st220kyle

Preferably a Ford, really not a fan of Clio's.

Adam-M

I'd stretch your budget out and get an ep3 type r

Glenn_

iTrader: (1)

Focus st17O matey. They handle great and there are good strong engine. Theres a few lads in the resto section that have them.

I enjoyed owning mine. There not the fastest of things but i bet they make a cracking track car.

I used my puma on a few track days. It was class round the corners but it was slow on the straights.

big_wasa

I have not been a fan of French cars, but having given up on the very rusty focus track project I bought a Megane r26 last week and it's realy growing on me.

Handles better than the focus, much faster than the focus.

.......until the electrics play up that is.

Glenn_

iTrader: (1)

Dod you pay 1500 quid for the Megane r26??

Cos500

I know you say you don't like clios but there is no better track car for the money than a 172/182 sport

big_wasa

Its not an r26r or f1 and its got to many doors and a few othe issues.

Cos500

Good cheap fun no matter how many doors it has, make excellent track cars

Caddyshack

Rear wheel drive but for 1500 you are gonna struggle, is there budget to get the car ready such as some decent brakes, suspension and some seats?

3i Jim

I had a year old 225 trophy for a couple of years. It was a great handling car and went well but after 18 months it started to show its French side so I sold it when the warranty ran out

big_wasa

Yeh the car is the cheap bit. The st220 was very cheap as well.

RichieST

iTrader: (2)

Why not an mx5? Very strong jap mechanicals, rwd and simple enough for when it does go wrong.

james kiely

iTrader: (5)

I treated myself to a old xr3i challenge car for 1500 pound a few week ago.really good shell
​​​​​full leda race suspension
2litre zvh on twin 45,s
Lsd box
Full cage
Perspex Windows
Plumbed in extingisher
​​​​new sparco seat and harness(to small for me though lol
A few sets of wheels and tyres.

​​​​needs a bit of wiring and tidying under the bonnet buy sounds the business.paint the front bumper

Probably be 5 to 6 weeks before I get out o track

st220kyle

All good suggestions, opinions on a mini one cooper s?

3i Jim

1.6 supercharged engine is very strong, handle well and plenty of aftermarket parts. Worth a look.

big_wasa

I would love an mx5 but at 6'3"+ Opinion is I wouldn't fit. I had a mg tf 135 for a few weeks and couldn't really drive it with the hood up.

boeb

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/262854987049

AV gotta try lol

lacey

I have a Mini Cooper s
Great car but thinking of getting rid as it's
Juicy
20/25 mpg no mater how you drive it

But that said it is good fun
They pull so well
The around 175 hp std
But a pulley kit will take them to around 200 ish
And the sound is so addictive

Glenn_

iTrader: (1)

Was it 1500 quid? Is it a 2ltr turbo

Rowe

newer fiesta's will probably be a bit out of budget, although there are a few bargains out there.
As Glenn says, the 170 is a cracking motor. That's what i ended up getting.
My mate runs a Mk6 fiesta ST150 and they've very closely matched

https://passionford.com/forum/restor...track-car.html

Caddyshack

I know where there is a race prepared Mazda MX5 it is fully stripped and very light but not road legal, for 3.5K he will throw in the Brian James trailer though, it has a race engine etc....his brother races in the MX5 challenge and I think his race team helped to build it.

massivewangers

iTrader: (1)

Just buy the Clio. It's the best car for the money.

Puma is good fun but lacks power. ST170 is capable but lardy compared to the French box.

The 172/182 are just the best for the money and there are endless bits for them. There's a very good reason that track days are full of them.

It's Czech Mate

Is there a thread on it?

Glenn_

iTrader: (1)

I agree on the clios tbh. There just a bit of a chew on to repair,ie like doing a timing belt. Removing the gear box to do a clutch.

It's Czech Mate

Bit overbudget and not diesel but its all about the badge https://racecarsdirect.com/Advert/De.../golf-gti-mk-2

Caddyshack

20v turbo and box out of a 6 speed car would be good in that and it is an easy bolt in conversion with a wonderful aftermarket of bits. 225bhp out the box and 350 to 400 is possible without opening the engine if you select the right one......although I don't like turbo track cars myself.

big_wasa

In answer to your last question. Yes and yes and yes it's got the brembo's but that's not the full story or the point.

And in your above post you have hit the nail on the head.

I've seen many rx8's for the money as well.

Glenn_

iTrader: (1)

You got yourself a bargain matey.

I still think kyle should look at the ST17Os though.

st220kyle

I do like the st170, their just at that age now where alot of them are rotten or going that way

big_wasa

I've had a couple and they where tea bags.

Rowe

mine had some right nasty spots when i bought it. My mates just picked one up for 250 quid and it's immaculate.
It seems to affect some more than others

stevos

How about an mr2 mate there great cars and fun to drive.

Mark Shead

I am 6-4f and fit in one.

Mark

Glenn_

iTrader: (1)

Well i think your gonna be fooked then. What other cars have Ford made which will be competitive on track.

Glenn_

iTrader: (1)

My wifes old 53 reg 1.6 4 door zetec was rotton.

My old ST17O i had was solid and didnt need any welding. There was a few rust bubbles starting in the rear arches and the bottom of the front wings were rusty but that was it. I sold mine for 900 quid. Both custom and climate packs.

It's Czech Mate

Was it a 3-dr?

_Jimmy_

ST150s don't rust too bad, but like the ST170s they're a bit underpowered. Decent enough for track with minor mods.
Not as quick as the Clio though as they're a lot lighter and have more power in standard form.

burnzy

I'm 6'6" and last time I tried to fit in a mk1 mx5 my head was imprinted in the roof lining and I couldn't see out the windscreen properly and I was also cramped, can't remember if the mk2 was any better, I'll never forget having to take that mx5 out as I looked like I was in a clown car, it will never be as bad as an original mini with standard seats, iirc it was painful just to get in and I was only young and 6'4" at the time.

Bosch

I'd go with a focus ST170 if you won't move to something other than a ford. Bang for buck can't go wrong. But they're a fuel guzzler on track. Not really the lightest thing.

Ive been running a Fiesta RS1800 on track now for a few years, after the struggles of getting parts and the fact parts are becoming harder to come by im looking at changing my options. I'll still keep the car but and will put more power into the engine, make it look nice again etc but only use it for a few trackdays a year rather than the amount it's currently doing.

But personally, I'd buy a French shitter. 182 clio cup car with the right bits are bloody fast. A friend has owned various fast cars, his last being a full race 700+ evo and after constantly going through boxes he sold up and moved into a clio 182 and a golf R.

not just to consider a car but also the cost of running it. Pads, discs, tyres and any repairs it needs. You need to easily source parts, easily get hold of replacements, they're massively under strain and tend to cost lots in repairs. price wise on running costs for me tend to be quite low. Set of pads for my 4pot billets are 120£ and they last about 3 trackdays. Discs tend to last a year but at £250. Was going through a set of bottom arms every trackday until I moved to rose joints.

Good trackday cars.
ST170 focus.
MK6 fiesta ST.

gcfcos

What about a mk3 fiesta xr2i? Or are they silly money to buy now?