Westfield or what?

[PhilD]

I went to Westfield last weekend for a factory tour as I want to replace my Boxster S with a practical car and something I can have fun in at the weekends. I drove an 1800 Zetec which I really enjoyed, but I am pretty sure I will want more performance.

I want to build it myself, but I am attracted by the 'everything included' nature of Westfield, their reputation and quality of the kits. Is there anything else should I be looking at before I put my deposit down? I don't really want to spend more than 15k.

Cheers

Phil

[Incorrigible]

welcome to PH

What do you want it for, just the odd pootle in the countryside, or keep it on a trailer and only do track days

Probably somewhere in between I imagine

I had about that much to spend but eeked it out a bit and entered the Caterham Academy, very happy with my decision, but it depends what you want to do (Caterham is a really easy build too)

[PhilD]

I think I will be mainly blasting about in the countryside. I have only ever done a few 'corporate' track sessions (one with Audi at Silverstone, one at Bedford Autodrome and one at Brands Hatch) and I can't say I really enyoyed them as much as I thought I would. I did however enjoy doughnutting a Caterham in the slalom at Bedford! So I guess a few trackdays might be on the cards, but they certainly aren't the main use.

Cheers

Phil

[busa_rush]

Post the same question on the WSCC boardroom (www.wscc.co.uk) - on the left there's a button with Bardroom on it - ask on there, loads of club activity and very friendly.

You could also look at the Dax Rush, they do a full kit with everything supplied apart from the engine. Engines can be supplied by various companies and come with all the bits you need but the Westfield is certainly a nice, complete and easy kit to build.

If you decide to buy finished rather than build one there are a couple of really nice cars for sale at the moment, about £10k will get you a perfect Zetec example.

Also worth looking at Tiger and have a chat with the Kit Car Workshop, can't remember what they're calling the Fisher Fury's these days (still Fury ?) but they're very nice too and Martin is very helpful.

[PhilD]

Thanks Busa_Rush, I have been loitering on the WSCC boardroom for a while. I guessed if I posted the question there I will get lots of 'Westfield is best' comments so I thought I would post here to get a balanced view. I will cerainly have a look a Rush, though not sure if I am hardcore enough for a Busa engine!

Cheers

Phil

[liszt]

I am building a v8 rush and it is not to difficult.

The manual is "basic" but really it is common sense and a bit of patience.

What attracted me to the Rush was that Dax continue to put a lot of innovation into their models, more so than Westfield or Caterham. Also, those makes were a bit too easy to build with stuff coming pre built.

Building your own car certainly makes you understand how it works.

[.Adam.]

I think you could most probably buy the Westfield minus the engine, and then just get an engine built to the spec you want. Duratech would most probably be the best choice , lighter than the Zetec, and more power.

[anonymous-user]

PhilD said:

Thanks Busa_Rush, I have been loitering on the WSCC boardroom for a while. I guessed if I posted the question there I will get lots of 'Westfield is best' comments so I thought I would post here to get a balanced view.

I wouldn't have thought so, you may get the odd tongue in cheek comment but most replies will just be about which Westfield would be better for you. The V8 vs Vauxhall vs Zetec vs Duratec vs bike engine rivalry is greater.

For 15k I would consider (as a WSCC member ;-) ) - basic kit plus whatever parts you like that Westfield supply (seats, dash, RAC roll bar etc) then source an engine/box elsewhere as I think Westfield will only supply you with new which pushes the price up.

Mike

[Incorrigible]

PhilD said:

I have only ever done a few 'corporate' track sessions (one with Audi at Silverstone, one at Bedford Autodrome and one at Brands Hatch) and I can't say I really enyoyed them as much as I thought I would.

If they were anything like one I did I can't say I'm suprised

But taking your own car with no-one to stop you giving it as much as you want is a different story, especially when there are a few of you with similar machines

(It's definitely not racing you understand)

If you like the idea of competition, do have a look at the accademy, it's very good value

[PhilD]

Cheers guys,

I think I will post on the WSCC.

What are the cons to buying the engine from somewhere other than Westfield. I want the car to have a current plate so I guess that means all new or a maximium of one major component fully reconditioned (if i have read the other posts on this subject correctly). I'm guessing that a pre 95 Zetec reconditioned (which is what Tiger suggest) isn't really going to be anywhere near as good as a new engine supplied by Westfield? But will be a lot cheaper.

