Track car thoughts...

[steviet]

As above, I a currently in posession of a mk2 rsi, slightly damaged that was once my daily driver, but was left sat for a year. It starts and runs fine now, and just needs a windscreen and an mot to get it road legal again.
I am looking into converting this car for track use, Id probably have to spend about £1500-£2000 to get it up to a decent enough standard to take a thrashing on track (brakes, suspension, tyres).
However, I have seen a decent looking renault 5 gt turbo on PH for £2000, apparently a rare mark fish prepped car with a 3 inch strip of rust along the windscreen seal but otherwise sound. This has made me question the financial sense of modifying the car I have, when cars with the work already done are available for decent money. I have no electrical or bodywork skills, but am fairly handy with assembling/ disassembling things (Im an aircraft maintenance technician by trade).
Can anyone with experience of this situation advise me which way would make sense, as I really dont want to spend more than is necessary to get me started on trackdays.

 

[Chesh]

Sell the mk2 for a tidy sum, then get something a bit older and quicker and easier and cheaper like a valver

 

[Daniel]

Take it from me, buy one thats had a load of money spent on it already.

This thing (http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1093618.htm) will have cost a fortune to build! Yours for £1900 (less if you're good at haggling! lol)

 

[steviet]

Cheers daniel, Think ill see how much I can get for the clio, to offset the cost of buying the new toy. How much do you reckon id get for it if I broke it?? I dont think I could ask any more than £750 for it if I put mot and tax on it!!!

 

[The Chubby Pirate]

For your 2k your better with a Phase 1, it will be more reliable and parts more widley available

 

[Weeman]

renault 5's are made from balsa wood, and when crashed the turbo has the ability to keep spinning, setiing fire to the spilling petrol and burning one to death LOL Phase 1, like said , Or man up and get RWD

 

[steviet]

Yeah, Im thinking along the lines of a valver/hybrid (guessing most willys below 2k will be rotten sheds) or a 106/saxo, or 205 or 306(might be a bit pushed to get one for 2k...) The only reason I was looking at 5's on PH was because id just been on winstons thread, I remember seeing that car for sale before he bought it and thinking that it would make a good project!! Shame I didnt have the cash or balls to buy it then!!
Ideally id be looking at someting structurally solid, as I have no welding skills, cage would be a bonus, but engine/drivetrain wise, im not too fussed as I can do most mechanical stuff myself.

 

[Weeman]

Cage a must, If you dont get a cage FFS keep the standard seat belts, Rolled car + Seats and harnesses = Head propping roof up. lol

 

[Russ_16v]

It all depends on how often you will go on track, i mean if its a few times a year is it really worth spending all that money? thats what i work work out first, how many track days you can afford to do

 

[Yellow Dave]

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1098882.htm

Is this the Mark Fish prepped 5 you looked at? Looks almost original CUP spec with a few alterations. If it's been played with by Mark then it is generally gonna be a good one. 5's are an ideal track car, but you've got to remember that if you drive it like a race car you'll have to look after it like one. Even more so with the 5's as they're now getting on for 20years old.

If you're considering a 5, have a look at RTOC.org. I had a 5 for years at a similar engine spec to this one and never had a problem with it in all my years of ownership, just make sure you service and look after it. Go buy it now whilst it's still for sale

 

[Weeman]

Save up and get a cup, heros car

 

[steviet]

Yeah, I know what you mean, Im looking at it as something to do at the weekends, as im getting fed up with pissing £200 up the wall every weekend!!! Id rather spend time under a car than go to a s**t nightclub full of chavs!! Im guessing at an initial outlay of around 1700-2000 for the car, budgeting for a new set of tyres and pads every trackday, id probably be looking to do one a month, maybe more....

 

[Weeman]

It soon adds up, My E30 was 1600 quid, and I've spent another 3000 on bits

 

[steviet]

but was that 3000 on consumables, or bringing the car up to spec for track work?? There seem to be a few FWD french hatches with most of the work done for around £2000. Leaving me with the cost of maintaining it/ replacing consumables!

 

[Weeman]

Yeah, tis the best idea, buying something already done

Dont hold yourself to something French though imo

 

[steviet]

No, I wouldnt, But in that sort of price bracket, I cant see much else, E30's seem a touch pricey still with a lot of them having their diffs welded for drifting, jap stuff seems to get chavved up rather than track prep'd. Not had a look at fords yet though.. Mk2 Xr2?? Hmmmm.....

 

[Weeman]

That would be WIN!!!!!! Good look finding one though. My mate races in the scottish XR2's he might know where to get one.

Go e36 if you look at beemers, E30's still seem to make silly money, and theres more different e36 parts and they are usually cheaper.

 

[steviet]

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1003148.htm?????/
doesnt look too bad......

 

[Weeman]

Noice

This is a guy I know's

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/934193.htm

Need to make him an offer on the cage though as he's selling separate

 

[steviet]

Aye, had a look at it, looks a good 'un, Ill e-mail him and see what hes looking for...