Westy, to much to soon??
Discussion
Hi all
My request is simple and any comment would be greatfully appreciated.
I have always tinkered with landrovers etc and have had a bit of contact with kit cars over the years. Mainly Westfields and MK's etc. I am now in a stable position to pick one up for some summer fun. I have my eye on 2 models currently under the "westfield" classified section on this site. Both in Le mans blue one a 1.8 Zetec the other 3.5 V8. The £10k bracket is not a problem but i fear i may be jumping in to fast i.e big engine big spec etc. There are a number of other models available for considerably less? Do i go all out or should i play around with something smaller and possibly change up next summer?
Cheers
Nick
My request is simple and any comment would be greatfully appreciated.
I have always tinkered with landrovers etc and have had a bit of contact with kit cars over the years. Mainly Westfields and MK's etc. I am now in a stable position to pick one up for some summer fun. I have my eye on 2 models currently under the "westfield" classified section on this site. Both in Le mans blue one a 1.8 Zetec the other 3.5 V8. The £10k bracket is not a problem but i fear i may be jumping in to fast i.e big engine big spec etc. There are a number of other models available for considerably less? Do i go all out or should i play around with something smaller and possibly change up next summer?
Cheers
Nick
a standard zetec will give you plenty of smiles, but ultimately you may urge for more power which will be fairly cheap to do - you can see 170bhp for not too much cost and 200bhp if you wanna spend more
a V8 will be much more of a beasty and with its extra weight and power will be defo more of a handful -- loadsa power big heavy engine at front and low weight at the back ... mmmm sounds like fun in the right hands and setup ... a car you will always have to be warey off
standard car engines will be better handling and probably not too far off as quick in a straight line - but when it comes to braking and cornering they will be far better
even with 130bhp these cars can be lethal in the inexperianced hands, especially in slippery conditions, would be worth doing some track days where you can driver their caterhams etc - in fact westfield do some track days - at least you could find your limits as to what you will be happy with
failing that get on the WSCC forum - somebody local may well offer to take you for a spin if you ask nicely - they are a very helpful bunch
a V8 will be much more of a beasty and with its extra weight and power will be defo more of a handful -- loadsa power big heavy engine at front and low weight at the back ... mmmm sounds like fun in the right hands and setup ... a car you will always have to be warey off
standard car engines will be better handling and probably not too far off as quick in a straight line - but when it comes to braking and cornering they will be far better
even with 130bhp these cars can be lethal in the inexperianced hands, especially in slippery conditions, would be worth doing some track days where you can driver their caterhams etc - in fact westfield do some track days - at least you could find your limits as to what you will be happy with
failing that get on the WSCC forum - somebody local may well offer to take you for a spin if you ask nicely - they are a very helpful bunch
Just a personal opinion, but I've always found the Rover V8 a slightly odd choice in such a light car. I know they're not a particularly heavy engine for their size, but a four cylinder just seems to suit it better.
Have you ever tried a K-Series powered Caterham? I had a go in a 190bhp example the other day which went very nicely indeed and that certainly would be lighter and better mannered than a Rover V8 car.
Have you ever tried a K-Series powered Caterham? I had a go in a 190bhp example the other day which went very nicely indeed and that certainly would be lighter and better mannered than a Rover V8 car.
I think it depends on wether or not you have ever driven one before, I would try and blag a test from someone first - then decide if it was fast enough....
My old xflow engined Westy was some beast when I got it last year, I am now however too used to the performance and will be updating the motor soon, its amazing just how short in terms of time that you get used to the speed, then think geez there must be something wrong its not as quick as it was.
10k will see you getting a really good one at the moment, try and grab a test soon.
Rich
My old xflow engined Westy was some beast when I got it last year, I am now however too used to the performance and will be updating the motor soon, its amazing just how short in terms of time that you get used to the speed, then think geez there must be something wrong its not as quick as it was.
10k will see you getting a really good one at the moment, try and grab a test soon.
Rich
i would test drive both before you make any decisions, they are like chalk and cheese. That is a lot of money to spend on a toy if you are not happy. Both will bring a smile to your face but in very different ways.
