I was impressed with the attitude of MNR a couple of years ago - and I wasn't even in the market for a kit!
Hello!
I had a Westfield for 10 years and am looking at coming back into the 7-type kit car ownership but would like some help please.
I have been looking at the various makes out there and really dont know how they compare with regards to chassis and handling, I appreciate engines
are engines and handling can be setup but its more the chassis and quality between the various makes such as MK, Tiger etc etc.
Can anyone please help enlighten me?
Thanks
Kevin
everyone will come on and say various things and you may well start a long term thread BUT please go visit GBS in Notts I did and cancelled my order to another supplier (not no slagging just my opinion). I'm 6 weeks in to my 1st ever build and am well pleased!
can the Raw Striker still be purchased? If I was buying new I'd be taking a good look at these.
Lots of options really there is a bit of a love hate relationships between some on here and suppliers which unfortunately and ineviatabily will end up
in a slagging match I hope it doesn't. I have heard good and bad about most suppliers that includes quality, service and price.
I drive an MK so that kind of makes me sway 7 toward these, there are home built sevens (locost) that are immaculate but dont hold their price when
compared to a manafactured chasis so these arent to be dismissed, There are the options of bike or car engined depend what you want to use the car
for.
The newer the design there is a greater chance of better geometry again what is it wanted for ie An MK Indy can be used as a track weapon or road car
the Indy R is more developed for serious trac use, inboard suspension, adjustable rose jounted wishbones if require etc, but again makes a good road
car too.
The location of you and a supplier can also be a deciding factor Im fortunate in that I live on the doorstep of MK Sportscars and also have easy
access to Martin Keenan (MK Engineering). So can call round whenever. I would suggest that you call a few and pop round for a drive in one of their
cars and make up your mind from there
The key measure is the proportion of kits that actually get completed and have passed SVA/IVA another is which chassis's have been used and been successful in club mototorsport.
Thanks for the replies, am wanting the car for track and road use, want a cage. Not decided on to go CEC or BEC route yet, I have had both in the
past.
I noticed the prices of say MK's are alot cheaper than Westfields which are alot cheaper than Caterhams, so the price difference - is there
noticable quality difference? chassis difference? or is it just down to the badge? can you feel the difference in how they handle?
I am not trying to start a badge war here just trying to guage which are the better makes to aim for.
Cheers
Kevin
The Stoneleigh show is coming up soon - well worth a visit to get a good look at all the makes, and to chat to the people who make them.
I was impressed with the attitude of MNR a couple of years ago - and I wasn't even in the market for a kit!
quote:
Originally posted by mookaloid
can the Raw Striker still be purchased? If I was buying new I'd be taking a good look at these.
Concentrating on Sevens types for road use and very occasional circuit/hill climb use.
Given a big wad of cash I would search for a Birkin to my mind top of the pile.
Caterham I wouldn't even consider for reasons not connected with engineering, a real Lotus Seven is on the other hand high desirable but very
fragile.
Dax Rush is interesting and well engineered but a bit oversized and not a true 7 clone.
Westfield deserve respect but they occupy an odd place in the market they should either move up market and produce a bespoke product or offer better
value for money.
MNR, MK, Raw, Lugeo have a lot of very very happy customers
Another manufacturer produces some excellently engineered products but has a such poor reputation for customer service that few around here would
deal with them.
Then we get to Tiger --- a confusing array of models all built to a price but a lot of builders have put in the extra effort turned out decent
cars.
quote:
Originally posted by britishtrident
Concentrating on Sevens types for road use and very occasional circuit/hill climb use.
Given a big wad of cash I would search for a Birkin to my mind top of the pile.
Caterham I wouldn't even consider for reasons not connected with engineering, a real Lotus Seven is on the other hand high desirable but very fragile.
Dax Rush is interesting and well engineered but a bit oversized and not a true 7 clone.
Westfield deserve respect but they occupy an odd place in the market they should either move up market and produce a bespoke product or offer better value for money.
MNR, MK, Raw, Lugeo have a lot of very very happy customers
Another manufacturer produces some excellently engineered products but has a such poor reputation for customer service that few around here would deal with them.
Then we get to Tiger --- a confusing array of models all built to a price but a lot of builders have put in the extra effort turned out decent cars.
My shorlist would include...
Raw Striker (race proven)
Procomp LA Locost/Gold (race proven)
Dax Rush (well engineered and slightly different)
Westfield (race proven)
Having built a kit and learned a lot from it, my criteria in order for a next project would be...
1. Chassis design and build accuracy
2. Available support/knowledge for set-up and development of the finished car
3. Cost
4. Looks
ETA....
If I had the money I'd also be very interested in a Donkervoort with BIG power 
[Edited on 6/4/11 by nick205]
#Thanks for the replies guys, very helpful
How does the MK Indy chassis compare to a Westfield chassis?
Cheers
Kevin