Westfield v8 v TVR

[slippery]

Before taking the plunge with the TVR, did any of you own or consider the Westfield Seight? I know it won't win any beauty contests, but it certainly shares the V8 soundtrack, goes even harder and can be bought for the same kind of money. Some may even say there is less to go wrong. I'd just be interested in the opinions of those in the know before I spend my hard earnt cash, which is almost certainly being pumped into a Chim! I know you lot are biased, but I thought I'd ask the question! There is also the Marcos V8 of course, not to mention V8 Ginettas. What do ya reckon?!!

[Zippee]

I did seriously consider a Westie, spent about 3 hours chatting to the peeps on the Westfield stand at the 2004 motorshow. Love the drive and the sheer fun factor but 3 things pu me off - lack of decent weather protection, practicality (the boot on the TVR is cavernous) and overall comfort. The westie was comfortable but was a bit tiring after a while. The Chim is a superb GT style car. If it was for a summer fun car though a V8 Westie would be very high on my list

[Bob the Planner]

slippery said:

Before taking the plunge with the TVR, did any of you own or consider the Westfield Seight? I know it won't win any beauty contests, but it certainly shares the V8 soundtrack, goes even harder and can be bought for the same kind of money. Some may even say there is less to go wrong. I'd just be interested in the opinions of those in the know before I spend my hard earnt cash, which is almost certainly being pumped into a Chim! I know you lot are biased, but I thought I'd ask the question! There is also the Marcos V8 of course, not to mention V8 Ginettas. What do ya reckon?!!

TBH the Marcos and TVR are probably close market rivals with the Ginetta in a slightly more niche area. The Westie is a lot more hard core with no boot space, stifer handling and more or a short distance/track beastie than the tiv. I have done trips from York to PotB on Hayling in a day using the Chim which was maybe excessive but not uncomfortable. I would not even consider it in something as hardcore as a caterfield - different sort of car altogether really. Saying that there are a number of people who travel to Le Man in a Caterfield so it can't be that bad (I wouldn't want to do it from the north though). Sort of depends on what sort of driving you want to do and how much discomfort your willing to put up with and what you want to use the car for.

Not much help really but then again you didn't say why you were thinking of ownig each.

[slippery]

I drive 50,000 miles a year in a 3 box saloon and just want something fun, fast and loud without all the nannying 'driver aids', that seem to prevail in even most of the so called sports cars of today. It would be a second car. Practicality doesn't matter too much, especially with a Westfield as Mrs Slippery has already declared she would not be seen dead in one so luggage for one could go on the passenger seat!!!

[Sporting Bear]

Just lost everything I typed

Have a look at My Profile I've owned two brand new SEiGHTs and two "pre-owned" TVRs

PM me and I'll give you my phone number - I fed up with these bl**dy expensive typewriters

[Bob the Planner]

[quote=slippery]I drive 50,000 miles a year in a 3 box saloon and just want something fun, fast and loud without all the nannying 'driver aids', that seem to prevail in even most of the so called sports cars of today. It would be a second car. Practicality doesn't matter too much, especially with a Westfield as Mrs Slippery has already declared she would not be seen dead in one so luggage for one could go on the passenger seat!!! [/quoted]
For outright hoonability I think the Westie has the edge however you may persuade the misses into the softer and almost as quick Tiv.

[grumpy bear]

I moved to a TVR S from a Westfield. Admittedley mine was a little extreme as an ex Speed Series hill climb and sprint car without heater, roof, windscreen or sidescreens (hence the change to TVR)

The Seight is heavy and non typical of the Westfield. The soundtrack doesnt ever seem to be as good, trust me I still meet regularly with kit car owners and there are a number of V8's and they are all quite muted.

If you are considering a Westie, the newer Duratec or Vauxall engined cars sound good (but different) with the right cam can be encouraged to spit and bang on the overrun and will compete favourably in the pace stakes up to 100 with just about anything. Past 100 and the shape and big flat windscreen slows them down. IMHO they are great fun (I still miss mine occasionally) crazy fast and very agile and it is the agility that you will lose with the Sieght over others.

[Sparky69]

I had a westfield sei with a vauxhall 16v. It was fantastic fun very agile which is the main dif. in the end for me i got fed up with getting caught in the rain with no rain gear! for instance i would have been majorly depressed this year with the weather if i had a westie where as the cerb has been out every week inc winter. I never felt a v8 was comfy in the westie its a small agile car it needs a revy engine IMHO.

[SimonV8ster]

I currently own a Ginetta G33 with a JE Engineering 4.5 lump in it and a Chim 500. I have had the G33 for a couple of years now and love the noise and speed I can get out of it. Being about 20% lighter than the Chim it feels more agile and frantic than the Chim, done a couple of track days in it which were great.

The Chim is better built and feels more 'weighty' still with a glorious soundtrack. Just got back from a 3000 mile road trip around Europe and it didn't miss a beat.

Depends what it going to be used for mostly I guess and whether its going to be an only car/second car/track day car.

Whatever the choice its going to be fun !!

[Fume Troll]

If I was going to get a Westfield, I'd get an Ariel atom. (you know what I mean!). If you're going impractical, you might as well really go for it.

TVRs are a different kettle of fish all together, more GT than stripped down racer.

Cheers,

FT.