Most effective way to get on track
Discussion
Hi all, I'm looking for some advice on the best way for me to get on track.
I have a few different options:
Buy a new daily I can occasionally drive to the track, the answer is probably clio 1*2, but is there anything else I'm missing?
I've seen a few CAT N Fiesta ST180's popping up around the 6k mark, if anyone knows how they'd stand up to track work?
Would also consider 325ti, 330ci etc.
~£5k budget, can potentially stretch for the right car. I would probably prefer RWD with an LSD if I'm honest, but would also be open to fwd cars. Would like it to get 30+ mpg on a run if possible.
Option 2, I've currently got two MX5's, 94 and 95 eunos roadsters with the lsd - though I don't think either of them would be able to survive the abuse of track days and would need a lot of work. I have been looking at selling the 95 which needs new front shocks, keeping the 94 as a fun car and buying something new. However, I could take the money I get from selling the 95 and use it to make the 94 roadster a reliable enough car to be used on track (it leaks a little oil at the moment and could use tyres, brakes etc.).
The problem with option 2 is that the daily I buy should be a tdi golf or passat, but I know I would want something fun for everyday as well. Life's too short for boring cars and all that.
What would you do? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers,
Ryan
I have a few different options:
Buy a new daily I can occasionally drive to the track, the answer is probably clio 1*2, but is there anything else I'm missing?
I've seen a few CAT N Fiesta ST180's popping up around the 6k mark, if anyone knows how they'd stand up to track work?
Would also consider 325ti, 330ci etc.
~£5k budget, can potentially stretch for the right car. I would probably prefer RWD with an LSD if I'm honest, but would also be open to fwd cars. Would like it to get 30+ mpg on a run if possible.
Option 2, I've currently got two MX5's, 94 and 95 eunos roadsters with the lsd - though I don't think either of them would be able to survive the abuse of track days and would need a lot of work. I have been looking at selling the 95 which needs new front shocks, keeping the 94 as a fun car and buying something new. However, I could take the money I get from selling the 95 and use it to make the 94 roadster a reliable enough car to be used on track (it leaks a little oil at the moment and could use tyres, brakes etc.).
The problem with option 2 is that the daily I buy should be a tdi golf or passat, but I know I would want something fun for everyday as well. Life's too short for boring cars and all that.
What would you do? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers,
Ryan
Having done the sum total of half a day's track day, I can say that trying to get a daily car to be a good track car is going to be a struggle.
For me there's just an inherent conflict in requirements unless you've got deep pockets, which will leave you frustrated quite soon.
I would rather a daily that wasn't boring, but still warm
And a focused track car that can have money spent on it (suspension brakes tyres etc)
Unless there's sentimental reasons to keep the second mx5, why not sell it and use the cash to sort the first one?
Then, any change and your £6k budget can go to a fun daily road car.
However, I expect a fiesta st to be a pretty good track car as anything in it's class - accepting you're going to have to up the maintenance on it
Gratuitous pic.
Also, have you checked out the track day forum?
Hth
Ian
For me there's just an inherent conflict in requirements unless you've got deep pockets, which will leave you frustrated quite soon.
I would rather a daily that wasn't boring, but still warm
And a focused track car that can have money spent on it (suspension brakes tyres etc)
Unless there's sentimental reasons to keep the second mx5, why not sell it and use the cash to sort the first one?
Then, any change and your £6k budget can go to a fun daily road car.
However, I expect a fiesta st to be a pretty good track car as anything in it's class - accepting you're going to have to up the maintenance on it
Gratuitous pic.
Also, have you checked out the track day forum?
Hth
Ian
You have plenty budget for a nice daily that you can use on track. £5k get's you in...
FN2 Type R
Mk V Golf GTI
Megane 2 RS
Clio 182
R53 Cooper S
Maintained and with decent tyres/brakes and you are good to go.
However, running a daily + track car may be a better shout. For a few grand you could pick up a 325ti E46, Puma 1.7, Celica 190 etc and no need to worry about anything that happens on track.
