'Practical' kit cars with 1.4 engine?

[m1spw]

I'm going to be 17 next year and TBH really don't want to end up with a standard 17-21 car, such as a saxo, corsa, pug 205/206 etc etc. I suggested a Caterham to my parents but the reaction wasn't exactly favourable.

The main criteria are that it has to have a boot/luggage area (not big, as in holding 2 sports bags/a few bags of shopping for when I go to Uni), must have a 1.4 engine or around that because of insurance, and of course be insurable for a 17 yr old, and finally has to cost around £6k.

I'm looking second hand already built as I'm sure you can tell. A couple that have caught my eye are the GTM Libra :cloud9: (but most seem to be around the £10-12k mark, and few 1.4's around :weeping:) and a GTM Rossa K3 in the classifieds (looks quite nice and seems to match all but two criteria - its white (not that important) and its a 1.8 :()

Over to you guys!

[grahambell]

As you've noticed, GTM Libras are really out of your price range.

K3 Rossa a nice car that's certainly worthy of consideration. Quite light (and rust free!) due to GRP monocoque construction which means good economy and decent performance from 1.4 K series.

Another possible alternative is a Quantum 2+2 (see www.pistonheads.com/roadtests/kits/Quantum2+2.htm) which are available in your budget. Most tend to be 1.6, though you do find 1.4 Quantums too.

You might also want to check out the various Midas models, which also have light GRP monocoque body and either A series or K series engine.

[Purple AK]

Generally speaking, Engine Size has little, or no bearing on the cost of Kit Car insurance from the specialist Brokers. The premium is related to the Value of the car. Find yourself a Broker that will insure a 17 year old, (There are several out there) And ADD Dad, Mum and any older Siblings as Named Drivers This will actually bring the premium DOWN

[Ferg]

That's interesting you say that Chris, we found that engine size was the big factor when getting quotes for Tom's Luego. In fact that swung us to a seven rather than anything else due to the appeal of a Kent 1100 engined car, since K3s seem to be all at least the 105bhp 1.4 MPi engine....

[Munter]

When I was 17 a mate and his brother got themselves a Mini Marcos. It's only 2 seats but the luggage area is actually very big. They started with an 850 engine eventually moving upto a 1275 I think.

This is the very car!
www.minimarcos.org.uk/memcars/8234/index.html

[m1spw]

Munter said:

When I was 17 a mate and his brother got themselves a Mini Marcos. It's only 2 seats but the luggage area is actually very big. They started with an 850 engine eventually moving upto a 1275 I think. This is the very car! www.minimarcos.org.uk/memcars/8234

I'm not sure about the Marcos. I've never seen one up close...or ever in the flesh actually, but the styling doesn't quite agree with me. I saw a Mini Jem on ebay, which was one of only 200 of the mark 2's which looked quite nice (except that it was a faded/light yellow), but I don't know what kind of scale they are (if that makes sense, i.e. are they the same sort of size as a normal mini?).

The quantum 2+2 is starting to look a bit dated, although I do like the H4 (even though the back end does look just like a fiesta!). Has anyone driven either a 2+2 or an H4?

[inkafone]

I'm trying to sell my K3,it was at the Donington show on the Sunday,it's yellow and meets your spec.- passed the MOT today. Mail me if you want more info/pics.

>> Edited by inkafone on Thursday 27th October 22:02

>> Edited by inkafone on Thursday 27th October 22:04