Track/Road car for 50k budget

[Pehen22]

I am in the process of selling my Lamborghini Huracan Performante and Im wanting to buy a track/fast road car, budget is anywhere between 40-70k and just wanted some ideas.

The Performante is a superb car but only gets used now and again and even though I’ve loved owning it I’m wanting something cheaper but will still be a lot of fun.

So far I’ve looked at Ariel Atoms, lotus Exige etc and just wanted peoples opinions on them. I don’t need any sort of practicality as I have a work car and the wife has a 7 seater.

I will be doing the odd track day come next year but just want something that I can blast around the back roads and is exciting to drive. I drove an atom 4 on a track day and it blew me away how capable it was, I think it was the atom 3.5 or 4 I drove.

Any advice would be appreciated

[ZX10R NIN]

At the top end of your budget the 570 S or 12C are amazing on track & down an a road:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202601239...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202609015...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202610167...

Ultima GTR:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202606263...

Emira with the Sports suspension setup:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202608064...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202609236...

420 R:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202509256...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202610227...

Atom 4:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202610167...

Nomad:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202609206...

GTO 3R:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202605152...

Spider:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202603100...

C7 Z06:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/147631310448?_skw=corve...

[Pehen22]

I’ve known a few friends who have had McLarens and nothing but issues with them.

The noble is a car I never thought of so will look into them.

[Fastlane]

Atoms are fantastic cars and the Ariel factory is a great resource and place to visit. Where else will you get the MD of a car company making you a brew? They now have Corton Miller in the North as a partner.

I would recommend an Atom 4 for around £50k. There is an Atom 4 WhatsApp group that you should join. Ask via the Ariel Owners Club FB group.

[spikeyhead]

Atoms are practical, I regularly take mine to Tesco to do the weekly shop

[paddy1970]

Driving an Atom on UK back roads requires... commitment. You need a helmet, a change of clothes if it rains, and it draws massive attention. On track, it is incredibly capable but requires respect.

The Exige S3 is incredibly fast, deeply exciting, and much easier to jump into for a spontaneous 45-minute drive than the Atom. However, it is a bit porky.

The holy grail of pure, lightweight performance is a Supercharged K20/K24 Exige S2. It gives you the raw, lightweight, ultra-responsive acceleration of the Atom 4 combined with a windscreen, a roof, and iconic Lotus handling. It represents the exact opposite of the heavy, electronic supercar experience.. .

The next question is: do you find yourself leaning toward a pure naturally aspirated engine with a screaming 8,500+ RPM redline, or do you want a supercharged/turbocharged setup pushing 350-450+ bhp to really chase down modern supercars?

[Pehen22]

paddy1970 said:

Driving an Atom on UK back roads requires... commitment. You need a helmet, a change of clothes if it rains, and it draws massive attention. On track, it is incredibly capable but requires respect.

The Exige S3 is incredibly fast, deeply exciting, and much easier to jump into for a spontaneous 45-minute drive than the Atom. However, it is a bit porky.

The holy grail of pure, lightweight performance is a Supercharged K20/K24 Exige S2. It gives you the raw, lightweight, ultra-responsive acceleration of the Atom 4 combined with a windscreen, a roof, and iconic Lotus handling. It represents the exact opposite of the heavy, electronic supercar experience.. .

The next question is: do you find yourself leaning toward a pure naturally aspirated engine with a screaming 8,500+ RPM redline, or do you want a supercharged/turbocharged setup pushing 350-450+ bhp to really chase down modern supercars?

Thanks for the insight. I do like the high revving naturally aspirated cars, been used to it with the v10 from the huracan. I just want something with good handling but doesn’t want to put me in a bush every time I go out in it.

I think 300 bhp would be the sweetspot for me.

[sjc]

I’ve had two Nobles ( 19 years in a M400),and now in an Evora GT410Sport with the Komotec 475 pack. Try them they are both utterly brilliant and fit your remit perfectly .

[Panamax]

spikeyhead said:

Atoms are practical, I regularly take mine to Tesco to do the weekly shop

Are you very, very thin, with starving children?

[Frankychops]

A nomad is faster on the road and more fun. it'll loose no money and cost nothing really to run.

[spikeyhead]

Panamax said:

spikeyhead said:

Atoms are practical, I regularly take mine to Tesco to do the weekly shop

Are you very, very thin, with starving children?

There's a huge amount of room in the passenger footwell, and more on the passenger seat.

I also take mine camping, with tent, sleeping bag, camp stove, food, pans and clothes for a few days

[paddy1970]

Pehen22 said:

paddy1970 said:

Driving an Atom on UK back roads requires... commitment. You need a helmet, a change of clothes if it rains, and it draws massive attention. On track, it is incredibly capable but requires respect.

The Exige S3 is incredibly fast, deeply exciting, and much easier to jump into for a spontaneous 45-minute drive than the Atom. However, it is a bit porky.

The holy grail of pure, lightweight performance is a Supercharged K20/K24 Exige S2. It gives you the raw, lightweight, ultra-responsive acceleration of the Atom 4 combined with a windscreen, a roof, and iconic Lotus handling. It represents the exact opposite of the heavy, electronic supercar experience.. .

The next question is: do you find yourself leaning toward a pure naturally aspirated engine with a screaming 8,500+ RPM redline, or do you want a supercharged/turbocharged setup pushing 350-450+ bhp to really chase down modern supercars?

Thanks for the insight. I do like the high revving naturally aspirated cars, been used to it with the v10 from the huracan. I just want something with good handling but doesn t want to put me in a bush every time I go out in it.

I think 300 bhp would be the sweetspot for me.

An NA K24/K20 (K24 bottom k20 top) Lotus Exige S2 will give you that high-revving (8500rpm), motorsport-grade soundtrack and sharpness you love from your v10 Lamborghini...and the handling is unsurpassed...wont put you in a bush like a caterham/atom would...

[OutInTheShed]

If you've got a £50k budget, you could actually consider competing on a track instead of pointlessly going around in circles?