Tin Top to replace an MX5?

[rossyl]

Hi All,

I compete in Sprints, in the road-going class. Looking to replace the MX5 NA 1.8. It's a fun car for Sprints.

Here's what the replacement needs to be:

- Competitive in Sprints for road-going factory spec cars (they cannot be modified)
So,
- no strip out
- no engine/other significant mods

- Not cost a fortune to run (so light)
- Does not break easily (the MX5 is a rock)
- SAFE (this is the main reason for changing the MX5).
- So something not too old.
- Decent NCAP rating
- won't kill me if it's flipped, hit, etc.

- £3k tops


Ideally, I'd love a RWD. But I don't think its possible. So i might be looking at some sort of hot hatch?


Why do I want to change the MX5 NA 1.8?
- Safety, the only reason
- I do not have a roll bar, as I drive the car to and from Sprints without a helmet. There is significant chance of hitting your head on a roll-bar in an MX5 NA.
- I don't want to have to wear a helmet everytime i drive the car (sch as a little pootle down to the shops).
- In case you were wondering about roll-bars in MX5's see here: https://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=611742

Thanks
R

[Galveston]

You say no mods so I presume you're talking about the Standard Car category?

That's what I do, in a Clio 172 Cup. In five years I've only been beaten by other Clios and - once - a Fiesta ST150. I'd just buy a Clio - you should be able to get something decent for your budget.

Having said that, I wonder if you're exaggerating the risks of a caged MX5 with no helmet. I used to do road rallying - skidding around the lanes all night, described as 'navigational rallying' but often pretty much flat-out. Most cars have cages. Helmets aren't allowed. Some crews had some fairly enormous accidents, but I've never heard of anyone being hurt from smacking their head on the scaffolding.

[rossyl]

My wife and I double drive the Mx5 on Standard Car class Sprints

On a Sprint - My wife had a high speed spin, up a very steep bank - and it shook us both up.

I was pretty worried that she'd flipped as I couldn't see the car. Heart in mouth moment.

Since then I've not felt confident in the car - which ruins the racing.

It's purely in the basis of being worried it would roll.

The roll bar on a MX5 would be very close to your head. I'm 5ft10" and with a helmet on, I cannot sit up. I need to tilt the seat back. Gives you an idea of how close the roll bar would be.

[elanfan]

SLK?

[cheddar]

Galveston said:

I'd just buy a Clio

This.

I've owned 4 MX5's and a Clio 172, the Clio was more fun on track, quicker, more responsive and seemingly bulletproof.
If you can decat it legally then do so, I only did it because my Renault dealer overfilled the sump but the difference was pronounced.

[anonymous-user]

BMW 3-Series compact?

318ti / 325ti?

[Galveston]

For 'Standard Car' there's a capacity limit of 2000cc. Also, needs to be made year 2000 onwards.

It's always difficult to tell because the difference in drivers is always far more than the difference between cars, but in my experience the 3-series compacts (and Z3s etc) are very slow. I've never seen an SLK competing, but can't imagine that they'd be anything but useless.

I used to assume that a well driven Civic EP3 would be quicker than the Clios, but I've never seen one come close.

Clios are a no-brainer. I adore mine, it's an awesome little car. Fast, fun, reliable... it's also surprisingly comfortable on the commute to the more distant venues.

Edited by Galveston on Thursday 24th December 07:45

[rossyl]

Looks like they've actually gone up in value!

Clio 172 or 197?

Also, given its "higher" than an MX5, and I've seen them cock a tyre, is there a greater danger of rolling?

How "safe" are they?

Thanks

(just for clarity, the MX5 is from 1996, there is a road going production Sprint class as well, that's usually either merged with Standard Class or is the equivalent of but just for older cars)

[Galveston]

I'd have a 172/182 over a 197. The 200 is probably the pick of the bunch, but they're a lot more expensive and there really isn't much between any of them in terms of performance.

Even the 172/182s had good NCAP scores - 4 or 5 I think.

You'd never roll one unless you hit something or it digs in if you go off onto soft ground, and even then it's pretty unlikely.

[egor110]

Galveston said:

I'd have a 172/182 over a 197. The 200 is probably the pick of the bunch, but they're a lot more expensive and there really isn't much between any of them in terms of performance.

Even the 172/182s had good NCAP scores - 4 or 5 I think.

You'd never roll one unless you hit something or it digs in if you go off onto soft ground, and even then it's pretty unlikely.

What about a mini cooper s ?

[Galveston]

Here's mine at Curborough...

https://youtu.be/L1HUPhrOWn8

Good little car.

[Galveston]

egor110 said:

What about a mini cooper s ?

Forced induction is considered as increasing engine capacity by 70%, so they're ineligible.

And Clios are faster than a standard Cooper S.

[rossyl]

Thanks.

Ever seen one upside down, just wondering about roof /pillar strength

Also, any good resources out there to know what to look for? Clio Sport website? Any buying guides?

I'm guessing they're relatively easy to work on yourself?

Thanks

[elanfan]

Think an R171 SLK is 1.8 supercharged 184bho so does that make it ineligible? Think it’s on 235 tyres. Guess it’s more of a cruiser but has anyone tried one?

[Galveston]

rossyl said:

Thanks.

Ever seen one upside down, just wondering about roof /pillar strength

Also, any good resources out there to know what to look for? Clio Sport website? Any buying guides?

I'm guessing they're relatively easy to work on yourself?

Thanks

I've never seen one upside-down but I understand they're supposed to be quite tough.

ClioSport's probably the best bet, but there are buying guides on here.

I find mine fairly straightforward to work on, service stuff, brakes and suspension are all very easy. You do need to consider the cambelt which is awkward, most people consider that a specialist-only job (£600-700). I bought the correct tools and did it myself, but not a lot of fun.

[Galveston]

elanfan said:

Think an R171 SLK is 1.8 supercharged 184bho so does that make it ineligible? Think it’s on 235 tyres. Guess it’s more of a cruiser but has anyone tried one?

Ineligible for Standard Car, but there are other classes one could run in.

My impression is they're too soft and too heavy, but might be wrong.

[rossyl]

Galveston said:

I've never seen one upside-down but I understand they're supposed to be quite tough.

ClioSport's probably the best bet, but there are buying guides on here.

I find mine fairly straightforward to work on, service stuff, brakes and suspension are all very easy. You do need to consider the cambelt which is awkward, most people consider that a specialist-only job (£600-700). I bought the correct tools and did it myself, but not a lot of fun.

Thoroughly appreciating all your advice.

One thing about the MX5. Is that if the cam belt snaps, the engine is fine. Its a Non-Interference Engine.

I'm guessing thatbthe same is not true for a Clio.

[rossyl]

Just Googled and looks like it would wreck the engine. Guessing changing it is important.

[Truckosaurus]

Depending on your geographic region there might also be a 1600cc standard class.

That gets you a Mini Cooper (non-S), Suzuki Swift Sport, Twingo 133, Citroen C2 VTS and even a plain old Fiesta Zetec S all with around 120-130bhp and varying degrees of reliability.

Otherwise, for the 2000cc there's a Civic Type-R in addition to the Clios, but no idea if £3k gets a good one these days?

[andrewcliffe]

One car that sprung to mind, but have possibility missed the boat on, was the Toyota Altezza RS200 - the Japanese version of the Lexus IS200, but these came with a 210hp 4 cylinder n/a engine, rear wheel drive and limited slip differential. I think most were bought and abused by drifters. I had one for a while.