A good all-round car ?

spanner · 27 Mar 2003, 21:22 (Ref:550447)

Theres plenty of talk about the best or ultimate car for trackdays but sadly I cant afford stuff like that, or even run them.
So as i have changed jobs and seem to live on the motorway now, my current car isnt really suitable for the journey and it would struggle on some of the larger tracks(I'd be flat out in top when someone blasts by in second!)So i am after ideas as to what car to get, i'm looking for something around 4-5K and have seen a couple of 306GTI6's but not much else. I'm not after anything too huge tho'. Any ideas??

Thanks

woodyracing · 28 Mar 2003, 12:22 (Ref:550994)

Toyota Celica GT4 ? Toyota MR2 ? Nissan Sunny GTiR ?

Dan Friel · 28 Mar 2003, 12:25 (Ref:550996)

MR2??

I've just bought a Rover 200 (same shape as 25). Although they have poor image, it's quick and cheap on insurance. VVC version would fly.

Nissan Primera - some are quick, very reliable and good for motorway.

Alfa 145 /146?

Should think there's numerous options for %k - have you seen Autocar this week?

spanner · 28 Mar 2003, 17:23 (Ref:551315)

Cheers guys,

I had thought about the celica's. GT4 would be nice, struggle to find a decent one though, and insurance is a killer. but might look into the GT vers.

Had seen the Rover 220's, look nice and with a turbo should be quick, but they seem to be hard to find.

Whats in Autocar? dont read it, but might have a look in WHSmiths over the weekend

Heebeegeetee · 3 Apr 2003, 23:27 (Ref:557819)

Driven a Celica GT4 on the track. ****. The rear diff works in a way that kills any enjoyment the moment it senses the car losing grip or traction in any way. Did everything I could, but the car would only understeer. I suspect all FWD cars that are converted to 4x4, such as GT4, Audi TT and others, work in the same way. The drive is heavily biased to the front.
Anyway, 4x4 is for wimps. Are you so afraid that you must have grip at all times?

Heebeegeetee · 3 Apr 2003, 23:28 (Ref:557820)

PS
Rover 218iS offers 0-60 in 8 and a half, top whack just short of 130, and group 12 insurance. It's a bargain.

Dan Friel · 4 Apr 2003, 07:18 (Ref:558019)

Agree with that. I've got the 1.6 version, gets to 60 in 9.3, does 118 and is group 6!

I understand that the 1.8 benefits from the better suspension - so would be a very useful track day car.

Werewolf · 16 Apr 2003, 19:22 (Ref:571468)

Checkout CCC magazine for excellent revues and tips.

carrera · 23 Apr 2003, 21:28 (Ref:578647)

BX 16 valve. A bargain basement motor at £500-£1000.

Eddie_harasym · 24 Apr 2003, 11:58 (Ref:579294)

220 Tomcat Turbo, bargain prices for a 200bhp std car 0-60 6.5 secs.

you can pick up an ex racing one for about the same price as a road one too.

spanner · 25 Apr 2003, 12:36 (Ref:580538)

I am a subscriber to CCC, but they seem to only do features on new cars and where'as a hot hatch in the old days was a 106gti or a clio. Now they seem to be Civics, Leons, Focii(?) that cost pretty much 15K.

**Stephen Green** · 30 Apr 2003, 11:14 (Ref:584843)

Civic's are £16k on the road so you are pretty close

spanner · 30 Apr 2003, 20:24 (Ref:585574)

Looks green with envy...

Audisport · 4 Jun 2003, 14:14 (Ref:620614)

Hello fellows (first post greetings), I'm probably a bit late on this thread but I only signed up at this forum yesterday...However: I, too, am looking at trackdays in the next 12 months and am in a similar position to spanner. Presently, I drive a two litre Audi (front wheel drive...yipes). It breaks well, is beautifully built and is capable of 135 mph; however, it is a little sterile so I am looking at some other possibilities. Number one on my list is a Porsche 944 (8v head, turbo or non turbo...16v's are a little too complex for my budget). From what I have gathered through talking to a few people here in Australia, the 944 makes a reliable and exciting everyday road car and a very competent trackday car (ah, that chassis is something worth contemplating). I believe spanner's 4-5K would get him something reasonably decent in this line. Any opinions on the 944 as a road/track car? Given that I saved two thirds of the money for one I'd love some second opinions. Cheers, guys.

**Stephen Green** · 4 Jun 2003, 14:18 (Ref:620624)

Let me just take a few seconds to welcome you to ten-tenths....Have a great time and enjoy the forums.

knowley · 4 Jun 2003, 14:34 (Ref:620642)

Caterham?... cheapest one NEW is under £12000

But it may not be the "all rounder" your looking for?... people do drive them as daily cars though.

Alpina · 4 Jun 2003, 15:09 (Ref:620677)

Build yourself a Locost. Not difficult you just need stamina.

Hammerwerfer · 4 Jun 2003, 19:45 (Ref:621010)

Clio Williams

**Adam43** · 4 Jun 2003, 23:22 (Ref:621258)

It needs to be RWD. I'm not sure it needs to be that powerful. Although after a bit, clearly, more power than grip is a good thing

What about a Lotus Elise? An early one (it's more pure and harder to get in and out of! The engine's not as good, but it is more of a proper car than the Series 2. Looks better too!).

Alpina · 5 Jun 2003, 09:55 (Ref:621556)

How about an older TVR? S1 or S2 Just about in your price range I think.

Hobson · 5 Jun 2003, 11:08 (Ref:621630)

BMW E30/36?

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