Second hand seven
Discussion
Hello there,
I'm a twenty year old engineering student looking to buy a second-hand seven-type car both to "fiddle" with, and to have a lot of fun in. i would build, but being away at University most of the time means the build could take a very long time, and i'm quite impatient!
Anyway, I've managed to scrape together about £5000 (maybe a little more) for the car itself, leaving some aside for any changes i may want to make. I was wondering if i could have the benefit of your combined knowledge on what sort of car to go for. The way i see it (tell me if i'm wrong!) I could either go for an older westfield, and treat it more as a project, or try to get hold of a higher spec but cheaper car, like a tiger. are there any pitfalls with either? Which is more likely to hold its value, in case i need to "cash it in"? A smaller engine would also presumably suit me better insurance-wise as well.
Any comments you have would be gratefully recieved,
cheers
I'm a twenty year old engineering student looking to buy a second-hand seven-type car both to "fiddle" with, and to have a lot of fun in. i would build, but being away at University most of the time means the build could take a very long time, and i'm quite impatient!
Anyway, I've managed to scrape together about £5000 (maybe a little more) for the car itself, leaving some aside for any changes i may want to make. I was wondering if i could have the benefit of your combined knowledge on what sort of car to go for. The way i see it (tell me if i'm wrong!) I could either go for an older westfield, and treat it more as a project, or try to get hold of a higher spec but cheaper car, like a tiger. are there any pitfalls with either? Which is more likely to hold its value, in case i need to "cash it in"? A smaller engine would also presumably suit me better insurance-wise as well.
Any comments you have would be gratefully recieved,
cheers
I bought a 1700 xflow powered westfield for about the budget you have.
I wouldn't use it as my only car as it's not very practical, doesn't have a great top speed and feels a bit 'busy' at motorway speeds and needs plenty of fettling.
If you want a toy you can play with then it's absolutely ideal as there's always bits to play with, there's plenty of regular routine maintenance to do and the bit are mostly very cheap ford parts. It's a hell of a laugh to drive too.
Edited to add: The big expense would be that if the engine gave out and it would need a rebuild which would cost a bit I guess (I'd recommend getting a rev limiter fitted as you can get a bit carried away at times). Insurance costs me about 150 quid a year for 5000 miles and that's with the car parked on the drive and not in a garage. I can add more miles during the year if I need to for a few more quid. It's insured with Adrian Flux and doesn't use require any of my NCB and doesn't need an immobiliser (although it has one fitted).
Regards,
Mark
>> Edited by dern on Tuesday 11th May 12:51
I wouldn't use it as my only car as it's not very practical, doesn't have a great top speed and feels a bit 'busy' at motorway speeds and needs plenty of fettling.
If you want a toy you can play with then it's absolutely ideal as there's always bits to play with, there's plenty of regular routine maintenance to do and the bit are mostly very cheap ford parts. It's a hell of a laugh to drive too.
Edited to add: The big expense would be that if the engine gave out and it would need a rebuild which would cost a bit I guess (I'd recommend getting a rev limiter fitted as you can get a bit carried away at times). Insurance costs me about 150 quid a year for 5000 miles and that's with the car parked on the drive and not in a garage. I can add more miles during the year if I need to for a few more quid. It's insured with Adrian Flux and doesn't use require any of my NCB and doesn't need an immobiliser (although it has one fitted).
Regards,
Mark
>> Edited by dern on Tuesday 11th May 12:51
Wej
I was in a similar position as yourself, though considerably older (I thought I would get that in before anyone else).
I went for a pretty well sorted Tiger Supercat, partly because the Supercat is a little wider than an older Westfield, and widebodied Westies were out of my price range.
No regrets so far, there is enough to do on the car that I can get my fingers dirty, but not so much that I cannot drive and enjoy the car.
A word of caution, I could not get my 19year old son insured on the car (2litre Pinto engine) at anything remotely reasonable, most said they would not touch him until he is 21.
