Best fast road & track car

[Richard-rjbph]

I have a six car garage where each car has to offer something different. The dry weather weekend coupe is my R8 V8 MT, my 4-door hero car is my blobeye Impreza STI, older classic is my mk1 NA MX5, small hot-hatch is my R56 Mini JCW and then the daily household workhorse is my L322 Range Rover TDV8.

This leaves my 6th car, occasional daily driver (normally one commute over c.200 miles round trip once a week) plus track use. For the last 4 years I’ve had my Megane RS that has filled this duty brilliantly but I really want a more powerful car now for track use. Criteria is 2-door coupe, high performance, that can do some commuting (limited) but is track focused! I’ve now limited it to two cars: M4 Comp or R35 GTR. I’m switching between both. M4 will be cheaper, more modern, RWD and has a lot going for it, but something keeps drawing me to the more expensive GTR. Problem is the GTR will be a much older car, I’m going in near the bottom of the market (higher risk), but there’s just something I love about the GTR and will be a weapon on track. It will also hold its value much better. I did consider an M2 OG and M2C but having driven both I think the right choice for me is the M4C from the BMW stable. Thoughts appreciated. Any (previous) owners thoughts even better. Thank you

[ZX10R NIN]

The R35 is a great option look for a track edition & you'll have a winner but it'll depend on your budget?

In which case the M3/4 would be my pick once you've added a slightly stiffer spring setup the adaptive suspension will prove to be a big bonus.

[keo]

Not sure on your budget and I hate this on here when you post something and get completely random answers that you aren’t interested in!…

But!

Have you considered a 981 GT4? Sure I have seen some drop into the £50’s

I admit I found mine a bit boring on the road but it was good on track.

Ignore me if you aren’t interested! Sorry!

Cracking garage btw!

[braddo]

I'd say your R8 would make a better track car than a GTR or M BMW! They're all very heavy and will chew tyres and brakes, as well as needing very firm suspension to contain the weight that will make them uncomfortable on the road.

A V6 Exige would be ideal or otherwise the Cayman GT4 as suggested. There are some auto Exiges around too if you don't want a manual.

Or if you're OK with a bit of modding and want a turbo car, get a 4-cyl turbo Boxster S - turn up the boost, add coilovers and GT3/4 suspension arms for neg camber and you'll have a very quick car.

[uktrailmonster]

I can’t get my head around a 6 car garage where your daily driver has to double up as a track car! Doesn’t make sense. Track cars are best when dedicated, stripped out impractical weapons. Lotus, Caterhams etc.

[Richard-rjbph]

I think I need to clarify. My 6th car which is a track focused high performance car doesn’t need to be my everyday car, it won’t be as we have the RR and JCW as daily cars, but as I don’t do too many trackdays a year I’d like to use it occasionally for my commute (normally once a week) as I use my Megane. What I don’t want is a lightweight track car (eg caterham/westfield) for a few trackdays per year. The car will do one/two Ring trips a year and a handful of trackdays plus be usable if/when I want to commute to work in it. Hope that clears it up.

[Richard-rjbph]

The 981 GT4 is a good shout but really out of budget. I want to keep to c.£40k. Exige would be a good alternative but for the fear of me getting in/out of it. I’m 53 yo and 17 stone and don’t fancy climbing out of an exige on my hands ‘n’ knees! LoL

[ZX10R NIN]

In which case I'd say buy the best Evora your budget will allow.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202504040...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202508075...

Edited by ZX10R NIN on Saturday 30th August 15:48

[Neilbolts.]

M2 comp or GT4 for me .

[keo]

Richard-rjbph said:

The 981 GT4 is a good shout but really out of budget. I want to keep to c.£40k. Exige would be a good alternative but for the fear of me getting in/out of it. I’m 53 yo and 17 stone and don’t fancy climbing out of an exige on my hands ‘n’ knees! LoL

I had an Exige 410 after my GT4 as a toy it blew the GT4 out of the water. I never tracked it though and I have heard they have trouble passing noise tests on track. This might only be the 410 though.

That may also be a valid concern about getting in and out. I’m only small so part of the fun was watching people get in and out of it! Some as you say on their knees!

If you liked the Megane how about a Yaris GR? They have rave reviews. Although in your position I think I’d use the R8 for work when I fancied and have something a little more track focused. But we are all different.

People use MX5’s on track. Wouldn’t be for me but could that be an option?

[Billy_Whizzzz]

Richard-rjbph said:

I have a six car garage where each car has to offer something different. The dry weather weekend coupe is my R8 V8 MT, my 4-door hero car is my blobeye Impreza STI, older classic is my mk1 NA MX5, small hot-hatch is my R56 Mini JCW and then the daily household workhorse is my L322 Range Rover TDV8.

This leaves my 6th car, occasional daily driver (normally one commute over c.200 miles round trip once a week) plus track use. For the last 4 years I’ve had my Megane RS that has filled this duty brilliantly but I really want a more powerful car now for track use. Criteria is 2-door coupe, high performance, that can do some commuting (limited) but is track focused! I’ve now limited it to two cars: M4 Comp or R35 GTR. I’m switching between both. M4 will be cheaper, more modern, RWD and has a lot going for it, but something keeps drawing me to the more expensive GTR. Problem is the GTR will be a much older car, I’m going in near the bottom of the market (higher risk), but there’s just something I love about the GTR and will be a weapon on track. It will also hold its value much better. I did consider an M2 OG and M2C but having driven both I think the right choice for me is the M4C from the BMW stable. Thoughts appreciated. Any (previous) owners thoughts even better. Thank you

No real direct advice here but in my garage (8) I look for variety and yours seems a bit to similar in terms of era. Yes, you need a daily hack for commuting but you can also use any of the others for commuting if you want to. So I’d stretch the age out (mine range from 1965 to present day) and have some quirkier things too. I’ve had M2s and M4s and ultimately got a bit bored - the last M2 C was replaced with a 997.2 C4S. As I write this, I realise you need a 911! Probably a gen 2 997 - distinct in every way from what you already have and trackable, commutable etc

[Richard-rjbph]

The GRY is a good shout as you tend to always find a couple at most trackdays. I have driven a friends, which I enjoyed for the day but not sure it’s for me. Worried that it wont feel hugely quicker than the current Megane RS though.

Regard the 911 (997.2) I think it’s too similar to my R8 V8, so have discounted that.

This all started when I drove my sons F80 M3 (Litchfield Stage 1) which, for a 4-door saloon car offered incredible performance. Not just straight line acceleration but its ability to turn in with no understeer and feel the car gently rotate through the corner by playing with the accelerator was addictive and that’s made me look at M2/4 Comps (don’t want a 4-door) and then the R35 GTR. The odd-ball car that I have passed over though is the lotus Exige. Biggest worry is whether I’d fit in one though (!) and although will be done in straight line performance you know the cars going to handle like a dream!

[nickfrog]

I would rent a Caterham for UK track days and use the R8 for Ring trips and occasional commutes.

[Richard-rjbph]

uktrailmonster said:

I can’t get my head around a 6 car garage where your daily driver has to double up as a track car! Doesn’t make sense. Track cars are best when dedicated, stripped out impractical weapons. Lotus, Caterhams etc.

Thank you for this. Sometimes you get caught up in ideas/thoughts and can’t see the wood for the trees! What you said really resonated with me. A 6 car garage but no dedicated track car? Two weekend cars (R8 & STI), two daily drivers (RR & JCW) and my old mk1 MX5. And then I was trying to get another daily and track car combined when I don’t need to compromise! What was I thinking?

What I need is a lightweight track car. Whether that be a caterham, Westfield, etc …. after all I have the RR as the tow vehicle too and have plenty of space for a trailer so that’s what I’m now thinking. Question is, what to go for ….. any thoughts? Caterham, Westfield, or more extreme, Atom, Radical???? Any thoughts?

[SAS Tom]

Richard-rjbph said:

uktrailmonster said:

I can’t get my head around a 6 car garage where your daily driver has to double up as a track car! Doesn’t make sense. Track cars are best when dedicated, stripped out impractical weapons. Lotus, Caterhams etc.

Thank you for this. Sometimes you get caught up in ideas/thoughts and can’t see the wood for the trees! What you said really resonated with me. A 6 car garage but no dedicated track car? Two weekend cars (R8 & STI), two daily drivers (RR & JCW) and my old mk1 MX5. And then I was trying to get another daily and track car combined when I don’t need to compromise! What was I thinking?

What I need is a lightweight track car. Whether that be a caterham, Westfield, etc …. after all I have the RR as the tow vehicle too and have plenty of space for a trailer so that’s what I’m now thinking. Question is, what to go for ….. any thoughts? Caterham, Westfield, or more extreme, Atom, Radical???? Any thoughts?

Something eligible for racing. You may just do track days with it but it’ll stand the usage better anyway.

[MDL111]

SAS Tom said:

Richard-rjbph said:

uktrailmonster said:

I can’t get my head around a 6 car garage where your daily driver has to double up as a track car! Doesn’t make sense. Track cars are best when dedicated, stripped out impractical weapons. Lotus, Caterhams etc.

Thank you for this. Sometimes you get caught up in ideas/thoughts and can’t see the wood for the trees! What you said really resonated with me. A 6 car garage but no dedicated track car? Two weekend cars (R8 & STI), two daily drivers (RR & JCW) and my old mk1 MX5. And then I was trying to get another daily and track car combined when I don’t need to compromise! What was I thinking?

What I need is a lightweight track car. Whether that be a caterham, Westfield, etc …. after all I have the RR as the tow vehicle too and have plenty of space for a trailer so that’s what I’m now thinking. Question is, what to go for ….. any thoughts? Caterham, Westfield, or more extreme, Atom, Radical???? Any thoughts?

Something eligible for racing. You may just do track days with it but it’ll stand the usage better anyway.

That escalated quickly from 2 options to a lot of options.
I have never owned or driven one, but something like this could be an option if you want to trailer a car. I think the various Astons, McLarens and Ferraris are above your budget unfortunately.

https://www.racecarsdirect.com/Advert/Details/1554...

[MDL111]

Or a slightly mental road legal car

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/15867047

[blueovercream]

Sounds like I might be a bit late to the party but my suggestion for the original brief would be an Alpine A110.

987.2 Cayman with some tweaks or even a Cayman R if you can find one would also be ideal.

[Origami]

This would be pretty mental I’d expect

Only 1 seat though!

https://carsonline.bonhams.com/en/listings/bac/mon...