markduffy Posted August 1, 2004 Share Posted August 1, 2004 I'm new to kit cars , I dont own one but have saved up a budget of c£7k. What sort of westies are realistic at this price? There are wide variations in price which may be condition related. I dont want to start with a car which needs lots doing to it so would like to know what a realistic price is for various versions in good condition. Is there a branch of the club in the Durham area? I'm 6 foot 2 with size 11 feet , do I need the seiw cars or will I fit in the others? Last one for now is there a section of the site giving a history of the cars and specs? Thanks in anticipation Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mitchamidilly Posted August 1, 2004 Share Posted August 1, 2004 Hi Mark, The price range is closely linked to the specification of the car in addition to the age and condition. You are about an inch taller than me and a size up in feet although you did not mention your overall size. I'm 86kg and am building the the SEiW with a 2.0l Zetec. I would certainly recomend this chassis especially if you have long legs in relation to your back. My recomendation would be to get yourself along to a local club meet and have a good look around a few cars in one place. Also went to the Westfeld factory the other day and they had three cars there for sale. Hope this helps a bit. ONe thing I do know is that you will always be wanting that little bit more and I suggest you may need to up your budget to around £8.5k for a well sorted car. Mitch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
perksy Posted August 1, 2004 Share Posted August 1, 2004 £7K will get you a decent seiw with cvh or pinto engine, if you can afford another £1k - £1.5k then your in 16 valve territory I'm a similar size to you (except fot the feet ) and fit into a seiw comfortable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markduffy Posted August 1, 2004 Author Share Posted August 1, 2004 Thanks for your replies . I know what you mean with always wanting a bit more but I'm new to kit cars so thought I'd start with a decent chassis and maybe a crossflow or engine like that and then later upgrade when i have more cash. I reckon that a crossflow should make it go much faster than ordinary cars anyway so it should keep me happy for a while anyway! Do Westies come with live rear axles like the old escorts with irs as an upgrade or is it irs as standard from a certain age? Was the seiw just wider or was it an upgrade in other areas too? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Navin Posted August 1, 2004 Share Posted August 1, 2004 The x-flow will still make a fast and exciting car Unfortunatly they are not fashionable in a Westy, although Catering van owners still seem to love them. I would not recomend an upgrade from live axel to IRS unless you know what you are doing or send it to someone who does. It would be easier and probably cheaper to change cars instead of that particular upgrade. Happy hunting Rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
perksy Posted August 1, 2004 Share Posted August 1, 2004 Sorry i forgot about a Crossflow Good engine that can be up-rated as you go.... Given the power to weight ratio of a Westfield you aren't really going to have to worry about keeping up with 'ordinary cars' You need to go to a local meet and try a couple of cars for size, i think you will need a Wide body version to feel comfortable Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markduffy Posted August 1, 2004 Author Share Posted August 1, 2004 I was hoping to find an irs car with xflow for my budget. Is this possible? Am I right in thinking that SEI means it has irs and a w on the end means wide cockpit? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark B Posted August 2, 2004 Share Posted August 2, 2004 Hi Mark and welcome, The early cars are SE's & had narrow bodies & live axles, then it went to SEI with the the introduction of independent rear suspension, then you can get SEW's which are wide bodies with live axles & finally SEIW's which as you said are wide bodied with independent rear suspension. I'm about 6'3" with size 13.5 feet, mine is an SEIW speedsport model. If you can, I'd try to get another couple of grand & you will be in late model, zetec engined territory, I'm sure you'll enjoy whatever you decide. Where in the country are you? Mark. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markcoopers Posted August 2, 2004 Share Posted August 2, 2004 I've brought 5 Westys now, but have the complete opposite problem with size to you. Can not comment on weather you will fit or not, but can assure you that your budget will find you an excellent car. My current car is a 2000 chassis, registered in 2003, SEW CVH purchased for less than your budget Be prepared to travel, and spend time looking for the right car. Pay close attention to the details, these make all the difference when comparing cars. Good luck Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flagpole Posted August 2, 2004 Share Posted August 2, 2004 Just to reasure you more about size, I have recently bought an SEiW - I am 6 foot 3 and 104kg and I fit in it fine. I little more of a squash for one of my mates who is 6 foot 4 and 112kg but I suppose Westys weren't designed for rugby players! With your size, you will fit into a SEiW without any problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrashBangWallop Posted August 2, 2004 Share Posted August 2, 2004 I bought a Factory-built '98 SEiW CVH for 7K last year. 2500 miles on the clock. Two owners, the previous owner having bought it off Terry Nightingale... if that means anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winker Posted August 2, 2004 Share Posted August 2, 2004 Hi, Mark. I live in Durham area. I'd be happy to give you a ride in my Speedsport if you want to get in touch. I'm no 'techie' expert but I'll give what advice I can, and you can certainly try it for size. Derek. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markduffy Posted August 5, 2004 Author Share Posted August 5, 2004 Hi again, had a hitch with this PC so couldnt access for a couple of days. I'm in the durham area and would like to have a look at and a ride in a Westy. Am on hol for 2 weeks now can I contact you when i return? on the subject of budgets i could spend more but have a family so cant justify it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nlash Posted August 5, 2004 Share Posted August 5, 2004 I was hoping to find an irs car with xflow for my budget. Is this possible? Yep... I paid just over £7K for my Wide bodied Xflow with IRS i.e Seiw Hope that helps, good luck with the search Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winker Posted August 5, 2004 Share Posted August 5, 2004 Send me an email when you get back, Mark. Happy hols. in the meantime. Derek. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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