Damian_R Posted September 30, 2013 Share Posted September 30, 2013 Evening. After wanting one of these for many years but it not actually happening due to house buying, kids, moving house, redundancy, becoming self employed, getting married......you know what I mean, all that boring general life stuff, I've finally reached the point where I'm serious about getting my first Westfield. From what I've seen in the Westfield's For Sale Area I think I can stretch to a fairly decent car and I've actually been in almost daily contact with an owner about potentially purchasing his car but it's caused me to consider the following. Basically my intention was to buy a basic car with something like a 1.6L engine and then hopefully spend a bit of time and money learning all about how to improve the car (my practical skills with the spanner are pretty basic to say the least even at the old age of 42) with modest tweaks but I've started to seriously think about jumping in at the relatively deep end (as far as I'm concerned anyway) of buying an already tweaked 2.0L. So, my question to anyone out there who may be able to spare a couple of minutes and post a quick reply is what are your thoughts about the right level of car for a complete newbie with very basic mechanical skills? Drive safe Damian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6carjon Posted September 30, 2013 Share Posted September 30, 2013 Hi Damian, welcome.I would go for a higher spec ,higher power car and grow into it. If you think you want a 2.0 then go for it. It is cheaper in the long run and you don't have to use all the power. At the old age of 42, I expect you understand restraint. With a family to look after they need you to be safe, so be careful and buy the car you really want ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SootySport Posted September 30, 2013 Share Posted September 30, 2013 Buy a non tuned 2.0L redtop, Zetec, Duratec and develop it as you have funds and the skills. 2.0L engine cars give you about 150 horses, enough for now but later the skies the limit. Trust me you will soon learn about your car and how to swing a spanner with plenty of advice from the Forum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FILFAN Posted September 30, 2013 Share Posted September 30, 2013 As above don't bother with the smaller car if your wanting to upgrade at a later date as it gets expensive. Having said that though there are some great small engines about such as the sigma. You wouldn't go wrong going to your local meet and seeing what other people have though people stars sorning cars now do may not be as many as usual. Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Damian_R Posted October 1, 2013 Author Share Posted October 1, 2013 Thanks for your advice...... I guess it could be the 2.0L one then and enjoy it!! Drive safe Damian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexander72 Posted October 1, 2013 Share Posted October 1, 2013 Damian, I started where you are and bought my first westy a year ago. Its a cross-flow so only 1700 cc and an older style engine but it suits me nipping to the poaper shop and on to bingo. Whatever you buy you will have fun in as dpont forget a 150bhp 2.0 standard engine in something as small as a westfield will be very rapid and more than a handfull in the wrong conditions. whatever you end up with have fun and post some pics!!! All the very best, JAmes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pickmaster Andy Lowe Posted October 1, 2013 Share Posted October 1, 2013 I like James bought a year ago a 1700 xflow I did it with the intension of upgrading as I find that as much fun as the driving I would have loved to of scratch built a kit but Cost IVA Time We're all against me So cheaper and more fun for me to buy a Q plate road legal one the change it into exactly what I want The sky's the limit What ever you buy you will change it !!!!! It's just up to you how much Good luck in finding YOUR perfect car Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rory's Dad Posted October 1, 2013 Share Posted October 1, 2013 Providing you're not a really stupid driver get as much power as you can afford. The secret of course is not to mash your right foot into the load pedal while going round a wet roundabout. Remember too that power, braking and roadholding should all be good but it your driving ability that is paramount. If you are serious, join the club, get yourself to your local meeting, introduce yourself to the AO and blag as many passenger rides as you can and you will get a better idea of what you want. Rory's Dad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Damian_R Posted October 1, 2013 Author Share Posted October 1, 2013 Thanks for the new replies I know it all comes down to right foot pressure and I know that it means that I'll have to grow up and be a responsible adult while behind the wheel of a Westfield, it's something I'm more than happy to do. I have already been in contact with the local Wilts & Hants branch and fully intend to meet up with them at their next gathering :-) Damian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhett Turner - Black Country AO Posted October 1, 2013 Share Posted October 1, 2013 I built my westi using the standard 2l zetec so 150bhp but as it was new and running in I was using much less. I slowly built up the revs over the first 2000 miles so didn't use all 150bhp until I had had the car almost a year. I found building up the revs and therefore releasing more power gradually beneficial in getting used to driving and handling the car. When I first had the full 150bhp it took some getting used to but I soon wanted more so went down the moderately simple route of adding throttle bodies for another 20-25bhp but what a different, I would not have believed how much the additional bhp adds to the overall experience. I would therefore agree with what others have said and start with a 2l engine if your long term aim is to increase power and tune over time. Good luck with the hunt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peet Posted October 1, 2013 Share Posted October 1, 2013 Hi Damian, I'm in nearly the same situation as you. First thing is ask anything you don't understand about these on here - I have learnt plenty in a short time from the good folk on here and it saved me buying a possible lemon - i.e. the very first advert that caught my eye on ebay!! Second is get in touch with some locals and try some cars - even just sitting in some you start to notice things you want and then you have a chat then you REALLY start to notice things - I know now that I want floor mounted pedals and a seat that I fit - yes they are simple solutions but they also cost cash and time. Seen one you like but not quite right for you? Look at how much it is to change the bits you don't want. I am sure that every Westy has to be fettled to suit it's new owner that's part of the fun!! Get the engine you want too, think about why and what you are using it for. I tried one that was a really great car (and it scared the poop outta me!) but I knew I would get in trouble with it. As I am planning on using mine as an occasional 60 mile round trip commuter even through the winter, so I'm going to go for a lesser power and build my confidence up with one with as new a chassis as I can afford so I can upgrade at a later date. AND best of all - this is definately a buyers market - ALL the cars I have been interested in in the last 2 months have still been for sale so these definately aren't investment cars (i came from classic Vw's which are) older doesn't add to their value - specification and good build finish does so take your time and enjoy your hunting!! Oh and I am still looking but am looking at one next week so keep your sticky mitts off it!