£10-12K Track/sports car

[FootTapper]

I'm hoping you're already a very experienced track driver.



In case you're not... Don't get a 350z for use on track days, in fact, don't spend 10-12k on a track car. Spend 5k on one, and the remainder on learning to drive it properly (Proper on track driving tuition) on getting experience on track and on getting to the Nurburgring.

Remember - to drive a car at ten tenths on track you have to be willing to stack it. A 350z having an off at ten tenths is gonna be bashed hard. If you're happy to potter around, then don't bother with the track days.

There is a happy medium - driving round at nine tenths - but unless you are an experienced track driver you'll gain nothing more from trying (and failing) to drive a very quick car at nine tenths, than you will from succeeding in driving something slower and cheaper at nine tenths.


Best fun car I've driven on track was the Mx5, mk1 1.6. Delight to drive in the wet. But I've also had great fun in a Prelude and a vectra (estate) neither worth more than a grand, both faster than a lot of people in much flasher more expensive cars - who either couldn't drive, or were too scared of hurting their car to drive them quickly.

 

[ChrisBrit81]

Cheers for the advice, FootTapper.

I'm not an experienced track driver at all, and to be honest, I can't see myself attending any more than 3-4 events per year.

I think you're spot on though with the idea of a cheaper car and being willing to "stack" it as you say.

In all honesty, I think what I'm really after is a nice sporty car to drive around on a Sunday in the countryside, but one that can also be taken to a track day and not receive a slating off the other drivers. Basically, I don't wan't to get a banger, because I wan't to be able to live with it day to day too.

I think MX-5 is sneaking into the lead here, here's the league so far:

=1. Mazda MX-5
=1. Honda S2000
3. RenaultSport Clio 182
4. Civic Type R (2001 shape)
5. Pug 306 GTI Stripped and modified.

 

[FootTapper]

It's good that you're honest - there's a lot of guys spend a stack on a Porsche GT3RS - then find they use it almost solely as a road car, and the two times in a year they're using it on track they are being made to look dumb...


Might sound counter-intuitive, but given inexperience and the MX5/S2000 choice, I'd take the MX5 as it's less powerful and slower.

The fun of driving on track is being able to find/push or even just get near the limit round the corners. S2000 you'll find it easier to "make up" time on the straights - and that is less motivation to learn to get good in the corners, which is where the real enjoyment is.

You can pick up a very tidy, reliable MX5 for a few k, try it, enjoy it, then if you decide to move on/move up you will lose very little on the car.

 

[The Masked Geek]

I've got a Red UK '95 MX-5 1.8 going cheap.

Needs some minor bodywork and a new rag (£250 fitted) but otherwise, it's yours for £1500.

Then you'll have £8k to get it modded. DT_Xtremez_14:

 

[ChrisBrit81]

I've got a Red UK '95 MX-5 1.8 going cheap.

Needs some minor bodywork and a new rag (£250 fitted) but otherwise, it's yours for £1500.

Then you'll have £8k to get it modded. DT_Xtremez_14:

Red aint my colour to be honest, and I've been looking at the newer mk2s. There's a few decent ones around for £7k-ish and then I can gradually modify it.

After all, I do enjoy modifying cars, I was a little bit of a boy racer when younger, but not as chavvy. All I could really afford was cosmetic for insurance purposes, but now I'm older and (hopefully) more mature, not to mention a tad better off too, I'm hoping to start performance modification - but that's another thread all together.

 

[Ex Tg3]

Some good advice there from FootTapper.

From experience I would say not to use anything turbo charger for a first car to drive on track, and definitely not a RWD one. Running costs are much higher and more to monitor/modify to ensure reliability when on track.

The MX-5 and S2000 ideas are great, but be aware of the high taxation class of the S2k (and EP3 Civic Type-R). The speed difference shouldn't make a difference to your decision or your safety so long as you keep your head screwed on and use common sense.

From a FWD point of view I would go with either DC2 Integra (for less than £5k now) or a 306 Rallye/GTi-6 (less than £2k). ITR's are good but maybe not the easiest car for a beginner to drive imo, the 306's are great and handle very nicely from the factory.

Another alternative I am surprised hasn't been mentioned is the E36 M3. Pre-2001 tax laws, big and strong, and sub £4k. A nice balanced car from the factory and lots of oomph.

Me personally for a first car I would go for FWD to see if you like it, plus it's much easier to learn lines in a FWD, and if you go for a 306 you can make them oversteer rather nicely

If you fancy trying out an MX-5 drop me a PM I have a contact for cheap car hire at trackdays, cars are caged with harnesses, uprated suspension, brakes and fitted with an LSD.

HTH