What to look for?

[AndyC_772]

I've spent today reading a few people's build diaries to get an idea of how the car fits together, and what's involved in turning the kit into a complete car.

In particular, Tim & Tom's diary talks about all manner of problems from missing fasteners through brake and suspension problems to a cooling system that just doesn't work properly by design. Unfortunately I'm just not mechanically minded enough to sort such problems myself, and that's left me worried that I might end up with a car that has serious mechanical problems that can't be easily fixed.

Are there any particular things I should look for? Essential modifications? Common problem areas with the build? Are factory-built cars worth a premium, and are they necessarily any more desirable from the point of view of mechanical reliability?

Andy.

[AndyC_772]

Another thought: have there been any significant changes during the car's history that I should be aware of? I've been tempted by a few '93 and '94 cars that seem to offer blinding performance for the money. Do the newer models just look nicer and maybe rattle a bit less, or are there any mechanical benefits to getting a newer car?

Andy.