Buying my first Westfield

[Ivor]

I looking into buying my first Westfield.

Initially for road use only and like Swept wings (I Think they look nicer).

I've got about £5000 to spend.

What should I look out for when picking a Car.

[Girly Pants]

…..I think swept wings are the dogs dangly-bits as well. £5000 should buy you a nice Xflowed SEi. The usual advice is:

DO

some searches on this site under various topics related to buying

find out about the various models; SE, SEi, SEWi, et al

join the WSCC

join your local WSCC group for advice and tyre kicking

buy in Winter

DON'T

buy a Robin Ho*d

let the guys side track you with talk of racing your car (unless you want to use it for track days of course)

buy the first car you see (unless it’s mine)

go above your price limit

forget on-costs

[stu999]

Good choice Ivor. Advice?

1. Join the WSCC. (Beat ya Mark   )

2. Decide on whether you want a well looked after older car, or a tatty newer one. Both fall into your proposed price range. How confident are you with a box of tools?

3. Look at as many cars as you can, try not to be tempted by the first one you see, especially this time of year. At the moment, it's a buyers market.

4. Have a rough idea of the spec that you are looking for. Do you require full weather gear? Tonneau? With carpets or without? Windscreen? Heater? Spare wheel? Even the seats are something to consider, because they can be quite expensive to change if not to your taste.

5. Not wishing to be rude, but are you a big chap? Size matters. No really. The first standard bodied cars can be a very snug fit for the bigger/taller gentleman, whereas the later widebodied cars are a lot more generous when it comes to interior space.

6. Finally, have fun.

HTH Stu.

[Girly Pants]

1. Join the WSCC. (Beat ya Mark      )

......beat ya Stu .  

[stu999]

I know. But it's nice to come second for a change....    

[markg]

look at a few cars before you buy its winter! theyre cheaper !

[Ivor]

Thanks for the advice so far, and to answer some of your questions: -

1) I’ve already joined the WSCC – Learnt from previous cars (Fiat x1/9 & Mitsubishi FTO) that you join the Club before you buy. – You could say I beat you both  

2) Not that useful with a tool Bag – Can change brake pads – but never stripped an engine. I am planning to do a Car Mach’ course at the local poly (night class).

3) I’m looking to buy now(ish) but I’m in no hurry.

4) I think I would prefer an older one in better nick rather than a newer tatty one – I presume you can always upgrade/replace bits later.

5) Size wise – 5’6’’ – 10-11 stone (sort of an ugly Tom Cruise)

6) I’ve already looked at 2 and plan to look at another on Friday – I live in the North East so there aren’t that many up here. There does seem to be far more in the South/South west. Do you think driving 300+ miles in an unfamiliar car an issue, particularly a car that you don’t really know if it reliable and may not have a heater?  One plan was to take a long weekend and see as many cars down South as possible  - A friends already offered to be chauffeur so he could always follow back if I did buy one. – Is that a Good Plan?

7) What about the Reg – Should I go for a Q or Non Q – One bloke (Granted selling a Q) said he would never buy a “none Q” cos’ if all of the part are based off one donor vehicle the car looks out of proportion – Is he right or Bull S*&*ing?

[chrisbin]

5) Size wise – 5’6’’ – 10-11 stone (sort of an ugly Tom Cruise)

That means that a standard body car should be no problem for you - good news as that widens choice and they tend to be cheaper too.

6) I’ve already looked at 2 and plan to look at another on Friday – I live in the North East so there aren’t that many up here. There does seem to be far more in the South/South west. Do you think driving 300+ miles in an unfamiliar car an issue, particularly a car that you don’t really know if it reliable and may not have a heater?  One plan was to take a long weekend and see as many cars down South as possible  - A friends already offered to be chauffeur so he could always follow back if I did buy one. – Is that a Good Plan?

Not a bad plan, but I reckon that even if you found one you should, and will probably have to, wait a few days before actually buying it......check out insurance, details etc etc

7) What about the Reg – Should I go for a Q or Non Q – One bloke (Granted selling a Q) said he would never buy a “none Q” cos’ if all of the part are based off one donor vehicle the car looks out of proportion – Is he right or Bull S*&*ing?

DEFINITELY BULL!!!!! Its a new one though (AFAIK) !!!!

Definitely Buyers Market at present. I am very confident you can find a decent one for the money you are suggesting. Main issue for you to decide will be what engine..........use SEARCH function for people's ideas/opinions.

