bobsy Posted February 24, 2011 Share Posted February 24, 2011 I have to agree, there are some good point there. I know I've narrowed my chance by what I'm looking for, but I'm likely to keep this a while once I've got it, so I must get it right. More out of curiosity, as it's gone, but what did I miss?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Green Posted February 24, 2011 Share Posted February 24, 2011 probably more detail than say a factory car that is built to a set standard................ That is true. I have had my "factory built" car for 5 years (purchased secondhand) but have spent many hours re-routing items that, quite frankly, should not have been routed the way they were. For instance, the Alternator is mounted on the nearside of the engine (normally on the offside), for heat and steering column reasons but the chance of the drive belt rubbing on the Timing belt cover was clearly never factored in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobsy Posted February 24, 2011 Share Posted February 24, 2011 Em, that doesn't make choosing what to buy any easier. I totally accept there will be enthusiast built cars way above factory spec, just figure factory built would reduce the odd of bad build and mechanical mistakes. Think judging by this, car can only be bought on it's own merrits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
perksy Posted February 24, 2011 Share Posted February 24, 2011 As already said visit a Local meet so you can 'pick a few brains' and perhaps have a sit/run in a few cars to get the feel of things When looking for a car, make sure you get recent photographs of the car and not ones that were taken a few months ago Buy on Spec' and condition, not on year of build Buy the best spec' car you can find for the money, that might save you a few quid when the upgrade bug bites Don't worry too much about it being a factory built car, there are some very nice home build cars out there No need to rush, there will be some nice cars coming on the market in the spring, although they may be slightly more expensive then they are at the moment.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markcoopers Posted February 24, 2011 Share Posted February 24, 2011 Hang on a second, i am forgetting the service offered by Northampton Motor Sport. Recently Troy has set up a service where by anyone selling a car can for a small fee have the car "inspected" so as to produce a report confirming the spec/age condition etc. This would include an engine power run and from memory a visible check of the chassis/condition. This is a new service from NMS, but perhaps you should ask any sellers if they have a report like this, it should give you the potential buyer the piece of mind you want. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darrell O'Neill Posted February 25, 2011 Share Posted February 25, 2011 What they all said... Dont get hung up on a factory built car. I bought a 3yr old factory built car in 2005 and Im still finding things I havnt been impressed with. I too was hung up on thinking a factory unit would be a better buy, but knowing what I know now, I'd have gone for a good homebuild instead. ... Not knocking the factory, just saying there is no need to get hung up on the idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobsy Posted February 25, 2011 Share Posted February 25, 2011 Darrell, that was exactly my thoughts. Well, I'll go with the general opinion of "buy it on it's own merrits", so it's opened things up a bit now that it need not be factory built, just need to make sure it's a good one. I need to get to a meet, soon as really. I'm pretty much the same distance from the Suffolk/ Norfolk meet as I am the Essex one. Any ideas which is likely to have the most cars, and if it's ok for me to turn up at either?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markcoopers Posted February 26, 2011 Share Posted February 26, 2011 My Bobsy Sir, The cambs crew will be planning a raid on the North Norfolk cost at the end of March, (last Sunday), we will get some 10-20 cars depending on weather and upgrade plans out for a good mix. We will post a series of meeting points nearer the time.....more than welcolm to come along. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobsy Posted February 26, 2011 Share Posted February 26, 2011 Well, if that's ok with you, I shall make sure I'm there. I know from some of the posts there are a few Westfields around Colchester, but I don't know of any more local than that. This has made it a little more difficult for me to know exactly what I want, as I've only seem a couple up close, and neither were very good. I've seen a few out and about over the years in other areas, and some really are stunning, truthfully most are if I'm honest. I'd figured I needed a 2ltr as I do like a bit of power. I've been in a Hayabusa turbo Dax, I know I won't get that sort of power, but I didn't want that sort of responsibility either. It gave the impression maintenance would be very ongoing.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark (smokey mow) Posted February 27, 2011 Share Posted February 27, 2011 Bob I know of a couple of Westfield's that are your side of Colchester but I'll leave it for their owners to introduce themselves if they want to be known, there's probably more but not everyone frequents the boardroom. Myself and Nik aren't too far away and as already said, you're more than welcome to come over for an up close look at my car, it might even be running and back on the road in the next few weeks. As a suggestion this may be worth a look Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobsy Posted February 28, 2011 Share Posted February 28, 2011 I guess there must be, but they're not something you often see down this way, and I don't know of anyone who has one, which is pretty unusual in a little town. I know a lot of people who race in various classes, but none with Westfield. Still time will tell. Thank you for the link, but I really want a 2ltr. I know I could change the engine etc, but I really don't want to go that route or I'll have the same situation I had with my sandrail, which was loose interest by the time I'd got it how I wanted it. I realise all Westfields are obviously quick, but I wanted something really quick without going Busa turbo. That said, the only Busa one I've been in was being driven so hard that nothing would be able to stand it for long, this put me off the whole bike idea completely, but I may have been a little hasty with that decision, any opinions?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adamnreeves Posted February 28, 2011 Share Posted February 28, 2011 this put me off the whole bike idea completely, but I may have been a little hasty with that decision, any opinions?? Firstly I do not run a Bike engined car. However I have always thought it seems convenient that the engine and gearbox is in one compact unit and could be lifted out by one man. Seems almost disposable. That's my thought anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markcoopers Posted February 28, 2011 Share Posted February 28, 2011 Bit of a can or worms that one, it would be true to say that tere are two distict views on it and both are right..........from their point of view. Horses for courses Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tex Posted February 28, 2011 Share Posted February 28, 2011 reading this topic i get the feeling your not looking forward to doing a. maintenance b. mods - you sure you want a kit car? not being rude here but to run these kind of cars no matter what engine, who made it WILL require more than average maintenance. they simply arent as durable as tin top cars. remember the car you go to the shops in had 50 million spent on steering rack development, etc etc... kit cars are built by bob in a shed. [sorry bob] to run a kit car of any type you have to have a mind set before you own one of - a. it will break and often b. you will have problems finding someone to fix SOME things [most garages are frightened of them] but there are some who will help c. you will have to work on them yourself d. you wont have a very good user manual [can be found in certain bits but not the same back up is available as tin top factory technical advise] westfield have been pretty good so far tho - i have never had a major issue that couldnt be resolved. [mine is factory made] e. parts will be more expensive but not all [remember the parts are performance parts and made in limited runs with limited places to buy from] if you go into buying one of these cars you have to accept this before you own or somewhere along the line you will be disappointed - maybe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobsy Posted March 1, 2011 Share Posted March 1, 2011 Tex, I understand exactly what you're saying, but I don't mind a bit of maintenance, and I'm ok to do a few mods. But I'd rather buy a car that had most of what I'd want already done. What I don't want to do is buy something that isn't a good car in the first place so I have to use lots of my time and money putting it right. If something breaks, it's just one of those things, and I'll weld it, repair it, or replace it. What I hate doing is sorting out bad wiring, re-plumming poorly done cooling systems, finding stuff isn't bracketed how it should be etc. I like things to be as well put together as possible. I'm not saying I'm that much of a mechanic, but I have built a few things, and I've done the "put an RS turbo engine in my Escort estate type of stuff too" But on the whole you are right, years ago I enjoyed building the stuff more that driving it, it's certainly not that way round any more though...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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