Advice choosing a new track day car

[e414078]

Hi all,

I am seeking advice from TD enthusiasts who have enjoyed a range of difference cars. Perhaps you have found the happy medium?

Around 18 months ago I switched my S1 Elise (wonderful balance on the circuit, dreadful to drive for +2hrs) for a 911 Turbo. The Turbo is awesome and my wife adores it etc... but it's far too accomplished for throwing around a circuit IMO, and the consumables are of course an issue.
I desire a bit more interaction in a nutshell, but it must hold more road appeal than 700kg Lotus!

I thoroughly enjoyed the razor sharp chassis of the Elise, which only comes with low(er) weight in my experienece. The Turbo on the other hand is an awesome thing to tour in (I've been to the ring, Spa etc) but slightly out of its comfort zone on a typical UK track. I don't wish to modify the 911 due to low milage and condition.

Ideally I would like a car which is under 1,200KG and pretty useful out of the box. It should retain enough creature comforts for a 3 hour drive (to/from the circuit) and deliver roughly 300bhp. I prefer NA to turbo (personal preference) and I do NOT want a project car. No time attack, big HP subarus etc. I wholly respect such cars but they are not my thing; driver interaction excites me more than raw power.

Budget around £25k for something used, with an additional £5k to spend on decent seats and suspension components. I don't wish to modify the engine.
My best idea thus far is a 2006-8 Cayman S 3.4. Perhaps an E46/92 M3 but I think this will be too heavy for the experience I am looking for..

Alternatively I could spend > £60k on something new which would be part financed. At this price bracket I am of course leaning towards a V6 Exige but I am dubious as to how 'tolerable' this would be on a longer drive to a circuit... I also know that the V6 sails very close to the 101DB limit at Bedford, which I use frequently.

Finally, I almost forgot; RWD please. I've owned lots of FWD greats but I do prefer RWD on circuit.

knock yourselves out and keep the banter clean!

Thanks, Matt

[thebraketester]

Radical?

Ohh sorry... I missed the comfort thing :-)

[lucido grigio]

thebraketester said:

Radical?

Really ?

Did you read the OP ?

He asked for creature comforts.........in a Radical......

How about a Honda S2000 ?

[thebraketester]

Sorry. I amended the post. :-)

[e414078]

thebraketester said:

Radical?

Ohh sorry... I missed the comfort thing :-)

ha ha

I may well visit the trailer route in the future, as I would love a true lightweight one day! \
I don't have the space etc for that at the moment.

Thanks,
Matt

[Jbliss]

Noble

[baronbennyt]

Porsche Cayman all the way. I've been very lucky to have owned and tracked a lot of heavy performance machinery in my time but nothing has been as sweet handling as my old Cayman R. Plus it's incredibly well built, practical, reliable and comfortable. The only fly in the ointment is that it lacks a bit of soul, but you can't have everything I suppose.

[mikey P 500]

Gt86 with a supercharger (feels like a bigger na engine) almost as light as your requirements handle really well, and should be reliable at 300 fly bhp. Could easily find one for under £25k, can be bought from specialists with warranty etc

[nw942]

baronbennyt said:

Porsche Cayman all the way. I've been very lucky to have owned and tracked a lot of heavy performance machinery in my time but nothing has been as sweet handling as my old Cayman R. Plus it's incredibly well built, practical, reliable and comfortable. The only fly in the ointment is that it lacks a bit of soul, but you can't have everything I suppose.

I had a similar dilema last year and went for the Cayman in the end.

[braddo]

mikey P 500 said:

Gt86 with a supercharger (feels like a bigger na engine) almost as light as your requirements handle really well, and should be reliable at 300 fly bhp. Could easily find one for under £25k, can be bought from specialists with warranty etc

That would one of the contenders I'd try, plus what about a more recent Elise? A Toyota engined car with a supercharger (either aftermarket on 111R or a factory Elise S), with a hardtop, aircon, full carpet set, quite exhaust/induction - it should make quite a difference for long trips versus a S1 but is still well under a ton.

[foz01]

Exige V6 would be getting my interest..

[dulcinea]

I just bought a V6 on the 50/50 so within budget if you use man maths. Pick up in a week or so, beyond excited.

[TheRocket]

If you go down the Cayman S route just be aware the gen2 cars (2009 onwards) lend themselves to track work more as the dfi engine has 4 oil pick ups I think where the old engine in the gen1 had less and has been known to suffer from oil starvation if run on track suspension and some stickier tyres, even fitting an accusump they still have problems.

I'm yet to fit fast road / track suspension on mine but I found myself in a similar position after my very focused Elise, the Cayman does look like a good compromise.

Edited by TheRocket on Saturday 1st April 16:52

[e414078]

Thanks to everyone for contributing - some really useful feedback here.
Matt

[smiles1]

TheRocket said:

If you go down the Cayman S route just be aware the gen2 cars (2009 onwards) lend themselves to track work more as the dfi engine has 4 oil pick ups I think where the old engine in the gen1 had less and has been known to suffer from oil starvation if run on track suspension and some stickier tyres, even fitting an accusump they still have problems.

I'm yet to fit fast road / track suspension on mine but I found myself in a similar position after my very focused Elise, the Cayman does look like a good compromise.

Edited by TheRocket on Saturday 1st April 16:52

Does the S 2009 (onwards) Cayman's come with a LSD as standard?

[TheRocket]

smiles1 said:

TheRocket said:

If you go down the Cayman S route just be aware the gen2 cars (2009 onwards) lend themselves to track work more as the dfi engine has 4 oil pick ups I think where the old engine in the gen1 had less and has been known to suffer from oil starvation if run on track suspension and some stickier tyres, even fitting an accusump they still have problems.

I'm yet to fit fast road / track suspension on mine but I found myself in a similar position after my very focused Elise, the Cayman does look like a good compromise.

Edited by TheRocket on Saturday 1st April 16:52

Does the S 2009 (onwards) Cayman's come with a LSD as standard?

No but depending on who you talk to opinion is split if the are needed, certainly on the road can't say I've missed not having one so far. If I did I would go for an aftermarket one.

[smiles1]

TheRocket said:

No but depending on who you talk to opinion is split if the are needed, certainly on the road can't say I've missed not having one so far. If I did I would go for an aftermarket one.

Thanks

[Steve H]

With that budget and already owning a great road car I'd look at a Caterham or Westfield plus tow barge. Not strictly within your criteria but it should be.

[Oilchange]

Evora?
Autotrader has a high miler at ~24k

[Koje]

e414078 said:

Ideally I would like a car which is under 1,200KG and pretty useful out of the box.

My best idea thus far is a 2006-8 Cayman S 3.4.

If i am not mistaken the Cayman is somewhat heavier than 1.2t and from what i understand is neither light on consumables nor a cheap car to maintain/repair. As an all round package it will excel but i am not so sure it will provide the raw experience you are looking for.

I see you are not in a position to run a trailer car (which is a shame as it would enable you the best of both worlds). If it was my choice i would 'downgrade' the 911 to something still nice but a lot cheaper and go for the Exige V6. Every time you get in the Lotus it would be worth it, it will be fine on the road for a few hours and epic on the track.