I love driving my Vantage V12, but its not a track toy.

My R8 V10 has been traded in on a new Range Rover Evoque (partner to our Range Rover Sport SC), so I now have a whole in my garage that needs filling.

I was at first very, very interested in getting a Lotus 211. Such a great car, but I have some second thoughts on the integrity of the frame after a minor bump and I need to get a better understanding of the market (if I decide to sell, will it take weeks, months, years?) I have a feeling i will eventually get one, but I need to get to know them better.

I considered many Porsches (cayman R to GT3) and they all ended up being too expensive relative to the performance, or fantastically fast, but too expensive for a track car. Northern climate means the season is half as long. I have realized the cost and speed of a car for the track is not consistent with its enjoyment.

So, here are two odd possibilities:

1. The Corvette Z06. I'm not a fan of the "image" that surrounds this car, and its details are not the best. But, the dynamics and numbers are off the chart. This car is just a monster on every level. It truly is a far more talented car than I am a driver.

Pros = very proven platform. Inexpensive parts. Strong performance community. Very cheap when you buy them used. Running costs (beyond fuel and tires are relatively cheap)

Cons = image. It's a very 'expected' choice. It's a very similar layout to the Vantage (front-mid engined, RWD, 6 spd, rear transaxle, two seter). In fact it's within a few inches n most directions. After two Vantages will it be different enough?

2. Boss 302 Laguna Seca. This car is very different. In fact it's like no car I have owned since high school. I drove one and it was FUN. Everyone just smiles and points to the car, a very similar reaction to the orange special diction Boxster S I had a few years back.

The car looks great and its very cheap, but it is a surprise performance wise. The reviews are glowing. It just eats its way through tracks and its so inexpensive to buy and modify. Plus parts are plentiful (nice when traveling to tracks and something goes).

Pros = its very inexpensive. It's not a complex car. It's damn fast and very balanced. It has drama. It's unexpected. There are plenty of mods. The sound is fantastic. It makes me smile.

Cons = live axel will always be a compromise no matter how sorted. It's a big car. It's a blunt instrument compared to the Z06 and Aston.

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I won't be driving it other than track days, and I'm merging my love for cars and my love for driving own tracks.

What say my Aston folk?

 

Try radical it's so much fun

http://www.radicalsportscars.com/uk/

 

are you looking for a normal car that you can use mostly on the track, or a track toy that can be on the road if needed? how about a Radical or Ariel Atom?

 

If you're looking at the 211, I would recommend the Ariel Atom as well. Not sure if you can register the AA for street in Canada, but would be great to drive to/from track events as well.


What about a Elise/Exige?

 

Didn't you post this a while back and lotus was a problem for you?
I'd add to the atom list in that case

 

Yeah, I went through the whole lotus attraction once before. That's why I feel like I might end up with one eventually.

The Atom is very expensive in Canada. I'm staying away because they have a reputation for collapsing on impact. I'm not sure if its justly deserved.

The Radical is amazing. The Lotus 211 is likely a more forgiving car.

Eventually I may end up here. I get bored of cars so being able to get rid of them is an important factor in my choice.

 

As a former 'Vette owner, I would cast my vote in that direction. I didn't have a Z06, just a standard one with the Z51 package, but the difference between a Corvette and your Vantage will be night and day. It's hard to describe, but the Chevy is just not as refined in any way. And that's not a dig since I still love Corvettes.

 

Penguin, maybe I'm missing something but you keep bringing up street cars and non road legal cars in the same posts. I suggest the first decision you need to make is between these two categories. Because a streetable car will always be a compromise compared to what you can get out of a proper track car, but a non road legal car comes with a whole new level of commitment (trailer, storage, who will work on it if you are not a mechanic, etc.)

 

We just bought an Evoque for my wife and she loves it! My only complaint with the car is the turbo lag but otherwise it's awesome! I vote Radical if you are looking for a track weapon.

 

A few years ago I looked into a Noble M400. If you want something comparable to a gt3 but with less running costs, its a no-brainer in my opinion. Very much like what a seriously beefed up Exige would be.... great chassis, suspension, and steering in a super lightweight package. They still sell them new today under the name Rossion with a different body and interior but essentially the same internals and chassis. Saw a used one on ebay the other day for 52k obo.

 

Yeah, I brought up ONE dedicated track car. I aspire to that kind of car, and the Lotus is likely a good entry point as its built on a street car platform. But as I said, I feel like I need to do more research before I go down that road.

This year I want to move from tracking the cars I drive on the street, to tracking a street car that I really only drive when im driving to the track. I know a trailer is the way to go and I do have a tow vehicle, but that's the next step.

The Noble/Roison is a great choice, but not street legal in Canada.

This year,mim looking for some viscera fun, that won't break the bank.

 

I hear you, but am one step behind you. I am looking at a GTR for a daily driver. Cheap for the performance, tons of people DD them and can turn mean and nasty on the track when you need it. Not sure about the GTR for a total track car, but great mix. 2010 is under 70k, easy to get mods to push up performance and reliability. I have heard all the naysayers regarding a soulless car, but this is an electronic age, deal with it. That's why I love the vantage, great dichotomy to somethign like a GTR.

 

I want to tread lightly here for my first post, and because I'm not yet an Aston owner. Just beginning my search

It seems like you want lots of fun for the $$, and the ability to sell the car in a reasonable amount of time and move on. I would suggest something like a Spec Miata, Spec 944 or Honda S2000. These are all readily available as track prepped cars, all can be run on a reasonable budget, all have large communities for support, and I would think all would be easy to sell back into their communities (though most "track" cars sell slower than street cars). They're not high horsepower, but certainly handle well, and most track fun occurs in the corners anyway

While these are certainly not "sexy" choices, they will provide great track education and fun, and wont break the budget. All have the advantage of also being reasonably safe, since they can be found fully caged, race seats, and harnesses

 

"This year, Im looking for some visceral fun, that won't break the bank."

And something you drive to the track.

I've owned and tracked the C6Z06 and the Boss. Both are tons of fun. The Z06 can be a little nervous on uneven surfaces, but still a real athlete. You mentioned the live axle in the Boss was a concern, but i assure you the Torsen rear end masks any compromise to an independent rear suspension.

For me, the driving position and seats were much better in the Boss. After you flog the crap out of it, you can sell it to some youngster that always wanted one.

 

4pipes, would you chose theBoss over the Z06 for track only?

I know the Z06 is by far the more talented car. But are you saying the Boss is more fun to drive?