FN2 Type R
Mk V Golf GTI
Megane 2 RS
Clio 182
R53 Cooper S
Maintained and with decent tyres/brakes and you are good to go.
However, running a daily + track car may be a better shout. For a few grand you could pick up a 325ti E46, Puma 1.7, Celica 190 etc and no need to worry about anything that happens on track.
I recently tracked my standard Clio 197 and it did fantastically. All I did was swap the pads, fluids and tyres for something more track appropriate and it didn't miss a beat. It'll do 32mpg on a run, around 27 in town.
I'm also selling it for quite a bit less than you're budget if you're interested. Will leave change for coilovers etc.
I'm also selling it for quite a bit less than you're budget if you're interested. Will leave change for coilovers etc.
Personally I'd do option 2. Sell the '95 MX5 and track prep the '94. From the few people I know that've ran them they are fairly light on tyres and brakes so consumables cost will be low. A good service / fluid change (sort that oil leak obviously) and some uprated pads and tyres and you'd have a hoot in an MX-5 on most tracks in the UK. Then in the future should you care to be a bit quicker in a straight line you could always super/turbo charge it.
In my experience, theirs nothing worse than going to a track in your daily and something failing and cutting your time there short plus having the knock on effect of the daily basically being out of action till you fix it.
In my experience, theirs nothing worse than going to a track in your daily and something failing and cutting your time there short plus having the knock on effect of the daily basically being out of action till you fix it.
Cheers for the replies, '95 MX5 has been listed for sale - makes sense to get rid of at least one of them. I've had 3 now and at this point I'm not sure I could be without one, but I would also maybe consider selling the '94 as well if I could get into something else that's interesting.
Navmangt - I may be interested but I'm near glasgow, could you pm me a link to an advert or send me some more info?
Will update and let you know what I end up going for, but I'm really liking the look of the ST's at the moment so that might be what I end up going for as well as tidying up my other MX5.
Navmangt - I may be interested but I'm near glasgow, could you pm me a link to an advert or send me some more info?
Will update and let you know what I end up going for, but I'm really liking the look of the ST's at the moment so that might be what I end up going for as well as tidying up my other MX5.
RCD24 said:
Cheers for the replies, '95 MX5 has been listed for sale - makes sense to get rid of at least one of them. I've had 3 now and at this point I'm not sure I could be without one, but I would also maybe consider selling the '94 as well if I could get into something else that's interesting.
Navmangt - I may be interested but I'm near glasgow, could you pm me a link to an advert or send me some more info?
Will update and let you know what I end up going for, but I'm really liking the look of the ST's at the moment so that might be what I end up going for as well as tidying up my other MX5.
I'd sell both MX-5's & add that to your 5k budget at which point you should have a budget that will land you either a Megane RS250 with the Cup Chassis:Navmangt - I may be interested but I'm near glasgow, could you pm me a link to an advert or send me some more info?
Will update and let you know what I end up going for, but I'm really liking the look of the ST's at the moment so that might be what I end up going for as well as tidying up my other MX5.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/313952130916?hash=item4...
Or Astra GTC VXR which fits your brief perfectly & the first link is in Aberdeen:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/284789750221?hash=item4...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/255509575180?hash=item3...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/284789819000?hash=item4...
I'd sell 1 mx5 and get the best clio 197/200 you can find nearby within budget.
Look out for ones with red brake calipers, as these will have the cup chassis which sits a bit lower & stiffer.
Or if you can stretch the budget a bit, upgrade to 250/265 Mégane as suggested above (again make sure you look for red calipers, these have mechanical LSD on the meganes).
Engines are very good on both if looked after.
Look out for ones with red brake calipers, as these will have the cup chassis which sits a bit lower & stiffer.
Or if you can stretch the budget a bit, upgrade to 250/265 Mégane as suggested above (again make sure you look for red calipers, these have mechanical LSD on the meganes).
Engines are very good on both if looked after.
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