17k track car

[e46m3c]

17k for a track car. Got to we weatherproof, roof or roll bar. Driven not trailed. Bonus points for use ability.

Suggestions?

[e46m3c]

Thanks. Really I was trying to validate my decision to go m140 but didn’t mention to avoid bias.

Megan looks good. I’d prefer m140 tho for a few reasons.
Elise was appealing when s2 Honda engine ones were 18k. Not exciting enough now for the price.
Z4m. I have one already but I no longer want to track a roaster. And if I’m 15k deep. An m140 offers mostly the same performance. Can be used as dog car and cheaper on parts.
Vxr - just doesn’t appeal. I’d always want the Elise I think.
Cayman - too much bork factor for 17k? Can’t be used for anything else.
C5 z06. Yes for 15k but not for 25 which I think they are at now.
M3’s been there done that
Caterham - no thanks
Classic. Yea like mgbv8 but anything decent is big money
Type r. Same as the Megan
Rally reps. Been there done that.
Exige. Yes please. But they are 35k up?
Mx5 no thanks
Rx8 too slow / bork / been there
Gt86 same as cayman without the bork. Not desirable enough to forgot all practicality.
Slk55. Does it count as a hard top?
F-type. Too heavy
Zenos e10. Why o why doesn’t it have a roof in the Uk!
Westfield megas2000 I could possibly get on board with.
Bike engine Caterham I could probably get on board as I love the idea of a million rpm. Probably would be perma-broken I suspect.

Only other options then are the cars I ‘want’. Like a c6 z06 or R8 but I think the cost on track and running costs would mean it wont get used.

Ultimately I think I want a car I can drive hard over something which looks good in the garage. And one I can do daily chores with at the sacrifice of feel/involvement.

Edited by e46m3c on Thursday 2nd February 00:01

Edited by e46m3c on Thursday 2nd February 00:03

Edited by e46m3c on Thursday 2nd February 00:07

[e46m3c]

Neither extreme really

[e46m3c]

Should probably clarify further.

I’m only in for fun for trackdays. Not interested in timing or being the fastest car. I find 300bhp / 1400kg to be plenty fast enough to thrill. I like sliding the rear around. I can’t be arsed with high maintenance or swapping tyres. I would only use road tyres probably as I like a car to move around. I wouldn’t go full track geo as I want it for road and daily use also.

[e46m3c]

Thanks for the comments guys. Pretty interesting thread for me at least.

Ginetta! Very good idea. I have looked at these in the past but figured they would be too hard to sell and a bit one trick pony.

On the caterham front. Ive had a similar non-caterham with the de-dion rear axel and 300bhp built charged meth'd duratec before i didnt get on with it. I know they are legendary but not for me. Westfield have independent rear suspension and wide body (im not small). Only westy id go for is the mega s2000 as i love the idea of that engine and gearbox in lightweight chassis. I just know i cant be arsed with the bad weather unless it was mega special. I know people on here will drive all weather, but im just being honest with myself, i wont.

I could be talked into a Nomad if they were 30k not 60. Dont ask me to reason why tho.

[e46m3c]

TheLoraxxZeus said:

If you're not in the extreme end of crazy speed or maximum fun at the expense of usability why not a hot hatch? Too heavy?

m140 basically is a hot hatch

[e46m3c]

308 gti is a good shout but prices have doubled last time I checked. When I first looked they were 13k ish.

I’d really like an fk2 type r but again. High prices for old cars.

[e46m3c]

Yes I’m really validating my m140 idea from another thread.

I guess what concerns me is that it’s kind of dull and I like having different experiences

I think what I’m really complaining about is the current price of cars. Plenty of ones I’d like but they all seem very highly priced.

How about a r33 or r35 gtr ?
S2000 is a good shout but I might as well just cage my z.
350 or 370 could be a nice cheap option.
C5 z06 would be perfect if they are still 20k
C6 for 20k would also do but not many around.
Tvr?

Perhaps I need to go rent a few cars at trackdays and see what I actually prefer.

[e46m3c]

Missed out on a couple of 140’s recently and my eye is starting to wander onto a cayman s.

Anyone got history of trackdaying a 987.1 s manual?

[e46m3c]

It does sound appealing. How are they with the odd slide? Never had mid engine before.

So consensus is go for the non s?

There is one with a 12k rebuild up for 18k.

I like the idea of gt3 bolt one. Not modifying as such but tweaking.

[e46m3c]

Caddyshack said:

I don’t think my 987 3.2 is any slower than the m135i that I had.

The Boxster S can slide very well, probably lacking torque to hang out Smokey slides but we used to get the (no) drift board at Bedford. I can get mine pretty crossed up with a bit of provoking. Very throttle adjustable when they move about.

Having both. Which do you recommend?

[e46m3c]

Let’s throw a 997 911 into the mix. Every time ppbb does and update in readers cars it makes me wonder why I never had one. Jethro seems pretty keen on his too.

[e46m3c]

Caddyshack said:

997 is a great car and if you want to drive a proper Porsche then they are brilliant handling as long as you understand how to drive them, I loved my 911 on track, it was by far the easiest car to slide around.

Isn't Jethro's a 996? I was reading Evo yesterday about the red 996 with the 991 engine conversion...isn't that Jethro?

yeah thats the one. ppbb's is a 996 too but ive tried one before and didnt really fit. Always had a hankering for a 997 c2s manual but again bork factor unless gen 2 which are big money!

[e46m3c]

yeah thats a bit too much for me. quite the bill. 17k car + 12k rebuilt means might as well get an r8 to start with and protect the money.

How come noone has mentioned a TVR yet? Tuscan has an integrated cage(?), bit over budget at about 25k. AP brakes standard, sounds epic, light weight, hydraulic steering. How come you dont see many of these on trackdays?

[e46m3c]

Well I still haven’t pulled the trigger on anything. Part of the reason I think the prices are too high for what they are.

Do I want to drop 20k on a 18 year old cayman with an engine likely to blow. No not really. Lots of these adverts are also online for 4-5weeks so presuming they aren’t selling and a price drop is coming.

Right now on the list is m135/m140, cayman, c6 corvette.

[e46m3c]

I was looking at m2’s earlier as a bit of scope creep and is it right they are 1600kg? How have they managed that.

[e46m3c]

Booked the c63 in at thruxton 2nd may. See how we get on consumable wise.

[e46m3c]

I have not yet resigned myself to fwd sorry.

There seems to be quite a big price gap between the m3 and m4.

[e46m3c]

Ok trackday complete in the c63 and it’s def not doing another.

Far to heavy on the tyres without serious camber adjustment which I’m not willing to do on my daily.

Went out in a 911 (thanks John) and it was mega. So much for the 17k budget!

Edited by e46m3c on Wednesday 3rd May 12:49

[e46m3c]

Been looking at caymans. Dfi engine ones seem to be 20k plus tho.

I much prefer the look of a 981 but they seem to be 30k.

The pug is really a really great car didn’t know about and would be in the list for fwd. is there a 4dr version?