Newbie

[Jetpilot]

A new Hi from a possible "future" owner.

I am in a nice position that i can have a 2nd car/weekend toy, currently filled with a Rx7. Sure that will give you all something to ridicule me for :rofl: Its my fifth one and i love them to be fair, the problem is, they are all too easy to fettle and before you know it, they spend more time being "improved" and not enough time being driven. I have probably done 500 miles in this one in coming up to two years of owning it, all my choice of course, but seriously questioning the need for such improvements if i cant get to drive, so, i need something a bit unique, thats fun, something that catches the eye and the V6 has always been on the hit list and feel if its not something i do soon ish, i never will.

So will start a tentative search and more importantly some research, i hate getting into things i know nothing about and coming from a many Jap background (and bikes) i thought this was the best place to start.

First question really, trackdays will be something i want to do, probably a 50/50 split to be honest. I gather the V6 is not adverse to some track fun but in all seriousness, what is the pace of them like comparable's would be good [smilie=thanks.gif]

 

[couzens]

Theres a video of a V6 vs a Megane 250 floating about somewhere.

That will give you an idea of how quick they can be in the right hands!

Welcome to the forum! :welcome:

 

[Jetpilot]

Theres a video of a V6 vs a Megane 250 floating about somewhere.

That will give you an idea of how quick they can be in the right hands!

Welcome to the forum! :welcome:

I have seen that one, trouble is, i have no idea how quick Meganes are or can be Mostly herald from a Japanese car background [smilie=thanks.gif]

 

[quik99]

Hi and welcome to the forum!

Interesting to hear your history and certainly a different route to take, having come from the Jap world!

The V6 is a very different car altogether. You will find all of the information you need re buying a V6, as well as endless detail on how to maintain/look after them.

Most of the V6's on here will have never seen a track, nor are they likely to. There are a few on here who have tracked their cars and probably loved it, however in my honest opinion they are not really "track cars". If you want something quick, that handles incredibly well then you would be better to spend your money on something more suited to that kind of use. That's not to say you shouldn't buy one and take it on a track though.

The V6 is all about being different, and it will almost certainly blow anything you have owned previously out of the water in terms of the sheer presence they have, which add to the ownership experience.

I like to think of these cars as more of a GT car than anything else.

On the flip side to what i have said, if you intended on buying a slightly older one to fiddle with, then that could be good fun! But otherwise, left in near to standard form is preferable.

Good luck with your search pal.

Nick

 

[Mr Tim]

:welcome:

If performance is your main concern you 'may' be disappointed - depends how fast your RX7 is I guess.

I came from a BMW M Roadster to a Clio V6 and it was noticeably slower...however I prefer driving the V6. It's much more of an event to drive and has a great sense of occasion that you just don't get in other cars. :bow:

 

[quik99]

:welcome:

If performance is your main concern you 'may' be disappointed - depends how fast your RX7 is I guess.

I came from a BMW M Roadster to a Clio V6 and it was noticeably slower...however I prefer driving the V6. It's much more of an event to drive and has a great sense of occasion that you just don't get in other cars. :bow:

Sums it up perfectly!

The V6 is by no means the quickest car i have driven, nor the best handling, yet it is the best car i have driven. Will leave that for you to work out

 

[Jetpilot]

Some great points coming in guys.

Performance isnt the be all and end all, sure there will be quicker cars out there, if i wanted something quick and practical i would just buy an M3, but just way too dull and common for my liking. My current 7 was dyno'd at 453hp at .9 bar, i ran out of fuel so this is one of the reason its off the road, bigger fuel pump to get to 1.1 bar.

The sheer presence point is interesting, you would be very surprised how much attention a Rx7 gets, only proper petrol heads have any clue as to what it is. This however is why the Clio appeals so much, i think they are achingly gorgeous, not in the sports car Rx7 type way, but its a staggering shape.

I really dont mind how quick or not quick it is, so to speak, but i do want something that responds well to spirited driving and is at home being driven on a track. I dont really want to spend time modifying, just enjoying

 

[quik99]

Completely understand where you are coming from. The RX7's are great and certainly very capable cars!

I think the best thing for you would be to go and drive one. As simple as that sounds, its ultimately the only way you will decide. They are VERY good for a spirited drive, really they are. I just wouldn't ever class one as a race/track car. That is all

Where are you from pal? I'm sure us members on here would take you out and give you an idea

 

[Jetpilot]

Completely understand where you are coming from. The RX7's are great and certainly very capable cars!

I think the best thing for you would be to go and drive one. As simple as that sounds, its ultimately the only way you will decide. They are VERY good for a spirited drive, really they are. I just wouldn't ever class one as a race/track car. That is all

Where are you from pal? I'm sure us members on here would take you out and give you an idea

I was just thinking the same, if there are any members around the Dorset/Hampshire area let me know, would be great to get a spin round the block.

I am not looking for a just a track car, i would just buy a Caterham or similar if the track was the priority, i dont want the best of both worlds either but would like a car that is capable on the track, i dont want to be overtaken by all and sundry, i want a car that will hold its own

 

[quik99]

My advice would be to buy a V6 and spend a little money on some decent coilovers! That way you will have a decent, relatively quick car which will handle far better than it will in stock form! Get the suspension right on the Vee and they become far more capable . The questions is.... mk1 or mk2?

I live in West Sussex. There are quite a few members around Hampshire/Dorset way though!

 

[Duncan]

Welcome!

I'm confident if I went out on track in my v6 on an average track day I'd be the slowest if not one of the slowest there, I prob have the biggest smile on my face, but I'd spend the day looking in the mirrors and trying not to hit anything.
But, with a decent driver it could be a different story!

