Track/road car under 3k to buy...
Discussion
OK - a bit of a Top Gear style stupid mission, but any ideas as to a road car that could be bought for under 3k, driven a couple of hundred miles to a track and driven back all being well......? Obviously, I'm not expecting this to turn out that well but...... it's a bit of fun with some mates. I'm struggling a bit. Had a look at a Fiesta ST150 but there were some issues with it. It seems that the cheap cars of a few years ago are not that easy to find.
Don't mind whether FWD or RWD, lighter weight rather than big power would be preferable but with this objective anything will do....
Thoughts welcome!! Thanks
Don't mind whether FWD or RWD, lighter weight rather than big power would be preferable but with this objective anything will do....
Thoughts welcome!! Thanks
You could do it in anything really. How about a mk5 golf gti, or even a diesel GT?
There was a guy in a Touran 105 HP diesel at donnington last week and he was bloody impressive through the turns, bit less so on the straights!
His rear seats were all sat in the paddock along with wheel and the jack! ??
There was a guy in a Touran 105 HP diesel at donnington last week and he was bloody impressive through the turns, bit less so on the straights!
His rear seats were all sat in the paddock along with wheel and the jack! ??
For a car that can be driven to a track day, carry a spare set of wheels and a few tools , do the track day and get you home I am very happy with my Civic Type R.
Mine is setup to a similar standard of the Civic Cup racing cars in terms of the suspension/ steering/ performance modifications but without a roll cage as it retains a full interior as I often use it during the week to nip to work.
I wouldn't obsess over a pre/ post facelift model, id buy one that has a solid shell & evidence of engine servicing. If you can bag one that already has a Hondata ECU upgrade & suspension sorted you're onto a winner with circa 230hp/1200kg.
Mine is setup to a similar standard of the Civic Cup racing cars in terms of the suspension/ steering/ performance modifications but without a roll cage as it retains a full interior as I often use it during the week to nip to work.
I wouldn't obsess over a pre/ post facelift model, id buy one that has a solid shell & evidence of engine servicing. If you can bag one that already has a Hondata ECU upgrade & suspension sorted you're onto a winner with circa 230hp/1200kg.
E-bmw said:
Nice 
I'd got for the best condition Clio 172/182/197 you can find. Just watch out for crunchy gearboxes and make sure the belts have been done.
MX5's are popular, Peugeot 206 GTI 180 are fairly rare, but you may be able to get one in budget if you're prepared to travel and take cash.
I've seen a few tatty Audi TT's on track, so there may be something in the faster VAG group cars (Cupra, Golf GTI, Octavia VRS etc).
Fiesta ST150 is a good shout, there are loads out there, so you may have to been patient to find a solid one. Personally I'd be looking for a tatty/dent/CAT one with good service history and no rust. By the time you've finished with it you'll probably have replaced the suspension, bushes and brakes.
Taking a leaf out of Mike Brewer's book, owners clubs are usually a good way to find a bargain.
MX5's are popular, Peugeot 206 GTI 180 are fairly rare, but you may be able to get one in budget if you're prepared to travel and take cash.
I've seen a few tatty Audi TT's on track, so there may be something in the faster VAG group cars (Cupra, Golf GTI, Octavia VRS etc).
Fiesta ST150 is a good shout, there are loads out there, so you may have to been patient to find a solid one. Personally I'd be looking for a tatty/dent/CAT one with good service history and no rust. By the time you've finished with it you'll probably have replaced the suspension, bushes and brakes.
Taking a leaf out of Mike Brewer's book, owners clubs are usually a good way to find a bargain.
I track my MK1 vRS. Lots of mods. Parts are cheap, same as Golf GTI, Seat Cupra etc..
Very capable when modded, not too bad as standard, 180 BHP but suspension definitely soft for Track.
I chose this car as I like them visually, they are becoming very rare, have plenty of room inside and are a piece of cake to modify.
Admittedly mine stands me in about 4K but has a huge list of notifications including LSD, Suspension, brakes and 245bhp.
There is a black one on eBay for about 2K with some modifications.
Mine at Bedford a few weeks ago.
Very capable when modded, not too bad as standard, 180 BHP but suspension definitely soft for Track.
I chose this car as I like them visually, they are becoming very rare, have plenty of room inside and are a piece of cake to modify.
Admittedly mine stands me in about 4K but has a huge list of notifications including LSD, Suspension, brakes and 245bhp.
There is a black one on eBay for about 2K with some modifications.
Mine at Bedford a few weeks ago.
Thanks for all the ideas guys. I have had my fair share of MX5s so was after something different although I admit my NC was a cracking car on track once it had some money spent on the suspension and a few other bits like manifold etc.
The Skoda idea is quite a good one.... I also have another Mazda plan now, which may or may not turn out to be a bad idea!
The Skoda idea is quite a good one.... I also have another Mazda plan now, which may or may not turn out to be a bad idea!
Neil1323bolts said:
Yes I plan to take my twingo 133 to track this year few little mods first , but I think it would be great fun on track , it definitely is on the road and for 3k you should get a decent one , here’s mine 
Out of interest, what are the seats like in the 133? The ones in my 172 clio aren't great and i suspect they'd be fairly easy swap. Cambs_Stuart said:
Neil1323bolts said:
Out of interest, what are the seats like in the 133? The ones in my 172 clio aren't great and i suspect they'd be fairly easy swap. 
There is this but not sure how happy I would be with a car that has already been used as a track car, but it does save money on parts etc. Description is rubbish though and gives you little to go on...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103059...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103059...
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