One car to rule them all? Cupra ST R as track car

[RobJeffrey87]

I am looking for one ‘do it all’ car that will also suffice for occasions track days and currently looking at the Seat Cupra ST R w/ ABT pack.

Looks ok for a few track days every year with base spec and enough practicality, economy, affordability to make good as a daily. (I live near the ‘ring so less heavy braking & acceleration per km, as such weight and braking performance less of an issue).

Interested to hear if anyone has experience of track performance of one of these? Or any alternative suggestions?

Thanks

[1781cc]

I'd recommend an Audi TT RS (or S if the budget doesn't cover the RS)

[Chunkychucky]

1781cc said:

I'd recommend an Audi TT RS (or S if the budget doesn't cover the RS)

"One car to rule them all" on track, and you'd recommend a re-bodied VW Golf with a boat anchor in the front?

[shirt]

message dale at BTG, he had one for a while IIRC

[TO73074E]

I seem to have recommended these a few times because they are excellent but would a Honda Civic Type R FK8 not be better? Very practical, easy to live with day to day, pretty good economy for a car with that amount of power. It would probably beat the Seat round a track too.

Do you need an estate, 4wd etc?

[E-bmw]

1781cc said:

I'd recommend an Audi TT RS (or S if the budget doesn't cover the RS)

Don't.

I have lost count of the number I have seen going backwards into track furniture, some with epically bad results.

[RobJeffrey87]

1781cc said:

I'd recommend an Audi TT RS (or S if the budget doesn't cover the RS)

Thanks for suggestion but have family and need something with more practicality

[RobJeffrey87]

TO73074E said:

I seem to have recommended these a few times because they are excellent but would a Honda Civic Type R FK8 not be better? Very practical, easy to live with day to day, pretty good economy for a car with that amount of power. It would probably beat the Seat round a track too.

Do you need an estate, 4wd etc?

Yes, ideally need an estate but 4WD optional. FK8 too spaceship for me, (must be getting old!)

[shirt]

https://www.bridgetogantry.com/new-seat-leon-cupra...

[LowTread]

I've had a crack at this myself over the years.

Last time i tried it i ended up with an M2. Big enough in the back for adults, certainly ok for kids. Half decent boot. And can take roof bars for bikes.

But i didn't track it because i was too scared of binning it. I was at a trackday in a different car when an M2 Comp hit the barriers, and it kind of put me off!

I test drove an FK8 when i was looking at selling the M2 and TBH i thought it was great! I'd have happily jumped from one to the other. It felt much more alive.

So my pick would be FK8.

In the end i went the other way and got a diesel Yeti, a trailer, and a dedicated track car.

But in the new year that's going to be sold pending a house move, and i'll be thinking seriously about the 1-car-for-everything option once again. An FK8 would be top of my list, if only i could get over the looks. A SportLine model would be my pick.

Not sure 4WD in a VAG platform would be the most fun on track.

Though a mate has a mk5 golf GTI that's actually surprisingly good as an occasional track car.

[1781cc]

E-bmw said:

1781cc said:

I'd recommend an Audi TT RS (or S if the budget doesn't cover the RS)

Don't.

I have lost count of the number I have seen going backwards into track furniture, some with epically bad results.

I’ve seen all manner of cars going into barriers, Tyres, gravel and so on over the years, I wouldn’t say it’s exclusive to the TT RS, and I’ve been around a few on track days that have been driven heroically fast, it’s a very capable all weather weapon

I think the key is the driver, I manage to get on perfectly well tracking my TT and have done since 2015. That said it’s a moot point if the OP needs more space.

Edited by 1781cc on Wednesday 16th November 06:31

[the-norseman]

I ran a 2014 Cupra 280 for 4 years with APR Stage2+ tuning (420PS) and it never missed a beat, did a few ring trips as well.

DSG version needs a TCU tune (DSG box) to make it drive how I liked it mind you.

[E-bmw]

1781cc said:

E-bmw said:

1781cc said:

I'd recommend an Audi TT RS (or S if the budget doesn't cover the RS)

Don't.

I have lost count of the number I have seen going backwards into track furniture, some with epically bad results.

I’ve seen all manner of cars going into barriers, Tyres, gravel and so on over the years, I wouldn’t say it’s exclusive to the TT RS, and I’ve been around a few on track days that have been driven heroically fast, it’s a very capable all weather weapon

I have no doubt that they are very capable, but it does seem (by my experience at least) that there is something strange about their "on the limit" road manners.

Either that or I have witnessed several uncapable drivers who expected the car to get them out of trouble.

[braddo]

What about a 3-series estate like a 328i (turbo 4-cyl version)

Or a i30N with a roofbox!

Edited by braddo on Wednesday 16th November 12:56