AshJackson Posted June 4, 2002 Share Posted June 4, 2002 Okay, so I've got some cash sorted out, and now I'm ready to start searching for a westfield. Yey! But, what should I look for when viewing private sales? If the seller says the car is factory built, what info do I need to check this with the factory? Will Reg No do? If it's a modular/self build, what should I be looking out for as signs of good/bad build? I'm not mechanically experienced, so would it be any use getting the AA to inspect it, or is this not really a viable option with a specialist car such as a Westfield? Thanks in advance, I'm sure this will be the first of many newbi questions Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David_East Posted June 5, 2002 Share Posted June 5, 2002 Ash This is my 6p. the will be plenty more advice along in a minute. 1. Go to the Factory and get a test drive (it's much better than a road test report). They will have a number of 2nd user / ex demo vehicles for sale. All you have to do is ring them and make an appointment 01384 400077. It's a great day out and well worth the effort. Besides that you get to see how Westfields are factory built and all the options of building you own if, one day, you decide to do so. 2. Just like any other car do all the sensible things when you are buying one. Make sure it's legit. If the car was self built ask to look at the build history documentation and receipts ( any proud owner is bound to have these. Don't worry if it is a Q plate. Ask pointed questions about how and when it was built and what parts were new or refurbished. The value is in how well the car was built not the fancy number plate. If it was factory built, ask to look the service history as well as doing all the above. Take a good look round it, inside and out also under the bonnet. Is it clean and tidy. Does it look like it's been looked after. Take it for a test dive. Check brakes lights and steering. Are the any rattles bumps or squeaks that sound alarming. does it steer strait. How does it handle over bumps. (Compare it to the test drive you had at the factory) Check for things like - smoke from the exhaust when revved hard and on overrun (to make sure it is not burning oil. Look at the oil in the dipstick it may be black but is it at the max or min mark (do this before you start the engine or after it has been stood switched off for a while) Look at the tyres are they worn is the wear even across the tyre. Ask - Make sure it has not been in major any accidents Has it ever been raced or rallyed? 3. If you are unsure about the above take somebody with you that understands cars. Not sure the AA will know what they are looking at, much better to find a friendly, knowledgeable, Westfield owner in your area and take him / her along. Some explanations. Pre lit - These were the original Westfield Sevens - Which c******m objected to and which they won a court injunction over. SE - The subsequent cars altered so that c******m could not object. Usually engined with 1600 cc Xflow or CVH engines from a Sierra. SEW - W = Wide. The Zetec cars using MT75 gearboxes had to be made wider to accommodate the wider gearbox. current cars are all Wide. "Live" axle uses the rear axle assembly and diff from a Escort Mk 2 SEiW i = independent rear suspension using the drive bars and LSD (limited slip diff) from a 4X4 Sierra Good Luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westfieldman Posted June 5, 2002 Share Posted June 5, 2002 Depends if you want a track day car or a cafe racer/pinic car My car was built as a race type/style car for the road and you can see it here http://homepage.ntlworld.com/paul.jones37 Paul. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peterg Posted June 5, 2002 Share Posted June 5, 2002 And just to confuse things further, the earlier SEW and SEiW cars don't have the wide gearbox tunnel and therefore will almost certainly have the Sierra Type 9 gearbox (like mine! -this is preferable for some uses anyway as you have a bigger choice of ratios/gearsets etc. + it's lighter - also, some early 'i' cars have the Ford 'English' rear diff in a Westfield alloy case (like mine! which again, is much lighter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David_East Posted June 5, 2002 Share Posted June 5, 2002 Oops, A slip of the axle Wesfiledman2002 Thanks for pointing it out. I've have corrected it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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