[Tengocity]

New company car is due in a few weeks and my house move should also happen in July so the time when I can buy a weekend toy is getting closer so have spent a lot of time mulling things over.

I want something that i can use for track days and will take sustained lapping and not cost an arm and a leg to run. I'd also like it to be suitable for longer road trips with an overnight bag, so I could take to the further away tracks, Nurburgring or to Wales/Scotland for road trips. I think that rules out caterhams etc. as I'd want to be relatively ok on motorways etc.

I've enjoyed modding the 335d so that will be much of the fun of what I buy so a good availability of aftermarket tuning options would be good too.

I've mulled over a hot hatch but I'm a RWD fan and that's what I want.

I've had MX5s before so first thoughts have gone there, and thinking a facelift 3rd generation one with BBR engine tuning or turbo kit might be a good option. Base car 6-7k plus same again for mods and tuning for suspension, brakes and engine.

E46 M3 probs 7-9k for a car plus same again for big brakes, suspension etc. Thinking very expensive to run though.

Boxster 986/987 much prefer the 987, but seem perhaps a little too nice to abuse on track? Though not sure any mods would be required?

S2000?

What else?

Anyone tried doing this?

MX5 is my current fave as I think it's a bit cheaper to buy, modify, and run. But the lure of an M3 track toy is high.

[x DR Vodka x]

S2000 great handling track day car with tonnes of Jap import goods you can bolt on

Cheap too

[bodtwo]

B3S? Probably into M3 money plus, but a thought.

S2000/MX5 easy call.

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by bodtwo

B3S? Probably into M3 money plus, but a thought.

S2000/MX5 easy call.

Can't see buying anything but an Mcar makes sense as a basis for a lean, mean driving machine?

[x DR Vodka x]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

Can't see buying anything but an Mcar makes sense as a basis for a lean, mean driving machine?

Your problem will be weight and expense in upgrade parts and getting the most out of the M engine will cost a small fortune.

I would S2000 with a supercharger on it .... upgrade running gear and shed weight for about £4500. Cheap as chips

[Tengocity]

I agree, the cost of thrashing an M3 on track would be high. My concern on the S2000 is that I hear they're not as fun to drive as an MX5, if probably faster straight out of the box? And the handling can be a little snappy, whereas the MX5 is a more natural and easy slider.

[Mark1966]

Any Lotus Elise or if you can stretch a Mk2 Exige, from experience both are OK for long Motorway trips. Taken both to S of F on quite a few occasions.

[bodtwo]

long drive to ring in stripped out mx5 though, would it not make more sense to go the whole hog and pick up an unfinished project complete with trailer?

How about an RX8? No idea how robust they are, but more room for traveling though.

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by Mark1966

Any Lotus Elise or if you can stretch a Mk2 Exige, from experience both are OK for long Motorway trips. Taken both to S of F on quite a few occasions.

I've thought about these but they're still very pricey to buy, though accept those strong residuals are good when you come to sell. However, if you have an off and damage them aren't they a little "fragile". I want something that I can drive without worrying too much about crashing.

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by bodtwo

long drive to ring in stripped out mx5 though, would it not make more sense to go the whole hog and pick up an unfinished project complete with trailer?

How about an RX8? No idea how robust they are, but more room for traveling though.

I've done long journeys in MX5s and they're fine. I'm not sure if I'd completely strip any car I'd buy, probably more make it like what Porsche do with a gt3 RS.

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by Lobb

As the owner of a (standard) Mk3.5 MX5 I'm somewhat biased. Away from "specials' such as the Elise, I can't think of anything better. I marvel at the handling every time I drive it. I have the coupe version, but as the packaging is brilliant, you can still go top down with a boot full of luggage. Mrs Lobb and myself have toured comfortably in the car , with our spaniel on Mrs Lobb lap! I would say that there is something very special about touring in a convertible. You see so much more, that makes the experience so much better.

Yeah I'm a long term MX5 fan, which probably explains why this is current favourite. Totally agree about the joy of touring with the roof down, but I have further plans on that front if I can persuade Mrs Tengocity that 4 cars in the house are justified!

My future line up being:

330e company car
335d family/wife's/dogs car
Weekend toy
997 Carrera convertible or 981 Boxster - holiday car

Will need to wait till 2018 for the 4th car though!

[Mark1966]

You cant go far wrong with an MX5 they are a great car, why not combine the track car with you 'holiday' car and get something that will do both?

If it was me I would get a new Caterham 420 with a trailer and sod the 'holiday' car

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by Mark1966

You cant go far wrong with an MX5 they are a great car, why not combine the track car with you 'holiday' car and get something that will do both?

If it was me I would get a new Caterham 420 with a trailer and sod the 'holiday' car

That's what the wife suggests, in which case I'd go 987 Boxster I think. Nice enough to do long journeys in and enough luggage space for 2 for a weeks holiday.

[Mark1966]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

That's what the wife suggests, in which case I'd go 987 Boxster I think. Nice enough to do long journeys in and enough luggage space for 2 for a weeks holiday.

Good choice but running any Porsche on track can get expensive with consumables.

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by Mark1966

Good choice but running any Porsche on track can get expensive with consumables.

Yeah hence the indecision!

[....,,,,..,,..]

Personally I would start with an MX5 and fettle it how you want.

It keeps the actual track and overall costs manageable.

Then I would seriously look at caterham course if the track bug sticks and you want to get on further.

[Chompers]

As Mark said, an Elise would do the job very well. They would be actually easier to repair if it got damaged that something like the MX5. As long as there is no damage to the tub, everything could be repaired in your garage. How about the previous Z4 30Si or even an early 35Si cheaper than a Porsche and with your knowledge, quite straight forward to get track focused.

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by Brigand

Personally I would start with an MX5 and fettle it how you want.

It keeps the actual track and overall costs manageable.

Then I would seriously look at caterham course if the track bug sticks and you want to get on further.

The thing about modding I think, is that it's fine if you're prepared to keep the car for enough time to justify the costs, and that's the thing about the MX5- will it still be fun after a few years?
And having been looking at the caterham academy stuff it is something I'm wondering about for future. Still, it's a shed load of money at £27k hence my desire to spend a couple of years enjoying something cheaper first to be sure.
I loved my shite old mx5 in that I could lap all day long without a care in the world, and it not cost me much, however it was dog slow!
So i suppose this is about getting the same ethos but with a bit more money and a bit more performance.

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by Chompers

As Mark said, an Elise would do the job very well. They would be actually easier to repair if it got damaged that something like the MX5. As long as there is no damage to the tub, everything could be repaired in your garage. How about the previous Z4 30Si or even an early 35Si cheaper than a Porsche and with your knowledge, quite straight forward to get track focused.

The Z4 wasn't bad on track, very competent actually, much much more so than even my very modified 335d. However, it's still a heavy car and expensive on consumables.

I will look in to the E86 Z4s, but if you're going to spend thousands on modding one id have thought Z4M would make more sense, but then that gets you back to the bigger running costs. And these are now appreciating assets so not sure if ragging one on track is sensible!

I might look more in to those early 30si cars though... Comes down to the weight I think. Nearer 1500kg than 1000kg makes for expensive running costs!

[Archer-s]

What about a Monaro? Or a VX220?
Elise is prob my fav so far

[AndyMD]

+1 for the VX220 - You can get them to go very fast

[dizzy619]

As you know Terry I went down the S2000 route rather than the mx-5 cos I was worried about the lack of speed...... If I am honest even the little Honda is not fully satisfying that desire.

Don't listen to anyone who says just super charge it cos that will set you back the best part of £5000 in my opinion I would rather have gone for the 8 or 9 grand M3....