RK
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| posted on 8/10/11 at 11:32 PM |
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Davie is correct, but he is only considering his experiences in the UK. Unfortunately this is not the way things are over here.
Try to get some realistic pricing from Flyin' Miata. Keith will tell you how it really is. Maybe since the US economy is so bad, they might have
some deals or know of some. In any case, your budget should actually be double what you are predicting if you want something nice. No kit will be
cheaper than a highly modded street car. Why don't you take a high mileage beemer (cheap as hell to acquire) and strip it out and rebuild it
(not so cheap, but things are relative!).
Hey, I forgot about the Exocet from MEV. I seem to remember something about them wanting to export to the US.
Maybe get a hold of this guy, and ask how much he has spent. He's in the Seattle area.
http://www.locostusa.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=9631
or import something like this:
http://www.locostbuilders.co.uk/forum/34/viewthread.php?tid=161124
[Edited on 9/10/11 by RK]
[Edited on 10/10/11 by RK]
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Alan B
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| posted on 10/10/11 at 01:17 PM |
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Well Erik, I told you these guys would be brutally honest with you....I'd sooner you be put off now rather than being mad at us later...it is a
big undertaking, but I'd certainly say it can be done for under $20,000 so long as you don't go crazy on the blingy stuff.
Alan
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TimC
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| posted on 10/10/11 at 01:38 PM |
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What about the MK Engineering Beam-R? I'm sure Martin could supply everything you need except the
three-series.
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hughpinder
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| posted on 10/10/11 at 03:04 PM |
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Are there special registration problems in the states?
I only ask, because kit car prices are low in the uk at the moment - look on www.pistonheads.com - you can buy a nice car, complete and on the road
for 6k, or 12k for something absolutely amazing. It doesn't cost that much to ship across.(it would be right hand drive though)
If you follow this forum for a while, you'll find 'part built' kits which may be a better start if you want your steering on the
left coming up quite often. Some just need wiring and a few bits doing. That would be a good start as you would get most bits for not much - have a
look at these fairly recent adverts(OK I know it would cost a few hundred to get it shipped to the states too)
http://www.locostbuilders.co.uk/forum/34/viewthread.php?tid=161137
or
http://www.locostbuilders.co.uk/forum/34/viewthread.php?tid=157912
Regards
Hugh
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Alan B
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| posted on 10/10/11 at 03:21 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by hughpinder
Are there special registration problems in the states?........
Well, let's put it this way.....I would swap you for the UKs IVA etc in a heartbeat....
It's quite involved and varies from state to state.
Importing built cars is quite simple if they are 25 years old....newer, then you are better off forgetting it.
Alan
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hughpinder
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| posted on 10/10/11 at 03:36 PM |
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Perhaps you can find one which kept the original registration of a 25 year old car, and then had an engine upgrade to a zetec or duratec?
Regards
Hugh
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RK
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| posted on 10/10/11 at 04:32 PM |
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I'm not in the States, but knowing what I do about the border guys, if they get a whiff of something they don't like, or take issue with
the age of the car, they can and will, impound it to be destroyed. They are the authorities, and you are but a small, insignificant ant by comparison.
If you talk to Alan or somebody who imports a lot of stuff, they can do all that importing stuff for you, saving you a lot of headache. Do read the
build by Peter in Seattle. He has been through a lot with his MNR, but imported his kit independently. Sometimes, things are worth paying for.
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Bare
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| posted on 10/10/11 at 05:56 PM |
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Suggest you hunt around and try to locate a semi finished project Kar.
Many are abandoned in process which can often take years... and are very cheap to buy, especially when you pay 1/2 their initial asking price.
The above also illustrates the other important thing to consider: the $20,000+- you will spend . Will be largely gone, as in : if it isn't a
Caterham (A known product with pedigree) the real world Resale value is about bugger all. Goodbye $20 K.
Very Few.. will pay more than cents on the $ for a 'Home Made Kar.'.. absolutely True.
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