Buying used kit car - pros and cons
- Thread starter A320_phill
- Start date
Interesting topic, if I've missed it I apologise but where do you intend on using it? I had a 2.0 Zetec Westfield a few years back which I bought sh. The build was very good and could not fault it. However, on the road I found it just to motorbike like invisible... Hence the zed. They are great fun and the power to weight awesome but people don't see you. It depends on how indestructible you feel I guess 
I would have loved to build my own but time and space would have been difficult. As others have said the Westfiekd owners club is a great source of knowledge and without doubt whichever route you chose you will need to be handy with the spanners...Good luck.
I would have loved to build my own but time and space would have been difficult. As others have said the Westfiekd owners club is a great source of knowledge and without doubt whichever route you chose you will need to be handy with the spanners...Good luck.I built an MK Indyblade kit back in 2004. I bought the kit, Honda Fireblade engine/gearbox, XR4X4 LSD and various other Ford components (mainly Sierra) and just worked away methodically in my garage most evenings and weekends. Took me about 6 months in total to ready it for its SVA test which it passed first time. I even managed to get an 04 plate on it and not a Q plate as I had used a certain percentage of new parts against reconditioned ones. I would say as long as you are reasonably mechanically minded and work methodically with good tools it is not too difficult. The hardest thing for me was the electrics and wiring for which I recruited a bit of help. I did many track days in it, drove it a fair bit on the road including a weekend tour of the Yorks.Dales ! The best fun I have ever had with my clothes on ! I sold the car in 2007 when I had got it out of my system enough to part with it and before it got me in trouble...or hospital ! I loved it to bits. Fond memories.
It's a big commitment on many levels but the rewards and satisfaction are well worth it.
It's a big commitment on many levels but the rewards and satisfaction are well worth it.
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I stopped using my Westfield as a road car after one too many episodes where other drivers clearly hadn't seen me. However, I've driven nothing else that gives the same excitement or reward on a track (including my modified ///M, and a wide variety of exotica such as various Elises, a 911 Turbo, a Gallardo and a couple of Ferraris). For those interested in one as a track car, I'd recommend it whole heartedly...as long as you are mechanically minded and don't mind frequent fettling!
Mine still resides in the UK (half a year after I emigrated) on the off chance that I'll be able to import it one day....
Mine still resides in the UK (half a year after I emigrated) on the off chance that I'll be able to import it one day....
ronk said:
In 2003 I span my first Westy at around 60mph, hitting a crash barrier and lamp post. Bodywork fell off around me but the tubular structure remained intact, bending and absorbing energy so protecting me from any injury (except whiplash). The most concerning part was that the lamp section of the street light departed company from the upright falling around 12 metres to land next to the car, missing my head by only tens of centimetres. The risk of head injury in that circumstance would have been the same in any convertible of course...
I was quite impressed by the strength of the frame, but it wouldn't prevent "submarining" under large vehicles, and the rear crumple zone is about 40cm of fuel tank, so being hit from behind wouldn't be much fun!
I've had a few 'silly moments' driving mine. Every time I go out I tell myself I'm going to be sensible....but 50yrds up the road that thought goes out of the window and the go kart feeling takes over....they're just meant to be driven like you're on a qualifying lap. The tyre choice is so critical in mine. The yoko's were too grippy but then would let go unexpectedly. The Avon CR500's are a lovely progressive tyre that let's you feel the slide so much more which makes it easy to control.BMWZ4MC said:
