Anyone changed to a slower car and not regretted it?
Discussion
I've considered changing track cars a few times but never gone through with it, can't help thinking I'd end up regretting it.
My current car is a radical PR6 (lightweight single seat version with central seating position, no driver aids, slicks, sequential manual). It's awesome but too fast for track days in term of having anyone to play with. I do race it occasionally but find it to be expensive and time consuming (a lot of travel for me). Also not really enough seat time then there's the inevitable expensive crash which is bound to happen at some time.
Realistically is there anything I could trade into and still get the same buzz? I reckon the car is worth 20 to 25k, and the trailer maybe 6k. Road registered would be ideal to drive to track and back and get rid of the space consuming trailer. Could probably stretch budget a bit, roof would be nice.
Mid engine and low maintenance would be best, I'm a bit spoiled currently as the running costs have been extremely low thus far.
Would be interested in hearing suggestions or advice from anyone who has made a similar change.
Thanks,
Dunc.
Edit: Just read this post, it's a bit of a ramble. Fancy a change but don't want to be disappointed basically
My current car is a radical PR6 (lightweight single seat version with central seating position, no driver aids, slicks, sequential manual). It's awesome but too fast for track days in term of having anyone to play with. I do race it occasionally but find it to be expensive and time consuming (a lot of travel for me). Also not really enough seat time then there's the inevitable expensive crash which is bound to happen at some time.
Realistically is there anything I could trade into and still get the same buzz? I reckon the car is worth 20 to 25k, and the trailer maybe 6k. Road registered would be ideal to drive to track and back and get rid of the space consuming trailer. Could probably stretch budget a bit, roof would be nice.
Mid engine and low maintenance would be best, I'm a bit spoiled currently as the running costs have been extremely low thus far.
Would be interested in hearing suggestions or advice from anyone who has made a similar change.
Thanks,
Dunc.
Edit: Just read this post, it's a bit of a ramble. Fancy a change but don't want to be disappointed basically
Edited by dunc_sx on Wednesday 16th September 08:05
NGRhodes - Bikes are not my thing. Had a few when I was young but the car bug caught me harder. I think a new challenge is in order so I agree with you in that respect.
RedAndy - I don't think I'd neuter the rad like that. It's made for big speed on slicks. I see where you are coming from though.
I've had an exige before (non-s) and it didn't quite make it into my all time favorites list. I like them though and the v6 I drove was nice.
I think you are right by a new challenge, depending on what it was I could keep hold of the rad.
LaurasOtherHalf - What was your favorite out of the ones listed out of interest? Don't think I'd go back to mx5, you never know though.
upsidedownmark - Caterham's do look fun on track, easy enough to slide about as well I assume? They tick many boxes.
Correct engine refreshes are required but you might be surprised how little track hours you do in a year (well most people anyway). There's also a different refresh recommendation for track use than race use which most people don't realise.
Mark83, as above I've previously owned an Exige (non-s though). Perhaps I need to give them another go?
Appreciate all the responses, all good for thought.
Dunc.
RedAndy - I don't think I'd neuter the rad like that. It's made for big speed on slicks. I see where you are coming from though.
I've had an exige before (non-s) and it didn't quite make it into my all time favorites list. I like them though and the v6 I drove was nice.
I think you are right by a new challenge, depending on what it was I could keep hold of the rad.
LaurasOtherHalf - What was your favorite out of the ones listed out of interest? Don't think I'd go back to mx5, you never know though.
upsidedownmark - Caterham's do look fun on track, easy enough to slide about as well I assume? They tick many boxes.
Correct engine refreshes are required but you might be surprised how little track hours you do in a year (well most people anyway). There's also a different refresh recommendation for track use than race use which most people don't realise.
Mark83, as above I've previously owned an Exige (non-s though). Perhaps I need to give them another go?
Appreciate all the responses, all good for thought.
Dunc.
Tim.C - Wow that is an unexpected shout! I remember seeing these at sprints, are many of these road legal? What would they be like to run? I've had a look around and they do seem pretty rare.
Dynion Araf Uchaf - I do agree I've had many slower track cars in the past, not all of them will pound around forever and be relaible though (the Radical does both these things). For a start I've always found tyres go off on production road based cars even with track focussed geometry, that takes the fun out of things.
Just because someone is in a fast car doesn't mean they are not at the limit I understand what you are saying though, even to keep up with others in a slow car you need to be at the limit.
