Track car on a budget
Discussion
A group of mates and I are looking to purchase a track car to build upon and have some fun with. We all have differing opinions on 'the right' car and thought I would put it out to the PH experts....
As close to £2000 for the car as possible, perhaps a little more for the right car. It doesn't need to be pretty or track ready, part of the fun will be building/improving it into a capable track day toy. Here are the options thus far,
- FN2 Type R. The least desirable to wear the R badge, and after seeing Kaveney's project on here looks easy to work on, with plenty aftermarket support. Reliability and high revving N/A is also a major plus point.
- 130i. Have came across a high mile 3dr example. Heavier than the Civic but is RWD and pretty robust, again with plenty aftermarket support.
- E46 330ci. As above, probably more likely to be rusty .
- MkV Golf GTI. Obviously a great steer, but really scraping the bottom of the barrel and may struggle to find one that hasn't been utterly abused.
- Mk1 Leon Cupra 180. 20VT engine is a known platform, an unpopular addition to the list.
- Clio 182/197. Proper fun things, but definitely not as solid as other options.
Have we missed any other glaringly obvious cars that would fit the bill?
As close to £2000 for the car as possible, perhaps a little more for the right car. It doesn't need to be pretty or track ready, part of the fun will be building/improving it into a capable track day toy. Here are the options thus far,
- FN2 Type R. The least desirable to wear the R badge, and after seeing Kaveney's project on here looks easy to work on, with plenty aftermarket support. Reliability and high revving N/A is also a major plus point.
- 130i. Have came across a high mile 3dr example. Heavier than the Civic but is RWD and pretty robust, again with plenty aftermarket support.
- E46 330ci. As above, probably more likely to be rusty .
- MkV Golf GTI. Obviously a great steer, but really scraping the bottom of the barrel and may struggle to find one that hasn't been utterly abused.
- Mk1 Leon Cupra 180. 20VT engine is a known platform, an unpopular addition to the list.
- Clio 182/197. Proper fun things, but definitely not as solid as other options.
Have we missed any other glaringly obvious cars that would fit the bill?
It all depends what you and your friends want from a track car, and whether you can agree on it.
I’ve seen a lot of people have a lot of fun with something fundamentally boring/unsuited to track use and spend time and ingenuity getting the best out of it.
When I did track days (10-15 years ago) Saabs seemed to be a favourite for this, and things like Peugeot 405s and Primeras which fundamentally handle ok and go a bit better with aggressive weight reduction.
But it sounds more like you want something half decent out of the box, although on a budget that makes things harder.
The best track car I ever had (best as in most fun, and bang for buck, not most competent) was a E36 328i, so I’d suggest BMW. Maybe a Lexus IS200 if you can find a manual?
Otherwise you can avoid the type R tax by looking at a Celica 190 instead, or an RX8?
I’ve seen a lot of people have a lot of fun with something fundamentally boring/unsuited to track use and spend time and ingenuity getting the best out of it.
When I did track days (10-15 years ago) Saabs seemed to be a favourite for this, and things like Peugeot 405s and Primeras which fundamentally handle ok and go a bit better with aggressive weight reduction.
But it sounds more like you want something half decent out of the box, although on a budget that makes things harder.
The best track car I ever had (best as in most fun, and bang for buck, not most competent) was a E36 328i, so I’d suggest BMW. Maybe a Lexus IS200 if you can find a manual?
Otherwise you can avoid the type R tax by looking at a Celica 190 instead, or an RX8?
griffter said:
It all depends what you and your friends want from a track car, and whether you can agree on it.
I’ve seen a lot of people have a lot of fun with something fundamentally boring/unsuited to track use and spend time and ingenuity getting the best out of it.
When I did track days (10-15 years ago) Saabs seemed to be a favourite for this, and things like Peugeot 405s and Primeras which fundamentally handle ok and go a bit better with aggressive weight reduction.
But it sounds more like you want something half decent out of the box, although on a budget that makes things harder.
The best track car I ever had (best as in most fun, and bang for buck, not most competent) was a E36 328i, so I’d suggest BMW. Maybe a Lexus IS200 if you can find a manual?
Otherwise you can avoid the type R tax by looking at a Celica 190 instead, or an RX8?
