Picking a Westy

[WNi]

Hi All

I’m looking at my first Westy.  I have found this one close to me. 

 

Any comments or observations?

Thanks

 

https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1083795

 

[Steve (sdh2903)]

Looks a nice classic looking build that. Tidy engine bay and wiring, looks very very clean underneath for 25 years and 29k. Would suggest its either been meticulously looked after or been rebuilt at some point?

[CraigHew]

I'll prefeace my comments by agreeing with Steve above.....but I wouldn't by a 25 year old car.

 

I also think that Car and Classic will be an expensive place to buy from

 

There are a few decent cars currently for sale within the "for Sale" section of the forum.....buying from a WSCC member is usually less "dangerous" than a from a company who justs shifts cars....

 

Also, check out the cars currently on PistonHeads (https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds?Category=used-cars&M=660&M=663&M=661&M=662&SortOptions=PriceLowToHigh)

 

There are a handful of cars on pistonheads around your (assumed) price point.

 

One bit of advice: have a good look at the specs, condition and mileage of as many cars as you can, and begin to get a feel for the prices.  Also try and set out a "wish list" of components or items that will fit your intended use for the car.

 

good luck, buying your first Westy is an exciting journey...

 

 

 

[Steve (sdh2903)]

Just to add aswell. That has 'kit' bodywork which is no longer available and the newer 'zk' bodywork isn't interchangeable. Only an issue should you need to change any bodywork but worth bearing in mind.

 

Having looked again I'd agree with craig it looks a bit on the pricey side for a 25 year old car on carbs. A newer injected car should easily be in that price range especially this time of year.

 

[Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman]

It’s in bike carbs with electronic engine (ignition) management, that’s a substantially different proposition from an old (Classic) Weber or Delorto set up. It does appear to have at least a partial rebuild at some recent stage, including a new (crate) Zetec motor. It’s also got some very nice, and expensive, parts on it, like the Siltech rear wishbone conversion to go with the Westfield Widetrack front end.

 

Its not miles out price wise given what can be seen of the spec, and if it’s an uprated gearbox as well, then the deal would be even sweeter!

 

Yes, as Steve said, do be aware that with the old type Kit Bodywork, individual panels can’t be interchanged with the current equivalent ZK style panels. But, it’s only the nose, bonnet and scuttle that don’t match properly, so you could put ZK versions of them on a Kit tub, should the need ever arise.

 

As for the age, meh! As is repeatedly said over and over by many of us on here, buy on condition, not age! While the latest chassis has improvements to it compared to a mid 90’s example, strength in particular - this applies more if you wanted to use the car as a basis for a big power conversion.

 

That said, there is generally plenty of choice at this sort of price point, so do look at as many cars as you can, it all helps put what you’re looking at into some sort of context, and helps you work out what sort of features and spec are useful to you.

[BigSkyBrad]

If you don't mind yellow, this one on the forum for the same money is a cracker. Quick enough for a trackday blast, and fully kitted for touring.

 

[SouthhamsChris]

As a fellow wscc member thanks Dave for your positive comments. My car is also listed in the sales forum

 

[Burgerbob]

It looks like a nice car.  As with any older car, buy on condition not on age. 

 

Best bet is to get in touch with the seller.  Most westie owners are very passionate and can talk all day about their cars, warts and all!!

 

Link to the wscc advert:

 

 

[Rob Hunter - Club Secretary]

I'd agree about writing yourself a list of "must haves" and "like to haves", plus listen to the sage advice from the members here and stick to your budget. 

 

I looked at loads over the summer before buying my first Westfield at the end of August. 

 

On my personal list was a wide body (I'm 6ft 4), LSD, modern 2 litre engine (zetec, duratec or XE) with a minimum of 160bhp, wide track front end, decent coilovers and Team Dynamics 1.2's (or equivalent lightweight rims). 

 

I picked up a 1996 car from a WSCC member with tons of history. It's cosmetically far from perfect but mechanically sound and reliable, a good basis for me to learn about the cars and slowly upgrade.

 

Mine had stood for a few months (owner was awaiting a knee operation), had an earth leak (2 minute fix) and the twin 45's weren't set up properly (£120 for a service) so got a great price.

[Mighty Mart]

another plus with the older cars is they still haven't probably seen a lot of use or bad weather during their lifetime....most will have seen dry use and been garaged, so nowhere near the same scenario as buying a 25 year old tin top.....

of course you have the same scenario as above with newer cars too...

also, on the older cars, the chassis tended to be made from a much better grade box section also, so it's by no means bad news looking at older cars....

Mart.

[Burgerbob]

1 hour ago, RobH72 said:

I'd agree about writing yourself a list of "must haves" and "like to haves", plus listen to the sage advice from the members here and stick to your budget. 

That's exactly what I did.  I made a spreadsheet with three lists, must haves, desirables and nice to haves.  It was quite detailed from engine types, power, gear boxes, seats, roll bars, condition, quality of consumables used etc. Most of the list generated from loads of research on the internet.

 

I then went to toybox to look at a range of cars and refined the list.

 

My plan was to go to a few meets and chat to owners but I saw an advert for a car that ticked all my must haves plus many of the desirables at a price below budget.

 

I gelled with the seller who was as honest as they come and a genuine car nut. The car was not perfect but drove great. I had an independent check on it by a mechanic and his advice was "buy it"

 

It's an enthusiasts car, so if the seller is not genuinely enthusiastic I would walk away.

 

[Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman]

5 hours ago, Mighty Mart said:

another plus with the older cars is they still haven't probably seen a lot of use or bad weather during their lifetime....most will have seen dry use and been garaged, so nowhere near the same scenario as buying a 25 year old tin top.....

of course you have the same scenario as above with newer cars too...

also, on the older cars, the chassis tended to be made from a much better grade box section also, so it's by no means bad news looking at older cars....

Mart.

some very, very good points there, I’d also add that the powder coating seemed a wee bit better, the further back you go.

[Steve (sdh2903)]

And the fibreglass........

[NigelO]

I'll add my two penneth worth, as a relatively new Westie owner (April 2018)

 

In 2015, when I first clapped eyes on what was to become my Westie, I knew I wanted it - it just looked "right" but I had no idea why. Over the next three years, while I tried to prise it out of the hands of the previous owner, I gradually did my research and looked at alternatives.

 

I ended up with a list of what I didn't want, rather than what I did want

• Screen
• Swept wings
• Subtle colour
• Carbs
• Bike engine
• Less than 150bhp
• Narrow body
• Live axle
• Needs work

 

It was only after I bought my car that I realised that money had been spent in the right areas - raceline sump, raceline water rail, Jenvey TBs, Piper cams, some headwork, lightweight gel battery, composite seats, detachable steering wheel, ProRace1 wheels, remote oil filter. I also realised that the build quality was good - lots of little touches, showing an attention to detail and a desire to do it right. I still found quite a few thnigs to change / improve, which was one of the reasons I wanted a Westie in the first place - something to tinker with when the mood took me.

 

After two summers of Westie driving, there's only a couple of things I'd choose if I was able - some more power and some form of heating. However, both would take more time, money and effort than I'm prepared to expend, so it will stay as it is until my lottery numbers come up....

 

My suggestion would be to view as many cars as you can, talk to as many members as you can and blag a few passenger rides - you'll soon form a clear picture of what you want and then it's just a case of finding a car that gets as close as possible to your "holy grail" spec

 

I like the suggestion above of setting two lists - "must-haves" and "like-to-haves" - some things can be changed quite easily, some less easily, so it's worth knowing what your non-negotiables are in advance.

 

Good luck - you'll love it.