Entering the Kit Car World
Entering the Kit Car World
Author
Discussion

ShakeyC

Original Poster:

8 posts

228 months

Sunday 10th June 2007
quotequote all
Hi PH, hope i can find some information been busy searching through PH and found some answers but i still clueless to what i should be looking at? I have decided its going to be a road car for commutes not interested in track days or finding 0.001 sec advantages over other cars its purely to bring a bit of spice to whats normally a pretty dull 50 mile commute.

I decided its going to be car engine something small prehaps 1.6 max if they can do 0-62 roughly 6 seconds is enough for me, i would need some sort of roof against the rain and a heater for when its cold is my main requirements. My other concerns is security im bit worried about leaving it parked up in car parks is there a lockable compartment? then there is mpg a big tank would be nice along with some sort of space for a lanky old me.

Then there is the main thing handling i want a good chassis above all else i looked about and totally confused no idea what makes one make better than another in these terms?

I want something cheap to run with some fun, i would preffer to buy 2nd hand and fit my own engine and ecu (i already have) but would i need to go through another SVA if i did this? another option buy a roadsport kit from westfield or caterham and use my own engine and ecu or would i be stuck with ther own ecu and wiring only?

Cheers for reading

grahambell

2,720 posts

299 months

Sunday 10th June 2007
quotequote all
Sounds like the car bset suited to your requirements is a GTM Libra. http://www.pistonheads.com/roadtests/doc.asp?c=112...

Ferg

15,242 posts

281 months

Sunday 10th June 2007
quotequote all
Hmmm..
Looks like nice car, Graham.

ShakeyC

Original Poster:

8 posts

228 months

Monday 11th June 2007
quotequote all
Ergh i really not liking the looks of that GTM, i would prefer something along lines of 7 style car but so many variations its almost too much choice, what are Tiger's like thats within my price range, so as locosts, whats the bottom of the range westfield like?

Black5

579 posts

247 months

Monday 11th June 2007
quotequote all
The Libra was recommended because you are looking to commute and want 'something to keep the rain out'

Most wet weather equipment on a '7' style car does not exactly provide a waterproof cabin. Also heaters tend to be little more than demisters.

ShakeyC

Original Poster:

8 posts

228 months

Monday 11th June 2007
quotequote all
really i never realised it was that bad lol

andy_quantum

13,204 posts

228 months

Monday 11th June 2007
quotequote all
I dont think you'll find better for what you want than a Libra. An Avelle GTA type car would maybe be more to your liking, but it'll cost you and there's none second hand

I think if I were you I'd rule out a Seven type on practicality, and that while capable, it'd be the sort of car you drive every other week but probably not a commuter

Ferg

15,242 posts

281 months

Monday 11th June 2007
quotequote all
andy_quantum said:
An Avelle GTA type car would maybe be more to your liking,
But..

I dont think that ShakeyC said:
I want a REALLY ugly car

andy_quantum

13,204 posts

228 months

Monday 11th June 2007
quotequote all
biggrin

It's not that bad!!

Ferg

15,242 posts

281 months

Monday 11th June 2007
quotequote all
I'm sorry, but.....




..yes it is!




Thanks to www.Madabout-kitcars.com for the proof!

Jon Ison

1,304 posts

257 months

Monday 11th June 2007
quotequote all
Have a trip to Newark show this weekend, will be plenty to peruse over, talk to the builder/owners, grab the odd ride if you can........


andy_quantum

13,204 posts

228 months

Monday 11th June 2007
quotequote all
Ferg said:
I'm sorry, but.....




..yes it is!




Thanks to www.Madabout-kitcars.com for the proof!
That may not be the cars best angle.... smile

I quite like it. Dont know if I'd buy one, but like it nonetheless


robcollingridge

633 posts

307 months

Monday 11th June 2007
quotequote all
Ferg said:
I'm sorry, but.....




..yes it is!
Bloody hell! That is ugly. It looks like it got dropped off a container ship and fell down to the depths, getting crushed by water pressure in the process.

Rob
http://www.robcollingridge.com/kitcar

Black5

579 posts

247 months

Tuesday 12th June 2007
quotequote all


Sorry, but I'm with Ferg and robcollingridge on this one.

What about something like a Kamala?

fuoriserie

4,560 posts

293 months

Tuesday 12th June 2007
quotequote all
the american original was the Mullen......

http://www.mullenmotorco.com/gt_photos.htm

or this.

http://www.mullenmotorco.com/M11photos.htm

Edited by fuoriserie on Tuesday 12th June 09:38

ShakeyC

Original Poster:

8 posts

228 months

Tuesday 12th June 2007
quotequote all
I think im going to be sick! Why do kit cars looks so bad i mean the designers have much more free reign over the style opposed to mass produced cars so why make something so distinctly ugly, why not design something we can oggle at for hours 99% of kits out there just seem like an after thought by someone who thinks vynal floors are cool and shagpile rugs are still in with orange curtains with woodchip walls. Back on track i still want a 7 type car even as a 2nd car if commuting in the rain is not better than wearing a showercap under a waterfall but which 7 is a mindfield.

andy_quantum

13,204 posts

228 months

Tuesday 12th June 2007
quotequote all
ShakeyC said:
I think im going to be sick! Why do kit cars looks so bad i mean the designers have much more free reign over the style opposed to mass produced cars so why make something so distinctly ugly, why not design something we can oggle at for hours 99% of kits out there just seem like an after thought by someone who thinks vynal floors are cool and shagpile rugs are still in with orange curtains with woodchip walls. Back on track i still want a 7 type car even as a 2nd car if commuting in the rain is not better than wearing a showercap under a waterfall but which 7 is a mindfield.
Maybe the majority of non 7 kit cars arent for you after all smile

Which Seven depends much on your budget, what you want to do to it/with it. You might find Robin Hoods are the best thing since wheels were invented, or you might like the Westfield Owners Club enough to want to be in it.

Best thing I could suggest is head to Newark this weekend if you can, failling that there's still other shows later in the year. Speak to some owners, decide which one fits into the money and effort you want to give up, and then look around for a drive in one

ShakeyC

Original Poster:

8 posts

228 months

Tuesday 12th June 2007
quotequote all
I have tried a new Caterham Sigma which got me hooked on the idea of buying one for road use, forget all the bike engined track honed specials the roadsport was perfect nimble, balanced and good get up and go and most of all it looked amazing in white with the black carbon trim that to me is a good looking car! My problem is its way too expensive new or used i wouldnt want to spend more than 5k on a 2nd hand one think 8k for a new one is pushing it a bit but 18k on the road price is just daft for whats essentially a stripped out bare bones car.

Basically i want something like a Caterham Sigma 1.6 Roadsport in terms of spec, handling and performance without the inflated price tag, which lead me towards cheaper brands.

Black5

579 posts

247 months

Tuesday 12th June 2007
quotequote all
Try looking at a 2nd hand Striker.

Owners rave about them and it shouldn't be too far from your budget fitted with a standard 1600.


Ferg

15,242 posts

281 months

Tuesday 12th June 2007
quotequote all
fuoriserie said:
the american original was the Mullen......

http://www.mullenmotorco.com/gt_photos.htm
Wow!
That's interesting, Italo.
I'm sure, when it was launched as the Avelle, there was a big noise about how the guy had styled it himself......

Of course the plot thickens with the advert in the KitCar Mag Classifieds for a 'Prototype' being sold from Northamptonshire 'having just taken legal advice'.......

scratchchin