We all drive capable cars otherwise so hoping to get something decent out the box, or at least with potential to be decent with some simple upgrades. Albeit challenging as you say with the restricted budget.I’ve seen a lot of people have a lot of fun with something fundamentally boring/unsuited to track use and spend time and ingenuity getting the best out of it.
When I did track days (10-15 years ago) Saabs seemed to be a favourite for this, and things like Peugeot 405s and Primeras which fundamentally handle ok and go a bit better with aggressive weight reduction.
But it sounds more like you want something half decent out of the box, although on a budget that makes things harder.
The best track car I ever had (best as in most fun, and bang for buck, not most competent) was a E36 328i, so I’d suggest BMW. Maybe a Lexus IS200 if you can find a manual?
Otherwise you can avoid the type R tax by looking at a Celica 190 instead, or an RX8?
Celica 190 is a solid shout, will keep an eye out for these. RX8 may be a tad fragile but then again fantastic chassis and the rotary would lend itself well to the track work.
I've previously had the E46 330ci and FN2, the Civic is a much better base for a track car. Smaller, much lighter, much better handling,better gearbox and maybe slightly quicker (certainly much quicker on a track).
An FN2 at that price point is unlikely to drive as it should, most will have blown or leaking shocks and rusty springs etc. I had 3 shocks and springs fail on mine in 9 years and the handling is awful when you know the car.
An FN2 at that price point is unlikely to drive as it should, most will have blown or leaking shocks and rusty springs etc. I had 3 shocks and springs fail on mine in 9 years and the handling is awful when you know the car.
RichFN2 said:
I've previously had the E46 330ci and FN2, the Civic is a much better base for a track car. Smaller, much lighter, much better handling,better gearbox and maybe slightly quicker (certainly much quicker on a track).
An FN2 at that price point is unlikely to drive as it should, most will have blown or leaking shocks and rusty springs etc. I had 3 shocks and springs fail on mine in 9 years and the handling is awful when you know the car.
Good to know, thank you. It wouldn't be staying on standard suspension anyway so that isn't a huge problem.An FN2 at that price point is unlikely to drive as it should, most will have blown or leaking shocks and rusty springs etc. I had 3 shocks and springs fail on mine in 9 years and the handling is awful when you know the car.
Maybe look for a project car that's been started on the Clio really lends itself to this usage which is why they're so popular:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/276604997178?_nkw=track...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/276602013172?_nkw=track...
Cooper S:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/204926304534?_nkw=track...
ST150:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/335537334536?_nkw=track...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/276604997178?_nkw=track...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/276602013172?_nkw=track...
Cooper S:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/204926304534?_nkw=track...
ST150:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/335537334536?_nkw=track...
A friend used an Audi TT, a very early RHD but German bought, 5v car, apparently not available in the UK at the time.
He is never going on the track again, age and health, but the car is turn key, ready to go, with helmets on the seats, might need a few bits updated for regs, but a fast sorted car.
Tbh building is part of the fun, if it gets done, time consuming, expensive, and a group trying to agree? Buying a sorted car, putting your stamp on it, then getting on the track, quickly, sounds like more fun to me.
He is never going on the track again, age and health, but the car is turn key, ready to go, with helmets on the seats, might need a few bits updated for regs, but a fast sorted car.
Tbh building is part of the fun, if it gets done, time consuming, expensive, and a group trying to agree? Buying a sorted car, putting your stamp on it, then getting on the track, quickly, sounds like more fun to me.
Fn2 for your budget will be an absolute nail.
Half decent ones that won’t turn to dust as you poke underneath start at around 3k.
They have many positives but do have some weaknesses.
As long as you keep the k20 full of oil it will take all the abuse you can give it.
The gearbox is good but not without its issues. 3rd gear crunch on the early ones.
Rear beam rust issues. Oem honda 1k for the part but there is now an aftermarket market option for half that.
LSD is a must imo. April 2010 onwards had one from factory. You won’t get one for your budget.
Loads of room in them for people and spares.
Half decent ones that won’t turn to dust as you poke underneath start at around 3k.
They have many positives but do have some weaknesses.
As long as you keep the k20 full of oil it will take all the abuse you can give it.
The gearbox is good but not without its issues. 3rd gear crunch on the early ones.
Rear beam rust issues. Oem honda 1k for the part but there is now an aftermarket market option for half that.
LSD is a must imo. April 2010 onwards had one from factory. You won’t get one for your budget.
Loads of room in them for people and spares.
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