I don't think I'd go back to a clio or BMW for track stuff, both cooked tyres and brakes on track. Saying that if I got something cheaper I would be happy spending more on serious upgrades, not FWD though - It doesn't keep my attention for long enough to be honest.
Laurasotherhalf - Thanks for the additional info, R26.R does sound like a hoot but the FWD is the deal breaker for me there.
Evoluzione - I'm not bothered about my speed vs others at track days, I keep that for the racing. I like to think I'm a 100% effort in whatever I'm driving type of guy. If I was going MX5 the std engine would be fine for me, thinks for the info - There's loads of MX5 fans here!
Braddo - Now there's an interesting one, I had previous contacted the factory to order a new one going back a few years but never went through due to a 1 year wait. I ended up buying a s2 exige (N/A) but didn't fall in love with it due to the suspension on the road, on track it was decent but at the time I remember wishing I was in the Rad.
V6todayEVmanana - Maybe something like this is what I need, perhaps mx5 championship? My racing so far has been mainly sports prototype and a bit of classic racing.
NGRhodes - Agreed, that stuff looks fun for sure. I've done 24h 2CV racing and it was genuinely amazing fun (hilarious in fact), I think something RWD and old would be good, realistically the car would have to be already sorted and RWD. Not sure what the options are?
QBee - Your recommendations are real close to my current thinking. I'm thinking road Cayman with track upgrades or exige (S2 or S3), since these would be road cars I could keep the radical for the big adrenaline but mixed in with the Cayman/Exige for perspective and a different type of fun on road and track. I've got a 997 I'm pretty bored of so will be looking to swap that for said cars
Thanks for all, my current line of thought is in my last response there - fingers crossed I can find something
Dunc.
Dynion Araf Uchaf - I do agree I've had many slower track cars in the past, not all of them will pound around forever and be relaible though (the Radical does both these things). For a start I've always found tyres go off on production road based cars even with track focussed geometry, that takes the fun out of things.
Just because someone is in a fast car doesn't mean they are not at the limit
I understand what you are saying though, even to keep up with others in a slow car you need to be at the limit.I don't think I'd go back to a clio or BMW for track stuff, both cooked tyres and brakes on track. Saying that if I got something cheaper I would be happy spending more on serious upgrades, not FWD though - It doesn't keep my attention for long enough to be honest.
Laurasotherhalf - Thanks for the additional info, R26.R does sound like a hoot but the FWD is the deal breaker for me there.
Evoluzione - I'm not bothered about my speed vs others at track days, I keep that for the racing. I like to think I'm a 100% effort in whatever I'm driving type of guy. If I was going MX5 the std engine would be fine for me, thinks for the info - There's loads of MX5 fans here!
Braddo - Now there's an interesting one, I had previous contacted the factory to order a new one going back a few years but never went through due to a 1 year wait. I ended up buying a s2 exige (N/A) but didn't fall in love with it due to the suspension on the road, on track it was decent but at the time I remember wishing I was in the Rad.
V6todayEVmanana - Maybe something like this is what I need, perhaps mx5 championship? My racing so far has been mainly sports prototype and a bit of classic racing.
NGRhodes - Agreed, that stuff looks fun for sure. I've done 24h 2CV racing and it was genuinely amazing fun (hilarious in fact), I think something RWD and old would be good, realistically the car would have to be already sorted and RWD. Not sure what the options are?
QBee - Your recommendations are real close to my current thinking. I'm thinking road Cayman with track upgrades or exige (S2 or S3), since these would be road cars I could keep the radical for the big adrenaline but mixed in with the Cayman/Exige for perspective and a different type of fun on road and track. I've got a 997 I'm pretty bored of so will be looking to swap that for said cars
Thanks for all, my current line of thought is in my last response there - fingers crossed I can find something
Dunc.
Hi, thanks for the continued responses.
I'm getting towards a conclusion. Although many are suggesting Caterhams (and I have liked them when I've driven them) I think I'd just miss the radical when driving one although I accept there would be more traffic to play with.
So I've sold my 997 and I'm currently shopping for GT86's and Cayman's with preference leaning towards the Cayman for the mid-engine layout and satisfying drive chain.
Thanks again,
Dunc.
I'm getting towards a conclusion. Although many are suggesting Caterhams (and I have liked them when I've driven them) I think I'd just miss the radical when driving one although I accept there would be more traffic to play with.
So I've sold my 997 and I'm currently shopping for GT86's and Cayman's with preference leaning towards the Cayman for the mid-engine layout and satisfying drive chain.
Thanks again,
Dunc.
Edited by dunc_sx on Tuesday 10th November 08:40
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