I would personally go for a slightly lesser known model like an MNR or MK etc with a decent build and a better spec on things like performance, ie brakes, suspension and engine. These cars are never that comfy, (despite how much leather you thow at them), But thats because i feel these should be performance cars but if you just want to bimble down the country lanes waving to the neighbours then a V8 may be for you.
I would personally go for a slightly lesser known model like an MNR or MK etc with a decent build and a better spec on things like performance, ie brakes, suspension and engine. These cars are never that comfy, (despite how much leather you thow at them), But thats because i feel these should be performance cars but if you just want to bimble down the country lanes waving to the neighbours then a V8 may be for you.
The Zetec engined car has been for sale for some time now. Was being shown as sold for the last couple of weeks or so and is now up for sale again, seems a bit strange.
Thre V8 is more of a cruiser so if you are doing a lot of motorway driving it might be better for you, if not I would definately go for a Zetec or 4 pot, but not necessarily the blue one. Maybe it's the colour that's putting buyers off, and it is a tad expensive.
Thre V8 is more of a cruiser so if you are doing a lot of motorway driving it might be better for you, if not I would definately go for a Zetec or 4 pot, but not necessarily the blue one. Maybe it's the colour that's putting buyers off, and it is a tad expensive.
both cars look very good but all westfields seem to go for a lot of money. I was looking at this one http://pistonheads.com/sales/1074824.htm which is the green FW200 is up for 15k.
I suppose they must be worth it but i couldnt bring myself to spend that much on one with so many other cars out there.
Makes mine look cheap
I suppose they must be worth it but i couldnt bring myself to spend that much on one with so many other cars out there.
Makes mine look cheap
I chucked a temporary engine into my Westy for SVA purposes. It was an XE on TBs with about 180 or so Bhp. I personally felt is was bloody slow and couldn't wait to put my other engine in. It all comes down to your own perseption of speed and what you personally consider to be a fast car.
Many thanks for the comments guys.
I have test driven a number of westfield before but only for short periods. I can see that a Zetec powered car would be easier to live with in the long run but the V8 is a real lump in a car this small. I have been round a track in an MK indy but have to say though it was very quick its sunny sunday afternoon dravability seems limited.
The Gulf coloured Zetec in the classifieds does seem a little over-priced i assume this is simply due to its colour, detail, desirability etc?
I have test driven a number of westfield before but only for short periods. I can see that a Zetec powered car would be easier to live with in the long run but the V8 is a real lump in a car this small. I have been round a track in an MK indy but have to say though it was very quick its sunny sunday afternoon dravability seems limited.
The Gulf coloured Zetec in the classifieds does seem a little over-priced i assume this is simply due to its colour, detail, desirability etc?
I owned a Saxo VTR (and previous to that a Nova) when I bought and built my Westfield Sport 2000. It was fast when I bought it but you get used to it. You get used to the speed/acceleration and any of the engine types will be a handful in the wet. Get on the WSCC forums and go to your local meeting, get advice and ask if someone will come and have a look at the car with you.
I have had my V8 for about two years now. It was my first kit car. It was extremly well sorted and only used for hillclimbs and sprints and at 14 years old has only done 8.5k miles. it is a 4.3 with alot of goodies in and on the engine - approx 260 at the wheels - best recorded 0-60 is now 2.8 and top speed is about 135. The best car i have ever had V8 all the way for me. i love the sound and the raw power and the look on so many peoples faces as we leave them for dead.
Dave
Dave
After having 10 years of a 4 cylinder westfield, I changed to a V8.
Loved the sound and acceleration, but hated the handling (relative to my previous car).
I took it to Procomp and they set up car, and the car is nimble again.
Point I am trying to make, is with the extra weight (mine weighs 674kg with full tank) it will emphasise handling problems. But a well set up Seight, will handle well too.
Loved the sound and acceleration, but hated the handling (relative to my previous car).
I took it to Procomp and they set up car, and the car is nimble again.
Point I am trying to make, is with the extra weight (mine weighs 674kg with full tank) it will emphasise handling problems. But a well set up Seight, will handle well too.
I'd go turbo powered. Mine is a Cosworth One (put it up for sale recently due to baby) and I can say that it is economical, more so than say a V8) and you can drive it like a normal car at any speed. It is also very fast (too fast in some respects haha) when you open it up, with scope for further mods down the line if you are a bit mental!
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