nigel b

if i started again id probably look at an rx8 and put a s2000 engine in it

st220kyle

that would be my 1st choice tbh, or even just a basic mk3 with a 2.0 mondeo engine would be perfect for me.
I went to look at a rs1800 at Xmas but it wasn't any good. I haven't seen anything advertised anywhere since.

Glenn_

iTrader: (1)

I know where there is a xr2i with a genunie 24k miles on the clock. It needs a fair bit of work. Hes wanting 600 quid for it. Its the model with the zetec and the winged back seats.

zetaboostboy522bhp

IMO focus st170 are a good handling car , but the downsides and the cost of parts makes them a shit car. The only advantage of buying one is they are cheap .
I currently own one I will do + and - list and put a star next to what I've had to replace or uprated
+
Great handling
Cheap
Not a bad looking car

-
Rusty. * only ting amount around rear arch so not to bad
Parts cost a fortune
Shit wheels which corrode badly. *never fixed
Leaky pedal master cylinder. *replacement
Lambda sensors *Replacement
Cat breaking up
Inlet problems
Thermostat leaking. *American early type zetec Bakolite stat
Coilpacks breaking down. *msd coilpack and leads
imrc problem
You need billet imrc lever *billet one
Throttle body sticks *billet one
Seat belt pretensioners *replacement
Shit mpg even driving well steady my record was 274 miles to a tank and average 230
And 170 bhp is a load of bollocks I would say 150 to 160 bhp they are light years behind a type r as standard.
My advise would be save another grand and get a half decent type r


The list is endless and the light come on the dash more than a Christmas tree lol.

I will also add mine was a full service history car with 43,000 on the clock

Would I buy and strip one for a track car , yes I would at the right price (£750 max) and then throw another £750 on pads , imrc lever , throttle body , coilpack and a real good service.

Cheers Paul

Glenn_

iTrader: (1)

The only parts i changed on my ST when i owned it was rear coil springs,snapped. I replaced them with second hand springs, they cost me 30 quid. I changed a lambda sensor,cost was free i had a spare one. I changed the steering rack. Only because the previous owner fooked it.

If its gonna be a track car i dont think mpg is gonna be a worry.

Kyle just go and view a few and see what condition there in.

zetaboostboy522bhp

Oh and radiator and fans , then there's the dual mass flywheel and clutch which is fucking shocking to say the least

I don't Kane it everywhere but now and again I give it some and it only comes alive at 5.5 k they are very sluggish . If you drive a type r which the st is aimed at really as a 2.0 litre na engine the type r batters it and there's no bigger ford lover than me, the type r engine is a mater piece.


Cheers Paul

Rowe

The only part on a 170 that is expensive is the dual mass.
Everytbing else is cheap and there's shit loads of second hand parts about. You can pick a gearbox up for less than 50 and an engine for less than 150 if you look enough.

Type R's are a brilliant car, but for 1500 quid it'd be absolutely shagged. saying that, the only reason I didn't get one was because of all the Ford events I attend

Fordmad!

£1500 id go for a st170 plenty to choose from parts are plentiful and cheap too

Maybe a fez st. St220s seem to come into that price bracket as well

Depending on the circuit if there are lots of corners id consider a puma. Easily one of the best handling cars I've ever driven

Away from the ford scene id say a clio but then i know of a few and all have suffered electrical problems

massivewangers

iTrader: (1)

Done 25k in my Clio and it's only needed consumables really. I know loads of people with them and they are pretty indestructible. Big Renaults are shit, the little ones are generally pretty tough.

I think an ST220 could be a laugh if you stripped it out and put some sticky tyres on it.

Glenn_

iTrader: (1)

You could also get a st24 but most of them are rot boxes now.

I would say get a ST17O if you want a ford track car.

What about a bmw 325 or 330. The old shape,like an S reg

big_wasa

The st220's aren't to bad on rust. They feel heavy though. I think they are around 300kg up on the focus.

I can't find many that have been converted for track. I wonder what weight you can get one down to ?

imnoteasy

A fiesta rs1800.

Glenn_

iTrader: (1)

I would be suprised if you can get a fiesta RS1800 for 1500 quid these days.

burnzy

Why has no one mentioned a Subaru? Genuinely interested, I know they have trouble with starving of oil but I've read that a baffled sump soon puts a stop to it and isn't exactly troublesome to do, surely they would be cheap for bits and quick and handle much better being 4wd, like most stuff mentioned though they do rust.

st220kyle

ive had an st220 for years, couldn't bring myself to thrash it round a track and yes they definitely feel very heavy to drive

st220kyle

Have booked to go to the nurburgring in 5 months so need to get something soon. Should probably have added at the start I may only do the ring trip and a few track days then sell the car on. I dont really want to be modifying anything. Been looking at st150 fiestas

gcfcos

My mate bought a Clio 172 cheap and did a timing belt, de phaser pulley and service and took it to Nurburgring and spa over the same week and didn't miss a beat. I hate renault with a passion but fair play to the little Clio!

