Newbie - buying/selling a ready built kit car
Discussion
Hi guys
I just wondered whether you might be so kind as to provide me with a few wise words and share your experiences/wisdom.
Having given up sporty cars 5 months ago when my first newborn arrived, I have finally persuaded the wife to let me splash out on a new toy for the summer. I've been given a strict budget of around £4-£6k to buy a ready built kit car and so have been looking at Westfields, MK Indy's and Tigers. I have two questions:
1) Going through the forums, it appears that above all the build quality is the most important thing to look for i.e. lots of photos and paperwork of build. With this in mind, for my budget, it looks as though Tigers are the least expensive (I don't really fancy the Robin Hood) for around £4-£5k so I can pick up a slightly newer one, MK Indys go for around £6K for c.5 years old, or I can look at an older Westfield anywhere between 10-15 years old for around £6K. Bearing in mind that I plan to use the car for commuting on sunny summer days (I'm only 7 miles away) and leisurely drives around the Sussex countryside, what would your recommendations be (doesn't have to be the 3 models mentioned)? I won't be tracking the car therefore I'm thinking of ruling out motorbike powered cars as don't really want to be having to rev the nuts off the car on my commute to work.
2) I've read some reviews saying that you should be wary if a seller has had the car for less than 2 years. One of the conditions of the wife letting me enjoy the kit is that I don't keep it for too long i.e. this could be my first and last summer of being 'allowed' to own one. Therefore, in your opinion, is this likely to put off potential buyers, making it hard to sell when the time comes to part with the car in 6-12 months time?
Your views would be much appreciated.
Many thanks
Lee
I just wondered whether you might be so kind as to provide me with a few wise words and share your experiences/wisdom.
Having given up sporty cars 5 months ago when my first newborn arrived, I have finally persuaded the wife to let me splash out on a new toy for the summer. I've been given a strict budget of around £4-£6k to buy a ready built kit car and so have been looking at Westfields, MK Indy's and Tigers. I have two questions:
1) Going through the forums, it appears that above all the build quality is the most important thing to look for i.e. lots of photos and paperwork of build. With this in mind, for my budget, it looks as though Tigers are the least expensive (I don't really fancy the Robin Hood) for around £4-£5k so I can pick up a slightly newer one, MK Indys go for around £6K for c.5 years old, or I can look at an older Westfield anywhere between 10-15 years old for around £6K. Bearing in mind that I plan to use the car for commuting on sunny summer days (I'm only 7 miles away) and leisurely drives around the Sussex countryside, what would your recommendations be (doesn't have to be the 3 models mentioned)? I won't be tracking the car therefore I'm thinking of ruling out motorbike powered cars as don't really want to be having to rev the nuts off the car on my commute to work.
2) I've read some reviews saying that you should be wary if a seller has had the car for less than 2 years. One of the conditions of the wife letting me enjoy the kit is that I don't keep it for too long i.e. this could be my first and last summer of being 'allowed' to own one. Therefore, in your opinion, is this likely to put off potential buyers, making it hard to sell when the time comes to part with the car in 6-12 months time?
Your views would be much appreciated.
Many thanks
Lee
Couple of quick commnents -
Make sure it is properly registered on the Log Book/V5 and is not still on the donor registration - if it is walk away !
I'd add in a Striker to the list if you are looking at seven style cars, probably the best chassis and a decent xflow one that is screwed together well is well within budget, you may even pick up a 4AGE engined one if you are lucky.
This looks to be a really good buy with an interesting spec -
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/k...
Similarly have a look at the Fisher Fury / Sylva Phoenix / SSC Stylus, similar chassis to the Striker but with more body work, may a bit more civilised for communitng as well.
Or if you want to be a bit more daring have a look for a Sylva Mojo.
P.S. you may have guessed I am a Jeremy Philips fan (designer of the above cars)
Make sure it is properly registered on the Log Book/V5 and is not still on the donor registration - if it is walk away !
I'd add in a Striker to the list if you are looking at seven style cars, probably the best chassis and a decent xflow one that is screwed together well is well within budget, you may even pick up a 4AGE engined one if you are lucky.
This looks to be a really good buy with an interesting spec -
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/k...
Similarly have a look at the Fisher Fury / Sylva Phoenix / SSC Stylus, similar chassis to the Striker but with more body work, may a bit more civilised for communitng as well.
Or if you want to be a bit more daring have a look for a Sylva Mojo.
P.S. you may have guessed I am a Jeremy Philips fan (designer of the above cars)
Thanks ugg10
I've looked at the cars you suggested with the extra body work, and although great looking, I think I'd prefer a seven style car. Your link to the example looks interesting...should I be put off by an 18 year old car though? This may be a stupid question, but are most kits likely to have an adjustable driver's seat as at 5ft 6in, I'll struggle to reach the peddles if not! I had a Chim last year and even with the seat furthest forward I did struggle somewhat! Lol
Also, what are your views on my second question in my original post?
Many thanks
I've looked at the cars you suggested with the extra body work, and although great looking, I think I'd prefer a seven style car. Your link to the example looks interesting...should I be put off by an 18 year old car though? This may be a stupid question, but are most kits likely to have an adjustable driver's seat as at 5ft 6in, I'll struggle to reach the peddles if not! I had a Chim last year and even with the seat furthest forward I did struggle somewhat! Lol
Also, what are your views on my second question in my original post?
Many thanks
So long as the car has been garaged and the chassis well protected then age is not usually a problem, all points to look for on a test drive/inspection.
As for seats, that is one of the joys of a kit car, if you don't like it you can change it, seat rails are not a difficult job and there are plenty about.
As for your second point, some people like the idea of building rather than driving, an example is a guy I know who has had over 15 caterhams, he buys them, tidies them up, drives them for a bit and then moves them on. Kit cars are all about documentation, spec, condition and quality of build imo.
As for seats, that is one of the joys of a kit car, if you don't like it you can change it, seat rails are not a difficult job and there are plenty about.
As for your second point, some people like the idea of building rather than driving, an example is a guy I know who has had over 15 caterhams, he buys them, tidies them up, drives them for a bit and then moves them on. Kit cars are all about documentation, spec, condition and quality of build imo.
Edited by ugg10 on Thursday 24th April 19:35
Build quality.
From the build quality of the initial kit supplied by the manufacturer, to the quality of the assembly, to the quality of the components used.
go for the best that you can afford. Treat it like a kit car. tinker, service and maintain it regularly and it will look after you. treat it like a mass produced car and it will bite your behind.
From the build quality of the initial kit supplied by the manufacturer, to the quality of the assembly, to the quality of the components used.
go for the best that you can afford. Treat it like a kit car. tinker, service and maintain it regularly and it will look after you. treat it like a mass produced car and it will bite your behind.
warsol said:
Thanks ugg10
I've looked at the cars you suggested with the extra body work, and although great looking, I think I'd prefer a seven style car. Your link to the example looks interesting...should I be put off by an 18 year old car though? This may be a stupid question, but are most kits likely to have an adjustable driver's seat as at 5ft 6in, I'll struggle to reach the peddles if not! I had a Chim last year and even with the seat furthest forward I did struggle somewhat! Lol
Also, what are your views on my second question in my original post?
Many thanks
If yo buy a kit car then you need to be prepared to roll your sleeves up and get your hands dirty. The seats are a good example. On my Dax Rush they are too high with adjustable rails o they are just secured to my height. Anyone shorter would have to move them, which would require drilling and remounting.I've looked at the cars you suggested with the extra body work, and although great looking, I think I'd prefer a seven style car. Your link to the example looks interesting...should I be put off by an 18 year old car though? This may be a stupid question, but are most kits likely to have an adjustable driver's seat as at 5ft 6in, I'll struggle to reach the peddles if not! I had a Chim last year and even with the seat furthest forward I did struggle somewhat! Lol
Also, what are your views on my second question in my original post?
Many thanks
Even the best built kit car will not be like a production car.
Thanks guys very useful. I'm still conducting my research and I might try to get to a show if I can.
Thing is, I'm not massively mechanically minded. I can do the basics but nothing adventurous...but my brother in law is a mechanic so I could always rely on him?! Do you think I could just ensure I find an already built and well maintained car and keep it tidy and care for it (without getting the spanners out too much) then just get it serviced regularly with my brother in law? Or are kit owners forever in the garage tinkering?!
Thing is, I'm not massively mechanically minded. I can do the basics but nothing adventurous...but my brother in law is a mechanic so I could always rely on him?! Do you think I could just ensure I find an already built and well maintained car and keep it tidy and care for it (without getting the spanners out too much) then just get it serviced regularly with my brother in law? Or are kit owners forever in the garage tinkering?!
warsol said:
Thanks guys very useful. I'm still conducting my research and I might try to get to a show if I can.
Thing is, I'm not massively mechanically minded. I can do the basics but nothing adventurous...but my brother in law is a mechanic so I could always rely on him?! Do you think I could just ensure I find an already built and well maintained car and keep it tidy and care for it (without getting the spanners out too much) then just get it serviced regularly with my brother in law? Or are kit owners forever in the garage tinkering?!
You might be lucky but "i'm not mechanically minded' suggests to me to get something else.Thing is, I'm not massively mechanically minded. I can do the basics but nothing adventurous...but my brother in law is a mechanic so I could always rely on him?! Do you think I could just ensure I find an already built and well maintained car and keep it tidy and care for it (without getting the spanners out too much) then just get it serviced regularly with my brother in law? Or are kit owners forever in the garage tinkering?!
My first Dax Rush was (imho) well put together but I was constantly doing stuff to it outside of services. Have a look at www.locostbuilders.com and maybe ask some questions there.
At your budget you will not be buying a factory built Caterham but something like a Sylva or Tiger or even older westfield.
warsol said:
Thanks guys very useful. I'm still conducting my research and I might try to get to a show if I can.
Thing is, I'm not massively mechanically minded. I can do the basics but nothing adventurous...but my brother in law is a mechanic so I could always rely on him?! Do you think I could just ensure I find an already built and well maintained car and keep it tidy and care for it (without getting the spanners out too much) then just get it serviced regularly with my brother in law? Or are kit owners forever in the garage tinkering?!
You might be lucky but "i'm not mechanically minded' suggests to me to get something else.Thing is, I'm not massively mechanically minded. I can do the basics but nothing adventurous...but my brother in law is a mechanic so I could always rely on him?! Do you think I could just ensure I find an already built and well maintained car and keep it tidy and care for it (without getting the spanners out too much) then just get it serviced regularly with my brother in law? Or are kit owners forever in the garage tinkering?!
My first Dax Rush was (imho) well put together but I was constantly doing stuff to it outside of services. Have a look at www.locostbuilders.com and maybe ask some questions there.
At your budget you will not be buying a factory built Caterham but something like a Sylva or Tiger or even older westfield.
If you fancy coughing up the tenner to register on wscc.co.uk [westfield forum] for a year, there's heaps of useful advice on there. Helped me no-end. Also might help you locate other kit car owners close to you who are (usually) more than willing to lend a hand with diagnosis and/or fiddling if you're new to it all.
For example, I had a problem with my ECU, and the fella pointed me towards a chap who could replace the ignition chips in the ECU for £40 all in (postage, replacement, testing) - that kind of advice and contacts is amazingly helpful and encouraging with your first few steps in a kit car.
For example, I had a problem with my ECU, and the fella pointed me towards a chap who could replace the ignition chips in the ECU for £40 all in (postage, replacement, testing) - that kind of advice and contacts is amazingly helpful and encouraging with your first few steps in a kit car.
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