How to know when I'm ready to take on a build?
Discussion
Hi all
I'm currently considering realising a life long dream of mine of building a kit car. At the moment, I'm most interested in a Robin Hood zero, now they have launched a Mazda mx5 based version.
So, I'm a late twenties IT professional, who had never lifted a spanner until about 6 years ago. Since then, I did a btec in very basic vehicle maintenance and have done general servicing, brakes and suspension work since. I've also watched/ assisted a cambelt change. I've not really touched any electric's ever
The main thing holding me back at the moment is my worry that I would basically spend a small fortune on a kit and end up with a pile of badly bodged components or worse still a swiss cheese chassis from mis drilled holes. Ultimately, I'm lacking confidence in my ability to finish the kit to a decent standard.
To all those who have built kits, at what point did you know you could take the leap? I would plan to start by buying and running the donor for a while so I know what I've got, but after that, its a big scary abiss for me.
I'm currently considering realising a life long dream of mine of building a kit car. At the moment, I'm most interested in a Robin Hood zero, now they have launched a Mazda mx5 based version.
So, I'm a late twenties IT professional, who had never lifted a spanner until about 6 years ago. Since then, I did a btec in very basic vehicle maintenance and have done general servicing, brakes and suspension work since. I've also watched/ assisted a cambelt change. I've not really touched any electric's ever
The main thing holding me back at the moment is my worry that I would basically spend a small fortune on a kit and end up with a pile of badly bodged components or worse still a swiss cheese chassis from mis drilled holes. Ultimately, I'm lacking confidence in my ability to finish the kit to a decent standard.
To all those who have built kits, at what point did you know you could take the leap? I would plan to start by buying and running the donor for a while so I know what I've got, but after that, its a big scary abiss for me.
Never mind your mechanical skills....how are you at DIY?
Most of the mechanical parts of a kitcar are fairly straight forward as long as you don't go trying to fit strange engine and 'box selections.
The skills you will require are far more akin to DIY...cutting and trimming sheet ali panels, drilling holes, fitting body panels, designing and trimming a dash, interior trim, selecting seats etc etc.
Give it a go.
If you get some way into it and find it is not for you then get someone, like myself, to finish it for you. I suspect you will be fine but as I said stay with a standard package and it will be easy for The PH gathering to help you.
Steve
Most of the mechanical parts of a kitcar are fairly straight forward as long as you don't go trying to fit strange engine and 'box selections.
The skills you will require are far more akin to DIY...cutting and trimming sheet ali panels, drilling holes, fitting body panels, designing and trimming a dash, interior trim, selecting seats etc etc.
Give it a go.
If you get some way into it and find it is not for you then get someone, like myself, to finish it for you. I suspect you will be fine but as I said stay with a standard package and it will be easy for The PH gathering to help you.
Steve
Being serious.....
As has already been said. Basic DIY skills are really all you need.
I have found the big thing is time. Making time and taking your time. Don't rush or set a deadline. Treat it as a hobby. Do as much or little as you want.
If you aren't sure sit back and consider how to do it. Think it through. Often I have left a particular job and thought about it for a week or so then come back to it from a completely different angle.
At the end of the day if you are going to start with a kit that is pretty well developed and uses a single donor, from a company that can supply every nut & bolt and answers the phone to answer your queries, has a forum to get a second opinion on a Sunday afternoon it really is just like building a big airfix!
I started mine for the first time today!
As has already been said. Basic DIY skills are really all you need.
I have found the big thing is time. Making time and taking your time. Don't rush or set a deadline. Treat it as a hobby. Do as much or little as you want.
If you aren't sure sit back and consider how to do it. Think it through. Often I have left a particular job and thought about it for a week or so then come back to it from a completely different angle.
At the end of the day if you are going to start with a kit that is pretty well developed and uses a single donor, from a company that can supply every nut & bolt and answers the phone to answer your queries, has a forum to get a second opinion on a Sunday afternoon it really is just like building a big airfix!
I started mine for the first time today!
Go for a mx5 based kit as it one of the easiest cars to work on. There is a high number of rotten mx5 for cheap money that people want rid but have good mechanicals that u need. I was 19 when i started my mev exocet build but have a mechanic so to me its easy but over on the forums a lot of builders have no mechanical experience and turn out good quality end results.
Just do your research go to stoneleigh in may which is the biggest kit car show during the year with a list of potential kits and questions to ask, the main questions really are whats included or not in the kit, if it's not included what do i need also cost is a main question.
