Advice on what to buy?
Discussion
Hello from a newbie!
I currently own a track prepped Nissan 200sx but am looking to sell up and move onto a Caterham based kit car.
I'm looking for something that I can drive to a trackday, rag around the track and drive home without constantly worrying about it breaking down. General maintenance is fine but i've had enough of major mechanical work so if its likely to go bang thats a definate no-no.
I like the look of the Tigers - any opinions on these or any others and what I should be aware of when viewing?
Thanks in advance
I currently own a track prepped Nissan 200sx but am looking to sell up and move onto a Caterham based kit car.
I'm looking for something that I can drive to a trackday, rag around the track and drive home without constantly worrying about it breaking down. General maintenance is fine but i've had enough of major mechanical work so if its likely to go bang thats a definate no-no.
I like the look of the Tigers - any opinions on these or any others and what I should be aware of when viewing?
Thanks in advance
Mikesx13 said:
I like the look of the Tigers - any opinions on these or any others and what I should be aware of when viewing?
I have a Six - it will do all you state in your OP. What else would you like to know (serious question, not being sarky or anything). Oh, and I'm glad I built it myself rather than buying a factory build.
Well, i'm totally new to these cars so probably a lot of simple basic stuff!
I won't be building one myself so is it advisable to look for a factory built one rather than a DIY built one?
DO you mean the Tiger SUper Six? - Thats the one of the TIgers I particularly like the look of, would you say thats the one to go for out of them?
Do they have any major issues with them i.e. with the Nissans you have to look out for subframe bushes, sills and boot rusting, turbo seals/play in the bearings, big end bearings knocking etc.
Are they likely to be reliable with a bit of general maintenance?
I won't be building one myself so is it advisable to look for a factory built one rather than a DIY built one?
DO you mean the Tiger SUper Six? - Thats the one of the TIgers I particularly like the look of, would you say thats the one to go for out of them?
Do they have any major issues with them i.e. with the Nissans you have to look out for subframe bushes, sills and boot rusting, turbo seals/play in the bearings, big end bearings knocking etc.
Are they likely to be reliable with a bit of general maintenance?
Mikesx13 said:
I won't be building one myself so is it advisable to look for a factory built one rather than a DIY built one?
Nope (IMO of course). I don't like the build quality of the factory cars at all and would always opt for a private build.
Mikesx13 said:
DO you mean the Tiger SUper Six? - Thats the one of the TIgers I particularly like the look of, would you say thats the one to go for out of them?
Yup. Course, I would say that!
Mikesx13 said:
Do they have any major issues with them i.e. with the Nissans you have to look out for subframe bushes, sills and boot rusting, turbo seals/play in the bearings, big end bearings knocking etc.
Turbo seals LOL! Engine woes depends entirely on your choice of engine. The Six happily runs Pintos, Zetecs, 4AGEs, Vauxhaulls, Crossflows. As to bits to watch out for, alternators blow easily and their brackets fall apart to the touch. The exhaust silencer doesn't after a couple of hundred miles and the header tanks tend to split easily. The headlights, too, are little better than candles. However, alternators can be had for less than £50, headlights can be replaced with halogens and bracketry can be fabricated yourself easily. Header tanks cost under a tenner and a repackable can can be had for not much more than £100. The only other thing that you might want to be aware of is the suspension bushes tend to disintegrate fairly quickly so replacing them with polybushes will sort that. Again, not that difficult a job. Mikesx13 said:
Are they likely to be reliable with a bit of general maintenance?
By and large I'd say yes. The only real reason mine's ever off the road is due to me tinkering or upgrading, which any kit builder will tell you is part and parcel - it's never finished!! Just as long as you get one that's built properly it'll last. Mine's four years old with 7k miles on it ATM, and it's showing no signs of giving up just yet!If you are not going to buid it yourself, AND you want complete reliability.....
Then don't bother with a kit car.
Kit cars reliability is dependent on two major factors: How well it was put togther, and how good the original components were.
Some kit cars have been built to an amazing degree of skill and engineering integrity.
Some kits have been built in a manner which looks as if fantastic attention has been paid to detail, but some of these will have engineering shortcomings which the careful bulder probebly didn't realise at the time.
On some cars the design of the kit compromises the reliability of otherwise excellent components.
Not all kit cars are built from all new components, so apart from the original quality, you would need to consider how much wear has taken place before the car was built.
If you really MUST have reliability, then buy a manufactured car where vast amounts of cash have gone into research.
I'm not knocking kit cars, it's just that most of them are owned and run by those who actually enjoy a bit of 'fettling' every now and then.
Then don't bother with a kit car.
Kit cars reliability is dependent on two major factors: How well it was put togther, and how good the original components were.
Some kit cars have been built to an amazing degree of skill and engineering integrity.
Some kits have been built in a manner which looks as if fantastic attention has been paid to detail, but some of these will have engineering shortcomings which the careful bulder probebly didn't realise at the time.
On some cars the design of the kit compromises the reliability of otherwise excellent components.
Not all kit cars are built from all new components, so apart from the original quality, you would need to consider how much wear has taken place before the car was built.
If you really MUST have reliability, then buy a manufactured car where vast amounts of cash have gone into research.
I'm not knocking kit cars, it's just that most of them are owned and run by those who actually enjoy a bit of 'fettling' every now and then.
Ok, I suppose i'm not hoping for 'complete reliability' but definately something that will do regular trackdays and the drive to and from without having regular major issues. I'm coming from owning a 15 year old Nissan which is known for being unreliable in standard form and is certainly unreliable running double the power it was originally designed for etc. etc.
What I want is a car thats going to be satisfying i.e. with my Nissan I work on it pretty much every evening and have done for quite some time but it never really gives anything back due to its inherent unreliability.
I would love to build one of these myself but I really want something ready for this summer so I don't see it as a feasable option.
I was talking to a Caterham owner and a Tiger owner at a trackday at Hullavington airfield on Friday and they mentioned that they hadn't had any significant problems with their cars since owning them, that coupled with the 'no problems in 7000 miles' comment makes me think that if you get the right one its going to be 'mostly' ok.
....just need to decide which one to go for now!
What I want is a car thats going to be satisfying i.e. with my Nissan I work on it pretty much every evening and have done for quite some time but it never really gives anything back due to its inherent unreliability.
I would love to build one of these myself but I really want something ready for this summer so I don't see it as a feasable option.
I was talking to a Caterham owner and a Tiger owner at a trackday at Hullavington airfield on Friday and they mentioned that they hadn't had any significant problems with their cars since owning them, that coupled with the 'no problems in 7000 miles' comment makes me think that if you get the right one its going to be 'mostly' ok.
....just need to decide which one to go for now!
I had very similar goals when I bought my kit car. I looked at several to get a feel for them and bought the best one I could afford. I think I got a reasonably good 'un but it's not been without issues. I use it regularly for trackdays and blasts out when the weather is nice. This is hardly scientific but to give you an idea of routine maintenance and the general tinkering involved, since Nov last year I've done the following:
Fitted baffled sump
Changed oil a few times
Converted to LSD
Fitted one way valve into fuel breather
Re-bonded cycle wings back on when one flew off
Re-engineered exhaust hanger
Replaced a few pop rivets which weren't doing their job
Upgraded the clutch to cure clutch slip
Replaced clutch cable when stronger clutch caused it to snap...
Fitted baffled sump
Changed oil a few times
Converted to LSD
Fitted one way valve into fuel breather
Re-bonded cycle wings back on when one flew off
Re-engineered exhaust hanger
Replaced a few pop rivets which weren't doing their job
Upgraded the clutch to cure clutch slip
Replaced clutch cable when stronger clutch caused it to snap...
Ive thrashed the balls off 4 bike engined kits over the last 7 years, thousands of track miles (including race mileage) also thousands of road miles including 2 up with camping gear too Le mans and had no significant problems I can recall, on an open pit lane day I can keep going whilst the production cars are sat with bonnet up "letting her cool down mate" while the BEC just sits there purring on tick over crying out "more please"
things that spring too mind,
oil cooler line split (genuine Honda part) causing a small fire.
throttle cable broke.
1 broken drive shaft during a race start.
Think that's about it. Buy one and enjoy.
things that spring too mind,
oil cooler line split (genuine Honda part) causing a small fire.
throttle cable broke.
1 broken drive shaft during a race start.
Think that's about it. Buy one and enjoy.
It might also be an idea to either visit the factory of the marque of your choice and book yourself a spin their demonstrator, or contact the local owners' club and see if you can tag along at a meet. I see you're in the SE, unfortunately (possibly) the biggest Tiger owners' club is in the south west: www.swtoc.co.uk You'd have been more than welcome to come out for a spin next time we met..
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