What car should I buy?

What car should I buy?

Author
Discussion

NEIL S

Original Poster:

3 posts

271 months

Sunday 21st April 2002
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Can anyone out there help me to decide what's the best car to buy. I only have a limited budget of 6-7k. Caterham's too expensive, so what should it be, a Westfield, Tiger, Locost, Robin Hood etc... etc...

Neil S

CHRISGWINN

17 posts

271 months

Sunday 21st April 2002
quotequote all
Neil,
There are plenty out there. Of all of them I'd go for a Westfield. I have a 2001 Westie and the driving experience is better than any Caterham I've tried.

Just be aware (as I'm sure you are) that if it's been out in whether that it will need plenty of TLC. I'd not worry too much what engine you end up with, there are loads of choices when funds allow a replacement. The general rules of secondhand car buying apply.

Just shout if you want to know anymore,

PS; Mine is for sale!!!

ultimapaul

3,942 posts

271 months

Monday 22nd April 2002
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Neil - Are you looking to build or buy used.

Tiger are well worth a look. You can pick up a very tidy Super 6 for your budget, you may even find a Zetec powered car.

I would steer clear of some of the very budget models out there (who was it that lived in Sherwood forest?)

If your inclined to build you can spec the car to your taste, £6-7k would be an idea budget for a 7-esque car.

sparks

1,217 posts

286 months

Monday 22nd April 2002
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I don't think there is anything particularly wrong with 'the one from sherwood forrest'.
See dave andrews page

http://hometown.aol.com/DVAndrews/index.htm

you could also consider the sylva striker/stylus and the offspins (fisher fury and ssc stylus) but the latter may be pushing your budget.

Good luck

Sparks

sparks

1,217 posts

286 months

Monday 22nd April 2002
quotequote all
I don't think there is anything particularly wrong with 'the one from sherwood forrest'.
See dave andrews page

http://hometown.aol.com/DVAndrews/index.htm

you could also consider the sylva striker/stylus and the offspins (fisher fury and ssc stylus) but the latter may be pushing your budget.

Good luck

Sparks

ultimapaul

3,942 posts

271 months

Wednesday 24th April 2002
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Sparks - I would not fully agree with you about the 'Hood. I looked into building a similar type car about three years ago. I tried the Westie, Tiger & 'Hood amongst others.
I went for the Tiger in the end because it gave a far superior drive, was IMO a better engineered car and appeared to be an easier build compared to the 'Hood. The Westie was probably better than the Tiger but just outside my budget for the spec I wanted.

I would however like to say, for what a 'Hood can cost to build, they do give spectacular value for money. But, if your in the market for a £6-7k car to build or buy, there are better offerings out there.

Mark B

1,636 posts

272 months

Friday 19th July 2002
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If your looking for a Seven type car and have a budget of £6 -7k a good one to go for is a Sylva Striker. You should be able to pick up a very well sorted car for around £6k leaving you another grand to set up the car to your standards.

Having built two Sylva's I think they are great and will easily out handle a Westie or a Caterham. Brave statement I know, but they are proven in the kit car championship and are incredibly well sorted for road use.

Down side to a Striker - Interiors are to the owners taste, there are very little 'factory' options for fitings.

digitalnoodle

8 posts

267 months

Tuesday 6th August 2002
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An automotive engineer friend of mine recently went to Tiger to view their "locost" chassis. In his opinion it is bloody awful. He reckoned the tolerances were so bad as to make the thing dangerous to drive.

He did go through a whole load of techno stuff, but it was making me sleepy.... Anyway, he's settled on a Westfield. He didn't check out Martin Keenan's chassis' though. He was the bloke Ron Champion used to build his show chassis (www.MKEngineering.co.uk) and seems to generate a healthy following amongst the Locosters.

domster

8,431 posts

277 months

Tuesday 6th August 2002
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You will get an older second hand Caterham creeping into that price range - I have seen them as low as 6k (see lotus seven club magazine 'low flying' or www.blatchat.com). Should holdm its value quite well, and it has the best 'lineage' to the original Lotus Seven.

If you want to build the kit yourself you are stuffed though.

simonbell

25 posts

267 months

Sunday 11th August 2002
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At that budget I`d go to Stuart Taylor and look at building a Locost. Depending on whether it is for track or road you could have a bike engine or a lighweight Toyota engine.

Have a look at their website www.stuart-taylor.co.uk

Simon