Help me choose a second / trackday car around 6k

[Marticus80]

Hi all,

As in the title im hoping to start getting on track for the first time this year and am suffering from decision paralisis looking for a car.

Im located in central europe and my total budget is around 6k euro maybe streching to 7k and im hoping this will cover the car and whatevers needed to get it ready for the first track day (brakes, tyres etc)

My plan was to spend around 4k on the car and leave myself a couple of grand for a service, any repairs, tyres etc. Does that sound feesable? Or should i be adjusting my budget?

This will also be a second car for the family so 4 useable seats is a must, and needs to be reliable though it will only be driven a few miles a week outside of emergencies or sunday driving.

With that out of the way ive been looking at the following.

Mini cooper r53 - easily within budget but questionalbe reliability.

MkV golf gti - a lot more expensive compared to other offerings only high mileage options

Mazda rx8 - well within budget but its an rx8 …

Mazda Rx8 with engine swap - top of budget and its a non standard engine so servicing repairs etc maybe difficAult..

Toyota celica (last gen) within budget but parts are more expensive here and harder to find

Bugeye impreza wrx - over budget for a 20yo car wont leave much for spares repairs upgrades..

Opel astra vxr - within budget plenty of power cheaper running costs, questionable handling?

Plenty of bmw option but ive just sold an e46 and am looking for something different.

Any other suggestions? Im open to any ideas..

Thanks

[PH.sausages]

Clio 197/200 likely the best fwd option for this budget.

[Marticus80]

PH.sausages said:

Clio 197/200 likely the best fwd option for this budget.

Thanks for the suggestion, ill keep an eye out though i havent noticed any for sale around me, ive seen a couple of meganes though, there was an rs for sale recently

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd say if you want a track car I'd look for something with an LSD, or budget to fit one as it'll transform a FWD car.

Clio RS with the Cup Chassis is the pick:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206297...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206146...

The VXR is a decent steer but the open diff hampers the car a bit:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206066...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207218...

[Marticus80]

ZX10R NIN said:

I'd say if you want a track car I'd look for something with an LSD, or budget to fit one as it'll transform a FWD car.

Clio RS with the Cup Chassis is the pick:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206297...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206146...

The VXR is a decent steer but the open diff hampers the car a bit:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206066...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207218...

Thanks for the suggestion,

As i mention before there are no clios for sale near me, i guess theyre not so common over here.

Im leaning towards an astra vxr now, the cost saving over something like a golf would let me fit an LSD for example