£100k budget trackday / weekend car
Discussion
Similar thread (£85k budget was mentioned) is on here but unlike that user, I care less/v little about “theatre” and more about track performance, handling, etc. Also, reliability.
So I’m in the lucky position of having this kind of budget for a second car, which will be a “fun” car i.e. used for trackdays, weekend getaways and generally I don’t need to worry about practical considerations much. I’d like to (occasionally) drive it to work in London, so for that reason wouldn’t want something with bucket seats, or a roll cage, or a Caterham etc, but other than that the brief is “fun”/toy car.
I have been told by people who know what they’re talking about that there’s no point in buying an outrageous supercar and I agree; they also suggested something much more moderate like MX-5 or GT86 or an old Cayman S, and while I agree these are probably fantastically handling cars, I think I’d like something more special as I’ve been saving for this purchase for a while.
My shortlist with pro’s and cons is as follows (in order of preference). For my budget, I’d be getting a brand new 718 and depending on the car, 2018/19 year in other models.
1. 718 4.0 GT4 (with PDK). Pros: raving reviews pretty much everywhere. I’d be getting a brand new car in my budget. Cons: impractical, low clearance (will scrape on speed bumps around London), rear spoiler looks a bit silly IMO. I hate the tape door pulls, which is obviously just a minor niggle.
2. 718 4.0 GTS. Pros: supposed to be like GT4 but with that extra bit of practicality – I could commute in it, for instance, and use my local NCP car park with no fear of scraping on the ramp. Cons: supposedly not as sharp handling as GT4.
3. 911 GTS (991.2). Pros: 4 seats, can’t go wrong with a Porsche, great interior. Cons: heavy, will probably handle less well than 718
4. 570S. Pros: superb handling (according to reviews, and the 1 day I spent in it). Cons: depreciation; interior quality – even in the car I drove, bits were falling off here and there. Reliability.
5. R8 V10 Plus / AMG GT (R or S). Same apply to both: Pros: interior quality, semblance of practicality, engine sound, performance. Cons: would be buying a ~2018 car. R8 may not feel “special”. R8 supposedly won’t oversteer/slide easily on track.
I’ve rented some sports cars in the past and the one I enjoyed driving most was Lotus Exige – but I know I’d hate owning it (due to poor interior quality, how difficult it was to get in and out, lack of infotainment / decent sound system / any other driver comforts, etc)… I want sharp handling, car that will oversteer/slide easily on track, but also some practicality / sound system / interior where bits won’t start falling off or look like they were taken from an entry level Japanese compact car.
Would love to hear everyone’s thoughts!
So I’m in the lucky position of having this kind of budget for a second car, which will be a “fun” car i.e. used for trackdays, weekend getaways and generally I don’t need to worry about practical considerations much. I’d like to (occasionally) drive it to work in London, so for that reason wouldn’t want something with bucket seats, or a roll cage, or a Caterham etc, but other than that the brief is “fun”/toy car.
I have been told by people who know what they’re talking about that there’s no point in buying an outrageous supercar and I agree; they also suggested something much more moderate like MX-5 or GT86 or an old Cayman S, and while I agree these are probably fantastically handling cars, I think I’d like something more special as I’ve been saving for this purchase for a while.
My shortlist with pro’s and cons is as follows (in order of preference). For my budget, I’d be getting a brand new 718 and depending on the car, 2018/19 year in other models.
1. 718 4.0 GT4 (with PDK). Pros: raving reviews pretty much everywhere. I’d be getting a brand new car in my budget. Cons: impractical, low clearance (will scrape on speed bumps around London), rear spoiler looks a bit silly IMO. I hate the tape door pulls, which is obviously just a minor niggle.
2. 718 4.0 GTS. Pros: supposed to be like GT4 but with that extra bit of practicality – I could commute in it, for instance, and use my local NCP car park with no fear of scraping on the ramp. Cons: supposedly not as sharp handling as GT4.
