SteveDavis Posted March 3, 2003 Posted March 3, 2003 Hi people just saying hi Hope you can help me out i am looking at getting a westy I would like to know what sort of age you should have to be to have one Also do you guy and girls drive you cars as you every day car or not. If i get one it will have to be my main car or the girl friend has to drive any way hi Steve Quote
adhawkins Posted March 3, 2003 Posted March 3, 2003 I believe at least one of the owners on here isn't even old enough to drive yet...the only reason for being a certain age is insurance. I imagine it could work out costly if you're 17 and have just passed your test. It's certainly possible to use a Westy as a day to day car, however (personally) I wouldn't. I get 20 to the gallon out of mine (so my 70 mile round trip to work would cost a fortune), and I can't imagine I'd be able to get into it with the hood up (I'm about 6'2"). However, I've used mine almost every weekend this year, so you don't need blazing sunny days by any stretch of the imagination. Andy Quote
SteveDavis Posted March 3, 2003 Author Posted March 3, 2003 Hi thanks I am 22 sone to be 23 and have been driving from 17 so that is cool I will have to sale my car and then the westy would have to be every day car which i think would be allright i am a short person 5ft9 ok short ish Quote
adhawkins Posted March 3, 2003 Posted March 3, 2003 Again, this is my personal opinion, but I'd think carefully about a Westfield as a day to day car. Things to think about: 1. Fuel economy. Mine does 20 to the gallon. 2. Security Mine has a lockable boot and an immobiliser, but pretty much everything on the car (hood / tonneau, side-screens, spare wheel, etc.) is 'removable' without a great deal of trouble I would think. 3. Insurance The insurance on my car is quite reasonable, but my policy is limited to (I think) 4500 miles a year. 4. Comfort Mine's fine on a nice dry day, and Ok when it's raining lightly. I wouldn't like to drive it on a very wet day with or without hood. Also, be aware that parking it up when it's raining (without tonneau / hood) is a good way to getting a wet A***! 5. Practicality Mine has a long range fuel tank, which means I can go about 200 miles on a tank. However, because of this, my 'boot' is about 6 inches deep! So, no luggage space, little room beyond that in the passenger seat. I'm not attempting to start a flame war here, but make sure you go into this with your eyes open! Andy Quote
SteveDavis Posted March 3, 2003 Author Posted March 3, 2003 Thanks for the help how much does a tank of petarol cost you then Any think i should look for when getting one Quote
adhawkins Posted March 3, 2003 Posted March 3, 2003 It's a 10 gallon tank, so you do the maths! As to what to look for, you're asking the wrong person now I'm afraid. It all depends on how much you know about cars in general, and Westfields in particular. For me, the answer to both questions was 'next to nothing' so I got someone who had one to come and look with me. What area are you in? As Mark hasn't chipped in yet, I'll suggest you join the club and go along to an area meeting. That way you can meet people who already have cars, and if possible arrange a ride in a few different variants that interest you before making your decision. Then you need to decide between: 1. Narrow / wide body (I needed a wide body cos of my height) 2. Age of the car 3. Engine type and size 4. Independant or 'live axle' rear suspension. 5. Colour! Then make a list of a few possible candidates (there are adverts on here, and a few other sites that have quite a few for sale) and go along and look at a few before making up your mind. Andy Quote
Carl Posted March 3, 2003 Posted March 3, 2003 Carl It's a 10 gallon tank, so you do the maths! I guess you have the long range, mines a standard 26l (about 6 gal) On a carbed Zetec I get about 23 mpg Carl Quote
adhawkins Posted March 3, 2003 Posted March 3, 2003 Yep. Long range tank = tiny boot box . I'm getting about the same MPG as you, don't think it's been as high as 23, but generally over 20. Mine's a 2.0 Zetec on carbs. Andy Quote
SteveDavis Posted March 3, 2003 Author Posted March 3, 2003 Why are you economy so bad is it to do with the carbs Quote
adhawkins Posted March 3, 2003 Posted March 3, 2003 Because the engine is tuned for power, not economy. My 2.0 litre zetec produces about 150 BHP, in 'standard' fuel injected tune from Ford the same engine would produce about 125 or so. Also, I drive it a lot harder than I would drive my tintop! Andy Quote
SteveDavis Posted March 3, 2003 Author Posted March 3, 2003 I would be looking at getting a 16 or 18 engine so it should be better ? what is the differance on wide or narow body Quote
Bananaman Posted March 3, 2003 Posted March 3, 2003 what is the differance on wide or narow body About an extra 2" either side of transimission tunnel. Good for them with a FAT talking of which I hope your nowt like that other SteveD, a right rough & no mistake. Quote
adhawkins Posted March 3, 2003 Posted March 3, 2003 Not a whole lot, could even be worse depending on what engine you get (now I'm opening myself up). I could be wrong, but I think the CVH will be less fuel efficient than a Zetec. Wouldn't have thought dropping down to a 1.8 Zetec would make much more difference than one or two MPG to be honest. As for wide / narrow body, I believe all cars are wide bodies now, but I'm not sure when the cut-off occurred (and I could well be wrong about it ever happening). However, there's something like 6 inches extra in the length, and a few inches in the width on a wide body. It makes all the difference too, my mate's SE was barely driveable for me (could barely get my legs in behind the wheel) but my SEiW is almost ( ) comfortable! Could do with another inch or two of legroom to be fully comfortable, but I think the only way I'll get that is to change the driver's seat (or maybe move the pedals further away). Andy Quote
Bananaman Posted March 3, 2003 Posted March 3, 2003 F*** fuel ecconomy how fast is it. Seriously if you want good fuel ecconomy your best going for a car with Throttle bodies (kinda like fuel injected carbs ) Andy Quote
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