planning for a kit advice needed
Discussion
ok ive been considering a kit car for a while (will build it myself as im a tight sod relay) but whats the best to start out with as this will be replaced at some point but im also willing to spend a bit if needed i was thinknig of an mk indy but after having a read on here ive been put off and whant to get something better was thinking base model westite or dax but what kind of costs and time build wise would i be looking at ?
james
james
Hi mate. I'd phone Mel at RAW UK on 01432 371169 and talk specs. The RAW Striker is well established as perhaps the best handling 7, it also straddles the divide between budget and top-end, and hence gives good quality. A former owner built my car, but the quality is excellent, and I've done more than 7000 miles in less than a year in mine with only minor electrical issues. The factory is accessible in Herefordshire with representatives in the North and East, and I've always had excellent personal service - Martin set the suspension up with me sat in the car for very little money. They truly love their little cars and know them inside out. I think they may have a part biult Fireblade car at the mo.
Do your research. Visit the factories, go to the kit shows, speak to the owners, get some test drives. Then pick the car you feel most comfortable with - not the one you think you should have because it appears to be more sorted or faster or 'better'. Then take your time with the build and don't rush or panic. In eighteen months from now you'll be tonking round the lanes like a good 'un.
If its a 7 replica your after my first choice would be a DAX rush, Caterham and Westfield are just too much money for what you get IMO.
I'm building an MK Indy and have been impressed with it, my last kit was an Ultima so my standards and expectations are quite high....
Costs will be 100% dependant on what spec you go for no matter what the kit you choose, e.g. if you want a new plate that adds a lot over age related.
I'm building an MK Indy and have been impressed with it, my last kit was an Ultima so my standards and expectations are quite high....
Costs will be 100% dependant on what spec you go for no matter what the kit you choose, e.g. if you want a new plate that adds a lot over age related.
From a purely ease of build view I would go go with either Westy or Raw.Back up and actual quality are pretty good.Ive heard pretty good stuff about the Mk indy, but dont have expreience of them.
If you wanted a full bodied version then, obviously the Fury is the way to go.
Just dont go into it with your eyes shut is all I would advise.
F
If you wanted a full bodied version then, obviously the Fury is the way to go.
Just dont go into it with your eyes shut is all I would advise.
F
If you're after a fine weather toy rather than a track day blaster, then for guaranteed quality, ease of build and good value price take a look at Westfield's Mazda SDV. http://pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.
As for the MK Indy, don't know why this forum should put you off as it's generally regarded as being a lot of car for the money, and I'm sure Andy wouldn't have got one if it was ropey. Haven't driven one personally, but totalkitcar photographer Tony Sissons has a bike engined one that he took me round Donington in. Came away impressed with both car and Tony's driving as we seemed to be the quickest thing on the track.
As already mentioned, best thing to do is visit a few manufacturers and take a few test drives. If you can wait that long you'll be able to see all the manufacturers and talk to lots of owners at the Stoneleigh kit car show in May.
As for the MK Indy, don't know why this forum should put you off as it's generally regarded as being a lot of car for the money, and I'm sure Andy wouldn't have got one if it was ropey. Haven't driven one personally, but totalkitcar photographer Tony Sissons has a bike engined one that he took me round Donington in. Came away impressed with both car and Tony's driving as we seemed to be the quickest thing on the track.
As already mentioned, best thing to do is visit a few manufacturers and take a few test drives. If you can wait that long you'll be able to see all the manufacturers and talk to lots of owners at the Stoneleigh kit car show in May.
antony moxey said:
Do your research. Visit the factories, go to the kit shows, speak to the owners, get some test drives. Then pick the car you feel most comfortable with - not the one you think you should have because it appears to be more sorted or faster or 'better'. Then take your time with the build and don't rush or panic. In eighteen months from now you'll be tonking round the lanes like a good 'un.
Agree entirely. Do your research, visit all the factories, and then decide! The biggest thing to consider is ease of build. Westfield and Caterhams are more expensive because they are MUCH better kits. The lower cost end are much more difficult to build! If you're doing them on your own, or doing it for the first time be very wary of this.
We (my dad and I) are just embarking on building a Robin Hood. Well, I say a "Robin Hood"...we're using the chassis which has been stress tested and a few panels. That's about all we're getting from Robin Hood the company. anyway...you really do see the difference in preparation. Do you know what instructions you get with The Hood? Nothing. That's right, nothing. All you get is a very poorly done video which is not in the right order and is, in some places, simply wrong.
So, go, look, investigate, enjoy that experience, and choose the car you like the look of most, and the one you think you can build the best.
Good luck
Tony
(PS: I asked a question on "how to prepare our garage" for our build, this thread may be useful for you; www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=23&t=298210 )
I built a Dax Rush V8 several years ago : was hooked on V8 idea so only Dax, Westfield and Tornado were fitting such wide motors into 7's at that time. Visited all the factories, including Ginetta as a back up (G33 was an option), and I felt for the money, build quality, strength and on-road performance (from road tests) the Dax was the one for me. Went together over ~ 900 hours with no real problems and finished result is excellent and still driving / looking like new 7 yrs later. I'd never built a car before, so was only of DIY mechanic (Haynes Manual in hand) level of experience - but Dax's build manual was VERY GOOD / comprehensive.
I don't think you can rule out MK etc until you've seen them though, look at chassis for amount of bracing, visual quality of welds, size of tubing etc , and then panel fit / thickness, and any obvious issues like things shoehorned in which you can't get to service / replace : I found a number of issues with sush shoehorned in donor parts on some of kits I looked at, but Dax had always designed in cunning modifications to their cars which got around the issues - another reason I went for the Rush.
Good luck hunting
I don't think you can rule out MK etc until you've seen them though, look at chassis for amount of bracing, visual quality of welds, size of tubing etc , and then panel fit / thickness, and any obvious issues like things shoehorned in which you can't get to service / replace : I found a number of issues with sush shoehorned in donor parts on some of kits I looked at, but Dax had always designed in cunning modifications to their cars which got around the issues - another reason I went for the Rush.
Good luck hunting
Most of the cost is determined by how much you actually wish to do. With a Caterham, you merely put bolts in holes. Woth a Robin Hood you have to very nearly re-invent the wheel! Most of the kits are in the middle. Also, whilst there are differences between the finished kits, they all go in a roughly similar way. Equally, most of the 7-esque cars will outperform their drivers. Cost is highly variable, as a new caterham can cost £30k, whilst you can build a Locost for £1K! Guess which takes longer though?! A good site worth looking at is www.locostbuilders.co.uk. Just ask us any thing you like and the answer will be revealed. I have immense amounts of fun (when allowed by the boss) in my Indy, which has a Blackbird engine in it. 0-60 in ~4 and 125 mph. Oh, and it only cost me £5k!
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