3. 911 GTS (991.2). Pros: 4 seats, can’t go wrong with a Porsche, great interior. Cons: heavy, will probably handle less well than 718
4. 570S. Pros: superb handling (according to reviews, and the 1 day I spent in it). Cons: depreciation; interior quality – even in the car I drove, bits were falling off here and there. Reliability.
5. R8 V10 Plus / AMG GT (R or S). Same apply to both: Pros: interior quality, semblance of practicality, engine sound, performance. Cons: would be buying a ~2018 car. R8 may not feel “special”. R8 supposedly won’t oversteer/slide easily on track.
I’ve rented some sports cars in the past and the one I enjoyed driving most was Lotus Exige – but I know I’d hate owning it (due to poor interior quality, how difficult it was to get in and out, lack of infotainment / decent sound system / any other driver comforts, etc)… I want sharp handling, car that will oversteer/slide easily on track, but also some practicality / sound system / interior where bits won’t start falling off or look like they were taken from an entry level Japanese compact car.
Would love to hear everyone’s thoughts!
You are mad not to consider the Exige 430CUP
As I just pointed out in the other thread you refer to, the Exige is far more of a track experience than the GT4 / Spyder. The Porsches will go round track at the same lap time and with super consistency lap after lap, but that's no fun (not for me anyway! The Exige you have to learn and master, its much more engaging. IMHO of owning and tracking both.
As I just pointed out in the other thread you refer to, the Exige is far more of a track experience than the GT4 / Spyder. The Porsches will go round track at the same lap time and with super consistency lap after lap, but that's no fun (not for me anyway! The Exige you have to learn and master, its much more engaging. IMHO of owning and tracking both.
bennno said:
Be mad to buy an exige.
Id suggest you drive a GTS, R8 V10 and a 911T
I’m surprised by the recommendation (but happy to stand corrected!)Id suggest you drive a GTS, R8 V10 and a 911T
If trackday fun and handling in general are my priorities, wouldn’t GT4 be a better choice than 718 GTS; 911 GTS better than 911 Turbo; etc?
Bispal said:
You are mad not to consider the Exige 430CUP
As I just pointed out in the other thread you refer to, the Exige is far more of a track experience than the GT4 / Spyder. The Porsches will go round track at the same lap time and with super consistency lap after lap, but that's no fun (not for me anyway! The Exige you have to learn and master, its much more engaging. IMHO of owning and tracking both.
Like I said, I drove an Exige for a day before, and while super-fun, this is where I draw the line in terms of how impractical/inconvenient my 2nd car can be. I want something spirited and with great handling, but with just that tiny bit more polish and interior quality than ExigeAs I just pointed out in the other thread you refer to, the Exige is far more of a track experience than the GT4 / Spyder. The Porsches will go round track at the same lap time and with super consistency lap after lap, but that's no fun (not for me anyway! The Exige you have to learn and master, its much more engaging. IMHO of owning and tracking both.
For well within your budget....Exige 350 Sport, Komotec 460 upgrade, Nitron 3 way suspension, long range tank, uprated brakes, forged alloys with ZZRs/Avon wets/set of road wheels and tyres, harnesses, gearbox cooler, dry sump, removable steering wheel with alcantara track and leather road wheels, AiM2 dash, shift lights and bullet cam, big carbon aero. Full PPF from new plus vinyl wrap yellow.
1100kgs, 460bhp, 480nm, astonishing handling and well behaved on the road.
Mine spends most of it's time on track tbh as I have other stuff for the road but it's been round Europe and is great on the road too.
Absolute weapon.
1100kgs, 460bhp, 480nm, astonishing handling and well behaved on the road.
Mine spends most of it's time on track tbh as I have other stuff for the road but it's been round Europe and is great on the road too.
Absolute weapon.
Edited by _Leg_ on Tuesday 22 December 22:02
Nothing wrong with the Exige interior from where I stand. Leg’s looks stunning and my recently arrived 410S is beautifully put together and a pleasure to be in. Even better when you fire it up and drive it. The excitement factor is way above any Porsche in the same price bracket and you get plenty of change out of 100k to spend on mad Komotec upgrades.
px1980 said:
Similar thread (£85k budget was mentioned) is on here but unlike that user, I care less/v little about “theatre” and more about track performance, handling, etc. Also, reliability............
.......... If you plan to use it on track more than as a daily then the GT4 all day long. Maybe even the PDK version.If it's more of a daily then the GTS.
Forget a 570. It will fall apart and cost a fortune if you track it.
An Exige is an interesting prospect as very track oriented BUT, it's a lot of money for vauxhall switchgear and a sparse cabin with no "extras" that the Porsche PCM offers. For that much cash I want a nice place to sit.
Slightly out of leftfield, and certainly not a 'sensible choice with residuals etc. but have you considered racing? That sort of budget would get a few seasons in one of those more moderate cars.
Admittedly it isn't much good for a weekend drive out etc. But on the flip side, once you do your first proper test day, or line up on the grid for the first time, you won't ever look at a track day in the same way again.
Admittedly it isn't much good for a weekend drive out etc. But on the flip side, once you do your first proper test day, or line up on the grid for the first time, you won't ever look at a track day in the same way again.
Spindoctor said:
Nothing wrong with the Exige interior from where I stand. Leg’s looks stunning and my recently arrived 410S is beautifully put together and a pleasure to be in. Even better when you fire it up and drive it. The excitement factor is way above any Porsche in the same price bracket and you get plenty of change out of 100k to spend on mad Komotec upgrades.
I love my Exige, it's bullet proof on track, I don't get wet (used to track an MK Indy R) and with the komotec 460 kit and other upgrades frankly nothing touches it on track. But, I have to be honest, I dont drive mine on the road very often. It's a pain to get in and out of, has f
k all boot space and as I can never be arsed to manually wind the suspension set up back from track settings, has a hard ride. The headlamps are also akin to having two gerbils out front farting on matches if you're out at night. It's truly epic on a B road but you have to really want to be in it.Epic track car, great for a blast but I wouldn't run it as an every day sports car.
Personally i couldn't run something as heavy as a Porsche on track. I own a 981 Boxster S and a 997.2 GT3RS and after the Exige, even the GT3RS feels too fat. But if I could only have one car, and wasn't going to go at it too hard on track, I would buy a GT4. I love my Boxster S as a road car and have owned it from new in 2012. It comes out when I put my Ferraris away for winter and it's always a pleasure. It's the Daly Thompson of Sportscars. Does everything really well but doesn't do anything spectacular. I imagine the GT4 is the same but even better. Just a great all round sportscar that you can nip out in, track and take the Mrs out in.
px1980 said:
Bispal said:
You are mad not to consider the Exige 430CUP
As I just pointed out in the other thread you refer to, the Exige is far more of a track experience than the GT4 / Spyder. The Porsches will go round track at the same lap time and with super consistency lap after lap, but that's no fun (not for me anyway! The Exige you have to learn and master, its much more engaging. IMHO of owning and tracking both.
Like I said, I drove an Exige for a day before, and while super-fun, this is where I draw the line in terms of how impractical/inconvenient my 2nd car can be. I want something spirited and with great handling, but with just that tiny bit more polish and interior quality than ExigeAs I just pointed out in the other thread you refer to, the Exige is far more of a track experience than the GT4 / Spyder. The Porsches will go round track at the same lap time and with super consistency lap after lap, but that's no fun (not for me anyway! The Exige you have to learn and master, its much more engaging. IMHO of owning and tracking both.
