Fancy a trip to a track day event but looking for the right car? While an exotic super car or an ultra-lightweight, track-focused sports car would be ideal for such an adventure, you’ll likely have to spend somewhere between £50,000 and £100,000 plus for one of these.
What if you’re looking for much more affordable alternative that can still offer a lot of fun on track? Here’s our guide to five relatively affordable cars that can offer a great experience on a track day.
What do you need from a track day car?
In order for a car to feel right at home on a race track, it has to have not only decent pace but also grippy tyres, sharp handling, responsive steering and minimal body roll.
If the car is also affordable than that’s great, but if it also has the characteristics to feel comfortable and civilised during trips to and from the track day venue, then that’s even better.
Our Top 5 Cheap Track Day Cars
MINI Hatch Cooper S
The Cooper S sits near the top of the current MINI Hatch range, and while it’s not quite as nippy as the John Cooper Works version, it is considerably more affordable with pricing starting at roughly £19,000. It also still delivers punchy performance from its 189bhp 2.0-litre petrol engine and lots of agility.
It will cover the 0-62mph benchmark sprint in just 6.8 seconds and a top speed of 146mph. The real party piece of the MINI Hatch Cooper S is its sporty driving set-up. The phrase ‘go-kart handling’ has been used by MINI in regards it’s Hatch for a while now. Though the latest Hatch is a lot larger nowadays then its original incarnation, the phrase should still feel justified, especially when taken on a race track.
The spacious interior and long list of standard kit should also help make the journey to and from a circuit straightforward and comfortable.
Find prices for the MINI Hatchback
Ford Fiesta ST
Out of all the hot hatches in the current new car market, the Ford Fiesta ST is not just one of the most affordable but also one of the most suited for driving and track enthusiasts.
Priced from around £17,500, the Fiesta ST is driven by an 180bhp 1.6-litre EcoBoost engine, linked to a super slick six-speed manual transmission. The Fiesta ST will cover the 0-62mph sprint in just under seven seconds and feels nippy in a straight-line, while the car’s set-up also encourages a fervent approach to taking the corners.
Not only comfortable on a track, the Fiesta ST also has enough comfort and practicality to tackle small shopping runs and other mundane trips.
Read our full review of the Ford Fiesta ST
Find prices for the Ford Fiesta hatchback
Toyota GT86
Priced from about £24,500, the Toyota GT86 was created purely with the intention of delighting driving enthusiasts and regular track day visitors. That alone makes this car worth considering if you fancy attending such events.
The GT86’s engine, a 197bhp 2.0-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine, may not initially look that special on paper but this is no slouch. Covering the 0-62mph sprint in 7.7 seconds and utilising an entertainingly fast six-speed manual gearbox as standard, the GT86 enjoys attacking corners.
It lacks in practicality, but those seriously considering buying a sporty coupe like the Toyota GT86 are unlikely to be surprised or bothered by that when the car prioritises fun above all else.
Read our full review of the Toyota GT86
Find prices for the Toyota GT86 Coupe
Mazda MX-5
An icon in the British car market and across the world for the past few decades, the Mazda MX-5 remains an affordable and appealing entry into the sports car segment.
The MX-5’s lightweight chassis makes it about as well suited for taking to the track as it is for wind-in-your-hair summer cruising. Not only is it light, the MX-5 is also small and low-slung, resulting in a nimble drive with minimal body roll. These characteristics can easily inspire drivers to take corners with plenty of gusto while remaining confident they’ll retain full control. All of this is offered at a starting price which comfortably sits under £20,000.
Read our full review of the Mazda MX-5
Find prices for the Mazda MX-5 Convertible
Renaultsport Megane
The cars mentioned earlier in this guide are all priced roughly around £17k to £23k. But if you’re able to spend a little bit extra without breaking the bank, then the Renaultsport Megane is worth a look.
This hot hatch, driven by a 2.0-litre turbo engine and six-speed manual gearbox as standard, the Renaultsport Megane is fast, well equipped and reasonably spacious and comfortable for a track-focused model. Customers can choose to bolster this car’s track day talents even further by picking the car’s optional Cup Chassis package.
Among all the changes it makes, the Cup Chassis stiffens the ride, reduces body roll and increases steering response. With or without the Cup Chassis, the Renaultsport package on the Megane should inspire plenty of confidence when behind the wheel.
