1St Westfield Purchase Advice (1St Of This Type Of Car Too)

[Dodgey]

Hi all. I'm shopping around for a used Westy - already built, and I could do with some help.

I've taken a few days of research to end up at Westfield as a brand. I was initially inspired by a track experience years ago in a Westy, which was then refreshed recently watching the "race car is born" series :-) I have looked at RH's and MKs etc, but in the end, the Westfield seems to offer all the things I want: - Performance, Looks, Reasonable wet weather gear, "reasonable" comfort!, a better level of trim, independent rear suspension, and also, and perhaps critically, the option to race on a not-too-serious basis.

What I need help with is which type/model/engine combo to look for. I'll explain my experience, and what I think I'm after, which should help.

I currently drive a Porshe 911 996, which has been fantastic, but I really get little opportunity to unleash it's potential on the road, and I'm also simply not doing the miles in it to justify the luxury of it. I don't track-day it, or take it across Europe because I don't want to splash out on Porsche consumables and massive tyres. Plus I dont want to take the hit on the mileage. (I'm selling her as we speak). So she's wasted on me really. I've previously owned a TVR, so I have quite a bit of experience of solid acceleration performance. Additionally, I used to be a bit of a bike nut and owned all sorts of beasts, ending up with a Yamaha R6 - I loved the screaming 15k rpm engine (not a fan of lazy thumpers) . I track-day'd the R6 a fair bit. Only ever did one car track experience.

What I'm looking for:

- Outrageous performance - well, it must "feel" outrageous enough. 0-60 in 6 seconds isnt going to be enough. Sub 5 will be the bare minimum. 4.5 or better would be awesome.

- Some comfort - I want the padded seats and wet weather gear - I would like to take this to France/Italy for a laugh, with a toothbrush.

- I really don't want to have to wear earplugs though I love a great engine sound. Does this rule out Megabusas? they seem like cracking value for the performance? Are they tiring to drive on the revs all the time? When I see sub 4 second 0-60 times quoted it always seems to be bike engined models. Are they much more thirsty than normal car engined models?

- I'd like the option to race as the very beginner level in the future. I understand this will involve some compromises elsewhere but I'd like to know I might be able to use my existing car (I assume this rules out bike engines again?). There again I might be happy mucking around on track days etc.

- £8.5k or less (seems I can get a decent megabusa for this)

- This will NOT be my main car - I have another. It will be garaged.

Couple of questions

- I see widebody mentioned occasionally in adverts - is there more to this than simply a wider body? wider track?

- is the V8 a bit heavy? more of a straight line toy? Just guessing as it must be fairly weighty?

Any advice or general pointers would be greatly appreciated.

[Captain Colonial]

No idea where you are, but best advice I can give you is National Kit Car Show at Stoneleigh, 6-7 May, be there, you'll get your questions answered and see loads of examples. Seriously, you won't get a better opportunity.

[kevip6]

That's good advice, exactly what I did when I started building mine to see the range of other cars about!

At least you'll be able to speak to people with bike engined cars to see how suitable they are for long jaunts across Europe fitted with heavier seats and windscreens etc...

[Dodgey]

Hmmm. Could quite possible make that. I'm in Taunton, so it's up the M5 for a couple of hours, then across. I've just completed building a camper so it could be a chance to test it out! Thanks :-)

Would definately like any opinions in the meantime. I'm away for a week tomorrow and it would give me fuel for thought while I'm away :-)

[Lordbenny]

I think you're going to have to increase your budget by about a grand to get all you're asking for.... (sub 5 second 0-60 times with a decent, modern engine, weather gear, decent condition etc)). Or by a cheaper car and upgrade it yourself, you will find that whatever you get, you're going to want to personalise it to your own specifications anyway, Upgradi-itis is VERY addictive! Either Stoneleigh or a local owners club meet is a good place to start.

[alex07715]

Think you want a good 2 liter car engined Westy with 180bhp+ but think you will need to spend a bit more cash, a Megabusa will not travel well over distance and neither will you in it! They generally don't have the comfort or weather gear, they normally come aeroscreen'd and track focused which they are fantastic at.

A 2 liter Vauxhall engined car will probably fall in your budget and spec.............................i.e.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/WESTFIELD-2-0L-XE-REDTOP-BLUE-narrowbody-/270960967397?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item3f16883ee5#ht_702wt_932

[GreigM]

- I really don't want to have to wear earplugs though I love a great engine sound. Does this rule out Megabusas? they seem like cracking value for the performance?

