GCP17 Posted February 10 Share Posted February 10 I bought my first Westfield - a pre-lit- from a dealer near to the factory around 30 years ago. It was a relatively cheap way into a decent Seven. And to me that was the point of a Westfield - you could either build or buy one to a modest budget and have a lot of fun with it. If you wanted to spend more cash on a tbh similar driving experience then there was always Caterham. Today I couldn’t come close to affording a new Westfield kit and even if I could I’d buy a used, low mileage Caterham as for me it’s now better value for the money. How times have changed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Euan Hoosearmy Posted February 10 Popular Post Share Posted February 10 Don't agree... very much depends on spec, but given you can pick up a very usable used Westfield for 10-12k and second hand Caterhams seem to start at around 20k, what does the extra 10K get you? Both will be impractical, noisy, respectably quick and huge fun. What's the big difference? When people ask if my Westie is a Caterham my stock answer is no, it's a Westfield, kind of a poor man's Caterham.... I don't care about the badge, what I do care about is the smile on my face when I drive it... Which is the whole point of owning any 7 type car. 13 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benrobson2999 - Kent AO Posted February 11 Share Posted February 11 I agree, the same fun and experience for half the cost. Plus you build a westfield, caterhams come pretty much built in kit form. I do also agree though, everything’s much more expensive now (including the kit I bought 3-4 years ago) But I think that’s the same for every brand… However you could easily still find a good westfield out there for a good price, a project westfield or even re build an older car for much cheaper than a caterham. 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael8 Posted February 11 Share Posted February 11 I’ve only just got my Westfield on the road but I have loved the few drives I’ve had. I’m smiling ear to ear after them. I briefly looked at Caterham and dismissed them due to price and I wanted to build it all. I would pass on the comments from the IVA test centre re Westfield vs Caterham … Westfields seem much better built, with care by their owners, and safe for 1st drives at the test centre however many Caterhams just don’t seem to be as well build and sometimes just don’t feel safe. Happy I chose Westfield despite the difficulties the closure of ‘old’ Westfield caused me in registration. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeff oakley Posted February 11 Share Posted February 11 As with many things time changes expectation. People used to see kit cars as a cheap hobby, nothing is cheap now and people do not expect it to be, You are correct the expense of a Westfield now is much higher but there are reasons for that. Legislation, Labour, materials, buildings, energy costs have all shot up but that is the same for all manufacturers, but quality also. When I looked at the cost of the newest demonstrator from AK for the GT40 it was £180k !! Robin Hood was the cheapest you could buy even a Dutton was more expensive but now the GBS, that was RH is knocking up in price when you add it in. However you can buy a used Westfield for a fraction of the cost of a new one and will get as much fun as driving the latest. For many a full build is daunting but restoring or modifying a used one is easier and cheaper. It is horses for courses. With the Caterham it is a bit like VW campers, you pay a scene tax to be part of the group, is a Caterham better, no just different 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flying Carrot Steve Posted February 11 Share Posted February 11 As someone once said to me - Westfield = 95% Caterham but half the price. I bought a very well put together Westfield that has more power to weight than a 420R. I would have to pay twice what I paid for my Westie PLUS another 3 to 6k on top for a 420R. It's a no brainer for me, Westfield all the way. I also happen to think my Westfield looks better than most Caterhams too. A lot of people I know think Caterhams are quote 'for middle aged men with more money than sense' They might think so, I couldn't possibly comment. 😂 Caterhams are generally great cars, but they are vastly overpriced in my opinion 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GCP17 Posted February 11 Author Share Posted February 11 I wonder what Westfield’s USP is now? I’ve spent a lot of money keeping my 95 SE up to scratch - none with Westfield as the old company didn’t seem to stock parts for legacy cars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Euan Hoosearmy Posted February 11 Share Posted February 11 You can throw that rock at any car maker. BMW are removing more and more bits for my '98 E36 from their catalogue... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeff oakley Posted February 11 Share Posted February 11 What was there USP back when you bought yours? There are many more companies making 7 type cars but I still feel Westfield is top tier and residual values on top specs hold on better than others. it has always been an issue with Caterham owners talk their car and brand up where as we always have people talk them dowm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GCP17 Posted February 11 Author Share Posted February 11 Cost of entry and value for money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flying Carrot Steve Posted February 11 Share Posted February 11 14 hours ago, Euan Hoosearmy said: When people ask if my Westie is a Caterham my stock answer is no, it's a Westfield, kind of a poor man's Caterham.... I don't care about the badge, what I do care about is the smile on my face when I drive it... Which is the whole point of owning any 7 type car. I'd say a sensible man's Caterham! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeff oakley Posted February 11 Share Posted February 11 If you really wanted to dig in, you would need to see what the average income was in 1990 and then look at the cost of a Westfield as a percentage and a Caterham. Then do the same with todays average wage and price of a Westfield and a Caterham to see how that much has moved. Low price wasn't a USP of Westfield back then as I have stated Robin Hood, Dutton were far cheaper. I would have said the USP back then was Caterham performance at less cost. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SootySport Posted February 11 Share Posted February 11 You can buy a low spec mot'd Westfield from £5k or a low spec motd Caterham for £15k. That's 3 times the price so I don't see your logic at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GCP17 Posted February 11 Author Share Posted February 11 I’m not really comparing used Westfield vs used Caterham - just wondering the economic sense of spending 20k plus on a Westfield kit of parts vs the kind of ready built 7s . 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ansoeb Posted February 11 Share Posted February 11 I only joined the Westfield fold last year, I bought a 5 year old car from Toybox. After 6 months of use in Scotland last year I am convinced you cannot buy or access a lightweight performance oriented drive like it for the money. I can’t comment on how much more sorted a Caterham is but have been in an Avon Tiger, they are very cramped. It doesn’t seem to matter whether it’s getting driven hard or buzzing around traffic islands, the feeling is mega. I would not fancy swallowing the depreciation from costs of a new build though. That part is definitely a labour of love. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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