New kit car wanted. What do I buy ?

New kit car wanted. What do I buy ?

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Discussion

The mask

Original Poster:

7 posts

105 months

Sunday 28th June 2015
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Hi all. I am new to this and giving up bikes after 35 years and always wanted a kit car. I am fortunate to be able to spend around £7000 on a used kit car and like the Tiger and Westfield but don't really know what is good and what isn't. Lots of nice looking cars on eBay and piston heads but don't know good from bad. Can anyone please advise on these two brands and what is a good engine or even an alternative model ? Many, many thanks.

ugg10

681 posts

216 months

Sunday 28th June 2015
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If I had that budget I would be looking at a 4age striker, sweet engine around 150hp that revs and the best chassis of that type of car. But as you are a biker one with an r1 engine may suit better.

A little over budget but may be worth a haggle but got some expensive bits on it, excuse to visit the factory aswell. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Raw-Striker-/13152701111...

Just my opinion.

The mask

Original Poster:

7 posts

105 months

Sunday 28th June 2015
quotequote all
Thanks for the info but this one maybe a bit too extreme as want a car I can go for a run in with the Mrs. She may find this one a bit over the top.

Wacky Racer

38,099 posts

246 months

Sunday 28th June 2015
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How much do you want to spend?

Tiger or Westfield maybe?

The mask

Original Poster:

7 posts

105 months

Monday 29th June 2015
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Hi, willing to spend around £7000 pr maybe a bit more for right one. Like the look of the tiger but wonder if the Westfield may have a bit more room in side and more reliable. Can't afford to make a mistake so got to be the right one. Looking for something in good condition that does not require any or not too much work ! Do you think I am asking for too much ?

ch427

8,857 posts

232 months

Monday 29th June 2015
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The MK Indy is another that seems to be held in high regard.

Fury1630

393 posts

226 months

Monday 29th June 2015
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There's a couple of Furys on sale at the moment - the same highly regarded chassis as the Striker, but with a full body & most importantly (from the Mrs point of view) a curved screen so there's a lot less buffet.

This one has a deflector rather than the full screen
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/k...

And so does this
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/classic_cars.php?ca...

But you get the idea.......

MKnight702

3,096 posts

213 months

Monday 29th June 2015
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Sylva Riot or R1ot are very good cars.

The mask

Original Poster:

7 posts

105 months

Monday 29th June 2015
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Thanks for the info. the fury looks a little dated for me. If anyone has anymore info or advice or hears of anything I maybe interested in I would appreciate it. I am currently looking on piston heads and eBay. Thanks.

ugg10

681 posts

216 months

Monday 29th June 2015
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Here is a couple of alternatives

Quantum extreme, bit more comfortable seven alike, stainless steel monocoque type contruction, this looks well made, looks better in the flesh and well resoected
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Quantum-xtreme-kit-cars-...


Something a bit more modern looking, Should be a hoot with that power, marlin 5exi
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/k...

Not a kit car and cat d but similar ethos, vx220
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/v...

Another one to look out for is the mev rocket, aerial atom style with ford focus mechanics. Here us a oart built if you want a project
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MEV-Road-Track-Race-Rock...


Edited by ugg10 on Monday 29th June 20:00

anonymous-user

53 months

Tuesday 30th June 2015
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I have a caterham, a locost and a Sylva. In truth there is little/nothing in it, it depends on build quality, mine were all built by/for me to a high standard.

Engines wise I have a 450 bhp turbo monster in the Sylva, a 1700 cosworth crossflow and a 4 Age. The Turbo is set up to race it is undrivable on road tyres and need full slicks or race wets, so no use on the road, but on slicks handles with the best Caterhams and Westfields. The Caterham with the Cosworth looks great and period but from a cost, reliability, usability cost position the 4 age is great, looks good and you can get reasonable power economically. Do not assume the most powerful s the best, look at what you intend to use the car for.

In the end look at build quality and components not a particular chassis.

Never had or driven a bike engine car not something I'm interested in in anyway, but if they interest you then that doesn't invalidate the advice to look at build quality.

finishing touch

808 posts

166 months

Tuesday 30th June 2015
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You just talk of buying, and not building, so get yourself (and the wife) a Caterham.

My son bought an academy car, 1600 Vx, bit tatty, £8k.

Wheels & roll bar had been brush painted orange. Errluck.

Needed tyres so new wheels & rubber, rubbed down & sprayed roll bar, and sprayed front edge of nose to cover stone chips.

The odd bit of TLC and ran it for a year, then sold it on for £10.5k

Don't think of the cost. Buying a Caterham is like putting money in the bank.


BTW, if taking the wife out a windscreens a must.


Paul G

p.s.
Wouldn't have one myself as I'm a BFB and don't fit.