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
User0083 Posted October 2, 2013 Share Posted October 2, 2013 Good morning Damian, I reflect everything mentioned above. I moved into the seven scene after owning many classics, MGBGT, MGB Roadster, Triumph Stag, several 70's and 80's minis... Etc. When it comes to modern tin tops they're a bit lifeless to drive. My Afla 156 GTA was ok, but I really found the S2000 a bit detached from reality. So more in it for the drive, as a practical and safer bike replacement also, hopefully, wasn't going to leave vital fluids everywhere. I started with a 1600 pinto Rovin Hood, was pretty good, but 85ish horses didn't last long. Then I moved to a 2.0 pinto, huge spec and a T3 turbo have me 217bhp. I found this far too much. I had the car 14 months and always found the chassis couldn't handle the power. I got my Westfield, 1800 Zetec on carbs, 150ish horses and it was so well balanced and a perfect drive. I drove 2.0 zetecs, injected 1800's, CVH's and other seven style cars and found the 1800 Zetec matched what I wanted each time. I've considered "just changing the cams" which could give me an easy 180ish and be a few hundred pound. But as a car I use to enjoy a summers day and have fun driving coastal roads it's rare I feel the need for more power. However I know of owners here that have over 250 horses, use their cars on track days and want more power and do everything to shed the odd kilo. So you need to think what you use the car for first. I considered getting a S2000 powered westfield for a couple of years, but I would never need that power and feel it would be too much for the chassis to handle... Well my driving ability at least! Good luck in your search and remember, buyers market! Believe me, you'll know the right car. When I got mine it was 7yrs old and had 1678 miles on the clock. Basically used for a show a year and to/from MOT. Not much else. I covered more than that in the first month of ownership! Stephen 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wile E. Coyote Posted October 2, 2013 Share Posted October 2, 2013 However I know of owners here that have over 250 horses, use their cars on track days and want more power and do everything to shed the odd kilo. So you need to think what you use the car for first. I considered getting a S2000 powered westfield for a couple of years, but I would never need that power and feel it would be too much for the chassis to handle... Well my driving ability at least! No one really needs to be in the 200+ club, but the truth is it's an absolute hoot to have the performance even if you rarely use all of it: i'm with whoever said buy as much as you can afford but with the caveat of making sure it remains driveable. Don't forget the design of these things is such that, in addition to accelerating quickly, they also stop and change direction quickly and in a very predictable manner which helps build confidence. If you've got a healthy bit of power there it also increases your opportunities to slot in a safe overtake which, on some of the roads I like to drive, can sometimes make the difference between having a nice stretch of clear tarmac vs. 10 miles stuck behind an OAP at 40 mph. The other consideration that hasn't been directly mentioned is the level of technology in the various cars: personally I find the "old school" approach of twin carbs has a certain appeal, but others like the extra power that can be extracted using injection, ecus, etc... Jon and pickmaster touched on it too, but to reiterate, don't fear "Q" plates. Many advantages over age related registrations! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman Posted October 2, 2013 Share Posted October 2, 2013 considered getting a S2000 powered westfield for a couple of years, but I would never need that power and feel it would be too much for the chassis to handle... Quick correction first, the Westfield chassis has been steadily developed over the years, with the right parts on it, there is no issue at all handling these sorts of power figures at all. Further, the S2000 engined car that Stephen mentioned actually had the chassis sent out for development to a race engineering specialist in order to make sure the car, as a standard offering from WF could precisely handle the power, and much more. With improved handling over all the standard Westfields that had gone before. Provided an engine hasn't been tuned to within an inch of its life, with a "good" modified engine, ie one that is still tractable, that still pulls from low down etc, there is little problem using a higher power car on the road. The throttle pedal isn't, or shouldn't be, an on/off switch, there are positions in between! Its perfectly true, you don't "need" the higher power engines in a Westfield, they're fantastic fun and hugely quick cars without. But, the "right" high power engine in their, is just hugely addictive. And as Chris said, it allows you to pass where otherwise you couldn't, and driven right opens up more blatting time for you. My MOT is later this morning, because the car's on a Q plate, a large part of the test will simply not apply to me. I love Q plates! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexander72 Posted October 2, 2013 Share Posted October 2, 2013 Cherry, I was lucky enough to be driven around blyton by Jamie Morrow in the s2000 powered westfield........it was an experience I can tell you. They have really developed that car now, so much so, it's nearly equal to my cross-flow! Whatever westy you end up with Damian you will have great fun and get all the help you could possibly need from the WSCC brethren here. Good luck in your quest James 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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