Ybotc Posted February 20, 2020 Share Posted February 20, 2020 Hello All For many years I have fancied a lotus 7 style car, but as it was my main car have always gone down a safer route In the past I have had the following small sporty cars MR2, S2000, Elise, Boxster, Z4 and now have a truck. Am now thinking about getting a 2nd car for fun and have gone back to thinking.about a lotus 7 style , thinking about a Westfield as they seem like a good mix between affordability and quality. I have a couple of questions, I am not worried about practicality as I have a truck for my main car is £10k ish enough for a decent car bike or normal engine (is there much difference in running costs) i have no interest in tinkering , is it practical to own without being interested in maintaining it myself are they expensive to insure / service / maintain ( rough idea i know it will vary by car type) do I play safe and go for another older Elise any help / advice appreciate thanks Toby Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kingster Posted February 20, 2020 Share Posted February 20, 2020 Welcome! 38 minutes ago, Ybotc said: thinking about a Westfield as they seem like a good mix between affordability and quality. that was my initial thoughts when looking at Sevens. So - good call👍 38 minutes ago, Ybotc said: is £10k ish enough for a decent car Absolutely. 41 minutes ago, Ybotc said: bike or normal engine (is there much difference in running costs) Popcorn required! But running costs will be similar. There’s pros and cons to both - depends entirely on what you want out of the car and how you want to drive it I guess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ybotc Posted February 20, 2020 Author Share Posted February 20, 2020 9 minutes ago, Chris King - Webmaster and Joint North East AO said: Welcome! that was my initial thoughts when looking at Sevens. So - good call👍 Absolutely. Popcorn required! But running costs will be similar. There’s pros and cons to both - depends entirely on what you want out of the car and how you want to drive it I guess. thanks for reply, thought bike / vs car engine might be tricky , I want a balance between exciting and not likely to crash on my first outing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burgerbob Posted February 20, 2020 Share Posted February 20, 2020 I bought my car last September for around £9k. It's got a 1.8 zetec engine with about 160bhp. So not the fastest but plenty for a fun road car. It's worth thinking what you want the car for, talking to owners, and then finding a car to suit. Mechanically mines in great condition, cosmetically is ok, but could do with a few touch ups. I'm not mechanically minded and wanted a car that was reliable. But I do think these are cars that need a little tinkering just to maintain them. I've found mine very easy to work on, and the advice on here very forthcoming and helpful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kingster Posted February 20, 2020 Share Posted February 20, 2020 34 minutes ago, Ybotc said: want a balance between exciting and not likely to crash on my first outing Take care with the loud pedal on damp roads then... you could end up like one of our lads last season! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ybotc Posted February 20, 2020 Author Share Posted February 20, 2020 10 minutes ago, Burgerbob said: I bought my car last September for around £9k. It's got a 1.8 zetec engine with about 160bhp. So not the fastest but plenty for a fun road car. It's worth thinking what you want the car for, talking to owners, and then finding a car to suit. Mechanically mines in great condition, cosmetically is ok, but could do with a few touch ups. I'm not mechanically minded and wanted a car that was reliable. But I do think these are cars that need a little tinkering just to maintain them. I've found mine very easy to work on, and the advice on here very forthcoming and helpful. that’s what worries me a bit, I am really quite useless when it comes to anything practical Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ybotc Posted February 20, 2020 Author Share Posted February 20, 2020 5 minutes ago, Chris King - Webmaster and Joint North East AO said: Take care with the loud pedal on damp roads then... you could end up like one of our lads last season! ouch ,assume it was diesel on the road Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kingster Posted February 20, 2020 Share Posted February 20, 2020 Your budget should get you a decent Zetec engined car on throttle bodies or a Honda FireBlade engined bec. Both will be fun but very different. Best to try and get a passenger ride from a local - where you based? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAFKARM Posted February 20, 2020 Share Posted February 20, 2020 14 minutes ago, Chris King - Webmaster and Joint North East AO said: Take care with the loud pedal on damp roads then... you could end up like one of our lads last season! There’s your problem. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kingster Posted February 20, 2020 Share Posted February 20, 2020 Just now, RussH said: There’s your problem. Aka “the ditchfinder” 😁 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Taylor Posted February 20, 2020 Share Posted February 20, 2020 Welcome and good luck with your search depending on where you are based it would be a good idea to meet with your local area organiser and some of the locals to get a feel of what your looking for. Try and have an idea of what you want to do with it, a track weapon or a quick tourer/ Sunday run car. Dont get hung up on big horsepower (yes it’s fun) but a modest amount will still be quite exciting. Again depending on where you stay there are quite a few garages that can fettle your pride and joy if you so wish again ask around your local area for recommendations. Your not alone in doing this. Anyway happy hunting and don’t be shy if you have any questions Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin (Mr T) Posted February 21, 2020 Share Posted February 21, 2020 9 hours ago, Ybotc said: that’s what worries me a bit, I am really quite useless when it comes to anything practical If it gives you any comfort, my first "technical" post on here after buying my Westy was "where can I get the oil changed". That was four years ago and last year, with the help and support of the members, I completed an engine swap. I also considered myself to be hopeless with the practical stuff, but Westfields are so simple and there is such a great knowledge base here, I wouldn't let the need for a bit of tinkering be a factor in any decision to buy one of these briliant cars. 4 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kingster Posted February 21, 2020 Share Posted February 21, 2020 10 hours ago, RussH said: There’s your problem. Actually the real problem was that it was not a Westfield! 😁 @Ybotc please don’t let my jesting put you off ownership though - our cars are great fun and dead easy to work on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ybotc Posted February 21, 2020 Author Share Posted February 21, 2020 Thanks everybody And nice to join a friendly forum , I wish the football forum that I am part of had the same level of positivity - but then again I am a Watford fan 🙂 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TableLeg Posted February 21, 2020 Share Posted February 21, 2020 Are you aware of the Stoneleigh Kit Car show in May? If you haven't made up your mind by then I'd suggest you definitely come along. You will not only see more Westfields up close than you could imagine but you can also meet many of the helpful and friendly people who frequent this forum. https://www.nationalkitcarshow.co.uk/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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