Considering a Westie now ....
Discussion
Looking at my budget, I think it would be better for me to look at other options. For the amount of money I want to spend, it would be very difficult to find something I liked a lot.
So, for bang for buck value, the Westie was the next target !! However, looking at the trades it is very hard to find something I like, as I now find that my budget is right for a number of different set ups.
what should I be looking for ?? Anyone point me in the direction of some good links !??
Thanks, Raks
A soon-to-become kit car owner !! Well, fingers crossed !
Sounds like you are treading the path I have just come down. Started with the idea of a cobra after watching "A car is born" then to a Tiger Super six have settled on a Dax Rush V8 in long wheel base guise. It is cheaper than the Westfield and better in my opinion. Has a good development history and a racing pedigree.
have been lurking that forum all today, after i did a google search for related topics.
basically the same info as all types of vehicles. drive as many as you can, they all differ. i can understand this though, as there are soo many different parts you can fit to these things !!
Is there a good website to go to, to find ones for sale ??
basically the same info as all types of vehicles. drive as many as you can, they all differ. i can understand this though, as there are soo many different parts you can fit to these things !!
Is there a good website to go to, to find ones for sale ??
Raks,
At this time of year there aren't many (good) cars around. Both findit.co.uk and the WSCC are good starting pionts but the main thing is to do your homework and view lots of cars. Build quality varies enormously!
The WSCC site is probably the best place to find info - just ask questions and do lots of searches. Cars offered for sale here are often the best bet as most of them are known to other club members who will willingly give their opinion on them.
Have you decided what you want to use it for (road, track) etc as this will have a bearing on what you should target? For example, cars that have competed in the WSCC Speed Series are generally the best looked-after mechanically (many being re-built every year), but the body work may not be as tidy as some, or may be fitted with noisy sequential gearboxes.
As I said, there aren't many around at the moment but when a good car comes available it is usually snapped up pretty quickly - so be ready! Whatever you do, good luck.
Cheers
Andy
At this time of year there aren't many (good) cars around. Both findit.co.uk and the WSCC are good starting pionts but the main thing is to do your homework and view lots of cars. Build quality varies enormously!
The WSCC site is probably the best place to find info - just ask questions and do lots of searches. Cars offered for sale here are often the best bet as most of them are known to other club members who will willingly give their opinion on them.
Have you decided what you want to use it for (road, track) etc as this will have a bearing on what you should target? For example, cars that have competed in the WSCC Speed Series are generally the best looked-after mechanically (many being re-built every year), but the body work may not be as tidy as some, or may be fitted with noisy sequential gearboxes.
As I said, there aren't many around at the moment but when a good car comes available it is usually snapped up pretty quickly - so be ready! Whatever you do, good luck.
Cheers
Andy
Having owned a Westfield in the past, and a Tiger Supersix currently, I can say there is not a lot to choose between them, both excellent, you didn't mention your price range, but imho you will have to reckon 7/8k to obtain anything half decent.
Best to go for a Zetec or Duratec, if possible, although mine is a Pinto, as was my old Westfield, I am a big fan of these engines, I had four different Capris fitted with them, and covered over 150,000 miles with no problems whatsoever, just ensure the oil is changed reguarly, as the spray bar can become blocked, knackering the camshaft, but even so this is an easy inexpensive repair, and mine were all OK.
Good luck in whatever you decide....
Best to go for a Zetec or Duratec, if possible, although mine is a Pinto, as was my old Westfield, I am a big fan of these engines, I had four different Capris fitted with them, and covered over 150,000 miles with no problems whatsoever, just ensure the oil is changed reguarly, as the spray bar can become blocked, knackering the camshaft, but even so this is an easy inexpensive repair, and mine were all OK.
Good luck in whatever you decide....
raks said:
Is there a good website to go to, to find ones for sale ??
If you don't mind paying dealer prices, you could try Terry Nightingale. I got my Westie from here and have been very pleased with it!
NOOOOO!!! Dont go and get something thats so obviously a kitcar! Stick with getting a Cobra, just either save up some more money or set your sights lower and make it better when you can to get what you want! No disrespects here at all, I think that the lotus 7 is a really great car, and has kept the kitcar industry afloat for years, but everyone knows they are kits. And you will always be longing for a Cobra so you might as well get what you want now rather than put up with something that you dont really want! Sorry but thats my totally unbiased opinion!
Phil
www.replica-cobra.co.uk
daxtojeiro said:
Sorry but thats my totally unbiased opinion!
Phil
www.replica-cobra.co.uk
Whats wrong with knowing you have a kit car and that other people know you have a kit car - whats to be embarrased about
John
www.madabout-kitcars.com
daxtojeiro said:
But most people think that every Cobra they see is a kit, or Replica, so what's the problem?
Cheers
Pete
PS I want a Cobra too, just don't see what's wrong with it being a kit, I'm not fussed about Q plates either.
Sorry, that came over wrong, well I had been working nights. 
What I mean is a lot of people dont know a good 7 from a cheap one, I wouldn't! They all look vertually the same. I know all cobras look the same too, well nearly. So either save up more money or get a cheaper cobra and slowly work on it till you get it how you want it. Dont get a westie if thats not what you really want.
Phil
What I mean is a lot of people dont know a good 7 from a cheap one, I wouldn't! They all look vertually the same. I know all cobras look the same too, well nearly. So either save up more money or get a cheaper cobra and slowly work on it till you get it how you want it. Dont get a westie if thats not what you really want. Phil
Raks,
How about this
See www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/detail.asp?i=17696&s=129
You haven't mentioned a budget, so not sure if it is too much. Damn good car, has the IRS and a half decent engine. Not sure about the colour though.
Sparks
P.S I'm not the seller
How about this
See www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/detail.asp?i=17696&s=129
You haven't mentioned a budget, so not sure if it is too much. Damn good car, has the IRS and a half decent engine. Not sure about the colour though.
Sparks
P.S I'm not the seller
Bollox to all this Q plate crap.Soo much better.No emission checks other than for smoke means more lairy cams and engine mods.I have just bought a Westie Zetec Q plate and is my second Westie.I will insure it no different,tax it no different and the only problem so far with Q's is not all recovery firms want to give you a contract.But the RAC did no problem.At least no-one knows how old my car is,bit like a private plate.I can get it in my garage and work on it.( check the width of a Cobra and see that it fits.I did and no it didnt,so I bought a westie and glad I did).With the nose cone and bonnet off,all parts are engine parts are accessible without leaning over wings and scratching paint.I have helped a mate build a Ram cobra,so know the agro.For a first car,a seven type is ideal to learn and tinker.
ok, was away from the office for a day and a hlaf, but its good to come back to some thought out replies..
yes, sorry i didn't mention my budget in my first post. sorry, just forgot ! i am actually looking to spend up to about £8k on one, but that doesn't necessarily mean i will. i've seen some good models around for about 6.5k. if i could get something along this line i would be over the moon !!!! 
i'm not actually bothered what people think. this is more a car for me, and me alone. its something for me to be able to enjoy come rain or shine. kit car or not.
i'm not sure what on earth that thing is. will do some more digging though, now i've seen a pic...
yes, this was initially more of a tide over car to enjoy, but reading more into them, i have a feeling i may just keep it as an extra !!!
i think going the westy route is good anyway, as this wasy, as mentioned, its a good stepping stone for me to able to learn how to tinker and maintain a simple set-up myself (big bonus for me as its something i've wanted to do for ages
oh, and ps. the car will be mainly used on the road. maybe later an odd sprint here and there, but not for a while.
thanks guys, and keep it all coming !!!
yes, sorry i didn't mention my budget in my first post. sorry, just forgot !
i am actually looking to spend up to about £8k on one, but that doesn't necessarily mean i will. i've seen some good models around for about 6.5k. if i could get something along this line i would be over the moon !!!! i'm not actually bothered what people think. this is more a car for me, and me alone. its something for me to be able to enjoy come rain or shine. kit car or not.
i'm not sure what on earth that thing is. will do some more digging though, now i've seen a pic...
yes, this was initially more of a tide over car to enjoy, but reading more into them, i have a feeling i may just keep it as an extra !!!
i think going the westy route is good anyway, as this wasy, as mentioned, its a good stepping stone for me to able to learn how to tinker and maintain a simple set-up myself (big bonus for me as its something i've wanted to do for ages
oh, and ps. the car will be mainly used on the road. maybe later an odd sprint here and there, but not for a while.
thanks guys, and keep it all coming !!!
Raks I did exactly the same with my Marlin, bought it with the intention of maintaining and fixing it when it broke. All I can say is that it is a very steep learning curve and without the help form my Dad and a member of this board I would be completely stuck with a knackered car.
I've had mine about 3 months, in that time I've had headlights break, sidelights fail, manifold gasket die, manifold die, petrol tank leak, timing trouble, igniton trouble, mixture trouble... and this was a "good car".
I would be inclined to look around as to who can help you if you before you take the plunge if you are like me, a complete novice (I know a little theory but thats it).
I've had mine about 3 months, in that time I've had headlights break, sidelights fail, manifold gasket die, manifold die, petrol tank leak, timing trouble, igniton trouble, mixture trouble... and this was a "good car".
I would be inclined to look around as to who can help you if you before you take the plunge if you are like me, a complete novice (I know a little theory but thats it).
hmm, a good insight there. thanks !!
thats a good question though, how reliable are these models?? does it solely depend upon how well its been put together, or does other things come into play.
also, i've exhausted out all possible searches on trying to find out the difference between pre and post lit. anyone help !?!?
thats a good question though, how reliable are these models?? does it solely depend upon how well its been put together, or does other things come into play.
also, i've exhausted out all possible searches on trying to find out the difference between pre and post lit. anyone help !?!?
).raks said:
also, i've exhausted out all possible searches on trying to find out the difference between pre and post lit. anyone help !?!?
I believe that pre-lit cars were almost direct copies of the Caterhams. The litigation case that Caterham brought resulted in Westfield changing things subtly so as not to infringe copyrights etc. The post lit cars are a bit bigger for example.
I'm sure someone else will correct me if I'm wrong!
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