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mk or westfield??
evonigel - 3/3/13 at 05:05 PM

hi guys just after some advice here.having had two bec mk indy in the past I am seriously considering another kit car.Why are westfields so much more expensive than an indy?Going by the prices online in various places a 10 year old westfield is similar money to a 2 year old indy.Thanks in advance for any comments


ross05 - 3/3/13 at 05:35 PM

Westfield has been around longer with 30 years development,just look at the finish and quality

maybe a bit bias I own a westfield...


minitici - 3/3/13 at 05:44 PM

Get a Caterham (runs for cover)........


motorcycle_mayhem - 3/3/13 at 05:51 PM

The lightness, quality and something else you can't quantify (though is intrinsic) would make me say Westfield everytime.
No, I'm not an armchair guy, I've had examples of both.

However, Westfield have moved on to more of a production car thing, with (IN MY OPINION ONLY - worth nothing, I am totally wrong and deluded, sorry) detriment to the old-fashioned self building/parts/spares area. The factory bears witness to this, no rows of jigs and frantic welding. MK seem more of the Westfield of old.


fullpint - 3/3/13 at 05:56 PM

quote:
Originally posted by minitici
Get a Caterham (runs for cover)........

Twice the price of a Westy
I agree a Westfield is a better built car but I cant really fault my Mk.
At the end of the day you get what you pay for.
I had the chance of a megablade (£8.5K) but in the end purchased the Mk Indy blade of this forum for nearly half that price. And I have no regrets.


ross05 - 3/3/13 at 05:58 PM

I looked at both before buying the westie,but at the end of the day the westie won hands down on quality and finish,plus resale value!! and it has weather gear,trying to find an MK with weather gear was impossible


evonigel - 3/3/13 at 06:08 PM

thanks for the comments guys that explains a few things.So are you guys saying a 10 year old westie would be a better/smarter buy than a 2 year old mk??


ross05 - 3/3/13 at 06:33 PM

depends on the spec of the cars and what you are going to use it for,If you want a track car that is new -ish buy an MK,However if you are doing a lot of touring need a few creature comforts like roof heater etc look at the westie..A good spec westie that is 20 years old will still command good money..


fullpint - 3/3/13 at 06:36 PM

It depends upon the spec of the Mk.. As you know you can just buy a basic kit and do a home build. Buy a second-hand Mk that was factory built to a good spec and then I'm sure it will hold its value.
Ross05; I agree about the wet-gear!! My MK has none hence the low miles we can only do unless you wish to get wet that is
If you can afford a Westy mate buy one. After all you have had a couple of Mk's now. I'm sure that with in 5 years I too will up-grade to a Westy.


evonigel - 3/3/13 at 06:38 PM

quote:
Originally posted by fullpint
It depends upon the spec of the Mk.. As you know you can just buy a basic kit and do a home build. Buy a second-hand Mk that was factory built to a good spec and then I'm sure it will hold its value.
Ross05; I agree about the wet-gear!! My MK has none hence the low miles we can only do unless you wish to get wet that is
If you can afford a Westy mate buy one. After all you have had a couple of Mk's now. I'm sure that with in 5 years I too will up-grade to a Westy.



hows my old indyblade doing?


perksy - 3/3/13 at 06:39 PM

The Westy may be more expensive but will hold its value better and probably be easier to sell when the time comes.

Always buy on Spec and condition rather than age.


evonigel - 3/3/13 at 06:43 PM

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/westfield/all-models/westfield-2002-megabusa/990025

being a westie virgin how does this look for spec and value?


ross05 - 3/3/13 at 06:44 PM

totally agree Persky,mine is 16 years young !!

http://s1342.beta.photobucket.com/user/ross1960/media/goodwood2012025_zpse763d6d2.jpg.html

but has a new raceline 2ltr zetec with 45's therfore still worth a few bob (I hope)

go for condition and spec everytime.


fullpint - 3/3/13 at 06:47 PM

What I have your old Mk Indy blade? Where you the first owner then? Guess you know who O got it from then
I'm very pleased with it. Ok had a few little issue but it is a kit car. Would love to track down any original build information..


evonigel - 3/3/13 at 06:53 PM

quote:
Originally posted by fullpint
What I have your old Mk Indy blade? Where you the first owner then? Guess you know who O got it from then
I'm very pleased with it. Ok had a few little issue but it is a kit car. Would love to track down any original build information..


