Possible track day car

[Scottie]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1988-PEUGEOT-309-GTI-RED_W0QQitemZ4623716112QQcategoryZ9859QQrdZ1QQcmdZ ViewItem

I am very tempted to go and view this as I have been looking for a cheap trackday car for this year to get me going and some experience before I consider taking the S14a on track.

Any points good or bad that you can think of ? I believe the 309 is much better handling than the 205 on track ? Weight difference is 910k for 205 1.9 vs 980k for 309 1.9, so once you're moving don't think acceleration is much different, speed through corners is more important which is where I am told the 309 is better.

I know it's not exactly overpowered, but with cage, seats, harnesses it's a cheap way on track and I should still be able to sell it next year to recoup some money back.

[stevec]

lots of people rave about them as track cars. :nod: go for it.

it just depends on what you want from your daily driver.. my car is too far gone to drive everywhere now, so it is a pure track/meets car.

at least bits for them are cheap, they are cheap to tune and wont go through too many tyres etc..

:nod:

/Steve

[Sideways Danny]

do it. just sort out the cooling. 309's seem to suffer from overheating worse than 205's despite using the same rad and fans. possibly an airflow issue. there's a few really good specialists selling group N bits on ebay.

check the rear suspension (especially the torsion bar bearings at each end of the axle) and the driveshafts. I've changed most things on my 205 so nothing is hard anymore but it's a pain to get a car with knackered bits

[SM]

For me I'd consider a MX5, 325i or S13, as good as a 309 is in the world of track scrabble, true fun drives the rear wheels.

[marty_t3]

So you think an MX5, 325i or S13 are as good? ;) :D

[mambastu]

.

[SM]

So you think an MX5, 325i or S13 are as good? ;) :D
Personally I'd prefer to thrash any of those round a track than any FWD car, even an ITR :eek:

[TomM]

*AB* has a stripped-out 309 for just this purpose (at least he did, the last time I saw him). He'd be able to offer some informed advice, I reckon. :)

I agree with Kev, though - I'd go for something RWD. Personally, my next track-car will almost certainly be one with an established racing series available for it, as this is one of the main reasons the 200sx is going. This limits the choice somewhat, although the options are still good:

Caterham - various
Westfield - various
BMW E30 218/320 - Seloc Production BMW Championship
Elise / Exige / Ultima :wack: / vx220 / Atom - mid-engined racing series
Various bike-engined possibilities - RGB championship

[SM]

*AB* Does, hes also "in action" with it on the 8th April, i'm sure you could get a good idea how it likes the track by popping along and grabbing a ride :nod:

[Scottie]

I think some are missing the point. It's horses for courses. Yes I could get an S13, 325 etc, but they are all going to cost me a load of money. Just add up buying buckets, harnesses, roll cage etc. I want an easy car to drive on track for a year to enjoy and get used to. The 309 is cheap on parts and brakes etc. This one already has supsension done and most other things, including oil cooler, plus 1.9 engines go for less than £100 in good working order on ebay.

Some time in the near future I then have two options, get another "family" car and track the S14a, or use S14a as "family" car and spend a good few grand on something purely for track. At this point I would consider RWD almost a must for the trackcar :nod: The S14a is proving to be an outstanding all rounder at the moment.

If there aren't any bids by Friday I think I'll arrange to see this on Saturday, so at least I know what I'm bidding against in the auction which ends Sunday evening, or if there are no bids I'd make him an offer afterwards. Does that sound like a good plan ?

[SM]

There was a 325i for sale on this board recently for £650 IIRC, ok it migth be old and have tired suspension but you wouldnt need any mods for it to be fun on a trackday, parts are that bad and neither are basic mods if you wanted. I dont think the price of replacement engines comes into it as your so very very unlikely to need one.

[Scottie]

It's all down to availability. If you could show me a 325 for 1 grand that has seats, harnesses, cage and is ready for the track I'd have it. The 325 is heavier though than a 309, harder on brakes and tyres and I suspect not as good handling.

Listen, I'm trying to get on track cheaply here, don't talk me out of it :D

[SM]

It will be fine for what you want, I just have too many anti-scrabble bones, organs & nerves and in my body to not try and get you into something that drives the right wheels.

[Scottie]

It will be fine for what you want, I just have too many anti-scrabble bones, organs & nerves and in my body to not try and get you into something that drives the right wheels.

LOL, this will be my first car that is FWD in 16 years now. I can't really knock scrabble till I've tried it can I :D

Don't worry, I still have the S14a and the next track car will be RWD. :nod:

[razza987]

When looking at a pure trackday car, my mate & I were tempted by a 309, for most of the reasons you've already mentioned.
Ended up going for a Mk1 MR2 though, £690 & RWD ;)
Only problem is availability of 2nd hand aftermarket parts. For example, if you want uprated suspension for an S13, you'll find at least one set for sale on here every week. Not so with the MR2. So it's going to cost quite a bit more to sort suspension, brakes, exhaust etc.
Cracking little car though, I've been driving it to work this week and it's great fun down the back roads at 2am :D . Front brakes lock up very easily, which is a bit worrying for track use :indiff:
Here she is: :cool:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v488/razza987/MR2.jpg

I do think that 309 looks like a very good proposition though :thumbs: