Kitcar for about five grand?

[carreauchompeur]

Folks,

Settling back into the UK now and starting to miss my old M3. Currently in V70 D5 which is an absolutely perfect everyday car, so I don't want to compromise for something slightly fun and less practical.

I've just cleared and painted my garage, which has a lovely car shaped hole in it. So, I've started looking at Locost-style kit cars.

Any pointers? There seem to be loads about around the five grand- six grand mark. Basically I just want a fun car, practicality is not an issue whatsoever as it'll just be taken out on dry blats and kept in the garage.

I'm reasonably mechanically competent, learning my way around some simple car jobs and have an enthusiastic ex mechanic mate who loves getting stuck in.

What sort of engines should i look for/avoid? Any horror stories?

[ChocolateFrog]

Some Westfields drop as low as £5k. Might be a safer bet with residuals.

Might be better asking in the Kit Car forum.

[HustleRussell]

I've got a Caterham which I will always recommend, starting at £10k though unfortunately.

A lot of the really cheap ones are home built chassis based on a book called 'Roadster for £250' or similar which Haynes published. The quality of the result varies commensurately.

Robin hoods are among the worse of the 'factory' fabricated chassis. Very primitive.

There are some good Locosts out there

The MK, the Tiger and others I will have forgotten can be really rather good too.

On the whole I'd say the Crossflow will be the pick of the engines in your budget. Yes, you could have a bigger more powerful engine but the Crossflow is just so ubiquitous everywhere and it has great potential as well as great character.

[HustleRussell]

Don't think you'll find a functional Westfield for £5k

Also, anything with a bike engine for £5k is likely to be a liability.

[eltax91]

You could build a Robin Hood Zero for that couldn't you? I think the kit starts at £3,250?

[HustleRussell]

The GBS is the other good one

[autofocus]

Hi,

As mentioned GBS Zero starter kit is £2345, however you need to spend a heck of a lot on top of that to get one roadworthy.

My build is up to £18k so far and I haven't finished. Yes its going to be very high spec but the factory build cars start at £19,995 so theres no way you would get one on the road for £5k.



Regards

Tim

[InitialDave]

If you're buying someone's used car, make sure it's registered properly, there's a lot of "Dutton" Sevens out there and others that aren't quite down on paperwork how they should be.

Similarly, if you get tempted by buying an unfinished project, I'd think very carefully about what would be involved in getting it properly on the road on that side of things, especially if the kit or build predates current requirements in such matters.

[karl922]

There's a lovely red GTM on eBay at the minute that would fit your bill.

Edited by karl922 on Wednesday 9th August 22:01

[Krikkit]

autofocus said:

Hi,

As mentioned GBS Zero starter kit is £2345, however you need to spend a heck of a lot on top of that to get one roadworthy.

My build is up to £18k so far and I haven't finished. Yes its going to be very high spec but the factory build cars start at £19,995 so theres no way you would get one on the road for £5k.



Regards

Tim

Apologies for the dumb question autofocus, but as a rough guide what big bits don't come in either the starter kit or on the donor? I've an MX5 with tatty bodywork here which I feel could make a good starter!

I'm thinking things like shocks, hubs/uprights, driveshafts etc?

Edited by Krikkit on Wednesday 9th August 22:21

[Mayrun]

That GTM is no longer for sale but this MOJO is looking nice
http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sylva-Mojo-SE-1600/2631174...

[karl922]

It is still for sale, it's my old mans. He just doesn't want to let it go for much under 7.5k.

[Hol]

I sold my 2001 build Tiger Super Six, for £5300 in 2010 and looking at prices on Locostbuilders.co.uk, the prices have stayed relatively flat. So you probably wont lose money, if you can up your budget.

All Seven-esque cars look similar, but variances are to expected as one guy may use the manufacturers supplied pedals, but another guy may be 6'4 tall and use floor mounted pedals to extend the leg room.
Engines and diffs also vary significantly.