My only proper track day experience was in a Honda s2000. I got overtaken by a 1.7 ford puma, but overtook a supercharged E46 m3. Told me all I needed to know about what was more important between the car or the driver do its really hard to say what would be equal to it.

I've been in an rx7 before i brought my first v6 and enjoyed it, but I brought a clio v6. Sold it and then brought another one!! It will be slower than your 7 and a different experience, but a great one.

Definitely recommend you giving one a go as its sounds like you will love it!

 

[Jetpilot]

The questions is.... mk1 or mk2?

I live in West Sussex. There are quite a few members around Hampshire/Dorset way though!

That is good to know, hopefully i might get someone local posting on this thread

Mk1 or 2, good question, from my brief reading it would seem the mk1 is less complete in the handling stakes but as you say, with a decent set of coilovers and rubber i am sure that difference is addressed to some degree. Does the extra power in the mk2 warrant the extra weight, i know the power isnt massively increased or the weight.

The budget at the moment probably doesnt stretch to the mk2, so will see closer to the time.

The Rx7 market is shocking at the moment, any jdm car to be fair and my car is worth more in bits than i could sell as a whole, shame but true.

Good food for thought though, thanks [smilie=thanks.gif]

 

[ClioSpyder]

From what you're saying, and if it was me I'd be looking at a Phase 1...............less money in it for starters.

You can pick up a very good one for under 10K if you you're lucky.

I'd rather track something with an eye on my budget so allow the upgrades, as suspension/tyres aren't the cheapest, if you want quality stuff.

The Phase 1 is just a great car for the money if you ask me - not much else out there as interesting, eye catching etc etc.

Best of Luck & :welcome:

 

[quik99]

Very interesting.

In your position i would go out and drive a couple to give you an initial idea. Based on your budget you could buy a very goos mk1 for the price of a ropey mk2 ( not that many of either are available atm). Buy a mk1 and use the change to get it into tip top order. Coilovers do dramatically improve the handling. As for power, i wouldnt have said there is anything in it if i am honest. Too minor to notice.

 

[taipan]

Firstly welcome

A clio v6 is not a track car and is not suited to it at all really; heavy, high c of g, poor steering lock, bad driving position, poor weight distribution, twitchy bordering on razor edge handling, unforgiving on the limit. I've not driven an RX7 but owned an RX8 and dynamically that would have eaten the Vee on road and track and the RX8 was arguably a step down from the RX7 in terms of handling!!

However, the above is not to say you can't or couldn't track one I just think you'd find it a slow and frustrating experience! I'd track the RX7 and keep the vee as a road car.

As an ownership experience the Vee is FANTASTIC. Genuinely nothing like it, the noise alone is worth the entrance fee. They're brilliant little motors and short of the really high end hypercars nothing turns heads like them. Get one, you wont regret it :approve:

 

[steveatyork]

I sold my V last year I had a mk1 (it had a mk2 gearbox) and my dad used o have a mk2 nothing in it speed wise not sure if the mk2 gearbox contributed to this or not though.Personally contri to what a lot of people say I prefer the mk1 feels more rawer than the mk2 IMO

 

[V6 2HOT]

Firstly welcome

A clio v6 is not a track car and is not suited to it at all really; heavy, high c of g, poor steering lock, bad driving position, poor weight distribution, twitchy bordering on razor edge handling, unforgiving on the limit. I've not driven an RX7 but owned an RX8 and dynamically that would have eaten the Vee on road and track and the RX8 was arguably a step down from the RX7 in terms of handling!!

However, the above is not to say you can't or couldn't track one I just think you'd find it a slow and frustrating experience! I'd track the RX7 and keep the vee as a road car.

As an ownership experience the Vee is FANTASTIC. Genuinely nothing like it, the noise alone is worth the entrance fee. They're brilliant little motors and short of the really high end hypercars nothing turns heads like them. Get one, you wont regret it :approve:

Its not got the dynamics for a track day car but its not frustrating its great fun on track. Its not quick nor is it slow just somewhere in the middle and on track with that fat arse use it and make it difficult for people to pass! Taipan you need to lose your virginity and do a track day together cos similar to the road experience each lap is an event. The engine howling behind you
as you reach the 7150rpm limiter is something to enjoy from gear to gear.
60 - 150 ph2 gets about at most 2 car lengths on a ph1. Gearbox ratios probably the defining difference. In other words nothing in it.
If you have the money get a ph1 and soon you will understand what 'attention' is :rofl: You will probably never get over how it looks especially when you got to a meet and see other vees in convoy and realise thats what the public see and why it gets so much attention.

 

[taipan]

Will definitely be popping the TD cherry this year but not in the vee! Combination of nerves around someone smashing into it/me smashing it and the fact it's not really fit for purpose at a track machine! I also can't think of a worse car to be in should it e raining on the day!!

 

[Jetpilot]

the RX8 was arguably a step down from the RX7 in terms of handling!!

You may be suprised, the Rx8 and standard Rx7 are very equally matched on a track, they handle superbly, similar hp. similar weight

Maybe i have given the wrong impression. I only really see a trackday as a means of enjoying driving fast or in a spirited fashion in a safe (relative to the road) environment, without the risk of the dreaded points or crashing, more often than not a spin on the track can result in nothing more than some dented pride, rather than dented car!

If i wanted a dedicated track car i would get a Caterham, but i can afford both track and weekend/evening toy. I am only curious as to its track credentials or pace from a point of curiosity.

 

[GTTurbo]

:welcome: