Stoneleigh 2020 date changed?
Discussion
Wacky Racer said:
Do many people actually build kit cars these days?
(Compared to the 1980's)
No. There is a whole generational shift where having a "toy car" is frowned upon. Why on earth would you want to own another car to store and burn fuel purely for the purpose of having fun?!(Compared to the 1980's)
This is why most manufacturers are creating and selling high performance affordable family cars. Ford ST, Megane RS, BMW 140iM, GolfR etc. These cars are multi purpose as they act not only as the main vehicle but also one that can thrill too (to a lesser extent). And they're selling like hot-cakes. To most people these are seen as acceptable as they're seen as normal family cars.
The exception to this is classic cars. I think these are seen as keeping a piece of history, nostalgic. Most people also realise that these are not purely about burning fuel to have fun, and the mileage they do and the emissions is negligible in the grand scheme of things (as is kit cars, but in general "people" aren't very well informed).
whilst from an environmental perspective they make no sense - i think an upsurge in electric offerings could well offer the kit car industry a limited life extension. The problem with this is trusting "people" with 400V electrical components without thorough training and safety standards.
Ambleton said:
No. There is a whole generational shift where having a "toy car" is frowned upon. Why on earth would you want to own another car to store and burn fuel purely for the purpose of having fun?!
This is why most manufacturers are creating and selling high performance affordable family cars. Ford ST, Megane RS, BMW 140iM, GolfR etc. These cars are multi purpose as they act not only as the main vehicle but also one that can thrill too (to a lesser extent). And they're selling like hot-cakes. To most people these are seen as acceptable as they're seen as normal family cars.
I think the PCP 'sub-contract it out' industry has a lot to do with it to with it as well, you can but a £20k car that will do both on finance, and run it affordably for five 5years. As a cash buyer a £4k focus and a £8k westfield is cheaper, but its not a comparison anyone makes because they are not buying a Focus RS in cash.This is why most manufacturers are creating and selling high performance affordable family cars. Ford ST, Megane RS, BMW 140iM, GolfR etc. These cars are multi purpose as they act not only as the main vehicle but also one that can thrill too (to a lesser extent). And they're selling like hot-cakes. To most people these are seen as acceptable as they're seen as normal family cars.
There is also the amount of driveway space, a lot of people do not have the space for a second car, be it a new-build house on a tiny plot, or even a city centre flat. Obviously all of the tax incentives for kit-build has long gone.
That said, if all new cars have to become electric, and you can still build or maintain petrol kits, and people want that petrolhead kick?
I think car gatherings have a lot of staying power and will no go any time soon, but the kitcar show market might be niche that is shrinking below sustainable? However if stoneleigh runs this year, and I can do it, then I will and I will take a wallet full of cash and enjoy it!
Daniel
Fastpedeller said:
PCP as a form of 'owning' a car may not last long if we go into recession though? Maybe used cars will get a resurgence? as well as kit cars?
I wouldnt have thought so. Like I say, perceptions are changing. For £6k you can buy a Renault sport megane/clio or Abarth. These are seriously fun and surprisingly fast cars that also double up as a daily, are relatively economical and comfy. Sure, compared to a seven or similar they are fat and slower in the twisties, but for most people, it's as much fun as they require. I have friends who own Mustangs, Porsches, 140i Msport, MX5s etc and I do get it they only have space for a single vehicle and running one car is almost always cheaper than two.HOWEVER, and for me it's a really really big one. No matter how fast and capable these cars are they do NOT feel special, they dont really mean anything. They have been churned out of a factory en mass.
You will always have a select few number of people wanting to build their own cars (like you and i), but it's not as simple as it once was. Not only on registration side of things, but also on donor simplicity.
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