What car for £5k?
Discussion
Long story short, was going to buy something nice, got a new job, decided not to as I won’t get much use from it, now fancy another track day car…
I used to run an E36 328i and it was ace, but don’t want to go back there. The budget is £5k and that’s ideally including a couple of bits and pieces to help it on a bit. Ideally it should be small and lightweight to keep the running costs down, fun over outright power is also something I value.
The current shortlist is:
MX5 NB - Can get a track prepped one for about £3.5k, but rust and age is a worry. Parts, upgrades and knowledge seems plentiful
MX5 NC - Seemingly better value than the NB, are they as good, are they as prone to rust, does the new chassis make them better than the NB for this track days? Would assume the pre facelift is in budget.
Mk3 MR2 - Mid engine balance, but is there as much support in terms of upgrades? I really know very little about them but they do pop up a lot in this sort of chat
Mini Cooper S - Don’t mind fwd at all, but with these is there a better version to go for? Something about the pre-Peugeot engine I believe?
Finally a Clio of some sort. I ran a 182 for 3 years and loved it, which one is the version to look at in this price range?
Things I’m not looking at 325ti (don’t want another BMW) Audi TT, I suspect running costs and consumables are going to be higher for these.
I used to run an E36 328i and it was ace, but don’t want to go back there. The budget is £5k and that’s ideally including a couple of bits and pieces to help it on a bit. Ideally it should be small and lightweight to keep the running costs down, fun over outright power is also something I value.
The current shortlist is:
MX5 NB - Can get a track prepped one for about £3.5k, but rust and age is a worry. Parts, upgrades and knowledge seems plentiful
MX5 NC - Seemingly better value than the NB, are they as good, are they as prone to rust, does the new chassis make them better than the NB for this track days? Would assume the pre facelift is in budget.
Mk3 MR2 - Mid engine balance, but is there as much support in terms of upgrades? I really know very little about them but they do pop up a lot in this sort of chat
Mini Cooper S - Don’t mind fwd at all, but with these is there a better version to go for? Something about the pre-Peugeot engine I believe?
Finally a Clio of some sort. I ran a 182 for 3 years and loved it, which one is the version to look at in this price range?
Things I’m not looking at 325ti (don’t want another BMW) Audi TT, I suspect running costs and consumables are going to be higher for these.
I've been doing this recently with the added bonus that it had to be ulez compliant, I was trying to buy the cheapest mechanically sound car that I could as I expect that it will get battered.
I've whittled it down to an ep3 type r civic, a Clio 197 and a 335i BMW.
Type r being basically bomb proof, a Clio for the handling and looks, and a 335i because it would be the fastest you could go for the least money, if you're capable of fixing it yourself.
I've whittled it down to an ep3 type r civic, a Clio 197 and a 335i BMW.
Type r being basically bomb proof, a Clio for the handling and looks, and a 335i because it would be the fastest you could go for the least money, if you're capable of fixing it yourself.
Not by much 
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2015-Ford-Fiesta-ST-2-M...
They crash quite a bit too so there are occasional bargains to be had if you don't mind the history, which I wouldn't for a track car.
Talking of which..
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2013-FORD-FIESTA-ST2-1-...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2015-Ford-Fiesta-ST-2-M...
They crash quite a bit too so there are occasional bargains to be had if you don't mind the history, which I wouldn't for a track car.
Talking of which..
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2013-FORD-FIESTA-ST2-1-...
Edited by s p a c e m a n on Sunday 3rd October 13:36
brillomaster said:
I know you said no bmws, but... an e85 z4 3.0i is well within budget, and a capable car. Quite different to a 3 series, but keeps the glorious straight six and decent power.
Very compact car, a lot more precise to drive than a 3 series.
They are indeed in budget, they do worry me with the cost of consumables though. Very compact car, a lot more precise to drive than a 3 series.
For £5000 you should be able to find an MX5 NB which has had all the rust sorted, NCs also rust and are heavier obviously but I have seen them going well on trackdays.
I've had a couple of MR2 mk3, great little road car, a far better steer than an MX5 IMHO, but not convinced as a track car, there is some support in terms of suspension mods but impossible to find a trackday rollover bar and I wouldn't track one without although people do!
Clios are similar to MX5s in that the 172/182 is lighter and for your budget you should be able to find a well prepared one, 197/200 handle and brake better as standard but the extra weight is an issue. I currently track a near standard 200 Cup, it does ok but struggles to keep up with a lot of modified 172/182 which probably cost a lot less.
I've had a couple of MR2 mk3, great little road car, a far better steer than an MX5 IMHO, but not convinced as a track car, there is some support in terms of suspension mods but impossible to find a trackday rollover bar and I wouldn't track one without although people do!
Clios are similar to MX5s in that the 172/182 is lighter and for your budget you should be able to find a well prepared one, 197/200 handle and brake better as standard but the extra weight is an issue. I currently track a near standard 200 Cup, it does ok but struggles to keep up with a lot of modified 172/182 which probably cost a lot less.
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