Hey, lads! I'm currently on the look out for a fairly cheap and fast track-like car. The problem is that other then Lotus 7 kit-cars, there aren't really too many cars out there that fulfill my requirements:

-it has to weigh between 400 and 550 kgs
-it has to be road legal
-it has to be decent (bugs and old 500s are definitely not valid options for me, minis might make it)
-should not require any protective gear such as a helmet or leather jacket, preferably impervious to weather conditions (thus closed cockpit)
-should have atleast 2 seats
-my budget is at around 25 000 - 30 000 euros. Nevertheless post anyway even if it doesn't fit in my budget, I won't say no to admiring a car even if I can't afford it

Thanks for helping out!

Ariel Atom?

Quote :

-it has to weight between 400 and 550 kgs

456 kg, check

Quote :

-it has to be road legal

check

Quote :

-it has to be decent (bugs and old 500s are definitely not valid options for me, minis might make it)

check

Quote :

-my budget is at around 25 000 - 30 000 euros. Nevertheless post anyway even if it doesn't fit in my budget, I won't say no to admiring a car even if I can't afford it

used, it's almost a check...

Added two extra rules to better explain what I'm looking for.

the main problem you have there is the weight requirement
the only road legal cars with that weight that i can think of are 7s radicals and the atom all of which arent particularly well suited for rain (figures since it never rains in england)
if you wouldnt mind too much getting something a bit heavier the exige or elise might be of interest

An old bug with race suspension handles like a go cart, literally, the engine is on the back axle and they are lovely to drive, and considering their age, they are still a reasonable car to own. Balls to Caterhams, if you crash withanother car, you lose because 90% of cars on the road are 3times as big as a caterham.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lotus_Elise

Looked at a Lotus?

Ditch the weight requirement...

With that budget, get one of the following:

- Honda S2000 (invest the rest of the money in suspension and brakes (for track use)). You'll have a very reliable and fun car for road and track.

- Opel Speedster Turbo.

- Lotus Elise

But preferably an S2000.

Thanks to all for replying!

Due to the weight requirement, I also didn't found too many cars, hence why I made this thread in the hope that someone might point me to one that I missed. Unfortunately I can't scrap the rule, since only a car that weighs between 400 and 550 kg falls in the B1 category which comes with some advantages.

Lower taxes, lesser requirements, etc. since a B1 isn't considered a fully fledged car (quite ironic when you think that most B1s are capable of out performing most high end sport cars) and I'd be a hypocrite if I wouldn't mention that the best advantage is that a 16 year old can drive it...which will be my age in approximately 4 months or so.

I now what you're thinking now, another hot shot, teenager that will hit the nearest tree within the first kilometer he gets in a car. Although I can't prove you otherwise, I assure you that I'm mature enough to know best then break the law. It's immature, irresponsible and not to mention dangerous.

I have done the local karting league a bit too many times and have moved to the odd autocross and hillclimb event here and there in which I have used an AXR buggy. Currently studying for my driving license and will start school in a month. Apparently the car I shall be driving on is another buggy, hence why I'm not particularly worried about the driving test itself and mostly studying the theory, signs, road rules, etc.

Anyway, to make a long story short, since I have this opportunity to drive myself to this events and spare my father wasting a day doing nothing, plus cut on the transport cost (not to mention getting a chick magnet :tilt, I will profit from it. Also being able to stay dry for once when rain decides to come by and pay me a visit would be rather nice

Now I'll sincerely and respectfully ask you to abstain from making any remarks on my age and I'd really appreciate it if you'd stick to helping me find a car

My best option so far is a Caterham with the weather equipment package. Then again, I could get a cheaper and faster car from Westfield. I reckon the Caterham weather package could work on a Westfield since they're technically the same car.

Wait two years and get an S2000.
(Ok, i'll stop now...)

Good luck getting it insured. "I promise I won't crash it" doesn't really cut it with insurance companies.

Most countries aren't quite as evil as the UK insurance wise.

Quote from Jakg :

Most countries aren't quite as evil as the UK insurance wise.

