Radical or Westfield XTR
Discussion
2002 article so a bit out date but its a start...
http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/cargrouptests/3247...
I think radicals may have moved on a bit since then where as the xtr2 hasn't changed - but with the radical you will pay for it.
http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/cargrouptests/3247...
I think radicals may have moved on a bit since then where as the xtr2 hasn't changed - but with the radical you will pay for it.
Certainly understand the Sunday Morning Blast / Many Admiring Glances theoretical appeal, kind of a four wheel motorbike.
However, aside from all those daft speed bumps, the reality of the absolutely gigantic potholes round these parts (and most other places I go) is something else again. Personally, I wouldn't want to jack the ride height of a closed wheeler way up when it is designed to run really low, nor soften it up so much as to save my boney ass, so if I wanted to meaningfully replicate the joy of a bike engined sportscars on the road, of Westfield or Radical, I'd go for ........
The Westfield
, but not the XTR (2 or 4), a Megabusa.
That said, each to his own: Guy S used his SR4 exclusively on the road and seemed to enjoy it plenty. I'll drop him a mail and ask him to post up on here or email you his experiences. Sorry, but I don't know anyone with an XTR, let alone a road-registered one.
However, aside from all those daft speed bumps, the reality of the absolutely gigantic potholes round these parts (and most other places I go) is something else again. Personally, I wouldn't want to jack the ride height of a closed wheeler way up when it is designed to run really low, nor soften it up so much as to save my boney ass, so if I wanted to meaningfully replicate the joy of a bike engined sportscars on the road, of Westfield or Radical, I'd go for ........
The Westfield
, but not the XTR (2 or 4), a Megabusa.That said, each to his own: Guy S used his SR4 exclusively on the road and seemed to enjoy it plenty. I'll drop him a mail and ask him to post up on here or email you his experiences. Sorry, but I don't know anyone with an XTR, let alone a road-registered one.
I think Simon has hit the nail right on the head there, you can see it teasing you, but with no chance to rag it the way you know it want's to be ragged!
To be honest I absolutely cannot see the point of a Road legal Radical, too low, too stiff, the aero only really coming into its own at highly illegal speeds.....Get a Busa engined Caterham for road kicks & a Radical for the track......
To be honest I absolutely cannot see the point of a Road legal Radical, too low, too stiff, the aero only really coming into its own at highly illegal speeds.....Get a Busa engined Caterham for road kicks & a Radical for the track......
I have to say I agree with the above.
I have a 200hp Caterham, and even THAT is too quick for the road. A Rad or an XTR would, I think, be frustrating.
high power, lightweight cars COME ALIVE on track, where you can drive them as God intended. On the road, there is a constant feeling of having to hold back, to preserve your license and due to traffic etc etc.
How about a Westfield XI for road blattery?
just my 2p worth
I have a 200hp Caterham, and even THAT is too quick for the road. A Rad or an XTR would, I think, be frustrating.
high power, lightweight cars COME ALIVE on track, where you can drive them as God intended. On the road, there is a constant feeling of having to hold back, to preserve your license and due to traffic etc etc.
How about a Westfield XI for road blattery?
just my 2p worth
Each to his own, X1 is nice enough if you like the traditional look, but I doubt 65bhp of venerable A Series replicates the tingle of a high revving bike engine.
If being gawped at a lot is not an issue and high revving (without the inherent lack of long term durability of a bike engine) is majoring the wish list, perhaps a modestly powered Atom might be an alternative?
Plenty for sale on here - I mean relative to a low volume manufacturer - that always surprises me and I wonder whether that might tell a story, along the lines of "seemed like a good idea at the time".
I suppose that in many ways the Atom may prove that like it or not, you can't have the best of both worlds. Whilst dramatically quick on a fast A road, even the supercharged version is a relatively light breakfast for most Radicals on a track, the more so on tracks with lots of corners rather than long straights.
