Kit Car Rookie

[Loz]

Good Afternoon All,

I'm Loz (Lawrence) and I'm looking to buy my first kit car fairly soon.

Ive been a motorcyclist for around 10years but have decided that now I have a young family that i'm going to swap 2 wheels for 4 and have some fun that way.

I live in Southampton and once im up and running it would be great to get involved in some of the meets etc.

Im initially looking for a built car, maybe abit rough around the edges so I can work on it and make it my own. Ive built track bikes in the past from a box of bits so Im not shy to long hours in the man cave.

Ive got a pretty low budget to with, my bike is worth about £4k and is currently for sale, then Ive got about another £1k to put into it.

So first question of many, what should I be looking out for when buying a kit car for the first time?

Cheers all
Loz

[locost220]

Welcome Loz, have you already had a chance to experience kit cars at all.
Are you already set on a 7 type car ? Have you sat in any or more importantly been out in one as a passenger or driver
There is plently of chance to see a few different type on weekend runs or a couple of more kit cars shows.
Mark greenwood and others have done some tips on buying cars so might be worth looking in the board index for some tips
Rich.

[Loz]

Hi Rich,
Thanks for the welcome.

Ive only ever been In 1 7 Type kit car as a passenger a few times, never driven one. A friend had a Robin Hood with a 2.0l Pinto engine in it.

Apart from that im a real novice when it comes to which make/model etc to look for.

I definatley need to come along and have a look at some different types when there is a meet local, and maybe sit in a few if anyone would be so kind. Mainly to work out how I will fit, Im 6ft tall so that will be a big factor im guessing.

Nice thing is I open to ideas etc. I do like the look of the 7types, been eyeing up Robin Hoods/locosts/Tigers etc but this is really my first step into kit car ownership so Ive got a lot to learn im sure.

thanks

[b33fy]

Welcome Loz, best choice you ever made, adding a couple of wheels to your bow. As Rich said Mark did a great guide on buying a kitcar defo worth digging out. If our paths cross and my car stays in one piece long enough happy to take you for a spin.

[DJ.]

Welcome Lawrence

One factor you need to consider is whether you will fit in a particular car.
At the end of the road trip Chris tried sitting in my S3 Caterham and Tony's Tiger R6 and he couldn't fit in either.
His Tiger Cat has quite a lot more room apparently, and I can't get into a Sylva/RAW Striker and I'm 6 ft.

As you're coming from bikes, you might like a bike engined car.

[AndyC]

Hi Lawrence,

Good to know there are some other like minded people in Southampton - welcome on board!

I have a (secondhand) Tiger Super Cat, having built and sold a Pilgrim Sumo - if you want to meet up and "try" her on, then drop me a line?

[bigstuff]

Welcome Loz, what you will find is that all of these 7 type kits are what they are. They all contain elements of the manufacturer and the builder. Each one is individual. Most are plenty fast enough for lots of fun, personally I have experienced both kit cars and bikes and the kits have a bigger grin factor. I have a robin hood and I love it, sounds like it would be in your price range but insist on wishbones. Come along and get a feel.

[Tony C]

Lawrence,

I would strongly second Richard's advice, come along to one of our runs, or the post run breakfast venue and see how cars compare. My first car was a pinto engined Tiger Cat E1, it was the first car I went to look at at and subsequently bought it for £5k, I should have looked at plenty more before buying, but other than few a ragged edges it turned out to be a sound car. My current car is a zetec engined R6 for which I paid a couple of grand more for, both are great fun to drive. Southways now build the former Tiger Supercat; http://www.southwaysautomotive.co.uk/SSC2/, they are in Fareham, so not far from you and might be worth a visit.

Cheers

Tony

[Red27]

Hello Loz, the forum topic that's been referred to a few times on what to look for/consider when buying a kit care can be found here:
http://www.southernkitcars.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=47&t=4609
May I say, you've done the first correct thing in your search - signed up here and announced your intentions. The offers of passenger rides and advice are genuinely meant. Do get along to a run, or pitch up at a breakfast venue, etc. You'll get sound advice and opinion from all there. As a non-marque specific club, we have a variety of makes and models amongst us, and a lot of experience of "known issues", and good points, to share, a lot of which can be found on the forum. For example, if you are considering a Tiger, have a look for "alternator brackets" and "engine mounts" . I can hear my fellow Tiger owners groaning unison .

Switching to kit cars from bikes, and for similar reasons as you have mentioned, is not unusual. I don't think you'll find it a compromise. My husband (zxr400 on here, he'll be along soon I'm sure) is an ex-racer - but he says he enjoys his Westfield more in lots of ways than bikes.

You've also brought up a good point about fitting into a car. I had a similar concern when I was looking to get mine - although I had the opposite problem. I initially thought I wanted an R6 but, er, I found the same problem as with a lot of road cars - couldn't see over the bonnet . So, I got a dinkier Avon. But, it's not just a height thing. . You want to explore the other dimension. Last time I started talking about “wideness” I got into trouble. I think that’s Duncan’s point though. But don’t discount a car because you can’t get into it with the current seat – remember that can be changed and/or the seat can be repositioned/lowered. So, if you really like a particular make/model, it may still be a goer. Everything can be changed – and frequently is if you look at how many “upgrade” threads are on here

Anyway, welcome along, and hope you find the right car soon. Oh, and when you do, we need photos – it’s the law.

[Nash]

Hi Loz and welcome. I posted on your other thread so won't repeat myself. As others have said don't feel shy about putting your name down on a run and asking to passenger. I'm sure lots of us will be more then happy for you to jump in and hop between rides.

I had Mattijs as a passenger in mine the first time I met him and he went on to buy a car so it can't be that scary

Once again welcome.

........... Neil