First time buyer

[Des911]

I've got a Porsche 911 and fancied getting a Westfield. I'm not too bothered about how fast it is or suspension mods etc I just want one to drive occasionally at any times, I'm 76 and retired so not too bothered about only going out at the weekend. Any advice would be appreciated and any cheap but good cars that you may want to sell?

 

Thanks in advance

 

Tony  

[Paul Baker - Bristol Bath and Cotswold AO]

I’ve got a Westfield and fancy buying a Porsche 911 ! 😂 

 

Joking aside I would highly recommend it, nothing quite like it on a sunny Sunday afternoon. 
 

There’s always some nice examples for sale on the forum here, and I’d really recommend a trip over to see the guys at Toybox, who specialise in second hand Westfields and always have a decent stock of cars in different set ups, lots of them in weekend touring spec. Good luck.

[Des911]

Thanks Paul, just had a look at Toybox website and will nip to Ashby soon to have a look at them. Didn't realise they were quite so close to me in Nottingham.

[Naranja_Al]

I owned a 996 Turbo and I can honestly say I prefer;

 

1) Insurance costs of my Westfield

2) Maintenance costs of my Westfield 

3) The fact I can do all the work on my Westfield without damaging the value of my Westfield 

4) Driving my Westfield

 

Might be worth getting yourself along to one of the local meets on the first Thursday of the month at the Clock Warehouse in Shardlow. @Rob Hunter - Club Secretary  will advise.

 

A trip to Toybox to see Andrew is well worth doing too as others have suggested.

 

Happy to show you my car if you are ever on the Loughborough area as well.

 

 

 

 

[Des911]

@Naranja_Al

 

Thanks for the invite, I live in Keyworth which is not far from you, in fact if I'm looking for something I always look to Loughborough first because it's a pain getting in to Nottingham.

 

What services are there for Westfields or can a normal garage do the work?

 

I'll nip to Shardlow once it gets lighter at night.

 

As I say I've just turned 76 and worry about being able to get in and out.

Edited Saturday at 08:43 by Des911

[Naranja_Al]

I do most of my work myself with the exception of gearbox, diff and engine strip down work. I would attempt but I don’t have the space or time tbh.

 

A decent garage should be able to do most of the work but bear in mind that these cars are all unique and knowing what parts have been used previously in advance can save a lot of heart ache (& labour costs). I haven’t used any local garages for work on my car but a friend (who bought @BenD’s old car) has used Alexander’s (he rated them) in Mountsorrel to change a clutch and flywheel. Engine had to be taken out 3 times as there was a very slight incompatibility issue between the new clutch, flywheel, release bearing annd existing clutch fork!

 

You need try before you buy re getting in and out!

 

 

 

 

[dvd8n]

42 minutes ago, Des911 said:

As I say I've just turned 76 and worry about being able to get in and out.

 

I'm mid sixties with a dodgy back and I just don't use the hood.  I look at the weather forecast instead.

 

David

[Naranja_Al]

47 minutes ago, Des911 said:

What services are there for Westfields

Most people over service their Westfield (myself included), changing oil filter etc yearly or even more frequently if their car is tracked regularly. Others follow the  instructions in their build manual or the original part manufacturer guidelines. There are obviously hybrids of the above too.

 

 

[Des911]

Changing oil and filter once a year, whether the car has been used a lot or not at all, is fine by me. I don't think it hurts the car, just your wallet.

[Captain Colonial]

6 hours ago, Des911 said:

As I say I've just turned 76 and worry about being able to get in and out.

Getting in is easy.  Getting out with dignity, less so.

 

It’s not the ideal vehicle to exit quickly.  A quick release steering wheel can help but not necessarily needed.

[Stuart]

@Des911 I'm coming up 71 and the only difficulty I have is avoiding getting my backside dirty when I'm getting in and out with the hood up (hood up = dirty rear wheel arch) 

[Des911]

Thanks, I think you're the first to admit to going in it with the hood up. 😀

[Rob Hunter - Club Secretary]

Hi @Des911!

 

You are more than welcome to come along to any of our local meets, have a look round a few cars, and have a passenger ride or two.

 

Outside of the pub meet, we are often out at weekends too.

 

In fact, I'm about to post a meet at Donington Park tomorrow morning at 10am if you fancy it?

[Des911]

Thanks for that Rob, might just nip up.

[Rob Hunter - Club Secretary]

12 minutes ago, Des911 said:

Thanks for that Rob, might just nip up.

 

I'll take a spare skidlid with me just in case you come along and fancy a passenger ride (I don't have a windscreen!) 👍