Is it too new? 2003 Kia Rio (DC) 1.3 Ice+ AKA 'The Beast'

[joem83]

Alfa 147? Even 1600 TS is nippy and revs it's nuts off. Cheap too.

Mk1 Focus saloon or estate , don't see many of those

Mazda Demio? Because Gran Turismo race car

406 Coupe/Saloon

Volvo S40 (turbo of some discription)

Suzuki Ignis 1.5

Volvo C70 2.4 or Jag S-Type 3.0V6 - just seen 1 of each for sub £500

Seat Toledo 20v

Lexus IS200

(I am just going through a Autotrader sub £500 search lol)

[austinpowers]

Jaguar x-type V6 and 4x4 and can be picked up for next to nothing.

[elstro1988]

Jul 12, 2016 20:18:10 GMT joem83 said:

Alfa 147? Even 1600 TS is nippy and revs it's nuts off. Cheap too.

Mk1 Focus saloon or estate , don't see many of those

Mazda Demio? Because Gran Turismo race car

406 Coupe/Saloon

Volvo S40 (turbo of some discription)

Suzuki Ignis 1.5

Volvo C70 2.4 or Jag S-Type 3.0V6 - just seen 1 of each for sub £500

Seat Toledo 20v

Lexus IS200

(I am just going through a Autotrader sub £500 search lol)

Some good shouts! 

S40, 406 and Toledo all out - BTCC contenders

IS200 - too sensible but again, not seen many on the hills...possible. Plus RWD yo'

147 - Would love to but it seems too 'sensible'. However, it's an Alfa so, ya know....

Ignis - someone's actually already using one (and he sneered at my Nova at Curborough in 2014 because I didn't have a rich daddy to buy me a race car unlike him)

Mk1 Focus shatchback and Demio possible....


I've got so many ideas brewing now....good job I've got a while to decide! Hyundai Amica was another one for masochistic fun....

[sciclone]

What about a Toyota or Nissan?

Avensis - 108-127bhp
Corolla - 108bhp

Almera 1.8 - 111hp
Primera - 138hp

All for under 400 according to autotrader.. plus they're reliable.

[The House]

I wouldnt bother with the is200. I have one I use for drifting, it's no good for circuit stuff really. They're geared really long, and the engines pretty gutless.
I've decatted mine and stuck a welded auto diff on there as the shorter ratios help, but they're a heavy old lump so still not fast. Also the flywheel is heavier than the moon, doesn't really make for a sporty drive

[mikeyp247]

Here it is, look no further...

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RETRO-NISSAN-PRIMERA-Si-LONG-MOT-ONE-OWNR-FRM-NEW-40-MPG-VERY-CLEAN-DRIVES-MINT-/252460912416?hash=item3ac7d7cf20:g:8TAAAOSwhkRWgSE5

[Paul Y]

12 race cars in a year anybody...

P.

[elstro1988]

Jul 12, 2016 23:03:12 GMT sciclone said:

What about a Toyota or Nissan?

Avensis - 108-127bhp
Corolla - 108bhp

Almera 1.8 - 111hp
Primera - 138hp

All for under 400 according to autotrader.. plus they're reliable.

Avensis was a legit idea at one point because it has the good Toyota engines but wrapped in an ugly bodyshell and the 'blanderific taxi' image. Same with the Almera with the eager Nissan DOHC engine.

However, I'm leaning towards a Vauxhall Meriva (yeah laugh louder!!) - Corsa bits so potential for upgrades but still has that 'why you competing in that?!' factor which is crucial. I'll see how things are looking next season or if not, may just try and squeeze some more ability from my faithful wee Nova.

Glad that I'm getting others to give this sport a go - highly recommended and other competitors are always friendly. 

[mikeyp247]

Jul 21, 2016 8:18:31 GMT elstro1988 said:

Jul 12, 2016 23:03:12 GMT sciclone said:

What about a Toyota or Nissan?

Avensis - 108-127bhp
Corolla - 108bhp

Almera 1.8 - 111hp
Primera - 138hp

All for under 400 according to autotrader.. plus they're reliable.

Avensis was a legit idea at one point because it has the good Toyota engines but wrapped in an ugly bodyshell and the 'blanderific taxi' image. Same with the Almera with the eager Nissan DOHC engine.

However, I'm leaning towards a Vauxhall Meriva (yeah laugh louder!!) - Corsa bits so potential for upgrades but still has that 'why you competing in that?!' factor which is crucial. I'll see how things are looking next season or if not, may just try and squeeze some more ability from my faithful wee Nova.