The mask

Original Poster:

7 posts

105 months

Tuesday 30th June 2015
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Thanks for the info guys. I am looking at Westfield or tiger. I do have my eye on a dax with a 3.5 rover v8 motor in it. I know I don't need a 3.5 motor but the car looks nice. Problem I am finding with the caterham is they are a bit more than budget. I know you get what you pay for but think you can go over the top and don't want to spend a fortune on my first car. I am hopeing to get something good for around £7000. A wide body car would be better as I am 5'11 and not getting any slimmer in my older years at 50. Thanks for your help again.

The mask

Original Poster:

7 posts

105 months

Tuesday 30th June 2015
quotequote all
Thanks for the info guys. I am looking at Westfield or tiger. I do have my eye on a dax with a 3.5 rover v8 motor in it. I know I don't need a 3.5 motor but the car looks nice. Problem I am finding with the caterham is they are a bit more than budget. I know you get what you pay for but think you can go over the top and don't want to spend a fortune on my first car. I am hopeing to get something good for around £7000. A wide body car would be better as I am 5'11 and not getting any slimmer in my older years at 50. Thanks for your help again.

dai1983

2,902 posts

148 months

Saturday 4th July 2015
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http://www.sylva.co.uk/faqs-2/

I imagine you could build one for £7k if you didn't go too mental on upgrades?

annodomini2

6,860 posts

250 months

Monday 6th July 2015
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dai1983 said:
http://www.sylva.co.uk/faqs-2/

I imagine you could build one for £7k if you didn't go too mental on upgrades?
Personally would build J15 over the Spectre.

rm0rgan

46 posts

164 months

Monday 6th July 2015
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ugg10 said:
If I had that budget I would be looking at a 4age striker, sweet engine around 150hp that revs and the best chassis of that type of car. But as you are a biker one with an r1 engine may suit better.

A little over budget but may be worth a haggle but got some expensive bits on it, excuse to visit the factory aswell. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Raw-Striker-/13152701111...

Just my opinion.
That's mine! Waiting for it to be registered so I can pick it up, hopefully next week - immense spec and goes like a stabbed rat. :-)

I've had a Fury blade in the past and loved that car but when I started looking again I couldn't find one for sale as I'd have another in a flash - the more enclosed cockpit and looks aren't everyone's taste but it's surprising how much less exposure you have to the elements even with only a half windscreen - personally I think they are one of the nicest looking cars out there.



7 style cars are much more 'raw' to drive but there is that something about seeing your front wheels as you drive :-)


Edited by rm0rgan on Tuesday 7th July 09:04

smash

2,062 posts

227 months

Tuesday 21st July 2015
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Tiger 6s are second only to Robin Hoods in terms of weight (carrying too much) also have quite a unique 'love it or hate it' look in terms of nose, bonnet bulges and sloping shouldered rear arches.

Nice MK Indy here http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/k... with 'only' 199bhp (eek!) - should be freekin' ballistic!! Arse looks a bit up in the air but should be adjustable.

Was advertised for 6,900 in 2009 when current owner bought it so go in with a bid.

Edited by smash on Tuesday 21st July 09:29

FuryCossieSteve

426 posts

118 months

Tuesday 21st July 2015
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You know what they say, 'opinions are like arse***es, everyone has one and they all stink!'

Every car is different, it all depends how they were built, by whom and to what standard. A poorly built Caterham is just that, a properly built Tiger, the same!

Caterhams are overpriced and generally not in your budget, a Westfield may be but they are not cheap either. Is a Caterham worth 4 times the price of a Tiger (or other lower budget 7)?? Personally I think not, it will not give you 4 times the fun that is for sure!!!!!!! My Tiger is worth nowhere near what you are planning to spend and I love it to bits!!



It's not as quick as most of the Westies I see but it consistently gets more admirers milling around it at any meet we attend!!

I also have a Fury, the Fury is one of the nicest looking cars you will find... IF you see it in the flesh, the two you looked at via links here were not that nice, green.. yuk! Also not 'common' as sevens, there are thousands of them around!!

Find a nice one (car or bike engined.. go for a Busa if you can!!) like this.....



or this......



and you and the Mrs will be happy bunnies. More civilsed in the cabin (for wifey) than a 7 style car too.

Most importantly of all, make sure you SIT IN THEM, some are tight on room hip-wise and leg length. I am 6 feet tall and 16.5 stones and fit in the Tiger and the Fury no probs, though the Tiger is tight, but needs to be or you will slide about round corners!! Plenty of room in the Fury and with a Caterham seat 'I ain't going nowhere!!' cool

indy sean

11 posts

190 months

Wednesday 22nd July 2015
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This is now up for sale its a mk indy with 2ltr blacktop zetec, just finished the rebuild all new body work looks like new,lots of carbon fibre

just been dyno tuned today 150+ bhp

message me if interested
sean