Was about to say that. The eastern-block countries are actually quite friendly. Insurance won't be a problem for me.

you sure about that? from my knowledge any car without an immobiliser is fair game on the balkan (knowledge taken from someone whos spent plenty of time there so its not just cliche) and i doubt that trackday cars have very sophisticated anti theft equipment
id guess that for a 30k easy to steal track day car youll be looking at rather high insurance premiums

Quote from Shotglass :

you sure about that? from my knowledge any car without an immobiliser is fair game on the balkan (knowledge taken from someone whos spent plenty of time there so its not just cliche) and i doubt that trackday cars have very sophisticated anti theft equipment
id guess that for a 30k easy to steal track day car youll be looking at rather high insurance premiums

That's a bit of a stereotype, really. Romania has never really been a car theft paradise. Actually, the only country here stereotypically know for that is Bulgaria but that was also quite while ago.

Besides, just about any burglar out here only goes for the radio, which won't be a problem since a Caterham or just about any B1 car for that matter doesn't have one.
And even if they planned on stealing it, they wouldn't get very far with a car that has no steering wheel

Reliant Robin. Sorted. Won't get wet, don't need a faggish leather jacket and you could easily drop in a vtak yo

chop the roof off a fiesta !

buy a hyabusa and bolt on the biggest turbo you can find and caster wheels on the back.

Do you know about Zcars Mini's? They're RWD Hayabusa conversions and seem perfect for hillclimb. I have no idea how or where to find them though. I assume there are conversions kits and of course finished projects available. Maybe something to consider.

A quick search gives this:
http://www.zcars.org.uk/index.htm (Warning: loud automatic video stream) is a start.

Also just for few images and some info:
http://www.theminiforum.co.uk/ ... index.php?showtopic=82695

Quote from IDUI :

Do you know about Zcars Mini's? They're RWD Hayabusa conversions and seem perfect for hillclimb. I have no idea how or where to find them though. I assume there are conversions kits and of course finished projects available. Maybe something to consider.

A quick search gives this:
http://www.zcars.org.uk/index.htm (Warning: loud automatic video stream) is a start.

Also just for few images and some info:
http://www.theminiforum.co.uk/ ... index.php?showtopic=82695

awesome ^^
i saw a golf 2 fitted with a hayabusa engine, but this is even better
/me wants

I saw a RWD small fiat (seicento i think) that had 2x hayabusa 1300cc engines in the boot, one for each wheel, he used to have to tap the brakes when approaching a corner to get the front back on the floor so he could steer around it, sadly no good for you as it was an autograss car, so nowhere near road legal.

Had a look at the zcars website, although I think I checked it before in the past. The Monte Carlo is too extreme and both it and the Hayabusa Mini are too small for my liking.

What really cached my eye was their Lotus Elise. It weighs 700 kgs and although that means that it exceeds my weight requirement, I think the specs are for the Series 2.

"Looking at the standard car its obvious that weight needed to be shed" indicates that they are talking about quite a huge drop in weight, something which could have been done only with the Series 2 which weighs around 950 kgs while Series 1 is already around 725 kgs.

I think it is possible to get a Series 1 Elise to B1 specifications because from what I've seen, they replace the front and rear standard subframes with tubular ones. That alone saves on quite a lot of weight.

I've sent them a message to clarify if the specs on their page are for a modified Series 2 and if it would be possible to modify a Series 1 accordingly.

Citroen Mehari 500+ kg

So... they allow 16 year old kids to drive Atoms, Sevens, and Radicals but won't let them on a bike bigger than 125cc?

Quote from Forbin :

So... they allow 16 year old kids to drive Atoms, Sevens, and Radicals but won't let them on a bike bigger than 125cc?

Basically yes...

Move to just about any state in the US and you can get a restricted license at age 16. The restrictions usually only pertain to passengers and curfew. You can drive anything you want from a small econobox to a big pickup or SUV/4x4 to a Veyron.

Quote from speedway :

I hardly found any information on the B1 class. We dont even have that class here. What are the limitations concerning power, engine displacement and top speed?

B1 subclass: auto vehicle with three or four wheels who's mass exceeds 400 kg but not over 550 kg, and equipped with an engine bigger then 45 cm3, or with a top speed trough construction bigger then 50 km/h.