I was the second owner I think.I sold it to a guy from Newcastle area who I am guessing you bought it from.


fullpint - 3/3/13 at 07:00 PM

I love it. It was a toss up between the Mk or a megablade in Oxford.. Never having owned a kit car before I thought it best to buy the Mk as a starter.. Think I will keep it for a bit. Got to find an aero screen for it and also some 13" wheels with better tyres. Its still got the uni-royal rainmaster on it
Look forward to seeing your post saying 'My new MK/Westfield Busa'.. That would be my next move.


austin man - 3/3/13 at 07:39 PM

Horses for courses really you get what you pay for how much you can afford and what it is your trying to achieve. The Wesfiled has no douby had a few millinon chucked at it in development etc the quality body etc will no doubt be one of the best again you are paying for it. I have an MK no weather gear and use it whenever possible, Comfort wise they can be as comfortable or uncomfortable as you want as for weather gear there are plenty of peiple who have fitted them using the GBS stuff I believe. heaters are easy enough to install.

The main thing in my oppinion is that you feel you have value for your money


DRC INDY 7 - 3/3/13 at 07:51 PM

MK


Benzo - 4/3/13 at 02:05 PM

I use my westie for racing and road use, i have one for purely residual values.

[Edited on 4/3/13 by Benzo]


fimi7 - 4/3/13 at 04:01 PM

So here is my input.

I have an MK Indy R, happy with the final build. But if I were to do it again, I would do a Westfield.

Ignore the cost up front. In the end, to get the MK to the Westfield standard, you will spend more or about the same over a long period. Just spend it up front, reduce the aggravation of having to deal with the bad customer service and you will have what you want.

What ever you do, do not buy the donor car parts from MK, get them yourself and have them reconditioned yourself or do it yourself..


whitestu - 4/3/13 at 04:41 PM

From my experience MKs are basic good value for money. I was after a cheap 7 alike and built mine for about £5k. I don't think I would have built a Westy for that.

In my opinion the quality of whet you get for your money is good. Customer service is poor though.

If you are going for something a bit higher end then a Westy may be a better bet.


parkiboy - 4/3/13 at 04:52 PM

I went for my mk over a Westfield due to mk being so local to me and I prefer the look of the mk, it is IMO one of the best looking 7 style cars.

I could have got a westy for a similar price as the mk, I nearly did purchase one, they dont hold the money as well as alot of people think.


bobinspain - 4/3/13 at 04:59 PM

Since buying my factory built MK, I´ve seen two utterly mint Westies, high spec superbly built. 6 and 9 yrs old and under 10k sterling. (Less than 2/3rds the cost of my MK).
Take your time and the right car will come along.


evonigel - 4/3/13 at 06:47 PM

thanks for all the advice guys.general opinion seems to sway towards the westfield even it will be cosiderably older than what you would buy in an mk for similar money.


evonigel - 9/3/13 at 05:13 PM

don't know what way to go lol
whats the general opinion on the link below?
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/westfield/all-models/westfield-seiw-sports-2001/1143122


evonigel - 10/3/13 at 04:24 PM

BUMP


40inches - 10/3/13 at 05:15 PM

If I was looking, I would buy it, good price, weather gear, very clean and a good spec.
What sort of engine? looks like a trick Pinto.


evonigel - 10/3/13 at 05:21 PM

quote:
Originally posted by 40inches
If I was looking, I would buy it, good price, weather gear, very clean and a good spec.
What sort of engine? looks like a trick Pinto.

1600 cvh


40inches - 10/3/13 at 05:32 PM

quote:
Originally posted by evonigel
quote:
Originally posted by 40inches
If I was looking, I would buy it, good price, weather gear, very clean and a good spec.
What sort of engine? looks like a trick Pinto.

1600 cvh

I would still buy it, subject to inspection, it looks like a very tidy well looked after car.
By the time I have IVA'd and put it on the road, my MK will stand me at around £12,000
But Hell! it's been a pleasurable 12 years

[Edited on 10-3-13 by 40inches]


evonigel - 10/3/13 at 05:37 PM

quote:
Originally posted by 40inches
quote:
Originally posted by evonigel
quote:
Originally posted by 40inches
If I was looking, I would buy it, good price, weather gear, very clean and a good spec.
What sort of engine? looks like a trick Pinto.

1600 cvh

I would still buy it, subject to inspection, it looks like a very tidy well looked after car.
By the time I have IVA'd and put it on the road, my MK will stand me at around £12,000
But Hell! it's been a pleasurable 12 years

thanks for your advice it should be pretty quick if the bhp figure is correct


perksy - 10/3/13 at 06:15 PM

Hmmm i might know that car

The bloke who has it now did he buy it from somebody in the West Midlands ?


evonigel - 10/3/13 at 06:37 PM

quote:
Originally posted by perksy
Hmmm i might know that car

The bloke who has it now did he buy it from somebody in the West Midlands ?


he bought it from a guy from Birmingham/Staffordshire direction


perksy - 10/3/13 at 06:56 PM

Yep thats the one then

It used to belong to a chap from the Cannock area of the WSCC and i remember him saying he was going to sell it (10k rings a bell)

It went well on the runs that i went with it on and was a nice build, but i haven't seen it for a while now...


anthony1 - 20/7/13 at 11:26 AM

Having owned/built the following , Dutton Phaeton(1981) , Built from scratch Formula27 , Caterham sprint , Westfield seiw , and now own an MK Indy.....in my opinion the build quality and engineering quality of the chasis and suspension as well as the body parts is excellent.....equal to, if not better than either the Caterham or Westfield. However personal choice/preference has to be taken into account!


scootz - 20/7/13 at 12:01 PM

quote:
Originally posted by anthony1
Having owned/built the following , Dutton Phaeton(1981) , Built from scratch Formula27 , Caterham sprint , Westfield seiw , and now own an MK Indy.....in my opinion the build quality and engineering quality of the chasis and suspension as well as the body parts is excellent.....equal to, if not better than either the Caterham or Westfield. However personal choice/preference has to be taken into account!



Common sense also has to be taken into account... and for that reason, I laughed out loud when I read your suggestion that the quality and engineering of the MK's chassis / suspension / bodywork is equal to, if not better than, a Caterham.

Unless of course you were merely referring to the Caterham that you personally owned... and that it was a particularly poor example of the breed.

But getting back to the point in hand - if the price difference isn't an issue, then I'd pick a modern Westie over a modern MK every day of the week! Better engineering, better residuals, better back-up.

Don't get me a wrong, an MK is great value for money at it's price point and is a reasonably well put together package considering it's humble origins. It just doesn't compare to a Caterham though. Mind you, it's getting harder to compare them as Caterhams rarely come with anything other than a 'sensible' engine, but more and more MK's are running with bike-power.


theduck - 20/7/13 at 12:29 PM

Just buy a Robin Hood and keep the change


ross05 - 20/7/13 at 12:36 PM

as Bob says take your time,I looked for 12 months !!


britishtrident - 20/7/13 at 02:48 PM

The reason is quite simple Westfield is more of a known quantity no two MK's are the same.


britishtrident - 20/7/13 at 02:50 PM

quote:
Originally posted by theduck
Just buy a Robin Hood and keep the change



Brave man.........................................................


theduck - 20/7/13 at 09:04 PM

Was slightly tongue in cheek.


ianm67 - 21/7/13 at 07:24 AM

Have a look at the Dax Rush too....... There's a beaut on Pistonheads for under £7k......


anthony1 - 21/7/13 at 01:12 PM

Yes it would be fair to say that both the Westfield and Caterham are known quantities as far as main components are concerned , there is no doubt about their heritage and build quality either. So it is possibly easier to get a good one........I had two really nice examples. When I began to search for a replacement last year , I started with these two marques , but at the time couldn't find one with the spec I wanted , you know how it goes when you have in mind a particular engine etc. , anyway decided to look at the MK. I have now......I was really lucky I suppose to find the example I did , with about 90% of the options/preferences I would have chosen if I had built it myself! I note that you have decided to build an MNR , I am sure that will be excellent when completed.