Track car choice?

[wolverine]

I'm planning on buying a cheap track car to do numerous trackdays and such like.
What would be your choice of trackcar if you were after something that was RWD, very cheap, reliable, easy to maintain?

I've thought about a Caterham but they are over £5000 typically. I'm looking for something in the £500-£2000 area but finding it hard to get anything that fits the above criteria.
Any suggestions would be appricieated.

[Munter]

Well my house mate and I recently went through this very discussion.

He got a F reg BMW 325i and I got a Mk1 MR2. His has a wet passenger footwell and mine is a rot box/death trap. He does not like his 325 i quite like my MR2.

The other option I contemplated was a MK2 Escort with a tuned engine.......Simple basic and light.

[daydreamer]

Not really got any ideas - but most suggestions will be found here

[L100NYY]

I think any of the following would be suitable;
Ford Capri
Mk1 or Mk2 Escort
BMW 3 series (E30)
MK1 MR2

to be honest anything rwd will be a hoot on the track! Just make sure that you uprate the brakes, even if it is only the pads, and check all ancillaries etc are leak free and not badly corroded. Whatever you end up getting, ENJOY!

[arcbeer]

Nissan 200SX ?

[volksspenna]

Ihave just got myself a mkII Golf Gti 1.8 8valve 1990 (g) Totaly standard apart from brakes and a half cage for extra safety. Been told these are an excellent track day car so i can't wait to have a go soon, First track day Sat June 5 at Elvington York.

[delfto]

Hi all
I have been thinking the very same thing infact that's one reason I joined pistonheads! Been thinking of a PUG 205 1.9. Cheap and easy to get bits and being small easy to trailer/tow hence no need to tax/insure. But I would like r/w drive realy any body know much about MK1 MR2s?

Del

[Munter]

delfto said:

Hi all I have been thinking the very same thing infact that's one reason I joined pistonheads! Been thinking of a PUG 205 1.9. Cheap and easy to get bits and being small easy to trailer/tow hence no need to tax/insure. But I would like r/w drive realy any body know much about MK1 MR2s? Del

I now know more than I ever wanted. Avoid duffers!!! Best buys seem to appear on the www.mr2mk1club.com/ site in the cars for sale page. They tend to be sold in 24 hours though. Watch out for Rust in the rear wings, have the carpet and little bits of hardboard out and have a GOOOD look.

[delfto]

Just spoken to a friend of mine who is a member of the MR2 owners club, he say’s the MK1 is great fun but not the easiest car to work on. As I am crap at working on cars I think I need to re-think my trackday car choices. If only the 205 was r/w drive!

[smckeown]

for 2k you can get yourself a 205 mi16 and it will beat all of the above round a track :-)

Sean

[james s]

944 turbo - currently selling mine which did 4 track days last year with no trouble at all and embarrassed some rather more exotic hardware. ee classifieds if interested

V fast the only weakness I found was in slow corners if you let the boost fall off you have to be careful not to stamp too hard on the gas on exit otherwise the rear breaks away in dramatic style. Great if you know what you are doing – entertaining if you don’t
James