ECG1000 Posted September 8, 2014 Author Share Posted September 8, 2014 Why is this so bad ? Its not like you're going to have to " poot " around for 5 months solid of the year. Ask yourself honestly...how phased by power are you? Dont get reeled in by reviews and others complaining its " underpowered " , as like others have mentioned that was never its forte'. It would frustrate me having to restrain myself and not be able to use the car properly. Dribbling along in a car that requires speed to come alive can take the shine off ownership a bit, for me anyway. I think with the '86, you can have fun at lower speeds. When you use all the revs, you're not actually going as fast as you think. I haven't done any track days in the 370 in fear of shredding my tyres and burning the oil. Wanting a GT is a mixture of having a car that's fun all year round and one that's cheap to run in terms of tyres and brakes. How many track days a year are you planning on doing? And how hard will you drive on them? If you are only starting out, then use the 370 and see how it goes.... I'd ideally like to do one every month or so. Won't being going for times, just a good tear about. I've done a good amount before, but not in the Zed. I have a daily 370Z, that I track as much as time/money/tyres allows. Which is about 4 times a year I suppose. Normally one in Europe (Spa + few ring trips) then 3 UK based circuits. That probably helps you nothing but I felt I was placed to comment. That is a help, thank you. Did you have trouble with the oil getting too hot? What about tyres and brakes? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dynamic Turtle Posted September 8, 2014 Share Posted September 8, 2014 Looks like you're going to have to start saving for that 911 GT3 after all... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suits Posted September 8, 2014 Share Posted September 8, 2014 That is a help, thank you. Did you have trouble with the oil getting too hot? What about tyres and brakes? Yeah, tyres wear down quickly and oil does need to be monitored. Drive it like you want to slay the tyres and it will chew them up pretty quick, as they warm up, they wear down quicker. When it's hot and they're getting low, I do tend to leave the TCS on to make them last a bit longer. I was managing about 8/9 laps of Brands before I was having to come in for a cool down but my tyres were going off well before the oil was reaching limp mode. It was 31 degrees that day though. Oil cooler's are a common mod and I see big value in it, having to spend time in the pits letting your black cool down is a pain but overall its not too bad, as it not only cools the oil but the tyres and yourself also. As a casual track day car it's fine as OEM really. Apart from an ARK GRiP my car is OEM and it's an absolute joy, more grip than you think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rock_Steady Posted September 9, 2014 Share Posted September 9, 2014 (edited) just fancied throwing this in the ring, but what about an RX8? pretty cheap to buy second hand and you HAVE TO thrash the conkers off of it to make the thing go. Not sure if they are any good round track but just thought it could be another coupe RWD option. Obviously, go for the 230 option if you ever considered it. I say this with the possibility of keeping the 370 too!! (if you have the space) Edited September 9, 2014 by Rock_Steady 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suits Posted September 9, 2014 Share Posted September 9, 2014 I've looked at RX8's not in a serious way but for a laugh looked at the options. The most fun way seemed to get hold of a blown or non rolling one for cheap, like very cheap £800 and get it trailered to a Rotery specialist who will re-build the engine to various ages for various costs. I think for about £2000 you could have a snarling RX8 with a limited warranty. Seemed like a cool idea and I like the look of the RX8's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ECG1000 Posted September 9, 2014 Author Share Posted September 9, 2014 just fancied throwing this in the ring, but what about an RX8? Always wanted one of these but have been frightened off by all the horror stories! I don't have the space for 2 cars really. I've looked at RX8's not in a serious way but for a laugh looked at the options. The most fun way seemed to get hold of a blown or non rolling one for cheap, like very cheap £800 and get it trailered to a Rotery specialist who will re-build the engine to various ages for various costs. I think for about £2000 you could have a snarling RX8 with a limited warranty. Seemed like a cool idea and I like the look of the RX8's. That does seem like a cool idea actually. Only £2000 for a rebuild? Would have thought it was more than that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rtbiscuit Posted September 9, 2014 Share Posted September 9, 2014 having swapped