new in need of some help

[lukeashwell]

first and foremost hello to everyone! Ive been looking into a kit car for a while now, but have no experience with anything involved before. What im thinking of doing is saving up some money over the summer and buying a fully built car next winter. Funds will be fairly limited and I am young and not sure about the effect this will have on insurance with a kit car. Im hoping to raise about £4000. So basically, any suggestions as to what kit? Im not after ridiculous power pace or performance. I fancy a convertible with the option of wet weather gear, that has a bit of 'pose factor' or something with a bit of presence on the road, for little money. Im open to any suggestions! Thanks in advance
Luke Ashwell.

[steve_d]

Ask 20 owners and you will get near 20 different answers.
Take in a few shows or search the various manufacturers sites to find what suits your needs. When you have found what you like and think fits the bill come back here and ask about that specific model so those who have been ther can tell you of their experience/feelings.

Insurance will be cheaper than most any tin top but even more so if you build the car yourself. The insurance company likes the commitment and understanding you will have for the finished item and your reluctance to throw it into the nearest hedgerow after all the time you have put in. An abandoned project would fit the bill for both 'self built' and tight budget. You also get to spread the cost over time.

Best of luck
Steve

[lukeashwell]

thanks steve. ok well im now thinking a lotus inspired type of thing may be best. Ive heard mixed things about robin hoods. I quite like the look of them, and they seem to be the cheapest out there. has anyone got one?

im 6'5, will i fit?
are they reliable?
is the wet weather gear good?

thanks

[gudgeonpin]

Hi Luke

Your question is one that is regularly posted on here and as Steve D wisely said, you will get so many different opinions you will still be none the wiser. A good trawl through the PH kit car forum archives will produce umpteen threads on this..

If you are into Seven-types I reckon your best route is just do your research by going to shows, reading buying guides and talking to owners. You will soon start to whittle down a short list depending on your requirements and general feelings towards what you see.

There is an excellent 7 buyers guide in one of this months track-day magazines (looks like the old CCC mag (?) saw it in WHS smiths..) that will give a fair idea of whats what.

Good luck!

[busa_rush]

As above but with £4k you'll struggle to get something good, eBay would be a good source, find a car that's not been used for a couple of years and needs a good service and wash. Make sure it's been on the road (legally) before and is correctly registered. Some part built kits can be at best dangerous despite looking like bargains. (If using eBay watch all the cars you can, even those that don't meet reserve, sometimes the owners will accept an offer after they've failed to sell it, sometimes they don't understand how eBay works and need to see what their car is really worth )

Also trawl through the owners clubs, www.wscc.co.uk has a good forum called the boardroom, Caterhams at www.blatchat.co.uk, Tigers have one too somewhere. Locosts at www.locostbuilders.co.uk can be a good source of cars but watch out for some of their dodgy home made chassis

If you can go to £6k you'll get a nice Tiger/Westfield/Striker/etc - possibly x-Flow or Pinto powered that will be a lot of fun in the sun and fast enough to be interesting.

[lukeashwell]

great thanks alot