LHD Scuderia could be close if you are lucky (I think one sold on CC for c 107k) - works great as a track car (changed geo ideally) and weekend road car and commuting car if the exhaust flaps are closed. The only thing (which is a biggie) is that it does not have a manual - while the F1 SF2 is probably the greatest paddle shift my view, it is still missing the third pedal
Bispal said:
I think you are sending mixed messages, I thought you wanted a track car? I think you are confusing basic with quality. Adding loads of tech does not make something high quality it just makes it heavier with more superfluous stuff.
ok fair point. And agreed on basic doesn't mean low quality. It's just in the Exige I was put off by the fact that all electronic displays seemed to have lower resolution than an accounting calculator 
and that I couldn't even play music from my iPhone. Also no air-conditioning from what I recall (could be wrong though, I drove it in the summer with windows down). I know hardcore track enthusiasts may say all this is irrelevant, but when I'm up at an ungodly hour, driving by myself in the dark for an 8am track session start somewhere 2hrs away, I at least want to be warm and listening to nice music. I don't require an all-singing, all-dancing infotainment system but some basic comforts would be nice. px1980 said:
ok fair point. And agreed on basic doesn't mean low quality. It's just in the Exige I was put off by the fact that all electronic displays seemed to have lower resolution than an accounting calculator and that I couldn't even play music from my iPhone. Also no air-conditioning from what I recall (could be wrong though, I drove it in the summer with windows down). I know hardcore track enthusiasts may say all this is irrelevant, but when I'm up at an ungodly hour, driving by myself in the dark for an 8am track session start somewhere 2hrs away, I at least want to be warm and listening to nice music. I don't require an all-singing, all-dancing infotainment system but some basic comforts would be nice.
You were wrong I'm afraid. and that I couldn't even play music from my iPhone. Also no air-conditioning from what I recall (could be wrong though, I drove it in the summer with windows down). I know hardcore track enthusiasts may say all this is irrelevant, but when I'm up at an ungodly hour, driving by myself in the dark for an 8am track session start somewhere 2hrs away, I at least want to be warm and listening to nice music. I don't require an all-singing, all-dancing infotainment system but some basic comforts would be nice. There are no electronic displays in an Exige S3. It has an analogue dash with the usual lights for lights, traction, drivetrain mode etc and a head unit but there are no electronic displays (unless it's been fitted with an AiM2 digital dash like mine - stock pic below).
The head units play via bluetooth and cable direct from your phone. Also has hands free.
It has air conditioning.
It has a heater.
These are all standard. The AiM2 dash is around £1400, looks and operates superbly and also data logs on track.Lotus are now fitting them as an option.
Hearing what you say though you should buy a GT4. Even a standard Exige 350 Sport will leave it for dead on track and an Exige modified as I describe above is in a different class on track altogether. However, there's no denying that driving on the road, driving to and from track, the GT4 is a comfier, more cultured and nicer place to be.
As ever it's about balance and what's important to you. If the priority is track days and really going at it in a car designed to be on track and for that you're prepared to compromise a little on the road, then a modified Exige is the one to go for (or, if modifying isnt your thing, a 410 or 430). If the aim is to have a nice sports car for the road that you can do occasional track days in without really going at it, then a GT4 will do.
It's important to consider insurance too. £600 a year for comp cover on road and track for my Exige, even with the mods. That's worth bearing in mind when you make your decision. How much would it cost to insure the car you choose for track and if you dont, how much will not having insurance compromise your track day fun? Having a Lotus also lets you take part in Lotus on Track days that happen throughout the year and are extremely well organised. I guess there's a similar Porsche thing though?
Edited by _Leg_ on Wednesday 23 December 10:24
Problem solved now it's clearer.
£50-60k Audi R8 V10
£40-50k in bank, hire a caterham/track car via one of the experienced track day companies as and when you fancy it.
No trailers, no compromises, £40k will keep you on trackdays with hired track cars for 10yrs. The hired cars will be serviced and full of fuel ready for you at the track of your choice
Job jobbed :-)
£50-60k Audi R8 V10
£40-50k in bank, hire a caterham/track car via one of the experienced track day companies as and when you fancy it.
No trailers, no compromises, £40k will keep you on trackdays with hired track cars for 10yrs. The hired cars will be serviced and full of fuel ready for you at the track of your choice
Job jobbed :-)
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