just a thought...

[Roadrunner]

Insted of kit car manufacturers copying each other all the time how about a new idea? Now we have a multitude of variations of the xtr2 etc why not one with a roof. This will allow people to use one daily - at a push. I'm sure there are thousands of seven copied car drivers out there that would trade up with a few basic necessaties included: heater & roof. The market for people buying them as toy's is miniscule compared to the number of 7 daily drivers. The roof should only weigh 20kg if made from carbon fibre, use perspex for windows - easy to make in the shed etc. Maybe make it removable too. Go on, back to the drawing boards....you might even make some serious money.

>>> Edited by Roadrunner on Tuesday 4th June 14:25

[caribeiro]

I agree,

but, a everyday car believe it or not is much more difficult to build them a toy like caterham or westfield or even anything similar. You have a lot of problems to solve.

1- Safety problems;
2- Ergonomics, a toy you drive only a few hours and you know what you can expect, and your mood is prepared for that;
3- Acoustic, me and you problably will enjoy that racing noise that is generated in that open racing exhaust. But do you will support that noise after a day of terrible 8 or 9 hours of high stressly working.
4- Visibility - the carmakers have a lot of criterias of visbility, and some are very difficult to fullfil in kit car.

These are some examples of requirements you be aware when you want to make a everyday car.

If you want a sport car and drive all week long buy a Porsche, or ...

[caribeiro]

or TVR, Noble or ...

[mattjbatch]

Apperently Coram LMP have something like this in the pipeline for 2004 ish. They also say its more difficult and expensive than it looks which is why they are concentrating on the open top first.

[Cotty]

I think Caterham had the right idea wite the GTO ie the 21 with a roof but then they loaded it up with carbon fibre and the R500 engine and put a £40K price tag on it.

Another alternative is the Ginetta G4

[tuffer]

I've been looking at the XTR2 and Coram, not to worried about it being an open top all year. Until I saw a picture of an "LM350" Lotus Europa, this got me thinking...take a look at www.banks-europa.co.uk small, light, roof, fairly individual, choice of anything from a 1.6 to a twin turbo V6. These are new build chassis and body and the prices look pretty reasonable, looks pretty modern and bound to handle well....should be just the ticket!

[Roadrunner]

The Ginetta G4 is the only decent thing out there IMO. It looks tasteful, is practical (ish), pastes most things on the track anyway.