Track Car - What to buy

[antonlauk]

New post from a newbee to the site, so sorry if this is in the wrong forum or I haven't searched for the proper info, but time is short this evening before the pub shuts.

Basically, I am looking to buy a golf for a track day car.  No surprises here!  I wanted to get some feedback as to what you guys would suggest as the best car.  Have owned a few golfs in my time, and thus think they would make an ideal candidate to be used on the track.

Thinking of the following, but would be happy to take on board suggestions.

Mk2 16V
Mk3 16V
Mk3 VR6

I know the VR6 is front end heavy, but the engines are very unstressed, and have plenty of guts to them.

However, I need to take into account costs to upgrade suspension, engine, brakes, exhaust, roll coge etc.... to make them go quicker and safer. 
Starting to do Nurburgring alot as an example of the type of track, so will need to stay 'road legal'

Based on your experience, what would you suggest taking into account the costs to keep the thing running and the best £ per bhp for future upgrades?

Finally, if there is anyone in the Farnborough area (end of the M3 before the M25) I am looking for a car as we speak.  Looking to go up to £1500ish for something with a good strong engine, bodywork not an issue, and ideally some basic mods already done so I can get up and going fairly quickly. Call me on 07767296214 if someone is in the area or wants to meet up...

Cheers for the help.

[kniterider]

not sure, i spose a mk2 early small bumper 16v, i got a vr6 mk3 for £510, im doin a trackday or 3 in it over the next few months so ill let you know how the front end heavy thing goes...

 

[Gambit]

you can get early mk2 16v's for as little as a grand and will take a bashing all day long!!

all you need to do is make sure the diff rivets are replaced with bolts then your sorted

mk3's will not be as chuckable as a mk2 if your on a tight budget

[Neaty]

a mark 2 16v would be ideal I would of thought. they handle pretty good as they are so wont take too much to make them bob on for the track. where as mark 3's aren't the best in that department so you would have to spend a bit more money on some decent suspension to compensate

[kniterider]

yeah mines lowered on spax shocks and springs ad it still aint great... so id hate to think what a standard mk3 is like... lol

 

[Neaty]

its not trust me, my dad has an 8v, used it for a while when i was between cars. althought it didnt help his shocks were on the way out too

[gibby]

I wouldn't rule out a decent stripped out mk1 though. Although in todays market a 16v mk2 will be cheaper than a mk1.

[Neaty]

a mark 1 would prob be better with it being lighter but its just finding one that isnt either completely shot or mint/too good to use as a track car

[antonlauk]

Thanks for the thoughts from everyone.  Budget is not really an issue as I am expecting to fork out an additional £1500 over the coming 6 months to sort out handling, brakes and engine etc....Which I think should make the car go well?!!?

At present I use a Cooper S Works for tracking, but at £200 a throw for a days insurance, a £1500 excess if you bin it, and not worth alot if it is damage repaired. Thus, despite being fantastic for a track, too expensive to smash up! If I can get a golf to match the mini then I will be well happy!

I used to have an 8V Mk3 GTI and thought it was very chuckable, if not a little soft, but the Mk216V was much taughter (then again this was brand new at the time).  As for the VR6, I found the engine so under stressed that it would take a good days battering without detonating, and the brakes probably the best I have ever found on a hot hatch.

Biggest problem is finding something and not taking someones pride and joy and stripping it down to throw round a track!

Thanks again, and will be back to find some tuning ideas when I find the car!