Am I sad for thinking about a Reliant Kitten
Discussion
I currently have 12 years no claims bonus, which I can only use on one car, I am saving up so I can buy another garage so I can run two cars and not have the local scroates trash it in the street. But I will be on zero NCB on the second car so I thought if I buy a cheap run around for local trips ie mum & dad ½ mile away local shops 1 mile a Reliant Kitten would cost peanuts to run & insure and I have the BMW for long trips to karting events to hold all my kit.
I would really like to build a hot rod at some point in my life, something like a 1934 Ford coupe or a 1930/31 Ford Model A and haven’t touched a car seriously since my MK1 Cortinas so I could use the kitten as a project to learn how to work with a fiberglass car and learn wiring, trimming, spraying etc so the Kitten might not even be used much but it would rack up NCB for very little while I am saving up for something like a secondhand Ginnetta G4 or Lotus Elise.
In case you don’t know a Reliant Kitten is the four wheeled version of the Robin Reliant. Front engined rear wheel drive, fiberglass, 45mpg and insurance group 6 (last time I looked), 848cc. You can pick them up for a couple of hundred pounds so if anything went wrong no problems
The other option is another MK 1 Cortina but then I will have problems like rust to deal with. Its only going to be for a few years until I save enough for a proper second/weekend car
ps I understand a 1000cc Honda Fireblade engine would be fun in the Kitten
I would really like to build a hot rod at some point in my life, something like a 1934 Ford coupe or a 1930/31 Ford Model A and haven’t touched a car seriously since my MK1 Cortinas so I could use the kitten as a project to learn how to work with a fiberglass car and learn wiring, trimming, spraying etc so the Kitten might not even be used much but it would rack up NCB for very little while I am saving up for something like a secondhand Ginnetta G4 or Lotus Elise.
In case you don’t know a Reliant Kitten is the four wheeled version of the Robin Reliant. Front engined rear wheel drive, fiberglass, 45mpg and insurance group 6 (last time I looked), 848cc. You can pick them up for a couple of hundred pounds so if anything went wrong no problems
The other option is another MK 1 Cortina but then I will have problems like rust to deal with. Its only going to be for a few years until I save enough for a proper second/weekend car
ps I understand a 1000cc Honda Fireblade engine would be fun in the Kitten
IG6????? Why not get a an Uno or a Panda? IG1....
Okay - there's no GRP to work on, but I'm sure they'll give you plenty of electrics to practice on & since about 1988 they were full-body galvanised. And they'll get 45mpg with your foot to the floor all the way up the M1...
Oh and Unos are brilliant cars for handbrake turning
>> Edited by CarZee (moderator) on Monday 20th January 20:08
Okay - there's no GRP to work on, but I'm sure they'll give you plenty of electrics to practice on & since about 1988 they were full-body galvanised. And they'll get 45mpg with your foot to the floor all the way up the M1...
Oh and Unos are brilliant cars for handbrake turning
>> Edited by CarZee (moderator) on Monday 20th January 20:08
I have always like the shape ever since I saw the V8 version www.beardmorebros.co.uk/website%20pages/reliant_kitten.htm
Cotty, I did exactly the same last weekend: I bought a 2CV to save money on the Landrover. What I'm trying to say: both cars together are cheaper in taxes and insurance, than the Landrover alone (in D).
I paid €670 for the 2CV (including CD-radio) and it costs €140 taxes and €110 insurance per year. This helps me building a second NCB.
Only downside is, treehuggers start greeting me, when I'm driving the 2CV. shitebox that is.
I paid €670 for the 2CV (including CD-radio) and it costs €140 taxes and €110 insurance per year. This helps me building a second NCB.
Only downside is, treehuggers start greeting me, when I'm driving the 2CV. shitebox that is.
In case you don’t know a Reliant Kitten is the four wheeled version of the Robin Reliant. Front engined rear wheel drive, fiberglass,
Come on Cotty if you have to write about the Robin at least get the name right, it is a Reliant Robin not a Robin Reliant!
The Kitten, with some easily sourced modifications makes a very good Production Trials car. You can have a lot of fun for little money.
Bodo said: Cotty, I did exactly the same last weekend: I bought a 2CV to save money on the Landrover. What I'm trying to say: both cars together are cheaper in taxes and insurance, than the Landrover alone (in D).
I paid €670 for the 2CV (including CD-radio) and it costs €140 taxes and €110 insurance per year. This helps me building a second NCB.
Only downside is, treehuggers start greeting me, when I'm driving the 2CV. shitebox that is.
I'll not have a word said against the 2CV!!!!!
I always used to quite like the way 2CV drivers waved, when I had one. Similarly, fellow Moggie, TR, and Scimitar drivers wave. Even on the odd occasion I've seen another Quattro they've flashed their lights.
Generally though, Audi drivers are a miserable bunch nowadays...
Sorry, back to topic....
A friend of mine is involved with the owners club and runs an immaculately restored, bright orange Reliant Kitten.
Its got sod all power but its very simple to maintain and its definitely fun to drive! Costs next to nothing to run and at least its different from the fiesta / corsa / nova brigade...
Cant see that its a bad idea to be honest. I would prefer the Reliant Bobcat, but thats not exactly practical, or easy to insure...
Its got sod all power but its very simple to maintain and its definitely fun to drive! Costs next to nothing to run and at least its different from the fiesta / corsa / nova brigade...
Cant see that its a bad idea to be honest. I would prefer the Reliant Bobcat, but thats not exactly practical, or easy to insure...
incorrigible said: Get a classic, I insured a 2.8i Capri for £140 (2 years ago so may have changed now) and the car only cost £300
You can pretend you're Bodie and/or Doyle too
Yep, classics are great, and cheap to run, until they start going wrong........
So, when you were runnig the Capri did you get yourself a black curly wig?
Oi! Nothing wrong with Capri's - a right giggle and a top motor for the pittence you'll pay for them now..
krispy said: So, when you were runnig the Capri did you get yourself a black curly wig?
but then I don't need the chest wig which might explain my attitude to Capris.. I dunno
I do fancy a 280 Brooklands though...Oh and my dad's after an original XR4i...
>> Edited by CarZee (moderator) on Tuesday 21st January 10:31
CarZee said:Oi! Nothing wrong with Capri's - a right giggle and a top motor for the pittence you'll pay for them now..
krispy said: So, when you were runnig the Capri did you get yourself a black curly wig?
I was actually looking for a Capri as a fun runaround a while back while the TVR was being repaired after a prang and couldn't find one for less than about 1500quid... so I ended up getting a 300quid mini and thrashing it until the engine went bang. Insurance was next to nothing
Something else to consider would be a Fiat 126. They've got a rear mounted air cooled engine with rear wheel drive. 55mpg and group 1 insurance and they are very good fun to drive in their own way.
I've found the only way to get the tail out was to pile into a bend with the clutch down, then let the clutch up quickly so that the engine braking causes the rear to lose grip momentarily. There's just not enough power to get the back to slide
I've found the only way to get the tail out was to pile into a bend with the clutch down, then let the clutch up quickly so that the engine braking causes the rear to lose grip momentarily. There's just not enough power to get the back to slide
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