Also, not every owner bothers to get their geometry set up properly, so even two identically spec'd cars can drive differently.

I would be looking at MK's, Haynes Roadster and if you can push £7k an MNR which handle very well.

[carreauchompeur]

OK thanks, some good suggestions here... food for thought.

I assume prices might dip slightly as we leave summer...

[CrutyRammers]

autofocus said:

Hi,

As mentioned GBS Zero starter kit is £2345, however you need to spend a heck of a lot on top of that to get one roadworthy.

So much this, and that goes for any kit.

[autofocus]

Krikkit said:

Apologies for the dumb question autofocus, but as a rough guide what big bits don't come in either the starter kit or on the donor? I've an MX5 with tatty bodywork here which I feel could make a good starter!

I'm thinking things like shocks, hubs/uprights, driveshafts etc?

Edited by Krikkit on Wednesday 9th August 22:21

Hi there,

Bear in mind I am buliding mine with all new parts so that it can be registered as a new car and carry a new plate rather than a plate from the donor. As such this will have impacted on the cost of my build.

Never the less the starter kit doesn't include: -

Diff,
Gearbox
Engine
Wheels
Tyres
Steering Rack
Steering column
Brakes (inc discs, calipers etc)
Seats,
Seat belts
Hubs
Driveshafts
Shock Absorbers
Dashboard
Instruments
Indicator/Wiper stalks
Windscreen
Paint (Coloured GRP is included but this means panels are bare)
ECU
Wiring Loom
Fuel tank and pumps

and the list goes on.

I cannot recommend highly enough GBS, they have been superb during my build but I knew at the start I would be looking at around £20K at least to get mine finished. Would never try and do it for bargain basement as I want a car to be proud of not one where corners have been cut.

Regards

Tim

[MikeGoodwin]

MK or westfield. Tigers are a little scruffy from what ive seen.

Check WSCC for sale, ebay, autotrader, pistonheads. Youll get a kit car for that. I'd personally be looking for a zetec engined car just because replacement bits should be abundant.

[Krikkit]

autofocus said:

Hi there,

Bear in mind I am buliding mine with all new parts so that it can be registered as a new car and carry a new plate rather than a plate from the donor. As such this will have impacted on the cost of my build.

Never the less the starter kit doesn't include: -

Diff,
Gearbox
Engine
Wheels
Tyres
Steering Rack
Steering column
Brakes (inc discs, calipers etc)
Seats,
Seat belts
Hubs
Driveshafts
Shock Absorbers
Dashboard
Instruments
Indicator/Wiper stalks
Windscreen
Paint (Coloured GRP is included but this means panels are bare)
ECU
Wiring Loom
Fuel tank and pumps

and the list goes on.

I cannot recommend highly enough GBS, they have been superb during my build but I knew at the start I would be looking at around £20K at least to get mine finished. Would never try and do it for bargain basement as I want a car to be proud of not one where corners have been cut.

Regards

Tim

Thanks Tim, very useful! Looking at the mx5 kit most of those are included from the donor. I'm sure it won't be cheap, but it could make a mega project in a couple of years once my 106 is done.

[carreauchompeur]

Any thoughts on the MEV Exocet? This one is a bit over budget but they look ace!

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/122639081775

[MG CHRIS]

carreauchompeur said:

Any thoughts on the MEV Exocet? This one is a bit over budget but they look ace!

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/122639081775

Ive run one for 5 year. Was originally going to be a road car but soon changed once I done a track day in it. Haven't looked back from then developed it over the years to become a pretty potent car on track.
Started sprinting with it last year won my class overall and this year I'm leading both my class and overall series (javelin trackday sprint series.

The mx5 donor and aftermarket parts suply is massive in the uk and reasonable affordable too. 2.5k will get you a drive in drive out turbo conversion with over 250bhp with stock engine. The build vary massively between builds so make sure you find a good one.