Help me choose my first Seven to save for
Discussion
Hi everyone!
First post in the kit car section.
So, the story goes that I am moving into my first house. I have an unexciting commuter car that I do not want to use for too much fun stuff.
I have road rallied beforehand and also done auto tests. I would like to progress further in a car with good handling characteristics that I can be properly taught in, then take to auto tests and track days.
I've always fancied a Seven style car, and in particular a BEC but this is just not an option for at least another 5 years.
I would now like to look at a used Seven, but am so inexperienced that I need a lot of guidance!
So the criteria is:
1) CHEAP! £5-6k?
2) I don't currently have a garage, so something that is not a garage queen and susceptible to water
3) I want something that I can really learn the cars with. I'm happy with taking things apart, refurbishing or replacing. I want to eventually build one, so want some practice.
4) The car has to have a focus on handling rather than speed. I couldn't care less of the speed!
5) Age isn't a problem, nor is a wide body
6) I'm not fussed on the "Brand Image" If a Robin Hood will do the job in terms of teaching me but a Caterham will look better, the Robin Hood is the one.
I look forward to any advice!
Thanks
Mike
First post in the kit car section.
So, the story goes that I am moving into my first house. I have an unexciting commuter car that I do not want to use for too much fun stuff.
I have road rallied beforehand and also done auto tests. I would like to progress further in a car with good handling characteristics that I can be properly taught in, then take to auto tests and track days.
I've always fancied a Seven style car, and in particular a BEC but this is just not an option for at least another 5 years.
I would now like to look at a used Seven, but am so inexperienced that I need a lot of guidance!
So the criteria is:
1) CHEAP! £5-6k?
2) I don't currently have a garage, so something that is not a garage queen and susceptible to water
3) I want something that I can really learn the cars with. I'm happy with taking things apart, refurbishing or replacing. I want to eventually build one, so want some practice.
4) The car has to have a focus on handling rather than speed. I couldn't care less of the speed!
5) Age isn't a problem, nor is a wide body
6) I'm not fussed on the "Brand Image" If a Robin Hood will do the job in terms of teaching me but a Caterham will look better, the Robin Hood is the one.
I look forward to any advice!
Thanks
Mike
thescamper said:
Your budget might stretch to a BEC but probably not. If I were to choose one 7 it would be a Sylva Striker, can be had in your budget and handle superbly. The fact that you don't need a wide body means that you should fit in one.
Fantastic, thank you for the reply!Not worried about a BEC this early on.
Just been looking at Sylva Strikers, am I right in thinking that they are the same as Raw Striker's?
How complex is fitting a cage and wet weather kits to pre-built Strikers?
mikeday1991 said:
Fantastic, thank you for the reply!
Not worried about a BEC this early on.
Just been looking at Sylva Strikers, am I right in thinking that they are the same as Raw Striker's?
How complex is fitting a cage and wet weather kits to pre-built Strikers?
I can't comment as I didn't have a cage and only ever used a tonneau cover.Not worried about a BEC this early on.
Just been looking at Sylva Strikers, am I right in thinking that they are the same as Raw Striker's?
How complex is fitting a cage and wet weather kits to pre-built Strikers?
I have a car i've not seen before in the workshop - a Quantum Xtreme, in because it's been hit in the back and it's an agreed value based insurance repair. Very nice mouldings,took a hit very well. The car looks good, nice dash setup all stainless spaceframe chassis tub, really quite a nice thing.
Thanks for the replies guys. I'm glad I do have a choice with the budget, I thought I would be forced to one or two models!
Is there a buyers guide type thing for Seven style cars? Otherwise I feel I will have to read a lot of threads on a lot of forums, and I'm just not familiar with all the other forums (although i have signed up for Locost Builders!)
Also, who keeps theirs in a garage and who keeps theirs on the street? Anything I should do if i leave it on the street? (Eg. remove battery or whatever)
Is there a buyers guide type thing for Seven style cars? Otherwise I feel I will have to read a lot of threads on a lot of forums, and I'm just not familiar with all the other forums (although i have signed up for Locost Builders!)
