Good (out of the box) track oriented cars

DAIR · 11 Dec 2018 at 16:27

Come this time next year I may end up replacing the MINI with another track focused car. Problem is that I'm not entirely sure what I'd go for. The ideal (will see how business goes next year) replacement would obviously be a GT3 (997.2).

Excluding the above. What else is worth considering?

DAIR · 11 Dec 2018 at 16:33

crinkleshoes said:
Exige S... much better than GT3 IMO.

I question whether I'd be able to fit in one of those lol. Nice car though.

DAIR · 11 Dec 2018 at 17:00

Doug2507 said:
What's the budget and will it be used on the road also?

20-50k

As for usage. I only drive during the odd weekend and day off for fun/road trip and trackdays.

DAIR · 11 Dec 2018 at 17:02

Housey said:
Running costs on the GT3 would be a challenge if you use it a lot, but they are the very best all around road/track/road trip car in my view. The M3 CSL still stands the test well or a nicely built E92 M3 track car, budget 45K to get something proper quick with proper set up, weight out and cage.

Lotus would be my choice over a Caterham, XBow's needs work to be right.

A friend of my had turned his E92 into a really good track / fast road car!

As I said though. I'd be looking for something out of the box... I dont really want to feel the need to mod the next car. Just maintain it.

DAIR · 11 Dec 2018 at 18:47

The GP is a great car. On the road and even better on track. I also visit Lohen on a regular basis..... After looking at my invoices from them I think I go there way too often lol.

Anyway I like be this car to bits. However, at some point I would love to own something a little higher up the track oriented food chain.

With regards to requirements. It will need to be road legal... That's about it. Don't really care about practically.

DAIR · 11 Dec 2018 at 19:03

Okay... It needs to have a roof.

The lotus suggestions do sound interesting. Never driven one. Sat in an old elise recent. And that was a bit of a tight fit.

DAIR · 11 Dec 2018 at 22:30

crinkleshoes said:
Your boss doesn't know how to drive... he can get more out of the Mini because he has no skill, that's why it feels better to him.

That's a bit unfair lol.

The Mini (can only speak for the GP. As its the only mini I've driven). It's a pretty technical car.

DAIR · 11 Dec 2018 at 22:31

crinkleshoes said:
Exige is still quite tight... but a bit more room than the Elise, from my recollection... been a while since I was in an Elise.

Budget will get you a really nice one.

I may look into them.

Also noticed the G40 was mentioned. I have had thoughts about this car in the past. Would love to try one of them!

DAIR · 12 Dec 2018 at 07:13

WoodyUK said:
But but but it's not rear wheel driiiiive it must be safe and boring..

Lol

That's what you'd think. I've had a number of "oh ****" moments in my Mini. I'm really not sure where this thought process came from.... Each to their own I guess

DAIR · 12 Dec 2018 at 07:54

Scania said:
I’ll enjoy telling him that!

Out of interest. Does his mini have a full rollcage?

Lohen were showing me around their garage a few months back. One of the cars they showed me around was having some major work carried out on it.

DAIR · 12 Dec 2018 at 08:59

Impressive. Might have been the same car.

DAIR · 12 Dec 2018 at 11:33

Uncle_Gravy said:
Alpine A110? Imagine that would be a tidy "out the box" track car, Light, mid engined, 250bhp, rear wheel drive... Expensive though

Decent looking car... But not really track-orientated.

Lima said:
Civic type R FK8

Same as above. If I got something like this I'd definitely end up turning it into something track orientated.

Gibbo said:
Caterham with a free umbrella!

Great cars. I rented one for a while a few years back... This is more on the extreme end of what I'm looking for.... Think R26.R, Trophy R, Lotus, Ginetta G40, etc

DAIR · 14 Dec 2018 at 18:52

The lotus is like the favourite. Will start calling around next year for viewings and test drives.

DAIR · 15 Dec 2018 at 18:22

Thinking sport 350. The reviews on it are pretty good. Believe I could definitely have fun with it.

Will be hard to give up the Mini. Perhaps I could have both lol.

DAIR · 16 Dec 2018 at 11:40

Anyone one know where I can rent an Exige for a weekend?

Based in the South West (Wales).

DAIR · 16 Dec 2018 at 13:19

JayEmm said:
Doubt I can sort a weekend hire but feel free to drop me a line and I can help introduce you to some dealers etc

That would be great.

I'll be in touch. Thanks.

DAIR · 17 Dec 2018 at 09:58

Quick question.

Just checked out the Lotus website. Has the 380 been replaced? Cant see it among the current lineup.

DAIR · 19 Dec 2018 at 18:47

Went to view my first Exige today -

Exige350

Exige350

Advert - https://www.lotuscars.com/preowned/vehicle/11697

The good news was that I was able fit.... Getting in and out was a different story

. The not so good news was that I was unable to drive it - Rush hour traffic. The plan is to arrange a test next year.

Couple things that concerned me (only slightly) -

1. Not being able to adjust the steering column and
2. I felt as though I was sat a little too high.

DAIR · 21 Dec 2018 at 08:21

Kinitawawi said:
Alfa Romeo 4C?

Very light and an all carbon fibre (fiber?) tub I think. Would give a lot of things a run for their money around the track.

Im sure it would. However it wouldn't be as focused as something like the Lotus (imo). And I could see myself wanting to mod the 4C.... The seats would need to go for starters as I want to be able to use harnesses.

DAIR · 21 Dec 2018 at 19:01

I think you're right. Will see how I feel during the test drive.