Good Luck
CT
I was in a similar position as yourself, though considerably older (I thought I would get that in before anyone else).
I went for a pretty well sorted Tiger Supercat, partly because the Supercat is a little wider than an older Westfield, and widebodied Westies were out of my price range.
No regrets so far, there is enough to do on the car that I can get my fingers dirty, but not so much that I cannot drive and enjoy the car.
A word of caution, I could not get my 19year old son insured on the car (2litre Pinto engine) at anything remotely reasonable, most said they would not touch him until he is 21.
Good Luck
CT
Cheers for the welcomes!
I've already had some "theoretical" quotes, at around £850 for a 2lt tiger cat and £750 for a westfield 1600 (both limited milage, stored on the drive), and as long as that drops after a year, even a bit, i should be able to stretch to it. i know this probably sounds like loads to anyone over 25, but for someone my age insuring a fiat uno costs way more than that.
i want something that i wont have to be under the bonnet of for half a day every time i want to use it, so any comments on reliability?
Thanks again
I've already had some "theoretical" quotes, at around £850 for a 2lt tiger cat and £750 for a westfield 1600 (both limited milage, stored on the drive), and as long as that drops after a year, even a bit, i should be able to stretch to it. i know this probably sounds like loads to anyone over 25, but for someone my age insuring a fiat uno costs way more than that.
i want something that i wont have to be under the bonnet of for half a day every time i want to use it, so any comments on reliability?
Thanks again
wej said:
i want something that i wont have to be under the bonnet of for half a day every time i want to use it, so any comments on reliability?
I would suggest that the reliability would be down to individual cars and (to an equal degree imo) your ability to run them rather than something you could apply generally to, say, all 15 year old westfields.
Mark
PS. If you're going to keep it on the drive you'll need a cover or it will fill with water.
>> Edited by dern on Tuesday 11th May 15:38
Hot off the press 
Tiger have just introduced a wide bodied Cat and Super Cat at the Stoneleigh show, if you fancy building one yourself, (it won't do much for your Uni degree, but you'll be a dab hand with a spanner) ....
Estimated completion cost £7k.....
btw: Where's Den????, he seems to have gone to ground.....
Tiger have just introduced a wide bodied Cat and Super Cat at the Stoneleigh show, if you fancy building one yourself, (it won't do much for your Uni degree, but you'll be a dab hand with a spanner) ....
Estimated completion cost £7k.....
btw: Where's Den????, he seems to have gone to ground.....
Hi,
It is not a Seven type car like a Westfield but what about an Austin 7 Special. I am 19 and have my Grandfarther's RN, the insurance is only £88 a year fully com and no road tax. It is very easy to work on and a Special would be great fun. A Special is basicly a sports car version.
I have to say that I have been quite tempted by a Robin Hood or something like that.
Good luck.
William
It is not a Seven type car like a Westfield but what about an Austin 7 Special. I am 19 and have my Grandfarther's RN, the insurance is only £88 a year fully com and no road tax. It is very easy to work on and a Special would be great fun. A Special is basicly a sports car version.
I have to say that I have been quite tempted by a Robin Hood or something like that.
Good luck.
William
LexSport said:
Hi,
It is not a Seven type car like a Westfield but what about an Austin 7 Special...
Not a bad idea if you can find a decent one. And after all, Colin Chapman started off building specials before coming up with the design for the original se7en.
Ther are a few very nice Austin Specials around, I owned this one 15 years ago
It was capable of 80 mph
MORE frightening than my TVR (or a Lotus 7) I can tell you! I sure there are some very nice Austin 7 Ulster replicas for around £5000. There are quite alot around at about £2000 -£3000, you could get one of them and get hold of a supercharger and do a bit of engine mods. The big bonus is the insurance and no tax. Parts are cheap and the Club is great for help and advice.
Thanks William
Thanks William
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