Is a Sebring usable daily car?

[ceecee]

Hi all

I've no experience of kit cars and wondering whether to try a Sebring (already built). I've got very limited mechanical knowledge and would welcome your thoughts on whether a sebring TMX is a usable/practical daily car. I'd be doing about 10-12k miles per year.

Many thanks.

[Dave Dax builder]

As kit cars gop in would say it would be as practical (Or more so) than running something like a Triumph spitfire, TR6 and such like. and well within the capabilities of the design.....The quality of the build is down to who put it together and how well they did it.
Nice looking cars.
Good luck.

[Roman]

Go on do it!

I roared around in this Haldane 100/4 replica as my only car for 8 months (predecessor to the Pilgrim 3000). You will no doubt have more up to date suspension & brakes, higher gearing, larger engine & wussy wind up windows to help you!






You could always spend a grand on an old Mondeo as a spare car or just rent something else if you needed to with what you will save in depreciation.

Edited by Roman on Friday 13th April 09:09

[ceecee]

Is depreciation not much of an issue with these cars then?

I'm looking at the Sebring TMX in the classified adds and it looks stunning.

[devout gooner]

I have a Sebring MX Lightning and have in past years used it on a daily basis .I don`t now for a couple of reasons . 1) I am lucky enough to have been provided with company transport 2) My Sebring runs a Chevy 350 ci engine and is ,as a result, a bit thirsty 3) In wintery weather it can be a bit of a handful .But that`s about it.
In summary, I would say it would be dependent on the running gear as to it`s suitability ,but given the right car ( and they are out there ,probably one of the Nissan powered ones ) it would make a great daily driver ,mine was built from new parts in the factory and has been as reliable as a Honda .
Oh, and by the way Roman the windows are electric !

Edited by devout gooner on Thursday 12th April 20:31

Edited by devout gooner on Thursday 12th April 20:32

[Furyblade_Lee]

The biggest gripe with any kit-car is the electrics, running gear is nearly always proven mass-produced components which get a relatively easy life in a kit car. If the loom is lifted from a 25 year old mkII escort you may have problems. However if it is a new bespoke loom and looks tidy around fuse boxes ect. should be reliable.

[devout gooner]

I`ve just had a peek at the ad for the car in question and I remember looking around it last year ,it is a beaut ! You should be all right there .

[ceecee]

Thanks for all the advice guys.

One more question. I've noticed that the roof seems to be attached by something like press studs to the front of the windscreen. Does anybody know if this is secure against break-ins, is water tight as I don't have a garage and what the wind noise would be like on motorways?

Or is that 3 questions?

Thanks.

[Davi]

ceecee said:

Thanks for all the advice guys.

One more question. I've noticed that the roof seems to be attached by something like press studs to the front of the windscreen. Does anybody know if this is secure against break-ins, is water tight as I don't have a garage and what the wind noise would be like on motorways?

Or is that 3 questions?

Thanks.

no soft top is secure against break ins, unless it's a hardtop! If you want secure, don't get a soft top, end of really.

My midget had poppers along the back, once had them undone, but the second time it was broken into they couldn't be bothered and just cut through the roof with a stanley knife...

[Roman]

ceecee said:

Thanks for all the advice guys.

One more question. I've noticed that the roof seems to be attached by something like press studs to the front of the windscreen. Does anybody know if this is secure against break-ins, is water tight as I don't have a garage and what the wind noise would be like on motorways?

Or is that 3 questions?

Thanks.

As with any soft top, leave valuables locked in the boot. I think you would really need to try the car to find out about leaks or wind noise. I would have thought it would be as practical as a Griffith really. Sebring generally have a few cars for sale on their own website too.

[ricola]

With my speedster I never locked the doors, I would much prefer them to open the door than rip the hood. Just keep valuables hidden away or not in the car..
As for a sebring for a daily, I used my speedster as my only car, living outside, for about 5 years with no problems, just depends on what creature comforts you have got used to!

Rich

Edited by ricola on Friday 13th April 12:59

[devout gooner]

You can buy a hard top for a Sebring .