Too build or buy second hand

[Pco]

Hi Folkes,

 

I'm new to the forum, I've previously owned a xflow Westy and looking to get a more modern one for the summer, but there is so little on the market at the moment - could be due to covid, only a couple of cars which tickle my fancy but are miles away, tofar for me to view (had bad experiences driving for hours to see something that is not as described). So do you sit tight and wait for the right one to come along or try building one and accept its going to cost more in the end than buying a reasonable second.  I'm capable at doing my own mechanical work.

 

do you think its likely there will be a glut of vehicles coming on the market come summer, my luck is i'd buy a donor kit then there would be loads of very nice well  priced cars on the market?

 

Paul

 

 

[Ian Kinder (Bagpuss) - Joint Peak District AO]

  @PcoOnce you've seen the benefits of this great club and you've joined, you'll be able to place an advert in the Wanted section. There's been a few nice cars for sale recently at good prices. Clearly Covid 19 is having an impact on all of lives in lots of different ways, hence hard to say how it's impacted Westfields for sale etc. Please ensure your wanted ad includes price range, your location and the key features you're after.

 

Once lock-down is over, I'd suggest getting along to your local meet too as you'll see plenty of different examples to help you decide what you want etc.

 

Good luck in your search.

 

Ian

 

[CraigHew]

That's quite a difficult question to ask as it hasn't been a normal year / winter.

 

Personally I can't wait to get the car out again and wouldn't contemplate selling after the year of restrictions we've had, conversely I've been looking at the 2nd hand bike market and quite a few bikes are for sale due to people having to tighten their belts due to job prospects etc.

 

Springtime is always the best time (IMHO) to sell one of our cars so perhaps a few people are hanging fire with for sale adverts until people can travel to view a little more freely.

 

I can't see there being a glut, if anything I think prices may actually rise, but you never can tell.....

 

good luck

[Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman]

It's a tricky one. I'd also keep in mind that availability of raw materials/parts in many industries is absolutely all over the show at the moment. So lead times which on somethings can be long, could be nigh on impossible to second guess.

 

You will pay (often considerably) more to build, but then, if you enjoy such things, it's all part of the pleasure of ownership, however, it's not normally  a way to save cost or time!

[Andrew O Byrne White - Ireland AO]

Depends on what you're after really. For me, I've got a few different things on my car that were really important to me (quantum dampers custom dash, Freewheel, etc.), but in other places that were less important, building allowed me to keep costs down.  I also love the fact that I now know every inch or that car, so if something goes wrong, it's way easier to diagnose/fix. 

 

If you buy, you're paying for the spec of car the previous owner wanted, so make sure you factor in any upgrades you want when looking at the cost. If you just want to get on the road quickly though, buying is definitely the faster option.

[Kit Car Electronics]

Also, don't rule out other 7 type cars- some of them are extremely well designed (though some aren't) and you can still join this forum... 

[Pco]

Cheers folkes may be a tough year ahead eh with Westies.. I'll have a think about what I want. Can be slow but wants to be comfortable on the road as well - when stuck in traffic....

 

Am thinking a build would be quite exciting but as mentioned above expensive 

[Kingster]

17 hours ago, Pco said:

very nice well  priced cars

That’s open to interpretation and each of us will have a different view on it 😁

 

So what’s your expectation/interpretation of  “very nice” and “well priced”?

 

My interpretation would be around 200bhp fuel injected, full cage, aeroscreen, uprated hd gearbox, 13” wheels, digital dash, nice geo, red, carbon  ...(yes ok I’m describing my car 🤣)

If I were buying I’d be looking at £13-15k for that spec.
 

(Would I sell it for that? Not a chance.)

[Greenstreak-Andy D]

Hi,

I would pop a post in cars wanted section, list out what you are looking for and your budget- nothing ventured.....

 

Building a Westfield is tremendously rewarding, albeit frustrating at times. As @Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Secretary says, part lead time could be a PITA.

Good luck whichever path you take. 
Andy

[Kingster]

3 minutes ago, Greenstreak-Andy D said:

pop a post in cars wanted section

Need to be a paid member to do that - so it’s a good reason to join! 👍

[Greenstreak-Andy D]

1 minute ago, Chris King said:

Need to be a paid member to do that - so it’s a good reason to join! 👍

Great value too, for the advice and friendliness of this awesome club!

[Andrew O Byrne White - Ireland AO]

You can keep your budget low when building too. Mazda SDV is probably the best value for money way to do that if you're not going for big power. Donor cars are cheap and easily available.

 

Then again, turbo mazda is probably a value for money way if you are going for big power... So either way, mazda has you covered! 

[jeff oakley]

You have to balance a lot of things. Budget, spec, availability and time.

 

If you buy one apart from upgraditus, you are good to go no waiting. If you like driving more than building I would suggest buy one ready done, already there are a few more on the usual sites.

 

If you want to build then set a budget and see what that gets you. Single doner is best cost wise if you keep it standard and then the skys the limit if you go for all the bells and whistles.

 

After a crossflow, any car with 150 BHP will be faster than you realise. Certainly for the road you will never use 150bhp never mind 200bhp.

[Pco]

1 hour ago, Chris King said:

That’s open to interpretation and each of us will have a different view on it 😁

 

So what’s your expectation/interpretation of  “very nice” and “well priced”?

 

My interpretation would be around 200bhp fuel injected, full cage, aeroscreen, uprated hd gearbox, 13” wheels, digital dash, nice geo, red, carbon  ...(yes ok I’m describing my car 🤣)

If I were buying I’d be looking at £13-15k for that spec.
 

(Would I sell it for that? Not a chance.)

That's the sort of thing. But don't mind a windscreen for usability 🤣

 

Just doing research at the mo. Got the brochures from Westfield I'll have a look. Certainly building the car I'm looking for would cost more than the above for instance. However it's spread over time..

[CraigHew]

I had s similar "dilema", as id set my heart on a build once retired.

 

Then a wise old man said to me, "if you buy one you can put petrol in and begin enjoying it"

 

I went to the factory, had a test drive then bought their demo car (which just happened to be for sale)...

 

Ive never looked back.  There's pleanty time for tinkering, servicing and upgrading but getting out on the road is where its at for me.....