Best Caterham\westfield forum
Discussion
I'm thinking about buying a Caterham or Westfield. I would consider something similar.
Is there a good forum focussed on this type of car.
It's been ages since I sat in something like this and I'm not sure if I fit into all models 6'2" tall and quite wide.
I've got in my head that I don't want a bike engined car but this could be completely unfounded.
My budget of 8k will likely put me towards the bottom end of the market. I've also got in my head that I would rather not have a Q plate. Again this is likely to be rubbish
Is there a forum focussed on this?
Is there a good forum focussed on this type of car.
It's been ages since I sat in something like this and I'm not sure if I fit into all models 6'2" tall and quite wide.
I've got in my head that I don't want a bike engined car but this could be completely unfounded.
My budget of 8k will likely put me towards the bottom end of the market. I've also got in my head that I would rather not have a Q plate. Again this is likely to be rubbish
Is there a forum focussed on this?
Here is pretty good :
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/forum.asp?h=0&a...
http://forum.wscc.co.uk/forum/
Doubt you will get a Caterham for £8k though. Thats early cars which you maight find a tad tight for space.
The ideal for you I would say is an SV, but they are 10k plus I think....
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/forum.asp?h=0&a...
http://forum.wscc.co.uk/forum/
Doubt you will get a Caterham for £8k though. Thats early cars which you maight find a tad tight for space.
The ideal for you I would say is an SV, but they are 10k plus I think....
It looks like a total minefield.
I'm not massively mechanically minded most of the the Ads seem focussed at people who have had one before or are in that world.
The spread of prices is also insane! I'm assuming it's largely based on how well they are built (which I would find hard to judge) as trying to compare year to year or spec to spec is largely useless.
I'm not massively mechanically minded most of the the Ads seem focussed at people who have had one before or are in that world.
The spread of prices is also insane! I'm assuming it's largely based on how well they are built (which I would find hard to judge) as trying to compare year to year or spec to spec is largely useless.
bigweb said:
It's been ages since I sat in something like this and I'm not sure if I fit into all models 6'2" tall and quite wide.
Depending on how much of that is leg length the height isn't a big issue but the wideness is. I am 6'2" (95kg but relatively fit) and fit like a glove in an normal Caterham, even a couple more kilos and' you'd want an SV I suspect.scubadude said:
Depending on how much of that is leg length the height isn't a big issue but the wideness is. I am 6'2" (95kg but relatively fit) and fit like a glove in an normal Caterham, even a couple more kilos and' you'd want an SV I suspect.
I'm also around 95kgs and sounds like a reasonably similar build so that's promising. I assumed I would have to look at an SV type car.I will register on Locost now...
Turn7 said:
7 hierachy goes sometyhing like this:
as kits, they arent about the badge, its how well its been built and with what components.
This, defiantly this.as kits, they arent about the badge, its how well its been built and with what components.
i would also say that, and its open to discussion, that there are better 7s than the Chaterham! but do appreciate that they have the rights to the original and have been around a long time so a certain amount of credence will go with that regardless
as for better than Chaterham, well if have seen some very nice Frasers, Birkins, PRBs. The Westfield FW400 is also interesting, other odd balls to consider would be Elfin and Donkervort.
Some really cheap ones out there you are ok with a Pinto engine. (They obviously must be undesirable)
£4k seems to put you into something built and serviceable
£7k for a Vauxhall red top
£8k for a Zetec
Etc
All I want is something I can take out on a Sunday without a helmet on Razz around in and maybe do a couple of track days a year.
I think I need to go and look at a few examples
£4k seems to put you into something built and serviceable
£7k for a Vauxhall red top
£8k for a Zetec
Etc
All I want is something I can take out on a Sunday without a helmet on Razz around in and maybe do a couple of track days a year.
I think I need to go and look at a few examples
Hmmm £8k...
I'd say forget about a Caterham and don't get fixated on a Westfield.
There are some decent alternatives out there but also some to avoid. With your budget something with a 2ltr Zetec is achievable and that's what I'd strive for, not the 1.8 and nothing 8 valve. If you're lucky/plucky you might also bag something with throttle bodies rather than carbs which would be a major bonus and save you a considerable wad in a likely future upgrade.
I'd be looking out for Westfields (doable but most likely on carbs), MNR Vortx, MK Indy, Fury, Striker/Phoenix (might be a tight squeeze). Scrutinise the build quality as every car will be different, be wary of the life left in donor parts and look out for poor electrical installations as these can be a real pain to sort out. There lots of kits I've excluded from that list, some are personal preference and some I'd advise anyone to avoid but I won't go into slagging match on that front :P
The market prices tend to vary wildly and there's a lot of people mis-valuing their cars trying to claw back some of the build costs. The true value of a car is derived from it's base (brand, chassis etc.), choice of powertrain, parts spec and build quality. Generally a car priced on the money will sell very quickly so for anything that's been for sale for a fortnight or more take the price with a pinch of salt.
Sites to look out for cars on sale: eBay, Pistonheads, Locostbuilders, WSCC forum, Car and Classic, Facebook pages of manufacturers and owners groups.
I'd say forget about a Caterham and don't get fixated on a Westfield.
There are some decent alternatives out there but also some to avoid. With your budget something with a 2ltr Zetec is achievable and that's what I'd strive for, not the 1.8 and nothing 8 valve. If you're lucky/plucky you might also bag something with throttle bodies rather than carbs which would be a major bonus and save you a considerable wad in a likely future upgrade.
I'd be looking out for Westfields (doable but most likely on carbs), MNR Vortx, MK Indy, Fury, Striker/Phoenix (might be a tight squeeze). Scrutinise the build quality as every car will be different, be wary of the life left in donor parts and look out for poor electrical installations as these can be a real pain to sort out. There lots of kits I've excluded from that list, some are personal preference and some I'd advise anyone to avoid but I won't go into slagging match on that front :P
The market prices tend to vary wildly and there's a lot of people mis-valuing their cars trying to claw back some of the build costs. The true value of a car is derived from it's base (brand, chassis etc.), choice of powertrain, parts spec and build quality. Generally a car priced on the money will sell very quickly so for anything that's been for sale for a fortnight or more take the price with a pinch of salt.
Sites to look out for cars on sale: eBay, Pistonheads, Locostbuilders, WSCC forum, Car and Classic, Facebook pages of manufacturers and owners groups.
I will have a newely refurbished mk indy with a 2ltr zetec black top for sale soon,
just been fully rebuilt and looks brand new loads of carbon fibre ie front wings rear wings dashboard,centre tunnel,aero screen,and a full roll cage road legal and registered car,
all brand new body work in golden yellow,
if interested email me on seanindy@hotmail.co.uk and I can send full spec,
etc
thanks
sean
just been fully rebuilt and looks brand new loads of carbon fibre ie front wings rear wings dashboard,centre tunnel,aero screen,and a full roll cage road legal and registered car,
all brand new body work in golden yellow,
if interested email me on seanindy@hotmail.co.uk and I can send full spec,
etc
thanks
sean
I had a Raw Striker with a Zetec on throttle bodies and would wholeheartedly recommend the 7-type experience.
However if using it on the road in UK, at 6'2", make sure you can get in and drive it with the hood on.
I'm 6'0" and fine in my Striker without the roof (i.e. 99% of the time).
If wet, I had to pop the front of the hood off, jump in, pop it back on (with pop studs outside, me inside!) then drive hunkered down as my head was the highest point in the car. As the hood stretched over my head, rain would creep in above the screen, and drip into my lap. Happy days...!
However if using it on the road in UK, at 6'2", make sure you can get in and drive it with the hood on.
I'm 6'0" and fine in my Striker without the roof (i.e. 99% of the time).
If wet, I had to pop the front of the hood off, jump in, pop it back on (with pop studs outside, me inside!) then drive hunkered down as my head was the highest point in the car. As the hood stretched over my head, rain would creep in above the screen, and drip into my lap. Happy days...!
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