Please help me to decide to buy a Westfield!

[Steve72]

Hi Everybody.

 

I’m looking for a bit of advice if you don’t mind.

 

Firstly full disclosure…

 

I have a major issue in that I am the most indecisive person ever when it comes to buying a car, it can ( and does ) take me months to decide on any car.  My wife gets very frustrated as with anything else I make nearly instant decisions, but not with a car.

 

I nearly bought a Westfield at the end of August, but didn’t think it would get much use this side of winter as we had a lot already planned so we turned the chance down.  In addition my wife thought it was a bit raw and was unsure how much she would want to use it.  After turning down the chance to buy a Westfield the plan was to get a MX5 next year instead but to be honest the thought just isn’t getting the blood flowing and I keep thinking back to a Westfield.

 

The advice I’m after is to try and minimise buyer regret and hopefully persuade my better half to come along for trips out.  So….

 

What is the risk of getting hit by something from a passing car coming into the cockpit from the side or something landing in the cockpit coming over the screen from the front?  I’ve seen clear plastic wind deflectors which I’m guessing will help reduce the risk a bit.

 

Is it normal to wear safely glasses / googles?

 

If I used half doors does this take away the sense of freedom?

 

I had a go in a car with a full window screen.  I know the screen is a lot smaller than on a normal car but the edge of the screen seemed to be in my eye line.  Is this normal, do you get used to it or is it an annoying quirk of a seven?  I don’t really want an aero screen.

 

Any other advice?

 

Thanks in advance

 

Steve

[Flying Carrot Steve]

If you have a full screen the odds of getting hit by anything are tiny. I have always had aeroscreens or no screen and have only been hit a few times, a bee, a moth and the odd tiny bit of grit. That's over 11 years of driving kits. 

[Mathew Vernon - Membership Secretary]

Hi @Steve72 - welcome!

I can’t really advise you regarding the risks, as everyone has their own tolerance levels and yours may differ to mine. I can tell you that in nearly 5 years of road driving in a Westfield that I’ve never had anything enter the cockpit. 
We have quite a lot of deer round here and I do sometimes worry about hitting one so have considered a full roll cage to mitigate the risk; That does come with restrictions though, mainly that it makes fitting side doors much more difficult (though not impossible) and my partner will only go in the car with the doors attached!

 

With regards to the windscreen height, you can get lowered floors and taller screens etc. Many people also run without a windscreen and opt to wear a helmet. As said previously - everyone has their own tolerance to risk

 

Not the ideal time of year for test drives, but if you can let us know where you’re based then I’m sure someone will be happy to let you sit in their car or take you out for a ride - weather permitting!

[Stuart]

@Steve72 I have been driving a Westfield with a screen for 25 years now and nothing has ever hit me. Wind deflectors do make it a lot more comfortable though