I have been toying with this idea for a couple of months now. Was thinking of buying a purpose car for the job, holding on to it before the new bambino arrives and then settling down
A 2000-2002 Audi s4 would do the job I think? But when you say vary wildly, the negative stuff comes from people who didn't really go there to make a half decent effort behind the wheel though, right?
Do your comments apply to the Nurburgring?
Any road-legal car showing up will do the job. Take a look here at a Skoda Roomster with 5 up on the 'Ring
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=c7rzVYJEmRw&feature=related
I am not advocating either the style of driving (with traction control off apparently) or the language, but it gives an idea of what a public day can be like.
Cars showing up for public sessions "tourist days" at the 'Ring may be subject to inspection and MUST be road-legal (taxed, insured, meet noise regulations, driver with appropriate licence, etc.)
When you say making a "half decent effort behind the wheel", do you mean adopting an enthusiastic driving style? If you do, could I sound a note of caution, as any first-timer on a "tourist day" who makes a "half decent effort behind the wheel" is likely to have their first visit and last visits coincide.
Please take time to read through Ben Lovejoy's excellent web-site for more detailed and expert insight than I can provide into what driving the 'Ring means from the perspective of an experienced 'Ringer.
You can access the site here
http://www.nurburgring.org.uk/
I have no connection, commercial or otherwise, with the site or the "toll road".
I would encourage anyone contemplating a trip to heed his notes of caution and to be extremely careful lapping on the 13 / 14 mile North Circuit (this is not the F1 GP circuit) and avail themselves of all sources of information, some of which are mentioned on the site.