Kit car advice (kind of a "what car")

[laam999]

Just thought I'd ask a few simple questions about getting and building a kit car.

I've been wanting to do one for about a decade now but I'm only 23 and never had the money or security to go about it.

However I start a new job soon wich pays a half decent wage and I'm hoping to be getting a large lockup where I could work on both my current AW11 project and and future ones I get. I would like to start to build akit car on the side while I'm trying to source parts for the mr2.

I would like advice about what kit cars are affordable, preferably to get as a modular system such as marlin offer, resonably fast, I currently have a 1.4i C2 and I only driven the MR2 a few feet so anything with under a 9sec 0-62 should be rapid enough for me but the better the acceleration the better (top speed does not bother me at all, I'd rather have a car that maxed out at 80 and got there fast than a car that maxed at 200 but has slower acceleration). I also would like something with "character" I know this is a given on pretty much ANY kit car as they're rare and interesting. I like both the marlin cars and I think caterhams are nice but I've not really had a look at whats on offer. Something like a 40's-50's F1 car or something unusual (if it helps my top best looking cars of all time are AW11 mr2 mk1 , Nissan skyline GTR 34, Audi Quattro, Morgan Aero8, Land rover Defender 110 CSW).

Any advice and help would be great, I probs won't buy anything for a year or 2 but I'd like to know what I'm saving for.

(I'd also like something with an easible sourcable donor)

I know you may get this type of think all the time but any help and advice would be great. sorry if you get this type of request a lot.

Liam

(PS, I have 100's of tools and I'm always buying more and have started a welding course, any other skills I need (I have ver little in terms of mechanics) I WILL learn to do it propperly, hence the welding course so I don't hash up the AW11)

[slomax]

An idea of budget might be handy to know. If you want something completely mental and full of character I would look at JZRs, blackjack zero, triking or even a guzzi engined pembleton. They are all quite small so are easy to store and work on. Also, with the exception of a vw powered blackjack, the engines are circa 60kgs so you don't have to worry about engine hoists, just a mate (unless you're mr muscle).

Anyway, that's my 2 pennies worth

[qdos]

What about a Midas ?

From the looks of your wish list you seem to like reasonably sensible cars with a roof which are small and practical yet with a sporting feel. I think the Midas would fit the bill. If you want something a bit more outrageous but cheap then why not look at the Sonic from MEV.

[laam999]

sorry for the slow reply. If the build is modular then around £3-4k a module would be along the price I would be looking at, if it was a full kit I don't think I could afford much over £5-6k.

[Chris71]

How much 'hands on' stuff have you done before? There are some Mecano-like kits that virtually anyone can screw together - the current Caterhams for example - but some are far more involved with fiberglassing and metal fabrication involved (my dad's on-going SSC Stylus build springs to mind).

Personally, if I was going to build one from scratch (not being a mster craftsman) I'd look for something very simple with plentiful donor parts and a good company behind it for support/advice.

One design I'd seriouslly look at is the MEV Atomic. It is basically a single seater, but very light and very minimalist R1-powered 4-wheeler. Not sure what the build would be like, but it looks fairly straightforward and must be one of the more affordable kits out there?

[thescamper]

Have a look at the MEV Exocet which is really a rebodied mx5. Should be easy to cut ones kit building teeth on

[laam999]

The MEV cars do look both good and priced for me.

In terms on "hands on" I haven't done much. I'm currently doing my MK1 MR2 but that's pretty fine mechanically, I have changedthe alternator and I'm going to replace all the brake components over the Autum. I have started a welding course to tackle all of the body work that needs doing. I think a kit that is a cross between mostly "mechano style" and trying some things for myself like the moulding or fabricating. I have not done much but I'm always willing to learn and I like to "jump in deep" not the ebst thing for this but I like something both challaging but doable.

Thanks or the advice guys

[magpies]

how about a kit based on an MR2?

do you like the Ford RS200?



Mike N (see this forum or he is Mike2 on the Banham200 forum)

it is a case of cutting the top half of the body and replacing with rollcage and plastic 200 body panels

I built on using a Celica GT4 as a base but the MR2 can be as powerfull and better weight distribution

[singlecoil]

Nothing like doing bodywork repairs on a production car to stimulate the kit car buying urge, leave all that rust and corrosion behind. That's what got me started.

I like the MEV stuff too, and would probably go that way if I wasn't working on a project of my own.

[jason61c]

singlecoil said:

Nothing like doing bodywork repairs on a production car to stimulate the kit car buying urge, leave all that rust and corrosion behind. That's what got me started.

I like the MEV stuff too, and would probably go that way if I wasn't working on a project of my own.

What are you working on? I take it you're making the plunge with your own car? What donor etc are you going to use?

[MKnight702]

For that sort of money (£5-6k) I'd look at the Sylva Riot or R1ot. All the reviews say what a stonking car it is and it isn't a run of the mill 7 clone.

I have had a Westfield SE that I didn't build, plus a Marlin V8 Roadster and Westfield XI that I did build. The Marlin was a great car and fast with the V8, the XI is not as fast but is a blast to drive. Both are dirt cheap to insure and run.