Also, who keeps theirs in a garage and who keeps theirs on the street? Anything I should do if i leave it on the street? (Eg. remove battery or whatever)
Which Kit car mag reviewed just about every thing a while ago not just 7's, personaly wouldn't be happy leaving it on the street too many TWOCA's about unless you are in a very nice area , they would take it and buy/steal a battery if they wanted it, chain to a lamp post might slow them down
Your budget is a good one, for that money you will easily get a good BEC or car engine no problem. Take a look at an MK Indy, Stuart Taylor Loco, GBS Zero, Tiger Racing or a Westfield for a reasonable steer. My neighbour is selling a mint red Westfield at the moment, looks virtually brand new because he has replaced pretty much everything that could be replaced! It has a 2.0 Fiat twin-cam in it and I think he wants £5,500 for it. Not suggesting you buy that one but merely showing you don't have to look at "projects" or sheds in todays climate with £6,000 to spend. Only real suggestion I will make is if you are looking for serious trackwork then some 7's will show up handling traits ( not good ones ) on track that the average owner who drives 100% on the road would probably never notice. I suggest you pick a chassis manufacturer which has raced that model in one way or another, a general rule of thumb to be polite, if you want to track a car regularly and want to take the car to its absolute limits.
mikeday1991 said:
I don't currently have a garage, so something that is not susceptible to water
This looks great value:
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/w...
one eyed mick said:
Which Kit car mag reviewed just about every thing a while ago not just 7's, personaly wouldn't be happy leaving it on the street too many TWOCA's about unless you are in a very nice area , they would take it and buy/steal a battery if they wanted it, chain to a lamp post might slow them down
Don't suppose you know what issue that was?These replies have been excellent!
Going to take some time flicking through the Kit car mags and looking at buying guides.
I do really like the idea of a Striker due to it being pretty minuscule.
Are there any engines fitted to kit cars that should be avoided? (As a general rule, rather than "one that hasn't been looked after" etc)
Going to take some time flicking through the Kit car mags and looking at buying guides.
I do really like the idea of a Striker due to it being pretty minuscule.
Are there any engines fitted to kit cars that should be avoided? (As a general rule, rather than "one that hasn't been looked after" etc)
Meteor said:
Except it's 404. They're revamping their website, so it's gone, gone, gone.Budget looks possible for a half decent bike or car engine car.
As an ex Fury builder/driver I also vote for the Striker (Sylva was the original and then sold to Raw who still produce them), race pedegree, inboard front dampers, renoun nimble chassis, range of engine options (typically fireblade, Zetec or toyota twin cam) and rear end set ups (escort Mk1/2 live or Sierra IRS). There was also a nice toyota twin cam MK Indy in the classifieds that took my fancy. The Indy can also be modded to look like an austin healey (HSR model) if you fancy a change. (Similar to tiger avon with GTA body swap).
If you are not set on the seven shape then the Fury/Phoenix may be worth a look (basically a Striker underneath)and can be found in budget. Bit more protection, better aero/drag and a bit more civilised at higher speed due to the curved screen.
As an ex Fury builder/driver I also vote for the Striker (Sylva was the original and then sold to Raw who still produce them), race pedegree, inboard front dampers, renoun nimble chassis, range of engine options (typically fireblade, Zetec or toyota twin cam) and rear end set ups (escort Mk1/2 live or Sierra IRS). There was also a nice toyota twin cam MK Indy in the classifieds that took my fancy. The Indy can also be modded to look like an austin healey (HSR model) if you fancy a change. (Similar to tiger avon with GTA body swap).
If you are not set on the seven shape then the Fury/Phoenix may be worth a look (basically a Striker underneath)and can be found in budget. Bit more protection, better aero/drag and a bit more civilised at higher speed due to the curved screen.
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