Take the exocet for example one first launched the main selling point was to build one for 2k that was never really acheviable then let alone know due to a flodded mx5 parts market. In my build the full kit was 2.9k with a few added extras, 400 for the donor and around 1k in parts like new tyres/brakes/lights/suspension/ bolts,nuts,screws etc it does add up and don't forget the cost of the iva over £450 and the problems with getting it through the iva so ask the company about it some like mev do a iva service which takes the stress away from the process.
Don't set yourself a build time or a budget you will go over it i have and very few builds actually stick to the original budget but most of all enjoy it and ignore some builders who will always say u need this amount of power/grip etc build the car you want to after all that is what a kit car is for as no 2 kits are every the same.
Just do your research go to stoneleigh in may which is the biggest kit car show during the year with a list of potential kits and questions to ask, the main questions really are whats included or not in the kit, if it's not included what do i need also cost is a main question.
Take the exocet for example one first launched the main selling point was to build one for 2k that was never really acheviable then let alone know due to a flodded mx5 parts market. In my build the full kit was 2.9k with a few added extras, 400 for the donor and around 1k in parts like new tyres/brakes/lights/suspension/ bolts,nuts,screws etc it does add up and don't forget the cost of the iva over £450 and the problems with getting it through the iva so ask the company about it some like mev do a iva service which takes the stress away from the process.
Don't set yourself a build time or a budget you will go over it i have and very few builds actually stick to the original budget but most of all enjoy it and ignore some builders who will always say u need this amount of power/grip etc build the car you want to after all that is what a kit car is for as no 2 kits are every the same.
rdodger said:
.....If you aren't sure sit back and consider how to do it. Think it through. Often I have left a particular job and thought about it for a week or so then come back to it from a completely different angle.....
Get a whiteboard and make two lists of jobs...big jobs and small jobs.If you get stuck on a job don't go to bed feeling down. Select a small job and complete it before you down tools.
Steve
One of your best routes if you purchase a Zero from Gbs would be to join RHOCAR ,the orig Robin hood clubwhich has members who have built or are building Zero.s now ,a depth of knowledge and freindly too .The MX-5 donor car is good start with proven major parts and a good amount of after market parts available and with alittle time would build a competent 7 . Ok I run a Robin Hood have been a member of RHOCAR for ten years and have dealt with GBS on a regular basis but other than being a well satisfied customer and a happy member of the club I have no commertcial interest of either ,go to the factory and have atest ride/drive and log onto RHOCAR @ 15£ it's abargain even if its only for the 10% dic on insurance
rdodger said:
Just get it ordered!
This!I was in a similar situation to yourself. I found myself thinking too much about 'what ifs' then decided unless i just take the plunge i'll never know. So a few days later bought a donor MX5 and started stripping it. A couple of months after that placed my order for a kit. The build is now complete and have no regrets what so ever, infact completing it was one of the best feelings ever.
If you do go down the MX5 Zero route there is planty of MX5 stripping and mechanical related topics over on the MEV forum.
Agree with one eyed mick
Join the club, all the info and help you will need
Also look at Locostbuilders
I bought an old Robin Hood S3 monocoque, if I can build that and pass IVA first time you can build a Zero, much better kit
Some tips when you start
Keep all the reciepts from kit to the smallest bolts
Take photos as you build some with you working on it
Use IVA manual from the start and ask on Robin Hood owners club and Locostbuilders
Join a local club to you for equipment load, help and advise
Join the club, all the info and help you will need
Also look at Locostbuilders
I bought an old Robin Hood S3 monocoque, if I can build that and pass IVA first time you can build a Zero, much better kit
Some tips when you start
Keep all the reciepts from kit to the smallest bolts
Take photos as you build some with you working on it
Use IVA manual from the start and ask on Robin Hood owners club and Locostbuilders
Join a local club to you for equipment load, help and advise
Agree with all the above. Ask yourself if you WILL complete it, or if you quit easily. If (Hopefully) the former then it is possible.
Positive thought is a great tool to have - As you're an IT guy I'm sure you have an intelligent and logical thought process, so you're 90% there already!
Don't spend the next 20 years wishing you had - I've met many people who've said "I nearly built a kit car 15 years ago"
GO FOR IT
Positive thought is a great tool to have - As you're an IT guy I'm sure you have an intelligent and logical thought process, so you're 90% there already!
Don't spend the next 20 years wishing you had - I've met many people who've said "I nearly built a kit car 15 years ago"
GO FOR IT
go to stoneleigh show bank hoilday May5&6, nr coventry. www.nationalkitcarshow.co.uk
there is a display where they build a car in a day. sit there and watch all day. you'll get the feel for what's needed etc and judge if you think you're capable.
oh, and TALK TO PEOPLE!!
there is a display where they build a car in a day. sit there and watch all day. you'll get the feel for what's needed etc and judge if you think you're capable.
oh, and TALK TO PEOPLE!!
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