Time for a Kit car...

[L9wul]

Having used ph a few times for advice etc regarding purchases I am kind of after some more information and advice about kit cars.

We at present have a boxster S and a Mini Cooper S which have both been good, fun track cars but the time has come to move on to a new challenge/experience.

We intend to keep the Boxster as it's in great condition and is enjoyable on the road. We have a budget of up to £10k for a kit car and have been looking at MK Indy, Toniq R and westfields amongst others. I really like the idea of a bike engine as I've come across many people on track days running BEC's and they seem to be having a scream. Although we are not discounting car engines by any stretch but my naivety suggests that a BEC will potentially be more fun on a track? (I may be way off the mark here?)..

So has anyone any experience of these which may help in the decision? I imagine that the quality of the build is key, and then after that it is probably individual choice? I may add aswell that me and my brother are 6ft and 15 st so if this restricts us in choice then please tell me. We realised in a recent caterham drive that an SV would be required. We felt having tested the caterham that, with the use being predominantly track then we would be daft to pay £20K+ for one when all sorts of gear can be had for half the price and less.

And genuinely thanks to all who contribute and reply, your help/advice is much appreciated.

Thanks again.

[L9wul]

Steffan said:

Why not go to the Donington National Kit Car show in Castle Donington in Leciestershire this weekend on the 30th and 31st August and see what there is about? No doubt there will significant number of suitable kit cars to examine. There will be literally hundreds there and many manufacturers offerring thier latest models.

There are always kit cars about at these shows which are up for sale. I do not think you will get a better chance to look at the range of kits and have this many to virpew and consder prices thereof this side of next year. I would expect you to find a decent car well within your budget. I have been building, driving and above all, enjoying, kit cars since my first Lotus Super Seven build in 1963 and I still build several a year. Given me a huge amount of fun and I have learned an awful lot about kit cars. Still learning every day even now! Best of luck to you in your choice.

There is an experience gained when driving a really well set up car on a track that has been specifically designed for track use which cannot be reached in any ther way. The communication between the driver and car becomes two way and it is not possible to achieve the same level of contact between man and machine in my experience in any other way. Good road cars necessarily allow for greater suspension give and particularly much less direct feel and even the best road car isn't the same as a purpose built car designed for track use. Such cars would be hard work on every road because the lack of give in the suspension and hard bushes used are suitable for track use only and are quite unsuited to road use. That is an experience that I think every car enthusiast should experience.

Thanks for the info there, I may try and get to donnington this weekend if time allows. In your experience, how different is a BEC to a normal car engined variant - I realise that this is dependant on size, power, torque etc but I'm interested to know how the shorter gearing, higher revving engines of bikes suit lighter cars and if they are notably worse/better. Our track use is mainly around cadwell/blyton and in frequent trips to donnington and croft. You'll have to excuse my naivety in kit cars and my intention is to get as much info from here and other sources prior to taking the plunge so all advice is genuinely appreciated so thanks.

[L9wul]

PaulKemp said:

There is much more experience of these on Locostbuilders not that I am decrying any advice given on here just that particularly for the MK they have most experience, Tonique is a new car relatively so not much to reference and the Westfield has its own forum, prices tend to be a bit more due to the higher base build price
IMHO the MK Indy has more BEC provenance

Thanks for the info - I will look into locostbuilders. Thanks again.

[L9wul]

I would just like to say a big thanks to all contributors, it is great and relevant information from all which I shall read again and digest fully prior to making the decision on the purchase.

Thanks again.

[L9wul]

Thanks again for all the comments/videos etc. it's a great help, and jubal, it looks like you were having some fun that day!! And that video alone has made me want a BEC more! Unfortunately never had chance to go to donnington this weekend, but I think my search is now on for a new toy....