Westfield Zetec - how much and where to buy/

[j4ck100]

Hi,

Thinking about getting into a Zetec Westy for the summer, how much is it reasonable to pay for a decent Zetec? I note the Pinto's are cheaper but heard they are a bit of a lump of an engine so think Zetec is the way or maybe the Vauxhall engine but IDK much about those. Seeing quite a bit of price variance for no apparent reason. How hard are they to sell on afterwards too ? Are PH and westy forums the best places to pick them up ? And this may be a dumb question but do they need to be garaged ?

Thanks

[MKnight702]

Hi,

I can answer a few of your questions for you. I had a pinto engine Westfield some years ago that I used daily.

There are no absolute guidelines for prices as the condition and build quality pretty much determine price. The Pinto is old tech, the Zetec is newer tech and the Duratec is pretty much current tech, most seem to want a Duratec now and 200bhp seems to be the required benchmark.

Personally, I would try to go out in a few different cars as even the lowly Pinto will probably blow your mind if you are used to Euroboxes.

[j4ck100]

Thanks for your input

Agreed I think anything would blow my mind so am happy with Zetec, probably happy with 150bhp +

Out of interest, why is the Pinto engine even used? Looked it up and the engine is ancient?!

[GinG15]

depends if its a later (IRS) westfield, where zetec-fits had been standard or if its an older (live-axle) SE form end 80ies / beginning 90ies where a zetec was retrofitted.

also depends if you search a mot-ed car with room left for spannering or a prefect car.

so anything between 4k and 10k is possible.

[Black_S3]

I spent about a year looking for the right one before I managed to buy... Contrary to what a lot of people say the good ones sell quickly - even in the winter. Pistonheads, WSCC and ebay cover 99% of the online ads. Zetecs' range from 6k-12k - Personally I wouldn't pay above 10k for a zetec unless it had a fair bit spent on gearbox/diff etc as for not much more you could get a duratec/S2000. I ended up going for a well built 1.8 zetec on throttle bodies in the middle of the price range.

There's not a huge amount about at the moment... This one looks good value and would be on my viewing list (assuming everything is sound):

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/westfield-seiw-kit-car-s...

Note that even though the st170 engines are badged as duratec they are effectively a 2.0 silvertop zetec, so dont pay over the odds for one.

Vaux 2.0 is a also good engine - easier to reach the 200bhp mark than zetecs, but replacement engines/parts are generally more expensive.


My insurance insisted on garaging however some people keep them outside all year round with a decent cover, so it is possible.

Similar specs on paper can be worlds apart and more important than headline bhp is that the gearbox & diff are a good match for the engine's powerband/rev limit. Without trying to go past my technical knowledge the only way I could work that out is to test drive/passenger them!

[emwmarine]

Having built a Dax Rush and currently building another, I wouldn't contemplate having a westfield without being able to garage it. The British weather is just so severe any specialist car will just deteriorate if kept outside.

[emwmarine]

Having built a Dax Rush and currently building another, I wouldn't contemplate having a westfield without being able to garage it. The British weather is just so severe any specialist car will just deteriorate if kept outside.

[j4ck100]

Thanks for the heads up

that ebay one looked great but looks like it's gone !!

Will have to keep my eyes out!

Am I likely to be able to buy one and sell it at the end of the summer without too much of a hit or do they all hit the market then?

ATB

[Lordbenny]

You can have mine for £12k....

[ugg10]

Two on eBay at the moment

Blue one with a calibra red top turbo and orange more standard 1.8 zetec.

Any reason why you have chosen a westie, imo the stiker is the best seven type car and with the 20v age engine it is a cracker.

[Lordbenny]

ugg10 said:

Two on eBay at the moment

Blue one with a calibra red top turbo and orange more standard 1.8 zetec.

Any reason why you have chosen a westie, imo the stiker is the best seven type car and with the 20v age engine it is a cracker.

I've had a Striker (Guy Croft Fiat twin cam 2.0) and I'm on my 2nd Westfield (2.0 zetec) and I'd have to disagree. Although the Striker, with it inboard front suspension and ultra light weigh, was amazing it just didn't cut it for all round capability. The Westfield wins on all levels for me. The only way a Striker would beat a Westfield is if it was a hillclimb/sprint/race car with a modern engine.