Glenn_

iTrader: (1)

Kyle can you get fiesta st150s for 1500 quid? I will have to have a look.

Do imprezas also go for 1500 quid these days. Not a bad car but imo they sound fookin awful. I remember years ago imprezas were 10 a penny where theses days i have hardly seen any about.

gcfcos

My mates bought a few imprezas over the last year and a half all for between £1000 and £15000, their starting to litter up his driveway in bits to keep the next one he buys on the road but at that price their likely to not have been serviced properly or if at all and certainly won't have been looked after, well from the ones my mate has been buying that seems the case anyway

rsp36

I've worked as a track instructor in the past and the Clio's are a very popular choice for a good reason.Cheap and cheerful,fairly reliable and not too bad too insure.
Had a couple of them myself but couldn't get along with the handling.Fx end of the straight at Brands where the track goes right and dips down,keep your distance if you're behind a Clio,and a lot of the other fwd,they really love to spin off there.
I now have an E36 325i,1994 so cheap classic insurance that even covers trackdays,parts are very cheap and including race seat,new upgraded brakes all around,new bushes/balljoints all around,new tyres,coilovers etc etc it owes me around £1500.
In my eyes there's nothing else that at that budget that compares.
Oh,and rwd,it handles great

gcfcos

E36 are an awesome car

st220kyle

I've found an st150 30 miles from me for £1500, 05 reg but done 100k and no service history at all which is a bit off putting.

zetaboostboy522bhp

I would get for the fiesta st 150 , lighter , better to tune engine wise , a lot less problems in general and lots of parts available.

Cheers paul

Fordmad!

Be a crime to turn one into a track car

Glenn_

iTrader: (1)

Ive seen a few st fiesta track cars. No timing belt to worry about either.

imnoteasy

Rs1800 fiestas are terrible. I've one rotting on my drive. Never Seen rust so bad. But be a cheap track car

Not much different to a xr2i 16v

Glenn_

iTrader: (1)

My brother in law just sold his 16v XR2i. That needed a lot of welding. It was a genuine 24k mile car too. It had a pair of new front wings fitted. It looked like someone had undesealed them under the bonnet.

imnoteasy

Mine has never failed an mot. Needs rear arches. Cills. Inner wing repairs. Floors. Rear panel. Rear suspension turret. And some bodges were just gaffer tape over holes and painted black

foxy06

Granted, its a bit more than sticky tyres, but looks fun!

boeb

AV got a gen frst track prepped rolling shell for hoff that amount for sale lol

Just apply power plant and some bits to be re attached

Few ov us up here got fiesta for track cars al with various power units ..great fun on track ..but must admit the clios are always a good rival at track days

big_wasa

An awesome budget track car is the mg zs180.

Very light and with some breathing mods alone they push 200bhp. But cambelts are not easy.

I've had a Bug eye Impreza and loved it. I doubt you will find a usable new age for the money.


With a he st150 the Duratec is prone to big end failure if the oil is low, old, shit quality.

Check out the number sold with a nocking engine and the number of engines sold for parts.

gcfcos

I nearly bought the later shape v6 mg (Rover 45 shape) its the one with vents in the wings etc. Did some work on one at work and took it for a spin and really liked it

Glenn_

iTrader: (1)

Kyle if you buy this months fast ford mag there is a buying guide to the fiesta st150.

Bosch

what like this? LOL

Bosch

how are they terrible? Rust on any car made from metal are bad if you don't look after them correctly and maintain the car.

Fiesta RS1800 are a good car, granted things need up grading but have a strong engine that pulls well, a great ratio gearbox and can easily keep up with a clio cup 172.

gjh

I'd go:
Focus ST170
MG ZR 160
Proton satria GTI
Mazda mx5
Are BMW mini coopers in budget yet? Not the quickest but a good chassis
Quite a few puma'd fiesta's around, lot of rough ones mind
Maybe a 3 series BMW of sorts? Wont be quick but RWD.

Caddyshack

Most £1500 cars are buggered, they need a load of money to be reliable Road cars, good track cars need a load of cash

james kiely

iTrader: (5)

iIF I PUT A THREAD UP I WILL NEVER FINISH IT LOL

Donny1

Mk 5 fiesta zetec s

cheap to buy and cheap for parts

Very light and lots of puma engined ones about £1500 would get a very good one just watch out for the rust.

It's Czech Mate

Donny, you're out of your element!