I must admit the Caterham academy looks very tempting, do Westfield do similar?

Cheers

Phil

[Incorrigible]

PhilD said:

I must admit the Caterham academy looks very tempting, do Westfield do similar?

I did hear someone talking about it, but if they do I'm fairly sure it's only recent

There are always plenty of Westies at the events ('ve only competed in 3 so far so I'm not exactly an expert) But they do seem to all be very different. The level playing field was something I found very attracive (I guess that would be the same in a westfield academy)

If you want a chat about it drop me a PM, I don't want to hijack your thread telling you what a great time I'm having

[.Adam.]

PhilD said:

I want the car to have a current plate so I guess that means all new or a maximium of one major component fully reconditioned (if i have read the other posts on this subject correctly).

There are advantages to having a Q plate, as you will only need a visual emissions check ,which means you won't need a cat, which means more power and less expense.

[PhilD]

But won't that mean I am not being environmental???



I liked Clarksons idea for the new 'environmental impact stickers' that are being put on new cars in showrooms - makes it easy to look for your new car - just look for the red signs - most unenvironmental - least boring!

[Wacky Racer]

Graham and Duncan at Chester Sports cars will build you a BRAND NEW Tiger wide boddied Supercat, fitted with a 190bhp " Zetec engine for around 12k, if you don't want to be bothered building it yourself....

But if you are after a "practical" type of car, that rules out all the "sevens" (imo).......

Fine as a second car for a sunny Sunday though.....

[PhilD]

That has got to be really tempting - my parents live up near Chester and I nearly popped in last time I was up that way. Do they have a good reputation?

It would be nice to get someone to do all the tough stuff like fitting the body nicely and the wiring whilst getting to do all the mechanical - satisfying stuff myself, like suspension, brakes and trim.

Just out of interest what does everyone find the most interesting and the most painful things to do when building a car?

I guessed fitting the aluminium pannels, wiring and running brake lines have got to be the worst - that is why I was happy to see all of them have been done on the Westfield before you get it.

Cheers

Phil

[The DJ 27]

Wacky Racer said:

Graham and Duncan at Chester Sports cars will build you a BRAND NEW Tiger wide boddied Supercat, fitted with a 190bhp " Zetec engine for around 12k, if you don't want to be bothered building it yourself.... But if you are after a "practical" type of car, that rules out all the "sevens" (imo)....... Fine as a second car for a sunny Sunday though.....

Do they have a website (Chester Sports Cars)?

[Keith Scarfe]

PhilD said:

I must admit the Caterham academy looks very tempting, do Westfield do similar?

Westfield do have their own race series but is not the same as the Caterham academy. In the Caterham academy you get everything supplied for you, car overalls helmet and you get to do the license course. It is therefore quite expensive and is very popular hence difficult to get a place. The Westfield championship is just another race series organised by the BARC but endorsed by the Westfield Factory. It is up to you to do everything, purchase or build your own car, get license etc. It is for this reason very good value for money. I could run a whole season for less than £5K which is good for a proper racing championship. The Westfield is a lot cheaper than the Caterham (to buy and maintain). When you went to the factory you would have been given a demo in the bog standard car. With a little bit of tweaking you can get very good performance from it. You would be surprised. It would put your road going Porsche to shame.
Have a look at www.wscrda.co.uk for the race series. Please ask if you have any more questions regarding racing.
Keith.

[busa_rush]

PhilD said:

Just out of interest what does everyone find the most interesting and the most painful things to do when building a car? I guessed fitting the aluminium pannels, wiring and running brake lines have got to be the worst - that is why I was happy to see all of them have been done on the Westfield before you get it. Cheers Phil

Ali panels and wiring is the worst, for me anyway. Not very good at either and you can tell when you look at my car Brake pipes are pretty easy and quite satisfying. Suspension and steering is just a bolt on job, very quick and easy.

[liszt]

I found the wiring a doddle, but then I have no problem with electrickery.

Panels were ok, just need yo be careful.

Body work was my bugbear.

The rest is just bolt it together

[xm5er]

Have a read of this review before you buy 'owt.

www.totalkitcar.com/tested.php#956

Sounds like Tiger Racing have moved the game on. Also iirc they have a race series similar to the Caterham academy.