Track day car...

spacedogg · 03-16-2007, 04:24 PM

Assume you track your car about once a month. You probably don't want to mess up your daily driver, so you have decided to get a second "track day" or "when it is a sunny day" car.

Assume your wife or accountant has only allowed you to spend around $50k to $60k USD. What would you do?

1) Buy a used JDM, rip it apart and make it completely race spec, stripped interior, add turbos, race suspension, forged wheels, etc (i.e. used STi, EVO, Skyline or Supra)
2) Buy a used Porsche 911 (1999 - 2003), and spend a few grand just making minor repairs? (i.e. new brake pads, new tires)
3) Buy a new Lotus Exige S?
4) Buy a new Ariel Atom 2?
5) Buy a new E90 or E92 335i just for the track. (only minor mods such as Procede and tires...cannot add limited slip.)
6) Other car.

spacedogg · 03-16-2007, 04:33 PM

I suppose...another idea would be to buy a used BMW M3 and make repairs and minor mods to it.

oneshare325 · 03-16-2007, 05:10 PM

I gotta say the atom, but not the stateside version, I want the supercharger! That thing makes one hell of a scream!!! Worth it almost just for that!

ukthunderace · 03-16-2007, 05:16 PM

definitely the Atom...in fact, I have considered cancelling my order for a 335i and getting an Atom instead. Especially since I live 5 minutes from Hockenheimring.

spacedogg · 03-16-2007, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oneshare325

I gotta say the atom, but not the stateside version, I want the supercharger! That thing makes one hell of a scream!!! Worth it almost just for that!

Actually the US company (Brammo Motorsports) that makes the Ariel Atom for the US market now has a 300 hp supercharged 2.0l Ecotec version...apparently the engine is better balanced and torquey than the Honda engine they use in Europe.

Greeney · 03-16-2007, 06:41 PM

Ariel Atom 2

spesrf25 · 03-16-2007, 07:00 PM

Ariel Atom, that's a TRACK car. I would love to ride in one.

shimshimhada · 03-16-2007, 07:05 PM

Definitely the Atom or Exige. The Ecotec engine makes like some 70+ more torque than the Honda equivalent, albeit with a lower redline.

Ghunger · 03-16-2007, 07:06 PM

In that price range, definitely an ariel atom 2. The Lotus is gonna cost you a fortune on upkeep and such. The other cars are gonna cost way more for maintainence also. IMO, there are a ton of cars in that price range that would be plenty of fun. You ever seen a stripped out E30 320si on the track? They're pretty darn fast. The trick is finding one that is reliable, easy to work on, and lower maintainence so you spend more time at the track and not missing track days with the car in the garage. Things like the dry sump, remote oil filter and all the "external" on the atom are gonna make things so much easier to work on.

Kit523 · 03-16-2007, 07:17 PM

e36 M3

nine4surfah · 03-16-2007, 07:28 PM

I just did a search on google for the Ariel Atom2 and just finsihed watching a segment on Top Gear featuring the Ariel. One word, DAMN!!

teknochild · 03-16-2007, 10:26 PM

the atom, all the way

just4kickz · 03-16-2007, 10:37 PM

mmm... used e46 m3... and just mod the engine and suspension?

FirstClass · 03-16-2007, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oneshare325

I gotta say the atom, but not the stateside version, I want the supercharger! That thing makes one hell of a scream!!! Worth it almost just for that!

Incorrect. There are supercharged versions in the US with up to 300hp.

010101 · 03-16-2007, 11:51 PM

I know this is a track car thread.... but the Ariel isn't street legal in the US... is it? It's the only one I haven't driven out of the bunch. It probably would win, but until I drive it my vote is for the Exige.

spacedogg · 03-17-2007, 01:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 010101

I know this is a track car thread.... but the Ariel isn't street legal in the US... is it? It's the only one I haven't driven out of the bunch. It probably would win, but until I drive it my vote is for the Exige.

I believe it is street legal in the US.

This is taken from the Ariel Atom site comparing 0 to 100 mph to 0 times. Look at that Saab 900i go!

View Poll Results: What would you get?
Buy used JDM and race prep it	1	3.23%
Buy used Porsche with minor repairs	4	12.90%
Buy a Lotus Exige S	8	25.81%
Buy a Ariel Atom 2	13	41.94%
Another E90/92 just for the track	3	9.68%
Other	2	6.45%
Voters: 31. You may not vote on this poll

