
The handling on this car is fantastic but... I'm getting itchy feet for a bit more power to make things more interesting. So I'm considering getting maybe BBR to bolt a turbo on. Wa-hay more power! But I'll lose most of this money come resale the minute I drive off, so it's sunk money unless I keep the car for a while. Plus I may as well do it properly and splash out on proper seats, harnesses, roll bar etc. Also, I'm not sure if pumping 200+bhp through an MX5 adds to the 'package' or starts to fundamentally move away from it's low-power-fun ethos...
So all that would add up to an MX5 which owes me the thick end of £8k... which would get me a solid Chim. 'TVR' and 'V8' are both boxes that I'd like to tick at some point. The Tiv would be lovely for burbling around in, WOT in tunnels and every drive would be an event, no doubt about it. But not convinced in standard form it would be great on track. I've done a bit of research and I reckon I'd need to find a sorted car, or budget another couple of £k to sort it myself, so could get pricey. Also TVRs seem to love being 'fettled'. Not really keen on using my weekends driving to far flung specialists. Reliability is key for me, mainly due to convenience - love the fact that the Mazda can be abused / neglected and shoulders the burden with a smile. But the noise of that Rover V8, the occasion when opening the garage door...
Decisions, decisions...
I voted for the MX5 simply because they're just such huge fun. However, my vote was based on it being promarily a track car, something I personally don't feel suits the Chimaera. I know some will state differently but IMHO it will never be as sharp or focused as a prepped MX5 and is more a sports GT than a track toy.
You could also consider an Elise or Caterham style car but especially with the Elise your 8k would need a few pounds adding to it in order to get it prepped for track work.
You could also consider an Elise or Caterham style car but especially with the Elise your 8k would need a few pounds adding to it in order to get it prepped for track work.
Get a Caterham, this one even has a roof:
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2261518.htm
You won't lose much money on it when it comes to selling either.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2261518.htm
You won't lose much money on it when it comes to selling either.
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