Ultimate Trackday car for £5k?

[burblev8]

I have around £5k to spend on a car for 50% road and 50% trackday use - I already have some ideas but what are your suggestions?

[turbo-tastic]

Depending on what mods your planning and how friendly your insurance is, I would say you couldn't go too far wrong with an import (lighter and more BHP) ST205 ('94-on I think) Toyota Celica GT4.
1300ish kgs with 255BHP in standard trim, and not as common as Imprezza's / Evo's.
Or even the earlier ST185, leaving you some cash for more power.

[iaint]

a chap mx-5 and then sort the suspension and breaks? Should be around 5k.

Won't have blistering top speed but will be great round the bends.

[Pierscoe1]

for 5k, I think it would have to be either an mx5 or an MRT..

either with a few choice mods..

and choose depending on whether you prefer more grunt, or some really playful sideways fun in the bends (with admittedly poor speed).

[MrFlibbles]

200SX, drift machine!

[Mr E]

GT-Four is not a great track toy to be honest. It's a bit heavy.

200SX would be fab, as would a MR2 Tubby.

[burblev8]

I agree with virtually all of that.

My girlfriends old MX-5 1.8 was rewarding to drive but needed a susp upgrade and a supercharger. The MR2 Tubby is one of my top options at the moment but I haven't driven one yet. To me the 'feel' of a car is as important as the BHP.

Good ideas, thanks - keep them coming!