New to Kit Cars

[andycase007]

Hi All

I have been looking at getting a classic car to tinker with and polish - but recently saw (and missed out on) a lovely kit car which got em really interested in those instead
I have been checking a well known auction site! and see a few come up for sale but have missed out on those

I am after a kit car that can be used on the road, doesnt need finishing but something i can play with and modify over time as i learn and funds become available

I need to pay by card or paypal as it will be going on my CC (dont tell the wife!)

I have a budget of around 4.5k

Am i being realistic?

Is there anything out there? I am in Morecambe so North West, North East and Midlands would be fine, or can go further and arrange shipping etc

Many thanks

Andy

[Ambleton]

I know lots and lots of people buy cars on finance/credit, but I personally dont think its a great idea buying a kit car on finance, mainly because you may want to spend more money getting it how you want, and it will soon run away!

My advice would be to buy a cheaper toy that you can afford. If you w ant something fast, then you probably want a basic spec 7. If you just want something thats hugely fun, and a bit cheaper, id keep an eye out for a lomax or similar...

[andycase007]

Hi
Thanks for the reply
The credit side of things is not an issue - just a stop gap (too long to go into)

But trying to find someone to accept paypal or card is the hardest thing - i'm no scammer so can only assume it's because people have been scammed in the past.

Anyway, will look out for those two makes - just would like to get one before the weather turns so nice that prices shoot up

[Huff]

Apart from the above - yes, you can land a kitcar for £4-5K. But what you get will depend hugely on the research you've done. It can be shark-infested waters.

Buy on condition and history, and ensure the V5 accurately describes the vehicle. Its perfectly possible to spend that and more and acquire something shiney, that once fixed and running, is a complete dog and worse, likely to get pulled because the basebuild is a bit fraudulent and worse again, cannot be registered with the DVLA without a full IVA - to current regs (no shortage of posts on ringing, dodgy identities and kit cars here in the past... read a few)

Caveat emptor.

Do your research on things that take your fancy, be in no hurry, hold out for the right car (the one that looks right, feels right, excites you, has a decent documented history/receipt file - and still, go look at it in person, meet the owner, with eyes open. Things that started life at the cheap end like Robin Hood '7's - avoid like the plague.


My story -
I went shopping for a 7 / great seven-a-like, with suitable budget. Looked at lots, and took 18months - and actually I came home with the right Fisher Fury instead. It's bang-on and makes me smile even sat fiddling at it in the lock-up; I still have it 7yrs later, and plan to keep it sine die.

Edited by Huff on Monday 20th February 20:14

[ugg10]

£4.5 is bargain basement for most kit cars these days.

Sevenesque cars at this price will either be 1980's models so look out for tin worm in the chassis or as said the budget end (Robin Hood). For a bit more you may come across a cross flow early striker or possibly fury, but most reasonable kits start around £6k imo.

Worth looking at the less desirable kits like a GTM Rosso (metro based, can upgrade the k series engine to 1.8vvc) .

Alternatively, for less than £2k you can get a nice mk2/2.5 mx5 with a 1.8 engine and lsd, run for a year or so ensuring the mechanicals are spot on, even do a super/turbo charge conversion and then decide if you want to build it into a kit car when funds allow, several mx5 based sevens plus MeV Replicar.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2002-Mazda-MX5-Mk2-5-NBF...

[Huff]

ugg10 said:

Alternatively, for less than £2k you can get a nice mk2/2.5 mx5 with a 1.8 engine and lsd, run for a year or so ensuring the mechanicals are spot on, even do a super/turbo charge conversion and then decide if you want to build it into a kit car when funds allow, several mx5 based sevens plus MeV Replicar.

If funds are tight, that is a great suggestion.

In fact it's a bloody good suggestion anyway.

I've had a go in a friend's Westfield built out of an MX5 (owned from new, body rust-expired at c18yrs old, but drivetrain good as new still) - it's a terrific car, engaging to drive, more than brisk enough, and a sound one-make Japanese drivetrain - what's not to like?!

[Fastpedeller]

As a general 'rule' you are possibly best advised to look to Owners Club sales (or sales at Stoneleigh Show) rather than an auction site - I wouldn't say buying from an auction site would be any more or less expensive, but IMHO you are more likely to get a GOOD car from Owners Club or similar.