03-16-2007, 04:24 PM	#1
spacedogg Colonel 206 Rep 2,816 Posts Drives: Debadged Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Vancouver, BC iTrader: (0)	Track day car... Assume you track your car about once a month. You probably don't want to mess up your daily driver, so you have decided to get a second "track day" or "when it is a sunny day" car. Assume your wife or accountant has only allowed you to spend around $50k to $60k USD. What would you do? 1) Buy a used JDM, rip it apart and make it completely race spec, stripped interior, add turbos, race suspension, forged wheels, etc (i.e. used STi, EVO, Skyline or Supra) 2) Buy a used Porsche 911 (1999 - 2003), and spend a few grand just making minor repairs? (i.e. new brake pads, new tires) 3) Buy a new Lotus Exige S? 4) Buy a new Ariel Atom 2? 5) Buy a new E90 or E92 335i just for the track. (only minor mods such as Procede and tires...cannot add limited slip.) 6) Other car.
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03-16-2007, 04:33 PM	#2
spacedogg Colonel 206 Rep 2,816 Posts Drives: Debadged Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Vancouver, BC iTrader: (0)	I suppose...another idea would be to buy a used BMW M3 and make repairs and minor mods to it.
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03-16-2007, 05:10 PM	#3
oneshare325 Brigadier General 204 Rep 4,178 Posts Drives: E90 325i, E82 135i Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Arlington, VA iTrader: (11) Garage List 2018 BMW M3 [0.00] 2006 325i [0.00]	I gotta say the atom, but not the stateside version, I want the supercharger! That thing makes one hell of a scream!!! Worth it almost just for that!
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03-16-2007, 05:16 PM	#4
ukthunderace Autobahn Cruiser 25 Rep 272 Posts Drives: '07 335i Tief Gruen Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Hockenheim Germany iTrader: (0)	definitely the Atom...in fact, I have considered cancelling my order for a 335i and getting an Atom instead. Especially since I live 5 minutes from Hockenheimring.
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03-16-2007, 06:41 PM	#6
Greeney Brigadier General 235 Rep 3,857 Posts Drives: Jerez E90 M3 Join Date: May 2006 Location: Westchester, NY / Fort Lauderdale, FL iTrader: (4)	Ariel Atom 2 __________________ 11' E90 M3 6MT \| Jerez Black \| Black Ext./Carbon \| ZCP \| ZCW \| ZPP \| ZTP \| 302 \| 403 \| 507 \| 5AC \| 655 \| 6FL \| 752 \| 15' F80 M3 6MT \| Black Saphire \| Black Full \| ZEC \| ZLP \| 2VF \| 2VZ \| 5DL \| 688 \|
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03-16-2007, 07:00 PM	#7
spesrf25 Second Lieutenant 38 Rep 244 Posts Drives: X5d X-Line Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	Ariel Atom, that's a TRACK car. I would love to ride in one. __________________ BMW X5d (Ordered) 2007 335i Coupe (sold)
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03-16-2007, 07:05 PM	#8
shimshimhada Brigadier General 502 Rep 4,838 Posts Drives: Portal Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Portal iTrader: (2)	Definitely the Atom or Exige. The Ecotec engine makes like some 70+ more torque than the Honda equivalent, albeit with a lower redline.
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03-16-2007, 07:06 PM	#9
Ghunger Major 56 Rep 1,024 Posts Drives: 330i Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (0)	In that price range, definitely an ariel atom 2. The Lotus is gonna cost you a fortune on upkeep and such. The other cars are gonna cost way more for maintainence also. IMO, there are a ton of cars in that price range that would be plenty of fun. You ever seen a stripped out E30 320si on the track? They're pretty darn fast. The trick is finding one that is reliable, easy to work on, and lower maintainence so you spend more time at the track and not missing track days with the car in the garage. Things like the dry sump, remote oil filter and all the "external" on the atom are gonna make things so much easier to work on. __________________ 330i Monaco Blue, Terra /w aluminum trim, SP, PP, CA, PDC, Nav, Folding Seats, Sat Prep European Delivery Blog Picture Gallery
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03-16-2007, 07:17 PM	#10
Kit523 Major General 387 Rep 7,074 Posts Drives: F80 M3/FK8/C63S Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: B.C. Vancouver iTrader: (27)	e36 M3
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03-16-2007, 07:28 PM	#11
nine4surfah Captain 65 Rep 790 Posts Drives: 325i Electric Red Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: San Diego iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 325i [0.00]	I just did a search on google for the Ariel Atom2 and just finsihed watching a segment on Top Gear featuring the Ariel. One word, DAMN!! __________________
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03-16-2007, 10:26 PM	#12
teknochild Your resident 4um troll 146 Rep 2,020 Posts Drives: 335 coupe Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: fl iTrader: (0)	the atom, all the way __________________ RAWRrrrr
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03-16-2007, 10:37 PM	#13
just4kickz boku no namae ha... 352 Rep 11,023 Posts Drives: 2006 BS 330i Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: S. Bay Area, CA + Newark, NJ + ChiCity + True Blue iTrader: (11) Garage List 2006 E90 330i [0.00]	mmm... used e46 m3... and just mod the engine and suspension? __________________ looking for a PreLCI Black Sapphire e90 front bumper without license plate holes "Akimbo shotguns. Broken wrists anyone? And don't give me that 'it's just a game' bull**. Where the are my akimbo interventions then?! One scope on each eye mother**er!!"
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03-16-2007, 11:51 PM	#15
010101 Lieutenant 32 Rep 423 Posts Drives: still deciding what to order Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: los angeles iTrader: (0)	I know this is a track car thread.... but the Ariel isn't street legal in the US... is it? It's the only one I haven't driven out of the bunch. It probably would win, but until I drive it my vote is for the Exige.
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