Tiger kit car - can't decide!
Discussion
Hello to everyone on my 1st post here!!
I recently had my 'normal' car stolen, so as I have transport with a work van, I have been thinking about buying a 'toy' !! Ended up looking at Tiger kit cars (as I can't justify blowing everything on a Caterham!!). Part of the reason for this choice, is that I live fairly close to the Tiger factory/garage in Wisbech.
I am currently contemplating a S/H 'Super 6' for around £6k, but can't make up my mind whether to go for it!
I like the thought of doing track days (but haven't done one yet, but love go-karting!!) and also for road use.
Also, thinking about the safety element of kit cars (e.g.; some idiot driving into me on a track day??) and also the lack of weather protection.
What about about alternatives like VX220 or Lotus Elise etc?
Or.......just get an Audi TT as a 'normal' car just for road use!
Any input would be appreciated.
Cheers
Mark
I recently had my 'normal' car stolen, so as I have transport with a work van, I have been thinking about buying a 'toy' !! Ended up looking at Tiger kit cars (as I can't justify blowing everything on a Caterham!!). Part of the reason for this choice, is that I live fairly close to the Tiger factory/garage in Wisbech.
I am currently contemplating a S/H 'Super 6' for around £6k, but can't make up my mind whether to go for it!
I like the thought of doing track days (but haven't done one yet, but love go-karting!!) and also for road use.
Also, thinking about the safety element of kit cars (e.g.; some idiot driving into me on a track day??) and also the lack of weather protection.
What about about alternatives like VX220 or Lotus Elise etc?
Or.......just get an Audi TT as a 'normal' car just for road use!
Any input would be appreciated.
Cheers
Mark
Safety, you can fit a full cage with side protection
Wet rather gear is available but you would need a screen
Others use helmet and motorcycle clothing
They are huge fun however very much a toy for the better weather, not much fun in the wet
Insurance is nothing compared with other fast cars, most pay £120 to £180
100bhp is fun
150bhp is more fun
200bhp is extremely quick
300+ bhp is frankly suicidal
Wet rather gear is available but you would need a screen
Others use helmet and motorcycle clothing
They are huge fun however very much a toy for the better weather, not much fun in the wet
Insurance is nothing compared with other fast cars, most pay £120 to £180
100bhp is fun
150bhp is more fun
200bhp is extremely quick
300+ bhp is frankly suicidal
Thanks for your reply Paul,
The one I'm looking at has a full screen with the side wind deflector 'add-ons'. I'm just thinking a full roll cage will be a bit overkill for the road use!?
Will prob be used 80% road - 20% track - unless the track thing gets addictive!!!
I need to speak to this car's owner about details, but does the 'wet weather' gear normally mean it can be driven with it on (in a sudden downpour) or is it just for stationary use??
Also, is this type of car the sort of thing that's going to be constant outlays for maintenance/repairs/upgrades? (& tyres on track days!!)
Just been having a look (online) again at Elise/VX220 again!! This is hard!!
Cheers again for the input.
Mark
The one I'm looking at has a full screen with the side wind deflector 'add-ons'. I'm just thinking a full roll cage will be a bit overkill for the road use!?
Will prob be used 80% road - 20% track - unless the track thing gets addictive!!!
I need to speak to this car's owner about details, but does the 'wet weather' gear normally mean it can be driven with it on (in a sudden downpour) or is it just for stationary use??
Also, is this type of car the sort of thing that's going to be constant outlays for maintenance/repairs/upgrades? (& tyres on track days!!)
Just been having a look (online) again at Elise/VX220 again!! This is hard!!
Cheers again for the input.
Mark
quick devils advocate......
they arent just summer cars - they are there to be used as much as an owner wants to.....
weather gear IMHO is more of a pain than just wearing a decent jacket and popping on a helmet ( which i dont normally do).....anything below 50mph even without a screen shouldnt be a problem unless its a hailstorm.....as long as you're moving the only thing that gets wet is your right arm if uyou have no side screens/doors......
driving experience - borrowed an elise for a week when mine was off teh road - chalk and cheese, the elise just couldnt keep up and wasn't as much fun to drive, as for being more practical- yep a tiny bit more storage, but not much more.
many kit owners rack up 5-1ok a year on 'fun driving' each year, so they are indeed useable.
maintaining, no different to any other car, infact looking at it sensibly less cost, cos they're light you can get 8-10k miles out of a set of Toyo r1rs which would prob last half as long on a tin top....
insurance is a pittance- a 40 year old with 6k car in a garage prob averages £140/150 tops.....
Tiger s6, not a bad basis for a car - all kits are the same, as good as the guy that built it or the guy that refurbed it - no 2 are likely to ever be teh same. Kit's it could be argued are a better bet buying wise if they've been used....ie/ i'd feel more comfortable buying one that has done more than 500 miles a year, i'd like to know that the owner actually took it on decent run outs, used it on track occasionally and that thething still works. No flaws will be likely to show up on a car that has been to the MOT station and back each year.
even better if you get to buy from teh builder or seller has complete dossier of the build.
beware spurious power claims unless backed by a recent dyno plot....anything between 150-200bhp will be fun and on track won't be disgraced...
few tips n thoughts here..... http://southernkitcars.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=4...
they arent just summer cars - they are there to be used as much as an owner wants to.....
weather gear IMHO is more of a pain than just wearing a decent jacket and popping on a helmet ( which i dont normally do).....anything below 50mph even without a screen shouldnt be a problem unless its a hailstorm.....as long as you're moving the only thing that gets wet is your right arm if uyou have no side screens/doors......
driving experience - borrowed an elise for a week when mine was off teh road - chalk and cheese, the elise just couldnt keep up and wasn't as much fun to drive, as for being more practical- yep a tiny bit more storage, but not much more.
many kit owners rack up 5-1ok a year on 'fun driving' each year, so they are indeed useable.
maintaining, no different to any other car, infact looking at it sensibly less cost, cos they're light you can get 8-10k miles out of a set of Toyo r1rs which would prob last half as long on a tin top....
insurance is a pittance- a 40 year old with 6k car in a garage prob averages £140/150 tops.....
Tiger s6, not a bad basis for a car - all kits are the same, as good as the guy that built it or the guy that refurbed it - no 2 are likely to ever be teh same. Kit's it could be argued are a better bet buying wise if they've been used....ie/ i'd feel more comfortable buying one that has done more than 500 miles a year, i'd like to know that the owner actually took it on decent run outs, used it on track occasionally and that thething still works. No flaws will be likely to show up on a car that has been to the MOT station and back each year.
even better if you get to buy from teh builder or seller has complete dossier of the build.
beware spurious power claims unless backed by a recent dyno plot....anything between 150-200bhp will be fun and on track won't be disgraced...
few tips n thoughts here..... http://southernkitcars.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=4...
I have just got one, had if for about 4 week now. I really enjoy it and find it supprisingley easy to drive and reasonabley comfortable although being 5"8 I'm not the tallest!
They really are not a weekend car more of a toy to be used on dry days, the few that we have. Saying that I did drive it about 60 miles in the weekend in the rain and did not get too wet.
Mine has a 2ltr Pinto engine and ford running gear and was a factory build so was reasonabley well done.
I would recomend trying one before, if your around the south west area let me know and I can give you a rode to see what you think.
Only fair to put a couple of pics of mine.
They really are not a weekend car more of a toy to be used on dry days, the few that we have. Saying that I did drive it about 60 miles in the weekend in the rain and did not get too wet.
Mine has a 2ltr Pinto engine and ford running gear and was a factory build so was reasonabley well done.
I would recomend trying one before, if your around the south west area let me know and I can give you a rode to see what you think.
Only fair to put a couple of pics of mine.
PaulKemp said:
Safety, you can fit a full cage with side protection
Wet rather gear is available but you would need a screen
Others use helmet and motorcycle clothing
They are huge fun however very much a toy for the better weather, not much fun in the wet
Insurance is nothing compared with other fast cars, most pay £120 to £180
100bhp is fun
150bhp is more fun
200bhp is extremely quick
300+ bhp is frankly suicidal
Not sure I quite agree with the last bit, 340BHP is fine in a small car as long as the way the power is produced is linear rather than all at once (like a big turbo).Wet rather gear is available but you would need a screen
Others use helmet and motorcycle clothing
They are huge fun however very much a toy for the better weather, not much fun in the wet
Insurance is nothing compared with other fast cars, most pay £120 to £180
100bhp is fun
150bhp is more fun
200bhp is extremely quick
300+ bhp is frankly suicidal
Thank-you all again for the input.
I was talking myself out of it, but after hearing your positive comments I'm back on track!!
Due to the bad weather here today, I've delayed the test drive until tomorrow!
I do have a motorcycle jacket I can wear in the cold/wet (not leather!)
I am about 5'11 + average build, so I'm not small, but hopefully not too big!
What's the score with spare wheels? It seems some have one attached at the rear & some don't?
Cheers again
I was talking myself out of it, but after hearing your positive comments I'm back on track!!
Due to the bad weather here today, I've delayed the test drive until tomorrow!
I do have a motorcycle jacket I can wear in the cold/wet (not leather!)
I am about 5'11 + average build, so I'm not small, but hopefully not too big!
What's the score with spare wheels? It seems some have one attached at the rear & some don't?
Cheers again
MarkyP72 said:
Thank-you all again for the input.
I was talking myself out of it, but after hearing your positive comments I'm back on track!!
Due to the bad weather here today, I've delayed the test drive until tomorrow!
I do have a motorcycle jacket I can wear in the cold/wet (not leather!)
I am about 5'11 + average build, so I'm not small, but hopefully not too big!
What's the score with spare wheels? It seems some have one attached at the rear & some don't?
Cheers again
I Have not driven one but its imminent . What are you looking at? what is the spec.I am keen to see how you get on as it might spur my on to take a look a bit more seriously.I was talking myself out of it, but after hearing your positive comments I'm back on track!!
Due to the bad weather here today, I've delayed the test drive until tomorrow!
I do have a motorcycle jacket I can wear in the cold/wet (not leather!)
I am about 5'11 + average build, so I'm not small, but hopefully not too big!
What's the score with spare wheels? It seems some have one attached at the rear & some don't?
Cheers again
MarkyP72 said:
Thank-you all again for the input.
I was talking myself out of it, but after hearing your positive comments I'm back on track!!
Due to the bad weather here today, I've delayed the test drive until tomorrow!
I do have a motorcycle jacket I can wear in the cold/wet (not leather!)
I am about 5'11 + average build, so I'm not small, but hopefully not too big!
What's the score with spare wheels? It seems some have one attached at the rear & some don't?
Cheers again
I have driven an aeroscreened kitcar to Monte Carlo and back 3 times via the alps, sometimes 16 of us together , and not one of us has EVER needed a spare tyre due to a puncture. Just carry a can of foam to get you off a mountain! I would not bother with a spare wheel, just an extra 12kg you don't need slowing you down!I was talking myself out of it, but after hearing your positive comments I'm back on track!!
Due to the bad weather here today, I've delayed the test drive until tomorrow!
I do have a motorcycle jacket I can wear in the cold/wet (not leather!)
I am about 5'11 + average build, so I'm not small, but hopefully not too big!
What's the score with spare wheels? It seems some have one attached at the rear & some don't?
Cheers again
Thanks again,
I'm not planning on using it everyday as I will use a work van, so this will hopefully keep it interesting!
Thanks for advice on spare wheel. I suppose then, that it's noticeable when carrying a passenger!! (weight wise!)
Another question:
Is a roll cage something that can be put on for track days, then take off for road, or is too much hassle or welded maybe?
Cheers again.
I'm not planning on using it everyday as I will use a work van, so this will hopefully keep it interesting!
Thanks for advice on spare wheel. I suppose then, that it's noticeable when carrying a passenger!! (weight wise!)
Another question:
Is a roll cage something that can be put on for track days, then take off for road, or is too much hassle or welded maybe?
Cheers again.
Gassing Station | Kit Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff