Seven type things ?
Discussion
Long story short, my garage has long been filled with a toilet and white goods, but due to a potential extension happening, the garage is freed up and I have inside space for a car after 20 years, so potentially instead of spending on a more expensive daily it allows me to think of something more fun.
So Seven type things come to mind, what would you get for ten grand ? would it be any good, have no illusions of racing it, maybe a track day but thats not my main desire, doesnt have to mentally fast, just decently quick and dont think I want anything super frantic, so that kind of, I assume rules bike engined ones out, they look fantastic but dont think that is what I want, am after simplicity and reliability.
I had a go in a neighbours Westfield, it was awesome, fantastically quick but basically a track car but would be thinking more along the lines of something less lairy, not super highly tuned that I can get in and take out and have some fun and then put back, leave it a few months, come to it and it start.
Cost wise, am guessing insurance is pretty cheap, they seem to hold their money, so if bought at the right price and kept well, shouldn't lose money, VED will depend but can SORN it if not used over winter.
Oh, windscreen wise, lots dont have one, better with or without ?
So, what do you recommend if I was to go that way ? early days yet, need to get the extension sorted first.
So Seven type things come to mind, what would you get for ten grand ? would it be any good, have no illusions of racing it, maybe a track day but thats not my main desire, doesnt have to mentally fast, just decently quick and dont think I want anything super frantic, so that kind of, I assume rules bike engined ones out, they look fantastic but dont think that is what I want, am after simplicity and reliability.
I had a go in a neighbours Westfield, it was awesome, fantastically quick but basically a track car but would be thinking more along the lines of something less lairy, not super highly tuned that I can get in and take out and have some fun and then put back, leave it a few months, come to it and it start.
Cost wise, am guessing insurance is pretty cheap, they seem to hold their money, so if bought at the right price and kept well, shouldn't lose money, VED will depend but can SORN it if not used over winter.
Oh, windscreen wise, lots dont have one, better with or without ?
So, what do you recommend if I was to go that way ? early days yet, need to get the extension sorted first.
Edited by J4CKO on Thursday 13th July 12:22
My someday, sometime plan would be to find myself a tatty mk1 MX5/Eunos and run that for a little while. Then, when the MOT runs out (or gets too hard), I'd be taking that to bits to make a Westfield SDV.
It doesn't sound like you want to build though. £10k should buy you something very tidy in a Westfield, MK, Sylva/Raw or Tiger (just make sure you fit) especially if you don't want that much power. It sounds like something with a Zetec, Toyota 4AGE, Mazda or even an oldskool Crossflow would give you enough grunt.
It doesn't sound like you want to build though. £10k should buy you something very tidy in a Westfield, MK, Sylva/Raw or Tiger (just make sure you fit) especially if you don't want that much power. It sounds like something with a Zetec, Toyota 4AGE, Mazda or even an oldskool Crossflow would give you enough grunt.
Frankthered said:
My someday, sometime plan would be to find myself a tatty mk1 MX5/Eunos and run that for a little while. Then, when the MOT runs out (or gets too hard), I'd be taking that to bits to make a Westfield SDV.
It doesn't sound like you want to build though. £10k should buy you something very tidy in a Westfield, MK, Sylva/Raw or Tiger (just make sure you fit) especially if you don't want that much power. It sounds like something with a Zetec, Toyota 4AGE, Mazda or even an oldskool Crossflow would give you enough grunt.
Cheers, you are right, not after building one at this point, would prefer a well sorted one I can enjoy.It doesn't sound like you want to build though. £10k should buy you something very tidy in a Westfield, MK, Sylva/Raw or Tiger (just make sure you fit) especially if you don't want that much power. It sounds like something with a Zetec, Toyota 4AGE, Mazda or even an oldskool Crossflow would give you enough grunt.
Fit wise, thats a point, I am six foot bang on and 14 and a half stone, am lighter than I used to be so should be ok, I have wide shoulders though, they do seem to do a wide version, will look into those.
Engine wise, that sounds the kind of thing, 100 - 150 horsepower, I guess would be plenty to be going on with, would want to learn to drive it rather than have something terrifying, is easy to think you need 300 bhp but I think those kind of cars are for serious use, by people that can properly drive, think you need to go through the ranks a bit rather than just jump in at the deep end.
Are they all much of a muchness the ones you listed ? I suppose a lot depends on the individual build ?
What about a Locost ? am guessing they can be pretty variable, have seen someone welding a frame from one with zero welding skills, I am no expert but I didnt fancy entrusting my safety to the bird plop special, Sevens look a bit less than safe in a crash anyway so you dont need the chassis unravelling at speed as well .
I've reached the limit of my knowledge, I'm afraid!
Usual advice is to go to Locostbuilders (useful resource for all seven types, not just Locosts), try to get along to a local meet and try a few for size, etc.
As a general rule, how well the car has been built is probably at least as important as what the kit is.
If your plans are going to be delayed till next year, the Stoneleigh show on the early May Bank Holiday weekend is well worth a visit.
Usual advice is to go to Locostbuilders (useful resource for all seven types, not just Locosts), try to get along to a local meet and try a few for size, etc.
As a general rule, how well the car has been built is probably at least as important as what the kit is.
If your plans are going to be delayed till next year, the Stoneleigh show on the early May Bank Holiday weekend is well worth a visit.
I've had a seven type 'thingy' most of my life - I'd advise you buy the best you can afford - take someone with you who knows what to look for in 7's ie someone who's owned one for more than a few month's - most owners only last a few month's!!!
So for a shortlist consider: -
My order of preference would be:-
1.Lotus [maybe get an S4 for £10K].
2.Caterham - maybe a choice if you don't mind a X flow engine or maybe a 1400K series.
3.Westfield - Loadsa choice for £10K - IMO get a Fuel injected Zetec car with 5 speed box.
4. Sylva striker or fury. Great chassis again get a good spec Zetec with Injection.
5. Dutton Phaeton - for £10K you'll buy the best one available again get a modern injected engine
and 5 speed.
There's plenty of other brands - be careful and check the build quality.
There's only one BRAND I'd avoid - ROBIN HOOD even the best of these are inferior to all the above.
>
Buy a good 'un and you'll have loadsa fun - Hope you last more than a few month's as an owner
So for a shortlist consider: -
My order of preference would be:-
1.Lotus [maybe get an S4 for £10K].
2.Caterham - maybe a choice if you don't mind a X flow engine or maybe a 1400K series.
3.Westfield - Loadsa choice for £10K - IMO get a Fuel injected Zetec car with 5 speed box.
4. Sylva striker or fury. Great chassis again get a good spec Zetec with Injection.
5. Dutton Phaeton - for £10K you'll buy the best one available again get a modern injected engine
and 5 speed.
There's plenty of other brands - be careful and check the build quality.
There's only one BRAND I'd avoid - ROBIN HOOD even the best of these are inferior to all the above.
>
Buy a good 'un and you'll have loadsa fun - Hope you last more than a few month's as an owner
having had a Dutton Phaeton S2, I'd be very surprised if Duttons were better than Robin Hoods. There will be great Duttons and rubbish RHs, but on balance ... I'd doubt it. Happy to be shown the light though!
But I'd be wary of buying anything off ebay for £3k unless you WANT a project. Not to say no bargains, just take that experienced person with you as advised.
But I'd be wary of buying anything off ebay for £3k unless you WANT a project. Not to say no bargains, just take that experienced person with you as advised.
CrutyRammers said:
Please don't get a dutton.
Hmm, remember these, sure they are great but not the look I would want really, kind of have a sixth form project vibe going on, plus I think they are all pretty ancient by now, all Weller wheels and cracked fibreglass most seem to be.Edited by J4CKO on Friday 14th July 00:23
Will have a word with my neighbour as he never seems to use his, see if he is thinking of selling up at some point, not in a position to buy until this extension is done and I have the garage back, was going to spend 17 grand on a daily but came to the realization that I will have the garage back which opens many more interesting possibilities.
Might see about renting one for a day and see how I get on with it, or getting a track day where they use them.
Might see about renting one for a day and see how I get on with it, or getting a track day where they use them.
Dutton shouldn't be on your list.
Robin Hood are OK on cheap and cheerful basis although avoid EXMO - I had a V8 one which was immense fun but then it was only 4k so I balanced grin factor with cost with quality.
MK Indy and GBS would be worth adding to your list around Westfield position-ish and definitely Dax Rush
Robin Hood are OK on cheap and cheerful basis although avoid EXMO - I had a V8 one which was immense fun but then it was only 4k so I balanced grin factor with cost with quality.
MK Indy and GBS would be worth adding to your list around Westfield position-ish and definitely Dax Rush
smash said:
Dutton shouldn't be on your list.
Robin Hood are OK on cheap and cheerful basis although avoid EXMO - I had a V8 one which was immense fun but then it was only 4k so I balanced grin factor with cost with quality.
