I'm looking to buy a cheap runabout for work and several trackdays a year.It's got to be cheap to run and a good handler-outright speed I'm not too bothered about and I want something I can find the limits on at lowish speeds.Parts need to be cheap and preferably a removable roll cage be available to buy.
I already have a GTiR that's being rebuilt to high 300's bhp with nitrous,so don't want another fast AWD.They shred tyres on track and parts are expensive to replace.

As I see it:

205 1.9gti-bit boy racerish but I want to sample the liftofff oversteer.I like the fact they are lightweight and being NA I wouldn't be tempted to modify it past a K&N panel filter and maybe exhasut(hopefully will have these on already).

MkII Golf Gti-more reliable than pug but slightly slower and less fun?Will not fall apart and if I crash it on track I might walk away intact.Again,I wouldn't waste cash on mods past filter&exhasut.

S13 200sx-RWD arse out fun.Looks a bit dated but quicker than other 2.Tuning potential will mean I'll be tempted to waste loads of cash,though I have a few spare bits off my GTiR that might swap over(T28,intercooler to front mount).

The best bit is a friend is paying half as we are going to share it on track.Do trackday organisers charge by the car or driver?I've done a few but have always driven myself.

i have a 205 mi16 and its excellent fun round a track
Track organisations often charge a fee for 2nd driver, usually 20-50 notes
I certainly wouldnt say a gold mk2 is any more reliable than the pug, ive been well impressed with it so far.
I would also say a bog standard 1.6 or 1.9 205 wont be that good round a track, they need mods to get ssome decent speed, and the suspension is far too soft standard to be competant round a track
Sean

200sx will probobly be more fun on the track and may make you a more experienced driver over time! If its within your budget id go with one of them :cool:

I'd say go for the S13... but then i would cuz i swapped my scoob for one :D

The 200 will be the most involving drive but will take some more getting used to. It'll also be quicker and very easy to tune. If it's only going to be a trackday car then you'll get one for well under a grand and another 500 quid will sort out the spongy factory suspension and replace the pathetic brakes with a decent set of 300ZX or S14 calipers and discs (your GTiR ones might fit??). You'll get an extra 70-80hp from it for about 400 quid. Strip it out and you'll have a 250hp RWD car that weighs less than a Teg-R.

As for the swapping of parts from the GTiR... afraid the turbo swap isn't that easy. The S14 turbo is almost a straight swap but the GTiR one isn't. Oh... and if you go for an S13... try and get a facelift model as it has the viscous LSD.

I wouldn't mind a 200sx now that you mention it...

Even better take the engine from the gtir and stick it in the 200sx.

The only down site to a 200sx is if you dont know how hard you can push it in the wet it might bit your arse.

Take it drifting once or twice to find the limits in dry and we.

I have a scoob wagon use it on track
got fed up with spending a fortune everytime summat went wrong

So i bought an s13 from ebay for 450 got a set of strut braces for 14 quid from ebay this is gonna be my track car i dont want to spend a fortune on it

I also have a fiesta XR2i turbo this conv i did myself The fez is fun on track but you just cant drift em the same as rear wheel drive

So IMHO i would get an S13

hi,
i used to own an s13 excellent car,top engine(c18-arguably better than the sr20det (pulsar)). But if ur using it as track car remember the costs involved such as engine wear,turbo costs,drive shafts,cv boots,mounts etc. im currently budgeting for a years racing after uni, hopefully i will have approximately £6000. Personally i would go for something less technical and more usable such as a crx VTEC or 16v, as it can be used easily as a day to day runner (good MPG,lower servicing.) hope this helps, and yes the s13 would potentially rip up the crx with a good set-up but thats not the point.
regards kam

Go for the 200. RWD is the only criteria you need for a track day.
Lovely, drifty drifty:cool:
astraboy.

I do like the idea of drifting a 200sx plus my girlfriend likes them too(hates the Pulsar though).I'd want to fit a rollcage though(not a chromy polishy type one) and I've never seen one for sale 2nd hand.I know you can get Cusco ones but a cheap car soon turns into a moneypit if you start adding all new parts on it.
I suppose ideally I's like a car that's already track prepped(brakes,cage&suspension) that someone is struggling to sell because it's been stripped.

Uncle has a 1990 200 sx, good condition, tax and mot, recent turbo and other bits. 117000 miles. Looking for about 600 notes. Will get more info if anyone is interested.

J.

Ive currently got a 200sx S14a. I had a 200sx S13 in the summer. Pound for pound these are the best cars Ive ever owned. You get soo much for little money and the potential for power is endless.
They are quite rare and a proper drivers car (on a budget).
Buy one you wont regret it.

Lordlucan-mail me the details please.Looking for somewhere fairly local to Derbyshire as I don't want to travel far to view.Cheers.

I bought a S14a and it started to rattle within a week(probs the trader putting saw dust in to quite it down!!!)
If your buying a s13 check for rust especially around the spioler.
They are good cars but must have an oil change every 2000 miles.
And must be repected in the wet(ie drive slow even when cut up by a beema)

nissan if you want to go sideways

205 if you want to go right round just dont lift off or you will go right round :D

Its in Kent !

but sideways is fun :D

after all thats whats its all about ;)

Much as I love the Pug, and it pains me to say it, as a track/dail driver then I'd plump for the Datsun ;)