Potential Next Daily (Budget ~5k) for occasional track use

[shojinryu]

In ideal circumstances, I would have a dedicated track day car but not really in the position to right now.

I currently have my celica 190 which I think is good enough for the track day and I probably would look to get into it if everything goes well with the MOT.

But looking at alternatives the most important thing is weight. I did consider the n52 based BMWs and I'm still am from my older post. But heavier car means I spend more on consumables as well as more fuel then again MPG dont matter on those days. Another aspect is age, kind of want something from 2009 and or above for longevity which might make things challenging.

I think the best car for that constraint is the 197 clio, the rival being the FN2 type R. Both NA and relatively lightweigt and practical for a daily.

Another option could be the suzuki swift sport or the honda jazz or even the toyta yaris 1.8 sr. Although the yaris does seem to be smaller than the swift.

I could also consider the cupra 240 or the similar gti being the more heavier ones and requiring a tad more things being done.

My ideal choice wouldve been the MR2 roadster, best handling I think, but i would definitely need one with a hardtop and for the age, ive seen some examples of them rotting.

I think the ideal pick is between the fn2 and the clio. Both weight about the same and have similar suspension designs and both NA so can have more seat time with. And at most would need pads, fluids and decent tyres. I guess the clios shorter wheelbase makes it more fun? How do these two compare?

Edited by shojinryu on Thursday 28th December 17:28

Edited by shojinryu on Thursday 28th December 17:31

[ZX10R NIN]

Clio RS200:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311254...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311184...

208 GTI:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202312094...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202309141...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202312285...

Astra GTC VXR a much better pick than the VAG options:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202312054...

[Xcore]

Just scrape a meg250 cup for that or a bmw 130i

[ZX10R NIN]

I thought Cup Megane's started at around 7.5k, which was why I said the VXR as it's the car that comes closest to the Megane.

[shojinryu]

ZX10R NIN said:

I thought Cup Megane's started at around 7.5k, which was why I said the VXR as it's the car that comes closest to the Megane.

Yeah, they start up pretty high. Does the RS200 clio have LSD?

[shojinryu]

Xcore said:

Just scrape a meg250 cup for that or a bmw 130i

Will have to check insurances for the 130i once my policy ends. BMWs are goldmines for insurers in my area.

[ZX10R NIN]

The VXR comes with an LSD but not sure if it's the same story on the regular RS200. A 130i will need a lot of parts to get it on par with a regular Clio/Megane let alone the Cup Chassis Clio/Megane & VXR.

[Xcore]

ZX10R NIN said:

I thought Cup Megane's started at around 7.5k, which was why I said the VXR as it's the car that comes closest to the Megane.

Ah they seem to be hovering around 6k, although they are getting more difficult to shift currently so may be some bargains to be had.

Ofcourse the answer is mx5 as anything rwd is a lot more fun in any given situation on a trackday. Yes a Renaultsport will probably deliver a quicker laptime but you will get bored.

[Xcore]

ZX10R NIN said:

I thought Cup Megane's started at around 7.5k, which was why I said the VXR as it's the car that comes closest to the Megane.

Ah they seem to be hovering around 6k, although they are getting more difficult to shift currently so may be some bargains to be had.

Ofcourse the answer is mx5 as anything rwd is a lot more fun in any given situation on a trackday. Yes a Renaultsport will probably deliver a quicker laptime but you will get bored.

[shojinryu]

ZX10R NIN said:

The VXR comes with an LSD but not sure if it's the same story on the regular RS200. A 130i will need a lot of parts to get it on par with a regular Clio/Megane let alone the Cup Chassis Clio/Megane & VXR.

Thats nice. Only thing with the VXR are the costs of the brakes seem pretty expensive especially given its weight. For the 130i I know it needs an LSD for one as well as other small parts that you can probably grab off from the m3 e92, which would get costly and thats on top of it being heavy.

Seems like for the 208 gti, the ideal one is the Peugeot Sport Gti. I think my budget can scrape a facelift standard Gti since the prefacelift seems to have quite a few issues which aren't cheap apparently. Seems like the Clio RS might be the answer for me. THey do have their odd bits with their gearbox but rest issues dont seem to be significant nor expensive.

[shojinryu]

Xcore said:

Ah they seem to be hovering around 6k, although they are getting more difficult to shift currently so may be some bargains to be had.

Ofcourse the answer is mx5 as anything rwd is a lot more fun in any given situation on a trackday. Yes a Renaultsport will probably deliver a quicker laptime but you will get bored.

Guess we'll have to see 6 months from now.

I would love an NC MX5 I thinks its an almost ideal example of what im looking for, except for the lack of rear seats. Its not the only car in the household so it'll be okay I guess. I know I can get one, but its just the rust thats putting me off from those and i'd be dailying it which will get exposed to the salts. Otherwise a really good option. Would it be a good idea given my budget? I know all cars rust, mazda is just notorious for rusting quick and its easy to rake a huge bill and i heard the welding repairs would be every 2-3 years assuming I still daily drive. I wouldn't weld my self either so I don't know if its going to be economically viable in that sense. If the prices of NC goes down, I can possibly consider getting one and not worry about the rust issue from then since it'd be a car for me to learn and have fun in.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202312144...

would this be a good example?

Edited by shojinryu on Friday 29th December 04:28

Edited by shojinryu on Friday 29th December 04:33

[ChrisH72]

You can get a Fiesta ST for £5k

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023121347...

