Get a sub 5k Westy now or hang on?

[Rich_p]

I'm currently trying to decide what to do about my 2nd car.

I'm in the process of building a Pug 309 for track use and sprints to.

Now I could spend a fortune doing so and then when I want to go rwd which is bound to happen sell it on and make a big loss.

So it's got me thinking should I ust bite the bullet and go rwd straight away?

I've been looking at sub 5k Westfields and similar which already have a rollbar or cage plus seats and harnesses.

My issue is do I go out and get a early 90's car with a pinto or x flow or do I hang on for a while, spend a little extra and get something a little newer and bike engined?

I'm just worried I will get the older car and then wish I had gone newer and bike powered.

Just wondering what peoples views are?

[Furyous]

Pure track use has to be BEC without question.

Also look at ex racers if you only want a track car.

The Fury is very good BEC track tool.

Phoenix'x''x'xsss are prob getting at that level now too.

[dern]

In my experience you'll get a bargain if you wait until winter. When I was looking for my last one people would accept quite a bit less for their cars in the run up to christmas. A mercenary approach if you like but there you go. I got my old v8 westfield for 8500 in October a few years back and sold it for 10k in the summer.

[Furyblade_Lee]

I know a good Yellow Westy for sale at £4k (its not advertised yet). Owner is an Audi technitian and it has a brand new PowerEngineering 1.9 CVH, and Toyo 888 tyres. Just come back from our 2,500 jaunt through the Alps with 100% reliability. Drop me a mail if you want more info. I'd say go BEC but you really need £7-9k for a good road-legal one.

[kriss]

Can I ask why A Westie or are you able to go to other "lesser" manufactures?

Reason I say this is because, my best friends (brothers) just finished building their Westfiel Megabusa. Cost in the region of £20k if not more. (LSD, AP Brakes, Reverse box)

I just got a brand new MK Indy R1 proffesionaly built for me for half the price, everyone including the Westfield brother say my car looks better, sounds better and goes pretty much just as well.

I am sure my car will be savage round track as I have seen so many go round much more expensive cars GT3 RS etc

If you like BEC, (Bike Engine Car) take a look at Fishers Furys, MK Indy, MAC no1, MNR etc

Good luck

[Jim Spencer]

Hi

Before you do anything check what classes are run in your neck of the woods, if you're planning on doing Sprints.

As a rough rule of thumb a roadgoing seven would be in Road Modified Specialist Production, which normally is split into 2 classes at below / Above 1700cc.
Occasionally a 3rd split is made for bike engined cars.
Occasionally bike engined cars are specifically excluded and have to run in sports libre.

Also note it's "Specialist Production" - not unique one offs, so a car of a type that was commercially available as a kit (i.e. a Westfield/Ford or a Striker/Toyota) is a safe bet.
Ensure it has a windscreen.

I would have thought that a 1600 crossflow powered westfield would make a nice car to start with - easy to get on with and cheap to fix and upgrade.

[Gumstabber]

If you're wanting to do road use then having a windscreen is fairly sensible. Otherwise you'll be using a helmet to go everywhere. Maybe that's what you'll want though. A windscreen comes with extra weight though and I bet you can't find a BEC with one.

[Jim Spencer]

Gumstabber said:

If you're wanting to do road use then having a windscreen is fairly sensible. Otherwise you'll be using a helmet to go everywhere. Maybe that's what you'll want though. A windscreen comes with extra weight though and I bet you can't find a BEC with one.

No - that's true - but a Windscreen is a normal requirement for the class in Sprints - as the OP said he wanted to do them..

[BoRED S2upid]

Dare I mention an MX5? Rear wheel drive, lot cheaper than the very cheapest Westy (Which is all you can afford at the moment) and make a useful track day car.

[crofty1984]

Furyous said:

Pure track use has to be BEC without question.

Also look at ex racers if you only want a track car.

The Fury is very good BEC track tool.

Phoenix'x''x'xsss are prob getting at that level now too.

OK, blatant plug, but relevant! My racing fury has a fireblade engine in and it's bloody fantastic! also, very predictable when it slides because of the live axle. Doesn't fit in the price range though.