Cleggy the Spyder Man Posted January 5, 2009 Posted January 5, 2009 Get a quick release stearing wheel - problem solved Quote
rosschambers1987 Posted January 5, 2009 Author Posted January 5, 2009 Might be worth getting a set of motorbike style wet weather gear, for the bad days, as water will find it's way in round the hood/sidescreens. Or just take a change of clothes with you... Also, somewhere at least slightly private/secure to park up when at work would be a boon. How much of your 5000 mile pa allowance is gobbled up by the boring commute bits? Pretty much all of it! But I would obviously use it on weekends for fun and on track days. Yeah would probs have to go for the wet gear for rainy days! I really do want one now dispite all the drawbacks! Quote
Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman Posted January 5, 2009 Posted January 5, 2009 Just to add, there is also the crap turning circle and security issues - every scroat wants to nick it and take it for a thrash. WIDETRACK! Even if it didn't potentially deliver a single "performance" benefit, it's worth it for the increased manouverability alone. A removable wheel certainly helps getting in and out. Security wise, it'll probably help put off some, though of course it means you've got a wheel to carry round! Or some knob'll nick the wheel! Mind you, I think one or two on here with removeable wheels use one of those motorbike type security chains to secure them to the roll bar/cage/convenient bit of suspension. Quote
TMD-ZETEC Posted January 5, 2009 Posted January 5, 2009 Yes I do have a removable steering wheel, it's just half the time I don't remove it as I can not be doing with carrying my wheel around with me. These cars are fun cars and track cars. Everyday is possible but only if you are a real fan and can work round things. Quote
Tim Reid Posted January 5, 2009 Posted January 5, 2009 But I would obviously use it on weekends for fun and on track days. One other thing to consider... what happens 'if' [read 'when'] something brakes on a trackday and you need to spend time fixing it and sourcing parts? Personally, having only done two trackdays having to consider how to get to work the next day would really put me off pushing it and having fun on a track. I know someone who used a seven type car for a daily driver (and a very attractive lady at that!) and she wouldn't even rag it around to prolong the length of life of it. Also your comment earlier about 20mpg and tunning... to get more power out of any engine you have to increase the volume of air and fuel going in which means you loose mpg. The cars are great fun but I would always have a second form of trasport but that is because I am 6'2" so getting in and out with weather gear is commical and involves crawling which doesn't look good in a customers car park in my suit! Quote
jackdaw Posted January 5, 2009 Posted January 5, 2009 wouldnt like to use mine every day but when i was younger used a motorbike as my only transport for years, its no worse than that' recently changed to aerosreen so cant use hood any more but when i did it kept me mostly dry and the heater kept the car warm, as already said putting the hood up is a pain in the A***, the worst thing for me was having to use the heater to demist the screen when raining on warm summer days. try not to be stuck on one car, plenty around at the moment and some bargains to be had, see a few before you buy. Quote
perksy Posted January 5, 2009 Posted January 5, 2009 Ross Some good points made above Whatever you do don't 'jump in' before giving it some serious thought Take a few passenger rides/ try a few cars before you finally make your mind up There's a few lads who've bought westy's and then sold them on pretty quickly because they weren't for them Had one of our members do this last year, kept the car for a couple of months and then the next thing it had gone There's some nice cars about at the moment so no need to panic (You may end up buying a 16 valve car instead of an 8 valve) Good luck whatever you decide Quote
rosschambers1987 Posted January 5, 2009 Author Posted January 5, 2009 Yea it's just that I know this one is in good nick and has been treated well. If something bad did happen on a track day I could quite easily get the bus to work and college or get a lift off my gf as she works in the same area. Also security would be an issue but I'd get a removable steering wheel (if it's not already got one). Will just have to wait and see if the test drive makes me want it enough to put up with all the bad bits, i'm guessing it probably will :-). Quote
perksy Posted January 5, 2009 Posted January 5, 2009 or get a lift off my gf as she works in the same area. Well if your Girlfriend likes Westfields that's a Good start Mrs P thinks mines the 'Anti-christ' and Won't get in it Quote
rosschambers1987 Posted January 5, 2009 Author Posted January 5, 2009 Ha I don't reckon she'd want to get lifts off me in a westfield so will save me some petrol ;-) I might even ask the guy if I can borrow it for a month and see how it is. We know each other quite well and it's just been stuck in his garage so I can't see him objecting. Oh one other thing, what are they Like to tax? How much is it for a year? Quote
stantman Posted January 6, 2009 Posted January 6, 2009 1600 CVH year of manufacture 2000, cost me £180 for tax this year. I am in the process of putting a 2 litre zetec in. CVH good fun for first car, but tracks with longer straights will show its lack of power. (Mine had a power output graph showing 105 BHP, nearer 90BHP in my opinion.) Tuning and cams may give you more but 125 to 135 Bhp tops unless you make it un drivable on the road. You will crave more power soon. Driven mine to work a couple of times. Town centre driving no fun, even a Nissan Micra looks like a lorry from that low. 2.0 litre vauxhaul engines have been on Pistonheads at high £6k, you should get one for mid £6K, will give you 160 BHP tunable to 200 Bhp alot cheaper than changing engine later. Cheers Quote
Terry Everall Posted January 6, 2009 Posted January 6, 2009 If you have "leather" seats then they stay wet and for a week your bum will be wet Quote
Cleggy the Spyder Man Posted January 6, 2009 Posted January 6, 2009 Good point Terry - I forgot about the soggy bottom syndrome I experienced for all those years ... Around the sidescreens, top of the hood, through the footwell and around the bulkhead -in fact pretty much every place you can think off ... but hey it all ads to the experiance ... No matter what you do it will let the water in !!! Quote
rosschambers1987 Posted January 6, 2009 Author Posted January 6, 2009 If you have a look on the ferriday website under cvh engine then click solid valve lifter link at the bottom it's got a graph showing the 1600 producing 158 bhp and this is what the one I'm looking at has. Can't remember if it's got leather seats, will have to check lol. Quote
speedy jon Posted January 6, 2009 Posted January 6, 2009 Insurencewise, im paying around £500 for mine on a 3000mile policy, and the understanding i have a second car, which holds 1year NCB and a years named driver NCB. Daniel im 20 i cant get a insurance comp to give me a quote even with my old man on the insurance too. im not sure if its because i have a 2lt zetec tho. whos your insurance with? Quote
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