I've just been looking into this recently with a mate, trying to buy a car together to turn into a bit of a track car.

Which would you say are the best considering power, handling and cost?

I've been looking into the Peugeot 205, Renault 5, French arrogance really.

old 205 1.9 gti if you can stretch to it

get a sierra and strip it! lots of laughs to be had there an very cheap! an you wont care if you write it off!

My bros Mk2 Golf 16v was £250 with 12mths MOT.

205, great handling nippy and cheap. Cheap upgrades from models further up the range as well :)

AX GT / GTi, not quite as good on the handling side but very quick for a 1.4. Strip it out and you'll be touching 640kgs, although I'd add a cage as they are flimsy as fook.

Whatever people say, nothing VAG will ever be as much fun for the money!

BMW 325is e30 i reckon, would be loads of fun!

Bmw 325i E30 Touring would be a much cheaper option and you can strip the rear better.

Saxo VTR/VTS (obv VTR not exactly fast, but depending on what tracks you drive could be enough)

106 XSI/GTI

AX GT/i

Clio RSI/16v

205 XS/Rallye/GTI

306 Rallye (170 bhp, 6 speed box, fast, sublime handling)

405 Mi16

406 V6 (better than you'd expect)

Mk2 Golf GTI

Mk3 Golf 16v GTI/VR6

Probably loads more than that

Would love a 3 Series Touring but don't think I can stretch to that.

Looking for something around £500 mark. :)

Rover 200 Vi, they handle well with a bit of suspension work

Nova GTE / SRi ..? cant remember which one is carbed but a few tweeks and some stripping would make a decent little track car.

Please dont waste a 205 GTi killing it on a track :(

309 GTi

nova GTEs are quite rare now! have to say i wouldnt mind one!

I'd love one in good condition

Any relatively quick hatchback would be decent on a track, with a few tweeks etc..

There are actually a few on Pistonheads for £8-900

I officially want a Nova

Edited 18 November, 200817 yr by smithy_6n

205 1.9

Thing with the AX GT is finding one.

I'd probably get myself a cheap and scruffy Mk2 Golf GTi, or maybe a rocco. Porsche 924's always an option, but they have gone up in price of late.

That said, the last track day I went to was just to watch and I was debating asking if they'd let me take the Transit round, I'm not that picky.

106 gti, you can pick them up fairly cheap if the bodywork isnt great, but if its for the track it shouldnt matter :)

there are a few mk1 golf gti track cars on ebay sometimes

There is a Saxo VTS on our local VW forum for £750. 117k I think but long mot and tax (I think). Perfect for a cheap track car.

My personal preference would be trying to find a good example of an MB6 VTi-S Civic for less than £2000. Looks like a mini touring car, speedline wheels (if you get the right year they are nice), fully independent suspension, strut braces front and rear, Integra Type R (98-spec) brake disks all round (282mm front, 26?mm rear), detuned Integra Type R engine with 170bhp, LSD(!!!!) and the oppertunity to remove plenty of weight (they are quite plush as standard, A/C as standard + lots of electric goodies that could all be junked). Plenty of oppertunity to tune the engine up too using second hand Integra Type R bits...even get an shorter ratio ITR close-ratio box on there. Cheap for what you get! Easy to get height, preload and damping adjustable coilovers for sensible money.

If I got a hold of one I'd strip it out (interior, elecrtic goodies inc. air conditioning). Then I'd put in a nice seat or two...Recaro Speed (Integra) or Pole Position (mmm proper bucket). Suede OMP/Momo steering wheel. Track pads. Coilovers. Liberate 200bhp from it and perhaps try getting a hold of a cheap ITR gear box.

With ITR wheels...mmm nice:

There is a Saxo VTS on our local VW forum for £750. 117k I think but long mot and tax (I think). Perfect for a cheap track car.

My personal preference would be trying to find a good example of an MB6 VTi-S Civic for less than £2000. Looks like a mini touring car, speedline wheels (if you get the right year they are nice), fully independent suspension, strut braces front and rear, Integra Type R (98-spec) brake disks all round (282mm front, 26?mm rear), detuned Integra Type R engine with 170bhp, LSD(!!!!) and the oppertunity to remove plenty of weight (they are quite plush as standard, A/C as standard + lots of electric goodies that could all be junked). Plenty of oppertunity to tune the engine up too using second hand Integra Type R bits...even get an shorter ratio ITR close-ratio box on there. Cheap for what you get! Easy to get height, preload and damping adjustable coilovers for sensible money.

If I got a hold of one I'd strip it out (interior, elecrtic goodies inc. air conditioning). Then I'd put in a nice seat or two...Recaro Speed (Integra) or Pole Position (mmm proper bucket). Suede OMP/Momo steering wheel. Track pads. Coilovers. Liberate 200bhp from it and perhaps try getting a hold of a cheap ITR gear box.

With ITR wheels...mmm nice:

Wishful thinking for £500 though

Thing with the AX GT is finding one.

Mine might be up for sale soon. Maybe.

I think front drive is best for roads,and it doesn't have to be so quick.

But to av-it on a track,id be wanting something fast and rear drive.

Id get a six cylinder E30 and stick a 3.5 six in it from a 735 on six bike carbs. Should be easy enough,quick enough,and give a full-race sound.

If i couldn't do that for under a grand,id be surprised.

I think front drive is best for roads,and it doesn't have to be so quick.

But to av-it on a track,id be wanting something fast and rear drive.

Id get a six cylinder E30 and stick a 3.5 six in it from a 735 on six bike carbs. Should be easy enough,quick enough,and give a full-race sound.

If i couldn't do that for under a grand,id be surprised.

I would be VERY impressed if you could do that for less than a grand. So many hidden costs etc.

What ignition system would you use?

Rear wheel drive would be cool but unless I was really willing to do a lot of work I've got no chance of finding something decent for £500 in RWD.

Edited 19 November, 200817 yr by PSWPolo

Personally id just find something small and nippy..