Yes and no - as standard from the factory, yes as the noise can be up around 110db. You'd need to upgrade the airbox and exhaust significantly to get the db down to a "usable" level on a long journey. I dislike my megabusa for long runs on the road for its high-revs and associated noise/vibration.

- £8.5k or less (seems I can get a decent megabusa for this)

Sure you aren't looking at megablades? You won't get anywhere near a "decent" busa engined car for this.

[peterm135]

A 2 liter Vauxhall engined car will probably fall in your budget and spec

Nowt wrong with a good XE !

[80BSY]

You really need a ride in a couple of things to get any idea, they're all very different.

I've been in a Busa Turbo, 450bhp (admittedly a Dax) amazing sound and acceleration, I can very much appreciate it, but didn't want to own it.

A Crossflow with 40s, still quick, although not so much by modern standards as it would have been in the 90s, but the sort of thing you'd tend to probably use more, a few years ago probably exactly what I'd have bought.

A Mazda SDV, of which I was very impressed, lovely balance of power, handling and general usability, of which would be great for track days and a spin in the afternoon with the sun out. Totally different to the Mazda it comes out of, really can't use that as a comparison.

Then the V8, obviously not as user friendly, feels a bit heavier, likely to drink fuel, but the sound and power throws that into insignificance. I'm hoping to be able to pick one up at Stoneleigh this year, been looking for a while, but I want something quite specific.

I really don't see it that there's a bad Westfield engine choice, none of them seem to have inherently poor engines. This is what took me from wanting a Caterham to wanting a Westfield.

[Dodgey]

Thanks all. So as suspected it looks like a BEC is going to be too focussed for me. I'll also look at around 180bhp to be my rough target.

I have to admit, I do miss the sounds of a rover V8, though I've never had a tuned 2.0 16v engine car before and like the idea of the "rasping" performance that that will offer... (I did find my TVR performance boring after a while - just too linear and too easy to do anything in any gear at any moment)

Hopefully I can make the show.

[Andy Banks]

Have to agree with the Captain on this. Stoneleigh is going to be your best opportunity to window shop, trye kick and ask all the questions you need. The WSCC put on a pretty good show with a good turnout of members, owners and motorsports pros (and ams), both drivers and spannerers. You really must come along...

[Captain Colonial]

To give you some idea, I believe on the Sunday, which is traditionally the busier of the two days, we had approximately 300 cars present on the stand during the day - so loads to look at and many to talk to. Hopefully, many of the members who do show up will do their data sheets, so you can read about what's in the cars even if their owner isn't standing with it.

[6carjon]

I have owned my Westie for 14 years and removed all the screen,weather equipment and comfy seats as to be honest, they are not very effective for long journeys ie trips to Spa and Germany. I now use an aero screen, half doors and a helmet/hat. This is surprisingly comfortable. The half doors make a massive difference when you fit an aero screen. Engines are a personal choice of budget/power and weight. Do try aeroscreen and half doors though with a motorcycle rain suit and helmet is so much better than a hood that comes off over 80mph, doors that lift and deposit a puddle of water in your lap and soft seats that perch you too high in the car. Good luck with the options.

[Dibby]

On the ear plug front, I wear them on long journeys to stop the wind whistling in one ear and out the other. I know too many people with glue ear from years of open-topped cars so I wear them more for preventing glue ear than for noise.

Sounds like you could do with a Megabusa, ex biker, looking for ridonculous performance. You don't need mega power in something as light as a Westie, 180bhp will be more than enough for the road and occaisonal track use. Personally, I wouldn't fancy a V8 with all the weight on the front and too much torque to the back wheels it'll end up in wheelspin, it would sound nice but I don't think it would give the performance you're looking for.

Personally, I don't find the Megablade too tiring to drive, if I want something comfy and refined I'd take the daily diesel driver. With a BEC it's all about getting used to the setup of your car and it's particular controls, once you get used to the pedals it's easy to drive. On a motorway it does 50mpg, the steering goes a bit vague over 90mph.

Best advice up there, get to Stoneleigh, you won't get the chance to have a poke around so many cars and chat to so many owners in one place

[alexander72]

All good advice.. i'm a newbie having just bought a 1990 SE with x-flow 1700..... great handling, excellent pace, very happy but with your budget you can pick many varieties... good luck :-) james (will be at stoneleigh on Sunday and hopefully Monday if you fancy having a chat. james