Kit cars for students...

[D_Mike]

So, I am nearly ready to get myself a car... main candidate is a mazda mx-5 currently, hopefully I'll be buying shortly after new year. However, whilst waiting at the bus stop () yesterday a nice caterham/westfield type thingy drove past me. I don't really need any car that I own to be practical so I was wondering what sort of budget these can be had for... I don't have the facilities to put one together myself so I'd be looking to buy one secondhand... My budget is around £3000... is anything achievable for this?

I know it would be totally impractical, but at the moment all I really "need" a car for is to carry the shopping - rest of the time it's just for fun. I think I could put up with it travelling up and down the country when I need to too.

Thanks for your suggestions/advice in advance!

[Paul V]

Probably could get yourself a Robin hood for that sort of money, not as nice as a Caterham or Westfield but still good fun, obviously you’d need to check out the insurance side. MX5 is great fun though, mate has one and I really enjoy driving it.

[Sam_68]

You'd get a nice Marlin Roadster for that sort of money. They are relatively practical (doors and everything!), simple to work on and very robust.

[busa_rush]

Don't get a Robin Hood unless you're desperate and really skint, there are much better cars out there for the money. If you can geto £5k there are some very nice cars available.

[m1spw]

Have a browse around the PH classifieds and see what sort of price cars are going for. What about trying to pick up a bargin on ebay?

[speed8]

I know someone who will be selling a Marlin soon. It would probably need a bit of a refresh on the engine but as far as I know it's running and gets used. It would likely be cheap as he is moving overseas.

[gafferjim]

If you want a practical kitcar that is fun as well, get a Quantum 2+2, they have soft tops but you can get a detachable hard top, built on a Fiesta XR2, with a giant boot. My 25 yr old son has had one for the last couple of years and loves it.

Check out the manufacturers site here; www.quantumcars.co.uk/

>> Edited by gafferjim on Tuesday 20th December 10:29

[NDT]

busa_rush said:

Don't get a Robin Hood unless you're desperate and really skint, there are much better cars out there for the money. If you can geto £5k there are some very nice cars available.

what do you suggest then?
I've got 2 weeks spare in February and fancy building something!

[Sam_68]

To be honest, two weeks is not going to build you anything except perhaps an (expensive) Caterham CKD kit. Better to buy yourself a completed car and spend a couple of weeks fettling it!

Avoid Robin Hood unless you are flat broke and have plenty of time!