Good base car for beginner
Discussion
I've been toying with track cars for years, but never got round to it for either personal or financial reasons. I'm now in a position that I'd like to dip my toes into a fun weekend hoon car and occasional track day car. Budget is around 5/6 k including base car and also track ready mods.
I'll hold my hands up and say my spannering ability is fairly limited to things like servicing, but would like to learn with this car.
I've been looking so far at:
Renault Clio 1*2
Corsa VXR
Fiesta ST (preferred only because I know my way round these a bit more)
What would people recommend? I know this is a very subjective question and open to other ideas but be good to get a feel for a good first dip into this scene.
I'm Also interested in the insurance side of things as Admiral wanted an extra £1k for the privilege of adding a Megane R26 third party onto my existing policy at 26.
Probably some seriously newbie questions here, but I guess we all have to start somewhere!
I'll hold my hands up and say my spannering ability is fairly limited to things like servicing, but would like to learn with this car.
I've been looking so far at:
Renault Clio 1*2
Corsa VXR
Fiesta ST (preferred only because I know my way round these a bit more)
What would people recommend? I know this is a very subjective question and open to other ideas but be good to get a feel for a good first dip into this scene.
I'm Also interested in the insurance side of things as Admiral wanted an extra £1k for the privilege of adding a Megane R26 third party onto my existing policy at 26.
Probably some seriously newbie questions here, but I guess we all have to start somewhere!
JKING said:
For me out of the three, would have to be the Clio 1*2.
I have a 182 and it's so easy to work on yourself with a semi-decent of tools/ equipment.
Yes it's FWD, but it's still a hoot to drive on track!
Here's mine
I am leaning towards it if i'm honest, there does seem to be an awful lot of lemons out there though. I'm on the ClioSport facebook group, most the decent spec seem to being broken down or extortionate, think the consensus is they can fetch more as parts than whole? I have a 182 and it's so easy to work on yourself with a semi-decent of tools/ equipment.
Yes it's FWD, but it's still a hoot to drive on track!
Here's mine
Frimley111R said:
I'm looking for a Megane R26 as I felt the Clios were s bit smaller than I'd like. It'd be in your budget too but most are standard but the upgrades are simple enough and its faster than a Clio.
No where near as chuckable tho - and not much faster (usually slower) IME.TurboHatchback said:
Out of those options the 182 for sure, though for the usage you describe why pick a FWD hatchback? A 2 seat RWD roadster or coupe would be far more fun, MR2/MX5 etc.
I'm open to more ideas, my mind keeps falling back towards FWD hot hatches, so i need some help to show me the wider world!My thinking was my be easier to learn the ropes of track in a hatch, however may be wrong in this?
Edited by Jimbo NW on Tuesday 7th March 17:01
Jimbo NW said:
I'm open to more ideas, my mind keeps falling back towards FWD hot hatches, so i need some help to show me the wider world!
My thinking was my be easier to learn the ropes of track in a hatch, however may be wrong in this?
What experience do/dont you have?My thinking was my be easier to learn the ropes of track in a hatch, however may be wrong in this?
Edited by Jimbo NW on Tuesday 7th March 17:01
loggyboy said:
Jimbo NW said:
I'm open to more ideas, my mind keeps falling back towards FWD hot hatches, so i need some help to show me the wider world!
My thinking was my be easier to learn the ropes of track in a hatch, however may be wrong in this?
What experience do/dont you have?My thinking was my be easier to learn the ropes of track in a hatch, however may be wrong in this?
Edited by Jimbo NW on Tuesday 7th March 17:01
As above, Clio 1*2 or MX-5 would be two I'd suggest.
Clio is far faster car than an MX-5, but MX-5 has amazing go-cart handling that is very fun to drive, even at lower speeds/on twistier tracks.
I'd look at what tracks are local/within your budget, as an MX-5 is more fun round Brands Hatch than it is round Thruxton.
Also, go to a couple of track days, sign on as a passenger and ask for some passenger rides, most people are happy to take someone out, but most people feel it is cheeky to ask.
Clio is far faster car than an MX-5, but MX-5 has amazing go-cart handling that is very fun to drive, even at lower speeds/on twistier tracks.
I'd look at what tracks are local/within your budget, as an MX-5 is more fun round Brands Hatch than it is round Thruxton.
Also, go to a couple of track days, sign on as a passenger and ask for some passenger rides, most people are happy to take someone out, but most people feel it is cheeky to ask.
[quote=Jimbo NW]
Renault Clio 1*2
Corsa VXR
Fiesta ST (preferred only because I know my way round these a bit more)
quote]
Clios are common track days for good reason, mainly brakes & handling on decently quick car. However it is hard to get them above 200bhp.
The Fiesta on the other hand is also good handling with the ability to get over 200 without massive spending.
Both have MANY manufacturers competing for your business for upgraded parts.
Swings......Roundabouts.
I have spent quite a bit of time looking into both routes before settling on going down the Cooper S route for a few reasons.
Build quality and LSD being a common option, and finally ease of going North of 220 bhp whilst maintaining reliability using bolt on bits only.
Renault Clio 1*2
Corsa VXR
Fiesta ST (preferred only because I know my way round these a bit more)
quote]
Clios are common track days for good reason, mainly brakes & handling on decently quick car. However it is hard to get them above 200bhp.
The Fiesta on the other hand is also good handling with the ability to get over 200 without massive spending.
Both have MANY manufacturers competing for your business for upgraded parts.
Swings......Roundabouts.
I have spent quite a bit of time looking into both routes before settling on going down the Cooper S route for a few reasons.
Build quality and LSD being a common option, and finally ease of going North of 220 bhp whilst maintaining reliability using bolt on bits only.
Honestly the default answers you see here do make sense.
FWD then a Clio 172/182
RWD then an MX5 or if your budget is a bit bigger GT86
Excellent base to learn from and manageable costs.
I have just bought an MX5 Sport Tech to get back into trackdays again and then either buy a quicker car in a years time or will visit BBR and get a few more ponies out of it.
FWD then a Clio 172/182
RWD then an MX5 or if your budget is a bit bigger GT86
Excellent base to learn from and manageable costs.
I have just bought an MX5 Sport Tech to get back into trackdays again and then either buy a quicker car in a years time or will visit BBR and get a few more ponies out of it.
E-bmw]imbo NW said:
Clios are common track days for good reason, mainly brakes & handling on decently quick car. However it is hard to get them above 200bhp.
The Fiesta on the other hand is also good handling with the ability to get over 200 without massive spending.
Assuming price wise he is talking about the 150bhp mk6 fiesta ST, which would harder than Clio to push to over 200.The Fiesta on the other hand is also good handling with the ability to get over 200 without massive spending.
Knocking on the door 200 on the clio is fairly easy, assuming it's a good, well serviced (as in accurately timed) lump, add a filter/exhaust combo, 197 cams, remap and you be in/near the 190s, for under £1000. After that forced induction with new kit will be £4k+. Using used kit you might pull that down to £3k. Or you could be patient and by a car already with FI within in his initial budget.
However, any car with 150-200bhp will make a perfect starter track day car, and if you have little experience with RWD or track, I would want to learn one or the other first. Learn RWD on road, then track it, or learn to track a FWD then move to RWD. RWD for someone with no experience of one, on a wet track will end up in the gravel.
AdamGRocco said:
As above, Clio 1*2 or MX-5 would be two I'd suggest.
Clio is far faster car than an MX-5, but MX-5 has amazing go-cart handling that is very fun to drive, even at lower speeds/on twistier tracks.
I'd look at what tracks are local/within your budget, as an MX-5 is more fun round Brands Hatch than it is round Thruxton.
Also, go to a couple of track days, sign on as a passenger and ask for some passenger rides, most people are happy to take someone out, but most people feel it is cheeky to ask.
ThisClio is far faster car than an MX-5, but MX-5 has amazing go-cart handling that is very fun to drive, even at lower speeds/on twistier tracks.
I'd look at what tracks are local/within your budget, as an MX-5 is more fun round Brands Hatch than it is round Thruxton.
Also, go to a couple of track days, sign on as a passenger and ask for some passenger rides, most people are happy to take someone out, but most people feel it is cheeky to ask.
Rwd is more pure and more skill full to get right. But with common sense it's not lethal. Start carefully and you'll be out in the rain having fun. Plenty of muppets turn up in fwd and bin it too.
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