Cheap trackday car
Discussion
Hi there, just wanting to get some advice as to a cheap car to use for occasional trackdays and backroad blasts. My current situation has changed and I'm no longer using my car everyday so I feel that it'd be worthwhile getting a cheap road legal car that's used for my enjoyment rather than out of neccessity. I owned a 99 Primera GT that had great handling and an engine that whilst underpowered was truly solid (can you tell i regret selling it :P) that I would've thought would make a good track tool.
What other suggestions d'you guys have, I'd love to know.
What other suggestions d'you guys have, I'd love to know.
FRA53R said:
Ahh sorry, meant to put budget in there, I'm looking around 1500-2000 for the car and same again for some basic mods to help it survive the punishment.
EDIT: Would be stretched for a 172 but could get a decent 205 for that money 
Edited by HonestIago on Monday 25th April 11:46
Lefty said:
Classic Impreza Turbo
Nice idea but surely at his budget an Impreza will be pretty tight, especially if anything goes wrong.http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2556525.htm
right here's a few contenders:
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2603103.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2684792.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2328322.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2656534.htm
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C216440 This would be hilarious to see peoples faces when you turned up
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2647592.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2738739.htm If only it had a manual gearbox!
And finally if I were feeling very brave http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C211262
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2603103.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2684792.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2328322.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2656534.htm
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C216440 This would be hilarious to see peoples faces when you turned up

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2647592.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2738739.htm If only it had a manual gearbox!
And finally if I were feeling very brave http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C211262
MX5-wise I'd add a rollbar if you can't find a car with one already, I think a decent option costs around 300 of your UK moneys.
Thats about all I'd consider essential though - with standard power the factory brakes are fine provided they're healthy. Original suspension is a tad rolly on track (but great on the road), factory seats are comfy but lack lateral support in fast corners on track, still great fun as standard but room for improvement with a plethora of aftermarket parts and knowhow around.
I'm biased though, this is mine...

Thats about all I'd consider essential though - with standard power the factory brakes are fine provided they're healthy. Original suspension is a tad rolly on track (but great on the road), factory seats are comfy but lack lateral support in fast corners on track, still great fun as standard but room for improvement with a plethora of aftermarket parts and knowhow around.
I'm biased though, this is mine...

GravelBen said:
MX5-wise I'd add a rollbar if you can't find a car with one already, I think a decent option costs around 300 of your UK moneys.
Thats about all I'd consider essential though - with standard power the factory brakes are fine provided they're healthy. Original suspension is a tad rolly on track (but great on the road), factory seats are comfy but lack lateral support in fast corners on track, still great fun as standard but room for improvement with a plethora of aftermarket parts and knowhow around.
I'm biased though, this is mine...

Sounds good, nice dab of oppo going on there aswell Thats about all I'd consider essential though - with standard power the factory brakes are fine provided they're healthy. Original suspension is a tad rolly on track (but great on the road), factory seats are comfy but lack lateral support in fast corners on track, still great fun as standard but room for improvement with a plethora of aftermarket parts and knowhow around.
I'm biased though, this is mine...


HonestIago said:
Nice idea but surely at his budget an Impreza will be pretty tight, especially if anything goes wrong.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2556525.htm
I bought one 18 months ago for £1800, a 99 wagon which had been mapped and had a subaru sport exhaust, making about 245bhp. Reasonable history, decent tyres and, frankly, I loved it. For £4k all-in, i could have put some decent coilovers on, got it to 300bhp and upgraded the brakes. They weigh less than 1300kg so 300bhp would make it quick-ish. I replaced a MAF sensor and an ABS sensor while i had it.http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2556525.htm
Lefty said:
HonestIago said:
Nice idea but surely at his budget an Impreza will be pretty tight, especially if anything goes wrong.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2556525.htm
I bought one 18 months ago for £1800, a 99 wagon which had been mapped and had a subaru sport exhaust, making about 245bhp. Reasonable history, decent tyres and, frankly, I loved it. For £4k all-in, i could have put some decent coilovers on, got it to 300bhp and upgraded the brakes. They weigh less than 1300kg so 300bhp would make it quick-ish. I replaced a MAF sensor and an ABS sensor while i had it.http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2556525.htm
HonestIago said:
Don't get me wrong I'm mad about Imprezas too especially classics (Dad had a '99 turbo hatch from new) but I just think they're a potentially far more costly car to run than a 205.
Well, yes, you're probably right. I have heard stories of engiens going pop and needing a rebuild at high miles but, still, there are plenty of 120k miler examples going around with no worries.Gassing Station | Track Days | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff


