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Auto Track Day Car #1653736
27/10/2021 19:41
27/10/2021 19:41
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 8,852
Cambridge & Cotswolds
M
MeanRedSpider Offline OP
Je suis un Coupé
MeanRedSpider  Offline OP
Je suis un Coupé
M

Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 8,852
Cambridge & Cotswolds
So I’d like to take my kids to a few track days but Charlie needs an auto box because of his leg post-cancer. It’s actually not too bad in any case because it will help them focus on lines and braking to start with.

The question is then what? Budget ideally less than £5k and not too big for easy trailering and cheaper tyres.

The rather eclectic ideas I’d had so far:
- Merc SLK 230 kompressor
- Any number of BMWs (but which?)
- MiTo 1.4 TB TCT
- smart Roadster (remapped)
etc

Ideas please…

Re: Auto Track Day Car [Re: MeanRedSpider] #1653741
28/10/2021 07:53
28/10/2021 07:53
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 16,603
Corridor of Uncertainty
J
Jim_Clennell Offline
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Jim_Clennell  Offline
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J

Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 16,603
Corridor of Uncertainty
I presume you're favouring RWD, otherwise there's a plethora of DSG VAG stuff including the Mk1 TT (our old car is still living its best life as a track day special, albeit a manual one), lots of Golfs and pokey Seats. I presume all are available with auto?

Mini? Clio?

If it's RWD, then a 1 series BMW would seem a good fit, though I know you're not a major fan.

Or go batshit crazy and buy a 350Z...

Re: Auto Track Day Car [Re: MeanRedSpider] #1653742
28/10/2021 08:22
28/10/2021 08:22
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 8,852
Cambridge & Cotswolds
M
MeanRedSpider Offline OP
Je suis un Coupé
MeanRedSpider  Offline OP
Je suis un Coupé
M

Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 8,852
Cambridge & Cotswolds
Thanks, Jim - yes, TT is an option though I know nothing about Audis and which engines are reliable. And, yes, BMW too (ditto). Also seen some TCT MiTo 1.4 TB. Which auto golf or Seat? There didn’t seem to be any vaguely powerful ones and I would prefer RWD (Alfa aside) as I’d quite like to get them comfortable with driving my race car

Re: Auto Track Day Car [Re: MeanRedSpider] #1653744
28/10/2021 09:12
28/10/2021 09:12
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 27
Ross-on-Wye
B3nson Offline
club member 1894
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Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 27
Ross-on-Wye
Never tried one but they did do some automatic R53 Mini Cooper S (the supercharged one)

Re: Auto Track Day Car [Re: B3nson] #1653746
28/10/2021 10:15
28/10/2021 10:15
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,404
Essex
Trappy Offline
Forum is my life
Trappy  Offline
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,404
Essex
There's a Tiptronic Boxster 2.7 986 on Autotrader I just spotted. How many seats do you need?

Last edited by Trappy; 28/10/2021 10:15.

F****** b****** thing...
Re: Auto Track Day Car [Re: Trappy] #1653753
28/10/2021 15:32
28/10/2021 15:32
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 8,852
Cambridge & Cotswolds
M
MeanRedSpider Offline OP
Je suis un Coupé
MeanRedSpider  Offline OP
Je suis un Coupé
M

Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 8,852
Cambridge & Cotswolds
Originally Posted by Trappy
There's a Tiptronic Boxster 2.7 986 on Autotrader I just spotted. How many seats do you need?


2 seats is fine. Is a Boxster a good car for novices? I like the sound of it but I wonder if a 22 year old might find it intimidating?

Re: Auto Track Day Car [Re: B3nson] #1653754
28/10/2021 15:34
28/10/2021 15:34
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 8,852
Cambridge & Cotswolds
M
MeanRedSpider Offline OP
Je suis un Coupé
MeanRedSpider  Offline OP
Je suis un Coupé
M

Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 8,852
Cambridge & Cotswolds
Originally Posted by B3nson
Never tried one but they did do some automatic R53 Mini Cooper S (the supercharged one)


Another interesting idea. Are the engines robust or do they suffer from the Mini Death Rattle (chain tensioner?)?

Re: Auto Track Day Car [Re: MeanRedSpider] #1653772
29/10/2021 06:36
29/10/2021 06:36
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 16,603
Corridor of Uncertainty
J
Jim_Clennell Offline
Forum veteran
Jim_Clennell  Offline
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J

Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 16,603
Corridor of Uncertainty
I believe it's only the later, turbo Minis that have the tensioner issue, but it would be wise to check!

The Audi engine of choice from the early 2000s is the "BAM" 1.8 turbo. Generally bulletproof and quite tuneable.

That Boxster could be brilliant (it ought to be nicely balanced to reduce the intimidation), but I assume it could be costly to fettle and run.

Re: Auto Track Day Car [Re: MeanRedSpider] #1653773
29/10/2021 07:33
29/10/2021 07:33
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,404
Essex
Trappy Offline
Forum is my life
Trappy  Offline
Forum is my life

Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,404
Essex
Originally Posted by MeanRedSpider
Originally Posted by Trappy
There's a Tiptronic Boxster 2.7 986 on Autotrader I just spotted. How many seats do you need?


2 seats is fine. Is a Boxster a good car for novices? I like the sound of it but I wonder if a 22 year old might find it intimidating?


I can't comment on how intimidating a Boxster might be for a novice to drive, but there's a chap on YouTube who had a 3.2 S and did a series on running and maintaining it (Road and Race - Porsche Boxster S 986) Might be worth a look for some real life experience running one.


F****** b****** thing...
Re: Auto Track Day Car [Re: MeanRedSpider] #1653791
29/10/2021 17:52
29/10/2021 17:52
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 8,852
Cambridge & Cotswolds
M
MeanRedSpider Offline OP
Je suis un Coupé
MeanRedSpider  Offline OP
Je suis un Coupé
M

Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 8,852
Cambridge & Cotswolds
Thanks, folks

Re: Auto Track Day Car [Re: MeanRedSpider] #1653811
30/10/2021 19:45
30/10/2021 19:45
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,611
S. Wales. Way beyond my means
Gripped Offline
Club member 1924
Gripped  Offline
Club member 1924
Forum is my job

Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,611
S. Wales. Way beyond my means
+1 for the TT. Plenty around and that 1.820v is pretty solid. Some coil pack issues on early ones.

Re: Auto Track Day Car [Re: MeanRedSpider] #1653826
31/10/2021 17:32
31/10/2021 17:32
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,611
S. Wales. Way beyond my means
Gripped Offline
Club member 1924
Gripped  Offline
Club member 1924
Forum is my job

Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,611
S. Wales. Way beyond my means
I was considering a track car a while ago and looked at the BMW compact 2.5ti which also came with an auto gearbox option.

Rear wheel drive. Enough power (190bhp) and that lovely straight 6 sound.

"BMW 3 Series Compact - Wikipedia" https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_3_Series_Compact

Last edited by Gripped; 31/10/2021 17:33.
Re: Auto Track Day Car [Re: MeanRedSpider] #1653860
02/11/2021 09:26
02/11/2021 09:26
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 17,227
FCSS 01684 593187
Countrycruising Offline
Club Rep Europe, member 914
Countrycruising  Offline
Club Rep Europe, member 914
Forum veteran

Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 17,227
FCSS 01684 593187
The 1.4 T-jet or Multiair are very tunable, my Son Jake had set himself up modifying the Punto models, his present turbo package offers 250bhp/250ftlbs so turns an already quick car in to a real pocket rocker, amazing how these little engines pack such a punch, forged they're 400+.


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