Peugeot 205GTi or Clio 172 as a track car?

[IanOE]

Now that I have sold my supercharged MX-5 track car, I am looking for something different to replace it with and I'm currently looking at a 205GTi or a Clio 172.

Has anyone got experiences of either of these cars on track? I only did 4 track days in my MX-5 and I'm still very much learning as a track driver.

One of the main things for me is insurance cost as this car will be used pretty much just to get to the track and back and I don't want to be paying a lot just to do that. The car will be garaged but I live close to central London, so insurance cost is always an issue.

As insurance is such an issue for me, I would like a car that has either no or minor modifications, would either car be better than the other standard?

For track days, how big a difference is the Clio 172 and 172 Cup in reality? I realise that the Cup is lighter, but does it make much difference?

[SirSamuelOfBuca]

Think the cup has a twitcher back end? Guy on. Rtoc.org has a mint Clio for sale think its a 182 though

[roystinho]

172 cup has no abs and some have no a/c

My track car is a Phase 1 172, still had throttle cable and a bit more raw. Still setting it up so not had it on track yet, but in the Yorkshire dales it's loads of fun

[IanOE]

roystinho said:

My track car is a Phase 1 172, still had throttle cable and a bit more raw. Still setting it up so not had it on track yet, but in the Yorkshire dales it's loads of fun

I think I'd be looking at a phase 1 172. Is yours a Cup?

[michaelw3628]

Cup variants were only available on the phase 2 model.

[roystinho]

IanOE said:

roystinho said:

My track car is a Phase 1 172, still had throttle cable and a bit more raw. Still setting it up so not had it on track yet, but in the Yorkshire dales it's loads of fun

I think I'd be looking at a phase 1 172. Is yours a Cup?

As above, there wasn't a cup on the phase 1. Though the suspension fits, so tomorrow I'm putting cup shocks and some uprated eibach springs on along with camber bolts to be set at 1.75 neg and new pads, disks and lines. Hopefully going on track somewhere next month then seeing what else needs improving

[IanOE]

michaelw3628 said:

Cup variants were only available on the phase 2 model.

Thanks, it's taking me a while to work my way around the different models and variants.

[IanOE]

roystinho said:

Though the suspension fits, so tomorrow I'm putting cup shocks and some uprated eibach springs on along with camber bolts to be set at 1.75 neg and new pads, disks and lines. Hopefully going on track somewhere next month then seeing what else needs improving

How did you get on with fitting the suspension?

I got some insurance quotes at the weekend and it looks like I'll be going down the 205GTi route as insurance is much cheaper as I can get it on a classic policy.

[OlberJ]

If going 205, look at getting an Mi16, it's so much better.

[IanOE]

OlberJ said:

If going 205, look at getting an Mi16, it's so much better.

That would be my preference in an ideal world but it would also go against what I am doing as it would mean much higher insurance.

I've just sold my highly modified supercharged MX-5 so that I can get a track car that is cheaper to insure.

I am sure that lots of fun can be had on track in an original 205 GTi.

[OlberJ]

Check out the cost differences, i don't think it'll be anywhere near as much as you think.

[IanOE]

OlberJ said:

Check out the cost differences, i don't think it'll be anywhere near as much as you think.

Hmm, thanks for the tip, it sounds like it may be worth looking into then.

Can you recommend any insurance companies for modified classic cars?

I always find it quite depressing getting insurance quotes, it always takes so long.

My concern is because I live quite centrally in London, so insurance is usually sky high. I really don't want to pay much on insurance when I am only going to be driving to the circuit and back for track days and taking the car for servicing etc.

[OlberJ]

If it's track only, hire a garage near your local track and keep the car off the road? Sure you'll get someone willing to do a quick trailer run 5 miles or so for not a lot of cash.

Speak to a broker and they'll get you a good spread of the market. There's always too many variables to be able to say 1 insurance company will be good for 1 type of car.

[IanOE]

OlberJ said:

If it's track only, hire a garage near your local track and keep the car off the road? Sure you'll get someone willing to do a quick trailer run 5 miles or so for not a lot of cash.

Speak to a broker and they'll get you a good spread of the market. There's always too many variables to be able to say 1 insurance company will be good for 1 type of car.

It's a good idea but I fancy going to quite a few different tracks for a bit of variety. I was actually thinking of maybe doing some autotesting too - I think that's what it's called.

I think I need to dedicate some time to phoning an insurance broker to look at different car options.

[roystinho]

IanOE said:

roystinho said:

Though the suspension fits, so tomorrow I'm putting cup shocks and some uprated eibach springs on along with camber bolts to be set at 1.75 neg and new pads, disks and lines. Hopefully going on track somewhere next month then seeing what else needs improving

How did you get on with fitting the suspension?

I got some insurance quotes at the weekend and it looks like I'll be going down the 205GTi route as insurance is much cheaper as I can get it on a classic policy.

Rear went on fine, as did the rear brake lines. Unfortunately it needed new bump stops on the front shocks so they didn't go on this weekend, and the bleed nipple snapped off the o/s front caliper so didn't bother with the brakes. New caliper and bump stops ordered for about £60 so not too bad. Hopefully fitted in the next week or so when I and my friend who's teaching me have time

[roystinho]

Oh, try Brentacre for insurance. It costs you no extra to modify as long as it doesn't add hp. So declaring all my mods as I do them doesn't cost me a penny, but then you're fully insured. The policy cost me £40 more than the cheapest I could've had, but then it could cost you £25 admin fee plus an extra cost on other policies

[IanOE]

roystinho said:

Rear went on fine, as did the rear brake lines. Unfortunately it needed new bump stops on the front shocks so they didn't go on this weekend, and the bleed nipple snapped off the o/s front caliper so didn't bother with the brakes. New caliper and bump stops ordered for about £60 so not too bad. Hopefully fitted in the next week or so when I and my friend who's teaching me have time

Nice one, hopefully you'll get it sorted and out on track soon.

roystinho said:

Oh, try Brentacre for insurance. It costs you no extra to modify as long as it doesn't add hp. So declaring all my mods as I do them doesn't cost me a penny, but then you're fully insured. The policy cost me £40 more than the cheapest I could've had, but then it could cost you £25 admin fee plus an extra cost on other policies

Thanks for the tip, I'll give Brentacre a try for insurance and see how I get on. It'd be good to do modifications such as brakes and suspension without extra insurance. Do you know if it includes stripping out the rear seats etc and putting racing seats and a cage in? Not that I'd do that myself, but I could consider a car that someone's already done that to.

[Simes205]

I live in south London, I have a 205GTI.
Insurance is £380 on a classic policy.
Mi16 engine, cams, Emerald and Jenvey throttle bodies.

[IanOE]

Simes205 said:

I live in south London, I have a 205GTI.
Insurance is £380 on a classic policy.
Mi16 engine, cams, Emerald and Jenvey throttle bodies.

That sounds interesting, are you able to let me know who your insurance is with, please?

[roystinho]

IanOE said:

Thanks for the tip, I'll give Brentacre a try for insurance and see how I get on. It'd be good to do modifications such as brakes and suspension without extra insurance. Do you know if it includes stripping out the rear seats etc and putting racing seats and a cage in? Not that I'd do that myself, but I could consider a car that someone's already done that to.

Costs you no extra to strip it out, cage etc. Only if you add bhp. And then I bet if you Rolling Road'd it and it was under you could argue to get it back to 172/182 shouldn't cost you any extra...