Best Jap Car for track days?!

[bignum]

AWD can be fun too

 

 

Trouble is you need 900 horsepower to make it fun:)

[downimpact]

If you just starting out I'd go for the celica see if track driving is for you first. I'd also be tempted to start with an NA supra as they bullet proof when starting out and reasonable power, especially if you are latterly thinking supra with power.

[grahamc]

Had an awesome day at Thruxton wth both GTR and MX5!! Had 2 friends, myself and my missus driving the MX5 today, it the most sessions and was more than likely the most fun out of everything. The GTR was immense with its new tyres

[chazuk]

That's lovely, not sure the pink is my cup of tea personally but does look great! What kind of money do them cars go for?

 

Anywhere from 2-2.5k for a stock one it's a gts-t people knock them as it's not 4wd Chris Wilson has one on here he uses on the track. Bang for buck bpu mod's will get you 340bhp it weights in at 1360kg stock so some 200kg lighter than a mkiv supra. Engines are pretty reliable until you get to 450+hp good handling the only thing that lets them down is rust best to get one that has not been in the uk for long or a fresh import.

 

Had an awesome day at Thruxton wth both GTR and MX5!! Had 2 friends, myself and my missus driving the MX5 today, it the most sessions and was more than likely the most fun out of everything. The GTR was immense with its new tyres

 

I keep looking at GTR's can I ask have you done anything to your gearbox ? Is your car in warranty if so does it cover modifications ? I did some research and found the below just from this year on the gtr forum it put me off a bit as some of these were stock power with gearbox issues. One guy Nissan has had his car for 6months waiting for a gearbox a new box is 18k +vat could get rather expensive out of warranty.

 

http://www.gtr.co.uk/forum/376258-when-you-lose-gear-r35.html

http://www.gtr.co.uk/forum/373874-transmission-4-weeks-dealership.html

http://www.gtr.co.uk/forum/371330-another-t-m-problem.html

http://www.gtr.co.uk/forum/378258-r35-gear-box-advice.html

[Hitbox Junkie]

Mx5 gets my vote I want one just so I can play but no room and with wanting bikes too would get exspensive when I'm trying to save up.and move out with a supra to get finished too maybe next year

[gordy.r]

I see a lot of people keep saying the mk2 MR2.... It was undoubtedly the worst handling MR2 of all the models!

I'm not saying they aren't great cars (I've owned all models in all guises!) But handling wise it's a bit of a lard ass compared to the mk1 and mk3.

 

Personally you can't go wrong with an EP3 Civic Type R (and I'm not a Honda fan boy by any means) for track days.

Also look at BMW 323 / 328's though these are coming harder to come by these days due to people snapping them up for track days toys.

Audi A3 Quattro 3.2 V6's are rock bottom prices just now, a lot of car for the money, took my old one to the Ring twice and it performed well.

 

MX5, 200SX, Z4, Clio 182, Seat Ibiza 1.8T are all good numbers on the track.

 

If you've got the money though, you can't go wrong with an E46 M3 or a Renault Megane RS Cup!

[bignum]

Those megane rs`s are rapid little cars, with a decent driver they`re giving us some stick around the ring.

[SoarerMan]

From personal experience having owned most of the cars mentioned.

I would steer clear (no pun intended) from

 

Mk2 MR2

200sx

Any old BMW

Those lot handle like crap and won't give you an enjoyment factor.

 

Mk1 Ph1 Yaris T-Sport

Honda Accord Type R

EP3 Civic

Depending on the condition an older MX5

With the MX5 you really need to judge the condition they are often poorly maintained and suspension components can rot just as bad as the body.

 

Just my 2 pence.

[grahamc]

 

...

 

 

I keep looking at GTR's can I ask have you done anything to your gearbox ? Is your car in warranty if so does it cover modifications ? I did some research and found the below just from this year on the gtr forum it put me off a bit as some of these were stock power with gearbox issues. One guy Nissan has had his car for 6months waiting for a gearbox a new box is 18k +vat could get rather expensive out of warranty.

 

http://www.gtr.co.uk/forum/376258-when-you-lose-gear-r35.html

http://www.gtr.co.uk/forum/373874-transmission-4-weeks-dealership.html

http://www.gtr.co.uk/forum/371330-another-t-m-problem.html

http://www.gtr.co.uk/forum/378258-r35-gear-box-advice.html

 

I have had my car for over 4 years, 33k miles, no warranty and my car has a relatively hard life (IE. lots of events and track days), but it is well looked after.

 

I dont use dealers at all, independent specialists are the only way to go

How much is a new TT gearbox from Toyota? How many people go out an buy a new one? Specialists fix them.... they are expensive though, parts for gearbox are not cheap

 

Matts blue car is a different story all together, it was bought as a track car and has over 70k miles. I would be surprised if he hasnt passed 100 track days now.

 

Anything else, please PM - lets keep this thread "clean"

[grahamc]

...

 

Depending on the condition an older MX5

With the MX5 you really need to judge the condition they are often poorly maintained and suspension components can rot just as bad as the body.

 

Just my 2 pence.

 

Completely agree (cant comment on other cars, as not owned)... My MX5 is 2002 and is solid.... you can still find good cars for decent money. I moved MeisterR coilovers for £600 (for the coils) and they are great on track found out yesterday that 5 clicks too soft on the rear makes the car VERY oversteery missus didnt like it, but ass out at 90mph was fun!! 8 clicks harder on the rear and it waited till 105mph to get the ass out (on the same corner).

[grahamc]

AWD can be fun too

 

 

Love that video especially the first clip where its ass out onto the grass!! One hell of a car and driver!!

 

That car is pretty much a WRC car with 900hp and nitrous oxide

[Wez]

Love that video especially the first clip where its ass out onto the grass!! One hell of a car and driver!!

 

That car is pretty much a WRC car with 900hp and nitrous oxide

 

Indeed, the new build running on Syvecs isnt bad either

 

[grahamc]

holy cow!!!

[chazuk]

Those megane rs`s are rapid little cars, with a decent driver they`re giving us some stick around the ring.

 

Your not kidding there's one on youtube doing the ring in 7min46 I did not realise they were quick!

 

I just watched your video racing the GTR at Silverstone do you know what stage it was? It looks like he was getting worried seeing a 20year old supra constantly in the mirror! He totally over cooked it at 6:23 and after that backed right off

[grahamc]

Your not kidding there's one on youtube doing the ring in 7min46 I did not realise they were quick!

 

I just watched your video racing the GTR at Silverstone do you know what stage it was? It looks like he was getting worried seeing a 20year old supra constantly in the mirror! He totally over cooked it at 6:23 and after that backed right off

 

Link? Might know the car and owner

[Gaz6002]

From personal experience having owned most of the cars mentioned.

I would steer clear (no pun intended) from

 

Mk2 MR2

200sx

Any old BMW

Those lot handle like crap and won't give you an enjoyment factor.

 

Mk1 Ph1 Yaris T-Sport

Honda Accord Type R

EP3 Civic

Depending on the condition an older MX5

With the MX5 you really need to judge the condition they are often poorly maintained and suspension components can rot just as bad as the body.

 

Just my 2 pence.

 

You've been driving the wrong mk2 MR2s and 'old BMWs'.

[j_jza80]

From personal experience having owned most of the cars mentioned.

I would steer clear (no pun intended) from

 

Mk2 MR2

200sx

Any old BMW

Those lot handle like crap and won't give you an enjoyment factor.

 

Mk1 Ph1 Yaris T-Sport

Honda Accord Type R

EP3 Civic

Depending on the condition an older MX5

With the MX5 you really need to judge the condition they are often poorly maintained and suspension components can rot just as bad as the body.

 

Just my 2 pence.

 

Are you rating a MK1 Yaris over MK2 MR2's, S13 and S14's, and E30 M3, 325I's, E36 M3's etc as track cars?

 

Having driven all the cars you've mentioned in your post, I know for a fact the Yaris is the worst of the lot of them. It may be fun in a small, buzzy warm hatch kind of way (though not a scratch on a Lupo or Polo GTi), but the only thing in its defence are potential reliability and parts prices.

[adnanshah247]

mr2, celica vvtl-i and any of the old nissans.

[chazuk]

Link? Might know the car and owner

 

Be interesting to know what stage it looks mentally fast in a straight line

 

[SoarerMan]

Are you rating a MK1 Yaris over MK2 MR2's, S13 and S14's, and E30 M3, 325I's, E36 M3's etc as track cars?

 

Having driven all the cars you've mentioned in your post, I know for a fact the Yaris is the worst of the lot of them. It may be fun in a small, buzzy warm hatch kind of way (though not a scratch on a Lupo or Polo GTi), but the only thing in its defence are potential reliability and parts prices.

 

I think you lot have lost complete sight of context. If you want something to practice on a track then yeah a Mk1 Yaris for sure. In Japan they have had an entire race series for over a decade now their that good...

Ok if you've got 5-10k to spend go get whatever you want from the above but 1k on a Yaris it will never go wrong and be a great bit of fun at the same time.

Did no one see the top gear Chernobyl episode? The team having fun in underpowered small cars?

[SoarerMan]

Hi all,

 

I am looking at doing some track days at events next year and wanted to know if anyone else does this and peoples opinions of the best cars to use!

 

I want something cheap so if anything happens I won't be too upset, I have my Supra as a daily and wouldn't want to take that on a track just incase!!

 

I also own a Celica GT 2.0 but not sure this would be great for a track, someone has suggested a MX5.

 

Any help appreciated

 

Also does anyone know any good track day events to go to in the UK? I know BHP Performance you can do up to 6 sessions for something like £30 each! Also Kleers Brandshatch are doing a November night time track session I believe.

 

Just bumping the original post for those that clearly haven't read it. See the part that says "I want something cheap so if anything happens I won't be upset"

Anyone read it at all??

[j_jza80]

I think you lot have lost complete sight of context. If you want something to practice on a track then yeah a Mk1 Yaris for sure. In Japan they have had an entire race series for over a decade now their that good...

 

There has also been a long running Suzuki Alto race series, but I wouldn't consider them a good car! IMO the Yaris's poor steering feel prevents it from being an ideal practice car. And as has been mentioned before, RWD is a better base for learning about track driving than a FWD car.

[Gaz6002]

Anyone read it at all??

 

Yes thanks. Hence no mention of FWD rubbish

[SoarerMan]

Lol fair enough I won't bother anymore.

[pedrosixfour]

Claire, just take the Supra out for a few laps.

 

While you'd already be comfortable & familiar with the Supra, as its your daily, you'll learn more about the car's potential, both good and bad, in half a day on the track than you ever will driving within the law on the road.

 

Just go to a track with plenty of run off area around the tricky bits and you'll go home smiling.

 

After that you'll know if track driving is something you want to get into in a more serious way, plus you'll have new-found confidence in your daily and what it's like to be in when not on the straight & narrow.