from a zed to an S2000, seen by many as under powered in comparison. I found the lighter, more revvy S2000 far more fun both on the road and on the track. Day to day it was easier to make me smile in the S2K. The drama of revving and quick gear changing was more fun than riding the torque curve. Having tracked a few cars inch the zed, I found the zed to be fun on track. T was communicative, responsive, and gave great feedback with a safe and comfortable balance. But on a stock setup you could feel the cars weight both entering corners and under heavy breaking. I'm guessing the 70 would feel the same. A lot, but not all on here feel that a car isn't "proper" without a big engine. Less bragging rights in the pub when you can't tell people you have a V6 and 300bhp. Some people also don't like to have to work a gearbox, and low torque high rev can be tiresome. Personal preference plays a big part in car choice. Driven all my cars in the winter, and when the weather gets rubbish none get driven on the limits. Learnt that a long time a Gavin the MR2 when I pirouetted off a roundabout in a full 360 spin. You just have to regulate the right foot and enjoy the rare sunny winter blast when you can take them. As for choice. Both the 70 and the 86 are good cars. Personal choice which way you go. What about neither, why not a cheap track toy. S2000 can be picked up for 5k and a nice comfortable cruiser for the crape days with 4wd like older RS4 or S3. Doesn't have to go German was just an example. For 20k you could get 2 nice cars and insure them. And your track toy would be a good weekend toy. Then you have the fun of jumping in it in th weekend and the performance is a nice surprise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ekona Posted September 9, 2014 Share Posted September 9, 2014 I wouldn't be tracking an RX8. Having driven one the other week at Bedford, whilst the chassis is lovely and even the electric steering is good, there is simply no way of getting out of the lack of torque low down. Even if you keep the revs nice and high (and I really did), it struggles to get away cleanly. Put it this way, it'll make the BRZ86 seem like a turbocharged rocket Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rtbiscuit Posted September 9, 2014 Share Posted September 9, 2014 Alright just read your last post 2 cars not suitable Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suits Posted September 9, 2014 Share Posted September 9, 2014 That does seem like a cool idea actually. Only £2000 for a rebuild? Would have thought it was more than that? Yeah, don't quote me on that actual might be more near £3000 but still, from what I was reading it seemed very fair and attractive. Just find a none running car (engine) and get the motor rebuilt. £600 -http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201409027045456/sort/default/postcode/ss129au/page/1/usedcars/radius/1500/model/rx8/onesearchad/used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew/make/mazda?logcode=p Max cost for full rebuild is £2000 - http://www.apexrotary.com These I searched in about 3 minutes. Rad car for £2600 or there abouts there will obviously be some additional costs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ECG1000 Posted September 9, 2014 Author Share Posted September 9, 2014 I'm starting to think I need to make space for 2 cars now! Wonder if can hide one in a warehouse at work.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spursmaddave Posted September 9, 2014 Share Posted September 9, 2014 I'm starting to think I need to make space for 2 cars now! Wonder if can hide one in a warehouse at work.... Have a look at hiring a garage maybe? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brillomaster Posted September 9, 2014 Share Posted September 9, 2014 how little space are we talking about here? as long as a second car is taxed and insured it can be kept on a road - that's what we do with ours, its just parked outside my flat. are there any quiet streets around or are you under proper inner city pressure? I think if you want a car for track work you'd have just as much fun in a £1000 MX5 as you would in a £20,000 BRZ86 - get one with an LSD, and you can drive the nuts off it on road and on track, and parts are dirt cheap. heck parts are so cheap you can get a second set of wheels with winter tyres on and you'll be mobile in winter as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ECG1000 Posted September 9, 2014 Author Share Posted September 9, 2014 how little space are we talking about here? as long as a second car is taxed and insured it can be kept on a road - that's what we do with ours, its just parked outside my flat. are there any quiet streets around or are you under proper inner city pressure? I think if you want a car for track work you'd have just as much fun in a £1000 MX5 as you would in a £20,000 BRZ86 - get one with an