MK Indy and GBS would be worth adding to your list around Westfield position-ish and definitely Dax Rush
Cheers, have spotted those on my travels, the Dax Rush looks good. Unless you are into it, they all look similar, dont want to buy something I think looks awesome and then get told they are a pile of crap so few months to do my homework.Robin Hood are OK on cheap and cheerful basis although avoid EXMO - I had a V8 one which was immense fun but then it was only 4k so I balanced grin factor with cost with quality.
MK Indy and GBS would be worth adding to your list around Westfield position-ish and definitely Dax Rush
Most Rushes will be a bit more pricey than 10k, though there may be a few around for that. Simply because most of them tend to be v8s or turbo cossies rather than the more common ford engines and hence have been more expensive to build. Some of the older ones have Pintos in, but I'd definitely go for a newer westfield than an old 2.0L Dax.
CrutyRammers said:
Most Rushes will be a bit more pricey than 10k, though there may be a few around for that. Simply because most of them tend to be v8s or turbo cossies rather than the more common ford engines and hence have been more expensive to build. Some of the older ones have Pintos in, but I'd definitely go for a newer westfield than an old 2.0L Dax.
Yeah, a nosey round over lunch confirmed that they are indeed pretty pricey, though not as expensive as the extension required to regain the use of a fairly average single garage, any suggestions of things being placed into the garage by my wife are met with a resounding no, we moved from a semi with a great garage that had scope for improvements, nearly bought a house with a double to replace it but she bailed at the last minute so we ended up here and had to use the garage for utility stuff, now it moves out and will be jealously guarded, a Seven fits with a metre and a half spare length so wont be int he way, was looking at getting an M135i etc but will defer, get a cheaper daily and a Seven type thing, or similar.Can always borrow some space if I get one before but need to see how much the building costs before doing anything.
Justin S said:
Get a wide body Westfield. Buy for 10 grand, use for a few years, sell for 10 grand. If you keep it good, you wont loose money on it.I sold both of my previous cars for the same money I bought and there was years between buying and selling. No depreciation is great.
Definitely, that is the plan.Cheaper, but still interesting daily, 5 grand hot hatch and ten grands worth of Seven, couple of grand either way on each, costs wise I maintain cars myself so dont spend much on that, Sevens are simple, light and use common parts so minimal outlay on consumables, get one with a reliable engine that is easily replaced. VED would be, I assume £230 as they seem to be taxed on the old rules and can be sorned, insurance is pretty cheap, MOT for £40 and not much depreciation, could have one there for £500 a year, two payments on a very average lease car.
Just need the garage,
J4CKO said:
Definitely, that is the plan.
Cheaper, but still interesting daily, 5 grand hot hatch and ten grands worth of Seven, couple of grand either way on each, costs wise I maintain cars myself so dont spend much on that, Sevens are simple, light and use common parts so minimal outlay on consumables, get one with a reliable engine that is easily replaced. VED would be, I assume £230 as they seem to be taxed on the old rules and can be sorned, insurance is pretty cheap, MOT for £40 and not much depreciation, could have one there for £500 a year, two payments on a very average lease car.
Just need the garage,
Yes on the VED as on PLG system for taxing. Thats the only downer relative to mileage you normally do. Plenty of decent cars for 8k upwards. Take your pick. Zetec with fuel injection a decent propsition. Insurance for it on ltd mileage about £120 ish . Service is oil and filter of £30 . Pads last years. Whats not to like ? Simplistic engineering and easy to work on and cheap to fix as long as it isnt Westfield specific parts as they charge as if its a Caterham, but plenty of places to buy most parts from.Cheaper, but still interesting daily, 5 grand hot hatch and ten grands worth of Seven, couple of grand either way on each, costs wise I maintain cars myself so dont spend much on that, Sevens are simple, light and use common parts so minimal outlay on consumables, get one with a reliable engine that is easily replaced. VED would be, I assume £230 as they seem to be taxed on the old rules and can be sorned, insurance is pretty cheap, MOT for £40 and not much depreciation, could have one there for £500 a year, two payments on a very average lease car.
Just need the garage,
if you want a kind of "oldschool" seven-ish car (oldschool engine), but with suberb handling:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SYLVA-STRIKER-1700-CROSS...
IMO 1k overpriced, but its a nice car.
so you see,, you can get soemthing good for not much money.
compared to this car, even the best Robin Hood should not cost more than 800pound!!!
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SYLVA-STRIKER-1700-CROSS...
IMO 1k overpriced, but its a nice car.
so you see,, you can get soemthing good for not much money.
compared to this car, even the best Robin Hood should not cost more than 800pound!!!
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