Thanks for the reply.
Yep, as well as the 172 I have two Imprezas (JDM sti V6 & WRX wagon) 2.5’s are indeed a ticking time bomb! I’d really like a hatch but it’d have to be a JDM 2.0 sti as the 2.0 is the one to go for.
I did have a 2.5 once but it was a forged engine with cosworth head gaskets and ARP bolts etc. Been a while since I’ve been around the forums but I think the head gaskets we’re going on the 2.5’s due to the open deck block?
My wagon (2.0) has 130k miles and the engine sounds sweet as a nut. One of the issues with these cars would have been poor maintenance, they got so cheap at one point and kids just drive them til something goes wrong without regular oil changes.
I’ve personally witnessed a P1 grenade it’s engine but again this was a lad who wasn’t much for maintenance. He brought it to me with the bottom end knocking, I checked the oil and there wasn’t even any making it’s way to the bottom of the dipstick. He used to thrash the hell out of it and god knows how there was no oil as mine don’t even need topping up between changes but I guess a lot of time near the redline and really hammering it round roundabouts will burn it away.
Even a Renault 5 GTT is a reliable car if you maintain it rather than fix it I say.
Just resurrecting this old one. I've been offered a Renaultsport Megane 275 really cheap due to it having been 'in a fight' earlier this year then repaired by a Renault specialist. It's got all the CUP options, chassis, Brembos, Recaros, LSD and low miles.
Just wondered if anyone else uses a Megane for track days.
Yep, lots do. Very capable FWD car.
Personally, I prefer manual RWD cars on track.
If a runaround, things change... you need to decide on what modifications - if any - you wish to make and inform your insurer of.
For me, the biggest no-no for a car doing dual-duty is make sure you don’t put in multi-point belts unless you’re also caging it. You don’t want to be stuck being the highest point of the vehicle in a rollover.
Road-legal tyres of a manufacturer approved size may prove worthwhile. The current Toyo 888s (with the band right round) are road legal.
Pads/discs/fluid. That's it initially. Tbh, you don't actually need to do anything else even long term.
Sticky rubber, is imo, totally unnecessary for a beginner. You shouldn't be chasing lap times, get loads of tuition and go from there. Using r888 etc is not something that made track days more fun for me.
Tuition, more tuition, then more.
This thread is whetting my appetite for 2020.
So far got LeMans Bugatti and Dijon Prenois booked in August, and looking at Spa and Abbeville in July.
Plus hopefully a couple of uk days.
OP, I'll be interested to see how you get on. I'm selling my E46 M3 in a few weeks and I'd like something as a run. I've been considering an R53 with the view to turning it into a dedicated track car once I properly replace the M3 (with erm probably another M3).
Took my 106 Rallye to a couple of track days back in the day and I've wanted to get back on one ever since.
I once saw a 182 embarrass a lot of people with bigger, better cars and all he had done to the car is upgrade discs and pads.
It's just a matter of time...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_c...&v=CDExYy0gEzo
I didn't think anyone would beat Sabine by this much