Got me thinking after my track day today. Try as I might I got absolutely mugged by a Radical, Atom breezed past me and even the Caterham's got past me eventually.

Never going to buy one simply because I can't afford it.

I just wondered how much they cost to run? Say if you did 8-10 track days a year.

Caterham's are very cheap on tyres and I'm guessing brakes don't need changing. Not sure I'd like having no roof and no electronic aids though!

Radical's look really expensive to run especially if you go for any type of upgrade. This one for example http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3660991.htm Crazy money.

Caterham's are very cheap on tyres and I'm guessing brakes don't need changing. Not sure I'd like having no roof and no electronic aids though!

To me that sounds like more fun.

You are actually driving it.

I did consider a Superlight 500 after the Nissan, but figured I'd probably kill myself.

What about something bike engined? Doesn't seem "too much" ....

http://www.spiresportscars.co.uk/pricing/gt-r.html

figured I'd probably kill myself.

Another reason why I wouldn't buy it. Or I'd sit there in the pits looking at the vast array of buttons and say "So how the hell do I turn it on?"

Edited 28 May, 201214 yr by Reavenger

With a light enough frame, as above a bike engine will fly.

Found this: http://www.radicalsportscars.com/global/SR3_manual_v2_aug10.pdf

A few choice paragraphs:

If over-revved from 10,500rpm-12,000rpm for more than two seconds, in

any one hour of operation the engine will require stripping for

inspection and repair, at the customer’s cost, prior to any further

running.

Under race

conditions, the engine should run for no more than 40 hours before

being returned to the factory for a rebuild.

The 'Changing Gear' section is also a massive laugh. You'd need to be an F1 driver just to get it going :p

I don't think Caterhams with the right engine are too bad. They're not even that thirsty if you behave.

Atoms and Radicals are very expensive to buy, just look at the ads on the www. Caterhams are more affordable as are the other 7 type cars.  Insurance is cheaper than a road car, tax is about the same, petrol consuption a little better than a car, depending how you drive it of course. One thing I didn't factor into the costs was buying a trailer, you really need one to get the toy to a track or you won't be using it in the colder, wetter months.  I have had tintops on the track in the past but always on the look out for something a little faster, better on the corners etc.  Driving my Westfield is always an occasion whether it be on the road or on the track and I'm not looking for something faster anymore, this car serves me fine. All in all it won't cost you more than a 2nd. tin top car.

Atom wasn't expensive to buy, I know a guy who used to own one.

Also wasn't particularly expensive to run from what I remember him saying.

The engine is from a civic, so it's not as if it's anything exotic.

haha, got to chuckle when you read the life expectancy of certain parts!!