Glad that I'm getting others to give this sport a go - highly recommended and other competitors are always friendly. 

Merivas are Corsa C front end (mainly) with Astra (G i think) rear stuff, so parts are fairly readily available. I drive a VXR version (daily) and its a hoot - not sure how a standard one would handle being raced - quite a high centre of gravity to be honest. If you do go down this route though, hit me up for a link to one thats been Z20LET'd and fully sorted - the thread has all you need to know about suspension upgrades etc.

I've been offered a Corsa C 1.2 SXI (Twinport) for nowt to take apart, think I might have it just for tw@tting about on these races you do - look great!


EDIT: In fact, the guy is on here too joffturbonova 

[southside]

How about a stilo sporting? Or if budget stretches that Abarth version? 2.4 20V

[ettorebugatti]

Omega V6 too large/heavy?

[qwerty]

Merc A Class' and Peugeot 307's always seem to be on the cheap car pages on facebook.

Tom

[astranaut]

Vectra B wouldn't be a bad shout, I wouldn't go for a v6 though as they're a heavy and really quite a lazy lump, I've had a few and by far the best was a 2.0 16v, with coilovers up front and 60mm springs on the back, it handled really well for a rep mobile. Parts are quite inexpensive and available second hand too, stainless cat backs can be had from £50, suspension for much the same.

[joffturbonova]

Jul 21, 2016 8:28:59 GMT mikeyp247 said:

Jul 21, 2016 8:18:31 GMT elstro1988 said:

Avensis was a legit idea at one point because it has the good Toyota engines but wrapped in an ugly bodyshell and the 'blanderific taxi' image. Same with the Almera with the eager Nissan DOHC engine.

However, I'm leaning towards a Vauxhall Meriva (yeah laugh louder!!) - Corsa bits so potential for upgrades but still has that 'why you competing in that?!' factor which is crucial. I'll see how things are looking next season or if not, may just try and squeeze some more ability from my faithful wee Nova.

Glad that I'm getting others to give this sport a go - highly recommended and other competitors are always friendly. 

Merivas are Corsa C front end (mainly) with Astra (G i think) rear stuff, so parts are fairly readily available. I drive a VXR version (daily) and its a hoot - not sure how a standard one would handle being raced - quite a high centre of gravity to be honest. If you do go down this route though, hit me up for a link to one thats been Z20LET'd and fully sorted - the thread has all you need to know about suspension upgrades etc.

I've been offered a Corsa C 1.2 SXI (Twinport) for nowt to take apart, think I might have it just for tw@tting about on these races you do - look great!


EDIT: In fact, the guy is on here too joffturbonova  

Indeed I am.

If you are thinking of a Meriva, then the 1.8 16v engine is the one you need if you are not going up to the VXR version. You'll need to decat it and preferably put on a performance inlet manifold which should see you at about 150bhp.

Handling wise if its not going to be a daily driver then coilovers work well - Corsa C (2000-2006) on the front and Astra G (1998-2004) on the rear - the rear really benefits from an additional ARB from whiteline - plenty around - the mk5 Astra roll bars also fit.

Basically its down to weight, time and the size of your wallet.

I'm doing a 1.8 16v conversion in an Agila next year for a laugh, stripped out and bigger brakes . Should be a giggle round track!

Joff

[elstro1988]

Well as of today the nasty Rio went to We Buy Any Car .com.....where the story goes from here, nobody knows!

[southside]

Jul 30, 2016 21:28:55 GMT elstro1988 said:

Well as of today the nasty Rio went to We Buy Any Car .com.....where the story goes from here, nobody knows!

How much did they give you for it? I'll keep an eye out at BCA over the next few weeks as that's where they all get sent.

[mikeyp247]

Jul 30, 2016 21:28:55 GMT elstro1988 said:

Found the right Meriva for you, here

I want first shout on any bits you pull out of it.

[rude]

Was parked next to one of these on Sunday, I can't stand them and this sport seems the best place for them all to go. Baring in mind that any one of them will most likely require a new clutch and a good hoover.

[mikeyp247]

Oct 4, 2016 11:11:01 GMT mikeyp247 said:

Jul 30, 2016 21:28:55 GMT elstro1988 said:

Found the right Meriva for you, here

I want first shout on any bits you pull out of it.

Just thought, this might be a good doner engine for your project joffturbonova?

[joffturbonova]

Can't seem to get the link working - you got the full link??

Joff