I had a ridiculous idea but it might make sense???
Discussion
I live in Scotland and have driven all the great roads several times. I have been thinking about Track Days but living in Scotland most circuits are many boring miles away. I was searching the classifieds for a Track Day car I could drive to the circuit, tack punishment and will not be costly to run.
The was looking at the usual suspects like BMW M3 etc but then a spotted a good deal and now I think it could be so silly its perfect car. I have been looking at a Renault Megane Trophy R. The car had 5 year warranty, Two sets of wheels for slicks and wets that I can carry in back, manual, track biased set up that can be adjusted, I can use it everyday, rare and hold its money and 5 year warranty.
negatives it is front wheel drive but even though i have owned lots of rear wheel drive cars I have only done one track day.
What do you think of the Megane Trophy R as a daily and track car?
The was looking at the usual suspects like BMW M3 etc but then a spotted a good deal and now I think it could be so silly its perfect car. I have been looking at a Renault Megane Trophy R. The car had 5 year warranty, Two sets of wheels for slicks and wets that I can carry in back, manual, track biased set up that can be adjusted, I can use it everyday, rare and hold its money and 5 year warranty.
negatives it is front wheel drive but even though i have owned lots of rear wheel drive cars I have only done one track day.
What do you think of the Megane Trophy R as a daily and track car?
Had a Meg 275Cup S for 6 years from new, done lots of track days, fantastic car and brilliant fun. No issues whatsoever, fantastic handling car and way quicker on track than it’s got any right to be. OK for daily duties, not the best but comfy and totally reliable, looks quite sober which is a good thing in my book. It’s the Porsche GT3 of the hatchback world. Very underrated.
I used to own a GT3 but too expensive to track and run everyday. M3's are getting expensive for age and mileage. I thought of cheap 996 coupe manual but engines are made of chocolate and now £20k. The Caterham's & Lotus's are cheap and fast track cars but the thought of touring the UK to different circuits sounds tedious. I used to own a S2 Elise but disintegrated around me in six months.
Jumpingjackflash said:
I live in Scotland and have driven all the great roads several times. I have been thinking about Track Days but living in Scotland most circuits are many boring miles away. I was searching the classifieds for a Track Day car I could drive to the circuit, tack punishment and will not be costly to run.
The was looking at the usual suspects like BMW M3 etc but then a spotted a good deal and now I think it could be so silly its perfect car. I have been looking at a Renault Megane Trophy R. The car had 5 year warranty, Two sets of wheels for slicks and wets that I can carry in back, manual, track biased set up that can be adjusted, I can use it everyday, rare and hold its money and 5 year warranty.
negatives it is front wheel drive but even though i have owned lots of rear wheel drive cars I have only done one track day.
What do you think of the Megane Trophy R as a daily and track car?
Can’t comment on the car, but if you’re in Scotland don’t forget about Knockhill for track days. A bit short but much more interesting than many English circuits.The was looking at the usual suspects like BMW M3 etc but then a spotted a good deal and now I think it could be so silly its perfect car. I have been looking at a Renault Megane Trophy R. The car had 5 year warranty, Two sets of wheels for slicks and wets that I can carry in back, manual, track biased set up that can be adjusted, I can use it everyday, rare and hold its money and 5 year warranty.
negatives it is front wheel drive but even though i have owned lots of rear wheel drive cars I have only done one track day.
What do you think of the Megane Trophy R as a daily and track car?
Knockhill was the circuit I have driven. I really enjoyed it and that is why I wanted to try more. When I was on knoxkhill I was going faster but when I was on the Stewart Straight when I went into fourth gear I had to brake immediately and nearly didn’t make Duffus Dip. I would like to try bigger and faster tracks and also try the Nurburgring. I have been saying for years I will go but never have. I’m self employed and never have the time. Work has changed during covid so maybe I have more time now.
The megane trophy R is a superb track car, i can't comment on daily duties as I've only been in one that was on coilovers, with a cage, buckets and harnesses. But even that was more comfortable than my impreza. And definitely better equipped.
I'd recommend having a good test drive in one, as with a lot of performance cars it's all about finding something that suits you.
I'd recommend having a good test drive in one, as with a lot of performance cars it's all about finding something that suits you.
I find the idea of the 'ring frightening with the potential for big bills, used to dream of going there when I was younger. As to your dilemma, depends on budget, but how about a Cayman? That's what I got mine for, daily and track days and it's a great car. If you can have a 2nd car dedicated to fun and track, then a VX220, prices are only going up and they're great value for money and such good fun, they can also handle the long drive to a track being pretty comfortable. I could do a 5-6 hour journey in mine and be fine on arrival.
Even Evo mag writes about how unforgivingly stiff the trophy r is on the road. But if it was too much as a daily driver there is always the option of having something g else for the daily stuff.
Having cruise control for the long drives to and from track days makes a massive difference in my experience. Especially if doing those drives on the day of the track day.
Having cruise control for the long drives to and from track days makes a massive difference in my experience. Especially if doing those drives on the day of the track day.
What does not make sense is why someone who has never done track days is talking about slicks and wets. It is like saying, "I want to get into skiing, what skis do they use in the Olympics." If you want to get into trackdays, a Megane is a very good choice, but start on the tyres it comes with and build up. Slicks put far more strain on a car and flatter your driving making you think you are far better than you are and more than worrying about warranty, more likely, gap insurance will be the important bit.
Nickjd said:
What does not make sense is why someone who has never done track days is talking about slicks and wets. It is like saying, "I want to get into skiing, what skis do they use in the Olympics." If you want to get into trackdays, a Megane is a very good choice, but start on the tyres it comes with and build up. Slicks put far more strain on a car and flatter your driving making you think you are far better than you are and more than worrying about warranty, more likely, gap insurance will be the important bit.
I understand your point and I do not take any offence. The Trophy R comes with two sets of wheels and tyres so makes sense to have road tyres and track tyres. There is no point having two sets of road tyres. 
Well worth a read if you're considering the latest Trophy R https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-features/megan...
In full £70k trim, Matt said it felt worth every single penny, which is hard to believe for a hot hatch but goes to show how incredible it must be.
In full £70k trim, Matt said it felt worth every single penny, which is hard to believe for a hot hatch but goes to show how incredible it must be.
Honestly it would probably be brilliant.
I did many trackdays in my old Megane 250 Cup. Part of the pleasure of it was exactly what you say, comfort to and from the track, full set of wheels in the back, but more than that, it was proper good fun and very adjustable.
I've got a 280 Cup now (so the 'normal' model of the Trophy R). I can only imagine that with a normal rear end (no rear wheel steer) and some trick suspension it would be the best of both worlds.
I have a Caterham these days. It IS more fun than the Megane on track, but the driving to and from trackdays can get pretty tiring!
I did many trackdays in my old Megane 250 Cup. Part of the pleasure of it was exactly what you say, comfort to and from the track, full set of wheels in the back, but more than that, it was proper good fun and very adjustable.
I've got a 280 Cup now (so the 'normal' model of the Trophy R). I can only imagine that with a normal rear end (no rear wheel steer) and some trick suspension it would be the best of both worlds.
I have a Caterham these days. It IS more fun than the Megane on track, but the driving to and from trackdays can get pretty tiring!
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