I'm Thinking Of Giving Up On Kit Cars
Discussion
Flintstone said:
Practical = hardtop for winter, pref removeable for summer.
Don't do shoppingso that's not a problem
The GTM's are probably the nearest to my definition of practical that I can find but the asking prices (built) are around £15,000. For that money I can get a really good production sports car, TVR Griffith has my interest (5.0 litre, 350bhp!!!)
Yes, it is definitely a tricky thing. I guess practicality costs development money and kit cars tend to focus on style / performance.
My Fury is probably quite practical for the style of car it is. The hardtop is removable, leaks in two places, but with some work reckon these problems could be sorted.
The power/weight and rwd means that I still wouldn't fancy it on cold winter mornings though.
Maybe the best that is achievable in the kitcar world is something for most but not all of the year?
Not sure if I'm supposed to do this here, but reckon I'm letting the thing go sometime next year, and also reckon it would only be about a third of the figure U mentioned for built up a built up GTM.
Sorry to dig up an old thread but this guys sentiments are identical to mine. I'm also a Banham owner now looking for something different but still practical.
Is there such a thing as a Cobra style car with proper doors/windows/hood. Whats the new Stylus hardtop like? Anything considered and I dont go for performance just comfort and looks (Modern if possible)
Anyone want to buy a Banham X99?
Is there such a thing as a Cobra style car with proper doors/windows/hood. Whats the new Stylus hardtop like? Anything considered and I dont go for performance just comfort and looks (Modern if possible)
Anyone want to buy a Banham X99?
RichardD said:
I guess practicality costs development money and kit cars tend to focus on style / performance.
I certainly agree with your statement.. and what you mean... but have you SEEN some of the attrocities the kitcar industry churns out on an annual basis!?!?
sure there are some good ones (Libra, Fury, Phantom), but there are LOADS of absolutely vomit-inducing creations that turn up all the time!!
Pierscoe1 said:The thing with the Ultima, and I'm sure all of those with one would agree here, is that it does have a massive price advantage over the competition. Looks like the key to success is that you need both something special and cheap!
I think kitcars HAVE to keep their price advantage, otherwise they make no sense as cars (fun of building is a different matter).. either that or they have to be SPECIAL, and I mean really special.. Ultima GTR.
I was speaking to Martin at Ginetta at the weekend, and he was saying pretty much the same thing. He reckons that the company is now much stronger now that he is not trying to persuade people out of a Mondeo into one of his creations for daily driving (although I could still do 10k miles in a G27, just not the 30k that I do in the S2000).
As has been mentioned above, the Phantom (IIRC) is possibly the best bet. I think that this was MR2 Mk2 mechanicals too, so should be a very good daily driver.
The best thing about the industry, is that because all the body is fibreglass, you could build a car like this, and enjoy. If in a years time you feel like a new project you could simply cut the roof out (T350C anyone) without affecting the strenght of the car.
Having said all this, I'm hypocrite in the extreme - I've been thinking about a kit for 12 years now, and the closest I've ever come is buying a fully built race car from one of the manufacturers. I guess I share the sentiments of all of the doubters - Honda S2000, decent stereo, nice interior, good handling, doesn't break down, heater works, aircon works even better. My heart wants to go the kit route, but my head would never let me.
Rich
I saw the "hard-topped" Cobra at Donington.
Picture
(I linked to the picture from Dave's site rather than put it in this post, as it is a BIG pic!)
Totally stunning.
IIRC, it was a DAX De Dion, built and hard-top conversion by Dave Brookes
I remember reading that the hard top "was definately a job for someone with major GRP experience", but the results IMHO is a totally practical car!
Picture
(I linked to the picture from Dave's site rather than put it in this post, as it is a BIG pic!)
Totally stunning.
IIRC, it was a DAX De Dion, built and hard-top conversion by Dave Brookes
I remember reading that the hard top "was definately a job for someone with major GRP experience", but the results IMHO is a totally practical car!
[quote=JonRB]
Check my Chimaera's profile - 28 months of ownership, maintenance £1,621 incl. servicing.
[quote]
Hmm, I reckon my MR2 turbo has cost me a fair chucnk less than that in 3 years of ownership including an engine rebuild, a new clucth and several sets of tyres, so dosen't seem cheap to me!
The guy that I sit next to has an L reg Chimaera, and bought a warranty for it when he bought it a year ago. He's had to use the warranty so much the warranty company are refusing to sell him another years worth!
Check my Chimaera's profile - 28 months of ownership, maintenance £1,621 incl. servicing.
[quote]
Hmm, I reckon my MR2 turbo has cost me a fair chucnk less than that in 3 years of ownership including an engine rebuild, a new clucth and several sets of tyres, so dosen't seem cheap to me!
The guy that I sit next to has an L reg Chimaera, and bought a warranty for it when he bought it a year ago. He's had to use the warranty so much the warranty company are refusing to sell him another years worth!
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