LSD, and you can drive the nuts off it on road and on track, and parts are dirt cheap. heck parts are so cheap you can get a second set of wheels with winter tyres on and you'll be mobile in winter as well. I live in the countryside down a lane. I couldn't have the Zed in the garage and a 2nd car clogging up the driveway. If I kept it in the lane, a tractor would eat it for breakfast. It is very tempting to go for a dedicated track car but I like the idea of having a car for all purposes. Nice to be able to drive to the track, have some fun, then drive back home again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rtbiscuit Posted September 9, 2014 Share Posted September 9, 2014 That's another option, get a second set of wheels with decent winter Tyres on. Swap over around start of November. And then you can drive the 370 how you want in the poorer weather. Remember winter thres are not the same as snow Tyres. But will increase the cars ability in low temps, wet and snow. Compared to summer Tyres. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rock_Steady Posted September 9, 2014 Share Posted September 9, 2014 (edited) I'm starting to think I need to make space for 2 cars now! Wonder if can hide one in a warehouse at work.... just turn your living room into a garage and move into your bedroom. Edited September 9, 2014 by Rock_Steady Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ECG1000 Posted September 9, 2014 Author Share Posted September 9, 2014 That's another option, get a second set of wheels with decent winter Tyres on. Swap over around start of November. And then you can drive the 370 how you want in the poorer weather. Remember winter thres are not the same as snow Tyres. But will increase the cars ability in low temps, wet and snow. Compared to summer Tyres. A possibility, but quite a big investment if I end up selling up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rtbiscuit Posted September 9, 2014 Share Posted September 9, 2014 You can sell the wheels and tyres on and possibly make back half your money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikey81 Posted October 4, 2014 Share Posted October 4, 2014 As I currently own a S2000 and I'm looking at a 350z I will throw my experience out there. I have a 2004 S2000 with Goodyear tyres and ferodo ds2500 pads all round. I have done bedford, oulton park and 1 autosolo this year. Each track day has not killed the tyres but taken the life out of them, so they are replaced not long afterwards. A set of around £450 and they are 17's. A track day costs around £600 when you include a hotel, food, drink and petrol, when you book a 'cheap' day. The car is my daily so no silly mods which make it uncomfortable for daily use or excessive hassle for insurance and replacement parts. I have done 22k in the 14 months I have owned it and the only thing I have done is change the rear anti roll bar drop links as one of them popped out of the knuckle. I'm looking at the 350z as I fancy a change of car similar to you plus i like the looks and sound of them, I know it a bigger heavier car but will it stop me using it on track, no. You just drive to the cars/your limit. As for buying a clio, they are fun cars but a fwd on track isn't the most fun you can have and the feeling you get from a rwd through the corners on the power where its just moving around nicely is what makes driving fast fun, for me. A car that is planted all the time isnt as rewarding to drive. I went from an E39 M5 (400hp 5.0 V8) to a CTR ep3 (200hp 2.0 4pot) so on paper its half the car, but I still own the ctr 2 years on as its such a laugh to drive, torque isnt everything, it just makes normal driving easier to cope with so you can be lazy and leave it in 1 gear, is changing gear really that much of an issue? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leosille Posted October 4, 2014 Share Posted October 4, 2014 My friends supercharged 86 still won't keep up with a standard zed, he's a good driver, does a lot of track time loves his 86 but going from a 370 the power drop is going to seem enormous. I don't think standardly it's any better handling than a z either having drive it myself multiple times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zxrob Posted October 5, 2014 Share Posted October 5, 2014 Interesting reading this thread 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jmanji Posted October 5, 2014 Share Posted October 5, 2014 Test drove the gt86 recently for my other half and was not impressed with it at all, has a cheap interior feel and finish to the whole car. As others mentioned get a track preped mx5 like I did, it's a great fun drive on or off track however I'm tracking my 350z for the first time tomorrow at snetterton, hope it gives me the same fun as the 5 has. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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