Hi, i went out in a MK locost today that i am considering purchasing, i was wondering what the differences are between the MK Locost and the MK Indy?
have looked around google and cant find a clear answer.
I know the MK Locost uses a live axle and the MK indy has independent suspension but are there any other big differences between the two?
I am also going to look at an Indy tomorrow which i do know a fair bit about i just cant find a great deal about the MK Locost?
The locost is based on the book chassis (as far as I remember) and uses a live axle. The Indy is a layer development is as a later development and uses independent rear suspension and I think partly where the name comes from.
is the book chassis worth paying 7.5k on or is it a bit dated? i know thats apparently a lot for a locost but its this price because of the engine
really, it cost the owner 5k to build and the car also has a custom gearbox built by cosworth.
went out in it today and boy does it shift! Just trying to find the information on how the locost chassis would compare against the Indy!
Personally I would go for the indy, f1 teams can't be wrong can they?
I would not be put off by a live axle- I suspect a lot handle on a par if not better than a lot of IRS setups as the IRS needs more detailed setup to
fully exploit. The question you need to ask yourself is what you feel that car is worth - if you feel the engine justifies the price, then go for it -
an 'Indy' wont always be the best buy...
Forget the straight line performance, as most kits go well in a straight line - how did it feel around the bends? Was it stable? Bouncy? Fidgety?
Supple? Did it feel predictable and exploitable? Could you see yourself owning it and driving it? You could always choose to convert to IRS or De-dion
in the future if you felt it needed it... 
If you look in the book by Ron Champion you will see that Martin Keenan made a lot of the parts for Ron Champion
Chassis etc
The Mk locost is a very early car then came the MK indy both made and i believe designed by Martin After that came the MK sports car made by Martins
Brother who make the indy R
it felt stable but with him not knowing the roads he didnt really give it the beans round the corners! he did say his friend with a bike engined indy
always felt a bit more on edge in the indy than in his car, he apparently actually took it to MK thinking there was something wrong with it?
I've got it down to 2 at the minute this 2003 MK Locost XE 220bhp and a 2005 MK Indy Zetec 200bhp both priced the same i'm sure ill have a
better idea when i've seen the Indy tomorrow.
I did look at some tigers for sale at stoneleigh today but theres that many variations they just baffle me.. lol
[Edited on 6/5/12 by parkiboy]
quote:
Originally posted by wylliezx9r
f1 teams can't be wrong can they?
quote:
Originally posted by slingshot2000
quote:
Originally posted by wylliezx9r
f1 teams can't be wrong can they?
It looks likely only one f1 team can be right every season; the remainder must therefore be wrong !
??
Jon ?
What are you going to use it for, track or road? what would put me off is a tuned engine costing £5000!!, I use my cars on track, if that goes bang
you have got a big bill to put it right, I suspect it will be Vauxhall 2 litre 16v, has it been dry sumped, ok without on the road, but would want it
dry sumped for track work.
There's not many MK locosts around, MK will still supply you with one, but they don't sell many, they do handle well, but that sort of money
you could buy a used MK Indy R, a far superior car on road and track, and you will have no trouble selling it when you come to move it on
, £7500
for a locost is top money, have you got a link to the car in Question.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3824969.htm
that is the locost!.. its a real nice car in the flesh (apart from the wheels imo but easily changed) The owner was a top bloke too really helpful was
good meeting him! And the car will be used for 95% on the road with a track day or 2 thrown in a year!
I know the Indy R is a superior chassis but they seem to be few and far between!
Does look tempting, it'll go really well with 220 atw. LSD too, nice. Rear wheel arches are a poor fit, other than that looks good.
As said before though if it does go bang, sounds an expensive engine? Didn't put me off going Busa though. Would be tempted to hold out for an R1
Indy, have you been out in a BEC? They do crop up occasionally at a similar price.
[Edited on 6/5/12 by Custardpants]
Well the engine has only done 1500 miles so im hoping it has alot of life left in it! To be honest ive only just setted on a CEC, i did want a BEC and havent yet been in a BEC yet which i do have the oppertunity to do but i think a CEC is better for what i want it to so i might not go in one purposely so i pick the sensible option :p
i didnt actually realise it was at the wheels either no wonder it was so bloody quick!
It looks a great car, alot of expensive parts on it, still the £5000 engine would scare me on the 2 trackdays a year on sticky tyres, yes there's
a big demand for the Indy R's, I would say alot sell before being advertised, my old one did, but just stick a wanted advert up on here for one,
someone might be thinking of selling within your buget you never know, but you are buying at the wrong time of year, when prices are at the highest.
Having owned both the Indy and Indy R, I would only want a Indy R again
Yes I know I'm buying at a silly time but is now or never really! I've just moved into a house with a garage and I'm emegrating to Canada at the end of next year! I've always wanted one do figured I'd have a bit of fun before I go!
quote:
Originally posted by slingshot2000
quote:
Originally posted by wylliezx9r
f1 teams can't be wrong can they?
It looks likely only one f1 team can be right every season; the remainder must therefore be wrong !
??
Jon ?
Would't pay that much for it, it's way over priced.
He's putting all his effort into using the engine as the main selling point.
far too expensive
and 220bhp at the wheels on carbs....... i wouldnt want to drive it at slow speeds on part throttle
quote:
Originally posted by tomgregory2000
and 220bhp at the wheels on carbs....... i wouldnt want to drive it at slow speeds on part throttle
Just remember most comparisons in terms of handling are down to how each car has been setup, to your taste.. MK locost or MK indy or what ever make it is.