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Alternative to '6 for track days
Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2012 11:25 am
by Shoppinit
I fancy a track day car, but I am pretty sure that the '6 would ruin me in brake wear, mechanical wear, tyres and fuel. I was thinking along the lines of an Elise S1. Nice and light, but bit worried about low power. Thought about a boxster S, too. I don't really want to spend more than 6 or 7k on buying one.
Anyone got any suggestions?
EDIT/ Oh, and no FWD thanks.
Re: Alternative to '6 for track days
Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2012 12:00 pm
by mavada
lotus /vm77
Re: Alternative to '6 for track days
Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2012 12:53 pm
by Simon T
What about an S2 , could stay with Audi and when stripped out make a good track car with mild mods.
Re: Alternative to '6 for track days
Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2012 12:55 pm
by posterboyj
8L Audi S3
Many on the market with a hybrid or big turbo + extras
Good handling if arb and suspension uprated!!
Stripped of weight of course
Re: Alternative to '6 for track days
Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2012 1:01 pm
by PJC
Race series MX5 or MR2
Re: Alternative to '6 for track days
Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2012 1:18 pm
by frenchy
take the lotus elise s1! it costs less (to buy and to maintain), it's easy to do some mechanic on it
the relative lack of power of the elise S1 (on the paper at least) might be problematic only on a few tracks where power is needed, at Spa francorchamps for exeample
the ratio fun/costs is unbeatable on a lotus elise S1
tried to track with an audi S3 8L (big turbo and <beep>)
was not reliable, PITA to fix all the small issues that you will encounter
come on here, you'll find all the answers you need before you import your future elise
http://garage111.com/forum/
Re: Alternative to '6 for track days
Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2012 1:34 pm
by JCviggen
For track days, definitely get something without a turbo. It's usually slower but at least you get to do some actual driving as opposed to being broken down half the time.
Re: Alternative to '6 for track days
Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2012 1:56 pm
by PJC
frenchy wrote:take the lotus elise s1! it costs less (to buy and to maintain), it's easy to do some mechanic on it
the relative lack of power of the elise S1 (on the paper at least) might be problematic only on a few tracks where power is needed, at Spa francorchamps for exeample
the ratio fun/costs is unbeatable on a lotus elise S1
tried to track with an audi S3 8L (big turbo and <beep>)
was not reliable, PITA to fix all the small issues that you will encounter
come on here, you'll find all the answers you need before you import your future elise
http://garage111.com/forum/
Agree that the Elise would be a good option.
If you bin it or someone hits you then the cost of repair is prohibitive.
Re: Alternative to '6 for track days
Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2012 2:15 pm
by posterboyj
SEAT Ibiza Cupra R
Weighs 1 ton + mods = fun
Re: Alternative to '6 for track days
Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2012 2:19 pm
by bam_bam
I've thought long and hard about this and arrived at the MR2 NA. BUT... 6-7k would get you into a Super7, Westfield etc. Drop a screaming straight 6 on throttle bodies into one of those chassis and you'll need the smile surgically removed. The noise, oh the noise.
Re: Alternative to '6 for track days
Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2012 2:19 pm
by frenchy
the cupra is a FWD
Shoppinit is looking for a RWD
Re: Alternative to '6 for track days
Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2012 2:44 pm
by Imola_Sid
I would recommend an E36 M3.
You can pick up a mint one, upgrade the brakes, coilovers, poly bush etc and still have money left over.
Once stripped, these things really shift with a good driver behind the wheel.
Best thing is when things go wrong parts are cheap and readily available.
I had my 'full fat' 328i sport on a few trackdays and loved it!
Above pic was taken before I came off and spun about 5 times and destroyed my ACS Carbon splitter
So need to get back out on a trackday!
Re: Alternative to '6 for track days
Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2012 2:45 pm
by chunky79
bam_bam wrote:I've thought long and hard about this and arrived at the MR2 NA. BUT... 6-7k would get you into a Super7, Westfield etc. Drop a screaming straight 6 on throttle bodies into one of those chassis and you'll need the smile surgically removed. The noise, oh the noise.
Listen to this man, cause he listened to someone talking sense

Re: Alternative to '6 for track days
Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2012 2:46 pm
by Nobby
Mk Indy R1. It will beat pretty much anything in track, will barely need any prep, parts are cheap, brakes will never fade and tyres will wear very slowly
Re: Alternative to '6 for track days
Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2012 4:05 pm
by Hedgehog Dodger
PaulRS4 wrote:Race series MX5 or MR2
+1