Otherwise, as a daily I'd probably go for the FN2 Type r.

[ZX10R NIN]

Xcore said:

Ah they seem to be hovering around 6k, although they are getting more difficult to shift currently so may be some bargains to be had.

Ofcourse the answer is mx5 as anything rwd is a lot more fun in any given situation on a trackday. Yes a Renaultsport will probably deliver a quicker laptime but you will get bored.

They're actually great fun on (Cup Clio/Megane/VXR) the road as well as on the track, the MX5 is a good car but those three are just as much fun with better chassis to boot.

As for RWD being better in every situation trackday a regular 130i & you wouldn't be saying that.

OP you won't get bored in any of those that's a silly thing to say.

[ZX10R NIN]

shojinryu said:

Thats nice. Only thing with the VXR are the costs of the brakes seem pretty expensive especially given its weight. For the 130i I know it needs an LSD for one as well as other small parts that you can probably grab off from the m3 e92, which would get costly and thats on top of it being heavy.

Seems like for the 208 gti, the ideal one is the Peugeot Sport Gti. I think my budget can scrape a facelift standard Gti since the prefacelift seems to have quite a few issues which aren't cheap apparently. Seems like the Clio RS might be the answer for me. THey do have their odd bits with their gearbox but rest issues dont seem to be significant nor expensive.

The brakes on the VXR aren't cheap but with you only doing occasional trackdays (I'm assuming 5-8 per year) they'll still see you good for 30k/

Buying an LSD the shocks & M3 arms etc for the 130i & you'll be upgrading the brakes too.

The Clio RS Cup/Cup Chassis seems to tick your boxes best.

[shojinryu]

ChrisH72 said:

You can get a Fiesta ST for £5k

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023121347...

Otherwise, as a daily I'd probably go for the FN2 Type r.

Would consider the FiST. They are popular picks for thieves.

[shojinryu]

ZX10R NIN said:

The brakes on the VXR aren't cheap but with you only doing occasional trackdays (I'm assuming 5-8 per year) they'll still see you good for 30k/

Buying an LSD the shocks & M3 arms etc for the 130i & you'll be upgrading the brakes too.

The Clio RS Cup/Cup Chassis seems to tick your boxes best.

I only see my self doing probably 1-2 per year given my current circumstances. So alot will be just daily driver duties and even then I dont see my self doing beyond 100 miles per week. Will do the odd long journeys too.

Guess the Clio it is.

ZX10R NIN said:

They're actually great fun on (Cup Clio/Megane/VXR) the road as well as on the track, the MX5 is a good car but those three are just as much fun with better chassis to boot.

As for RWD being better in every situation trackday a regular 130i & you wouldn't be saying that.

OP you won't get bored in any of those that's a silly thing to say.

I do want something that is fun, decent upkeep etc until I can get my hands on a GT86 perhaps. I watched a guy track a fairly standard 325i (n52) and it did seem to be slow round corners and it did look like it wont be fun in more low speed tracks like Oulton etc.

[RD-1]

I have an R53 Cooper S for exactly this.

Would have plenty of change to upgrade brakes/suspension/tyres when required

[Disco You]

Also in budget is an Abarth 500.

You could also consider spending less on a Renaultsport Twingo 133 or Fiesta ST 2.0 which are under budget and so leave some budget for spare wheels and tyres and/or other modifications.

[ZX10R NIN]

shojinryu said:

ZX10R NIN said:

The brakes on the VXR aren't cheap but with you only doing occasional trackdays (I'm assuming 5-8 per year) they'll still see you good for 30k/

Buying an LSD the shocks & M3 arms etc for the 130i & you'll be upgrading the brakes too.

The Clio RS Cup/Cup Chassis seems to tick your boxes best.

I only see my self doing probably 1-2 per year given my current circumstances. So alot will be just daily driver duties and even then I dont see my self doing beyond 100 miles per week. Will do the odd long journeys too.

Guess the Clio it is.

ZX10R NIN said:

They're actually great fun on (Cup Clio/Megane/VXR) the road as well as on the track, the MX5 is a good car but those three are just as much fun with better chassis to boot.

As for RWD being better in every situation trackday a regular 130i & you wouldn't be saying that.

OP you won't get bored in any of those that's a silly thing to say.

I do want something that is fun, decent upkeep etc until I can get my hands on a GT86 perhaps. I watched a guy track a fairly standard 325i (n52) and it did seem to be slow round corners and it did look like it wont be fun in more low speed tracks like Oulton etc.

In which case you'll only be changing the disc's every 40k which I don't see as a major expense, when you consider how much you'll be spending on something like a 130i, also because it has adjustable shocks, you can soften the ride for daily duties at the touch of a button.

I'd recommend test driving one before writing them off, also try a couple of the other options.

[shojinryu]

ZX10R NIN said:

In which case you'll only be changing the disc's every 40k which I don't see as a major expense, when you consider how much you'll be spending on something like a 130i, also because it has adjustable shocks, you can soften the ride for daily duties at the touch of a button.

I'd recommend test driving one before writing them off, also try a couple of the other options.

I do think the VXR is heavy. But considering its already got the stuff you need to begin with, that makes it better than the BMW. I can just focus on removing weight to make it better in that sense.

Budgeting for water pump failures and the labour for the bmw is just as much as a new brake pads and discs for the vxr.

So far, I'll consider the VXR as well as the RS Megane/Clio/Twingo(maybe) or the Swift Sport. Is the MX5 NC worth considering for my needs?