Have you considered buying a finished model and making it your own? This is probably by far the cheapest option. I can say, however, that whatever you choose, it will feel significantly faster, more involving and fun than anything you have driven before.

[laam999]

Thanks for the advice guys. I think I'll try to get the MEV atomic next summer, it wil give me time to save and hopefully finish the MR2 while I save. I don't think i could take something else on while working on this.

Thanks for all the help and suggestions.

Liam

[slomax]

laam999 said:

Thanks for the advice guys. I think I'll try to get the MEV atomic next summer, it wil give me time to save and hopefully finish the MR2 while I save. I don't think i could take something else on while working on this.

Thanks for all the help and suggestions.

Liam

I have heard that single seaters are a bit "lonely". because no matter how many times you will say to people how fast it is and how amazing it is, they will not understand. You will also get tons of people asking for a ride, or you will want to give people rides, only to hit a brick wall that is one seat. If you are a selfish git, have no friends, and couldn't give a monkeys, then thats fine.... maybe i should get one

[laam999]

I understand your point but I'm hoping my AW11 will be my fun social car and this will be some weekend self indulgence, it's nice to have an excuse for the gf not to be with me and this would be a good one :P and aslong as friends could get insured for on the track I wouldn't mind them having a play aslong as I could play with what they have, I trust my mates and I know they would pay up if needed, and the open aspect of it will make them feel vunerable and hopefulyl stay calm ^_^

I like the rocket too but the atomic just looks like something I'll never have something like, it's a good oppertunity to try something v different I think.

[Diablos-666]

Sorry to hi-jack this thread but i'm looking for a track day car. Ideally i'd like to build it myself but don't have much mechanical experience. The only real experience i have (if you can call it experience) is building model's and a petrol remote control car when i was much younger.

Someone on PH has recommended the Fisher Fury as a good track day car. I can buy one already compeleted for ~£5k but then would'nt know how to fix it when something goes wrong.

So, my question - How "easy" are these to build, to they come with a good intruction manual that a numpty like me can use?

I also have limited space to work on it, i have a garage but that is home to my TVR and it does'nt have power to it.

Iv'e heard that Caterhams are the easiest kit cars to build, how does the Fisher Fury compare?

[slomax]

Diablos-666 said:

Sorry to hi-jack this thread but i'm looking for a track day car. Ideally i'd like to build it myself but don't have much mechanical experience. The only real experience i have (if you can call it experience) is building model's and a petrol remote control car when i was much younger.

Someone on PH has recommended the Fisher Fury as a good track day car. I can buy one already compeleted for ~£5k but then would'nt know how to fix it when something goes wrong.

So, my question - How "easy" are these to build, to they come with a good intruction manual that a numpty like me can use?

I also have limited space to work on it, i have a garage but that is home to my TVR and it does'nt have power to it.

Iv'e heard that Caterhams are the easiest kit cars to build, how does the Fisher Fury compare?

MEV kit cars are the answer. You want to take a look at the excocet, tR1ke or the atomic for ease of build. I'd go for the atomic if you only need one seat. Looks amazing fun.

[Diablos-666]

slomax said:

Diablos-666 said:

Sorry to hi-jack this thread but i'm looking for a track day car. Ideally i'd like to build it myself but don't have much mechanical experience. The only real experience i have (if you can call it experience) is building model's and a petrol remote control car when i was much younger.

Someone on PH has recommended the Fisher Fury as a good track day car. I can buy one already compeleted for ~£5k but then would'nt know how to fix it when something goes wrong.

So, my question - How "easy" are these to build, to they come with a good intruction manual that a numpty like me can use?

I also have limited space to work on it, i have a garage but that is home to my TVR and it does'nt have power to it.

Iv'e heard that Caterhams are the easiest kit cars to build, how does the Fisher Fury compare?

MEV kit cars are the answer. You want to take a look at the excocet, tR1ke or the atomic for ease of build. I'd go for the atomic if you only need one seat. Looks amazing fun.

A lot of tracks dont allow single seaters. Plus i'd prefer a 2 seater in all honesty.

[Chris71]

Diablos-666 said:

slomax said:

Diablos-666 said:

Sorry to hi-jack this thread but i'm looking for a track day car. Ideally i'd like to build it myself but don't have much mechanical experience. The only real experience i have (if you can call it experience) is building model's and a petrol remote control car when i was much younger.

Someone on PH has recommended the Fisher Fury as a good track day car. I can buy one already compeleted for ~£5k but then would'nt know how to fix it when something goes wrong.

So, my question - How "easy" are these to build, to they come with a good intruction manual that a numpty like me can use?

I also have limited space to work on it, i have a garage but that is home to my TVR and it does'nt have power to it.

Iv'e heard that Caterhams are the easiest kit cars to build, how does the Fisher Fury compare?

MEV kit cars are the answer. You want to take a look at the excocet, tR1ke or the atomic for ease of build. I'd go for the atomic if you only need one seat. Looks amazing fun.

A lot of tracks dont allow single seaters. Plus i'd prefer a 2 seater in all honesty.

I think that applies to single seater racing cars really. The Atomic looks fantastic - it's undoubtedly the kit I'd go for if I was going to build one - but it's undoubtedly a track day/road fun car rather than a 'slicks and wings' racer. I'd be surprised if you had issues.