Swept wings means you won't have much competition when you find the car of your dreams - so bargain HARD!

DO look at PLENTY! At this time of year they won't be moving anyway and the more you look at, the more you learn.

I travelled all over the country looking, then got p******** off with cars that didn't match up to descriptions. Plus realised that the car that appeared such a bargain in Yorkshire had to be driven/trailered home 200+ miles, and was it such a good idea...??

When you find a good prospect see if you can get a WSCC member to give it the once over - there is usually someone willing.

If you buy from a WSCC member - see W.World or the ads on here - then you should be getting a good car.

Re. Q plates - main point is that it means car only has to pass "visible smoke" test at MOT time which is obviously an advantage.

Good luck, and happy hunting!

Sorry, I added some comments to your quote - its not very clear thats been done.!!

[JulianS]

If you fancy a trip to manchester:

Westfield SeiW (wide-bodied, independent suspension)

1991, yellow with swept wings, tonneau cover

Chrome suspension, 53/4” Chrome sealbeam headlights, chrome roll bar

15” 100+ alloys

1700 x/flow, twin 40’s (weber), K&N deep filters, ported head, Kent 234 fast road cam

Lightened and balanced flywheel

5sp type 9 for gearbox with Westfield extension.

Fully adjustable suspension (spax)

I have half-heartedly advertised it recently as I would like 6.5k and was going to hold out until spring to get it (many cars for sale at present - the guys are right about it being buyers market now).

If you do fancy a trip, give me a call 07976 724233 -

You might also want to check some posts from the last few months as two guys have JUST bought cars in your price range - I think Kieran and ???DickieB? - ask them for their experiences.

Hope you find what you're after,

Julian

[chrisbin]

You might also want to check some posts from the last few months as two guys have JUST bought cars in your price range - I think Kieran and ???DickieB? - ask them for their experiences.

And Mike d b

[JulianS]

There are quite a few in the for sale section now (just checked) - including a few total bargains!

[wrightster]

ivor, Have a look on www.totalkitcar.com in the "previously enjoyed section?" there are quite a few cars for sale on there.

 

[peterrosey]

Why not build your own car brand-new? For your budget you could afford to go for the new Sierra-based kit and as for wanting to do a mechanics course... well it'll save you having to do that.

I've never built a kit car before and built my first Westfield this year - and if I can do it so can anyone. The argument that you need experience to build a kit car is nonsense - building one is how you gain the experience...

Just think you can choose the exact colour you want, the interior colours, the wheels...

And if you start now it'll be ready for summer easily!    

[zeppelin]

Hi,

My advice if you decide to go down the route of building your own is be very careful your budget doesn't overrun, about ten years ago I built, with the help of a good friend, a pinto egined SE with full leather interior, setting aside around £6000, but by the time of it's completion was nearer 10, and once you have started you are commited to finish....the car was great though :-)

I am going to purchase another later next year, but I could not face the trials and tribulations of building another, so am going to take my time and look out for a mint secondhand one with very low mileage...

Anyhow good luck with whatever you decide

Alan.

[KIERAN]

Hi there,

I have bought a Westy about 4 weeks ago. This may help you in your efforts to find one:

I was looking for one for ages in many different places including the WSCC For sale section and mainly Find-It.com. which is updated weekly, went to look at many different vehicles that were priced around that bracket and some that were more.  in the end found one that was 200 miles (south of Cambridge) away from me up here in not so sunny (Crewe) traveled down and stayed the night in a travel lodge. This vehicle was slightly more than i wanted to spend but at the end of the day if you look slightly higher then you'll probably be able to negotiate the price and eng up where you wanted to be (thats what i did) and with the money that i got off the cost spent on it sorting small things out.  You will know if its the right vehicle especially if you have seen a few, admittadly it helps being in the Motortrade when looking at things like carb mountings (as people mount carbs solidly for some reason) but still a lof of it unfortunatley it's suck it and see.

I know what i'm looking for ( ish ) but have still had to spend about # 400 putting things right, Alignment, Water pump, Brakes, Brake Fluid and all the small things., but thats the fun in owning one. the problem now is the S**T weather and not having the chance to use it in the dry yet, which is becoming frustrating......If you'd like to have a chat then send me an e-mail to: kieranwesty@aol.com and i can try to help you if i can from my experiences....

Wake up::

Sorry if i've bored you all

Kieran