If being gawped at a lot is not an issue and high revving (without the inherent lack of long term durability of a bike engine) is majoring the wish list, perhaps a modestly powered Atom might be an alternative?
Plenty for sale on here - I mean relative to a low volume manufacturer - that always surprises me and I wonder whether that might tell a story, along the lines of "seemed like a good idea at the time".
I suppose that in many ways the Atom may prove that like it or not, you can't have the best of both worlds. Whilst dramatically quick on a fast A road, even the supercharged version is a relatively light breakfast for most Radicals on a track, the more so on tracks with lots of corners rather than long straights.
Edited by splitpin on Friday 14th May 19:21
I run an xrt2 on road and track, interchangable noses and easily adjustable suspension (nitron shocks)
I'm pretty lucky insofar as the car lives at my parents house which gives me easy access to some great twisty roads. Half the fun is that on really twisty roads the car is so responsive and pointy, plus I get a kick out of chasing the motor bikes that also frequent this part if the world.
That said I think I would have just as much fun in a megabusa (albeit 7's really don't excite me that much)
I'd suggest the xtr2 forum for other views, unfortunately the server seems to have gone on holiday this week
(but as an xtr owner I'll conceed the radical is a better engineered car, albeit they sound painfully expensive to run)
happy motoring
kef
I'm pretty lucky insofar as the car lives at my parents house which gives me easy access to some great twisty roads. Half the fun is that on really twisty roads the car is so responsive and pointy, plus I get a kick out of chasing the motor bikes that also frequent this part if the world.
That said I think I would have just as much fun in a megabusa (albeit 7's really don't excite me that much)
I'd suggest the xtr2 forum for other views, unfortunately the server seems to have gone on holiday this week
(but as an xtr owner I'll conceed the radical is a better engineered car, albeit they sound painfully expensive to run)
happy motoring
kef
Splitpin suggested that I give you my thoughts.
Before I bought my Radical I investigated the idea of the Westy, in fact this is how I found out about Rads.
Quite simply I found the XTR2 to be a watered down version of the Rad in all respects. Two things I much preferred was the driving position and the general feeling of the Rads ability on the rd, surprisingly very playful, the XTR2 had quite an upright driving position, as for the dash, it looked like had been taken from a cheap old speedboat.
Practicality wise very little difference and yes the SR4 does go over speed humps with the suspension raised 1 1/2 inches.
Without being completely biased the Radical runs rings around the Westy but you will have to pay the premium. Much cheaper to run a Rad on the rd than people might think, tax is the same as a 1.2 Fiat 500, insurance is similar, all service items are easily attainable and not expensive. Much cheaper than running a L R Defender!
If you are at all interested I would consider selling mine!
Only ever used on the road with very low mileage.
Before I bought my Radical I investigated the idea of the Westy, in fact this is how I found out about Rads.
Quite simply I found the XTR2 to be a watered down version of the Rad in all respects. Two things I much preferred was the driving position and the general feeling of the Rads ability on the rd, surprisingly very playful, the XTR2 had quite an upright driving position, as for the dash, it looked like had been taken from a cheap old speedboat.
Practicality wise very little difference and yes the SR4 does go over speed humps with the suspension raised 1 1/2 inches.
Without being completely biased the Radical runs rings around the Westy but you will have to pay the premium. Much cheaper to run a Rad on the rd than people might think, tax is the same as a 1.2 Fiat 500, insurance is similar, all service items are easily attainable and not expensive. Much cheaper than running a L R Defender!
If you are at all interested I would consider selling mine!
Only ever used on the road with very low mileage.
Edited by wavesport7 on Wednesday 2nd June 15:36
Think the Radical SR3 is the best value used track car, well made, good handler, pretty quick too. I went round Brands in one & it felt so right. I use a cobb a/p mapped Nissan R35 on the road. It's the best all round car I've ever driven super quick but handicapped by it's weight on track, re braking. The Radical for track IMHO.
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