Hey peeps,

We are designer students from Holland, Rotterdam, and this projectperiod we have to design a kit-car. But before we can design one, (and in the near future really built one) , we have to research the marketing area of the kit-car. We are kinda curious about you! The people who bought and really built a kit-car. We have to make a marketing analysis about the current kit-car market. Ofcourse we can search some info on the net, but that’s not really interactive. We’d really like to communicate and get some feedback from from you guys, cause that will give us a better reflection of how the buyers think, the positive things they experience, and the negative things during building/using. This would be very usefull, because all the info can be used while designing a kitcar for us.

If you'd all be so kind to answer as many questions as possible, the more feedback we get, the better the designing wel get!

Thank you in advance =D

The IPO Kitcardesigngroup, Netherlands, Rotterdam

Kitcar users analysis

Personal data:

-Age ….................................................
-Family status ….................................................
-Interests / Hobbies ….................................................
-Work / Education ….................................................

What kind of model do you own?

….................................................

What’s the donorcar for this model?

….................................................


With what purpose did you purchase this model (just for fun, or as a daily driver, etc)?

….................................................


What do you think is important in a kitcar?

-Building it yourself
-Lugageroom
-Comfort
-Basic / High-Tech
-The looks / Image
-Cabrio / open roof
-Speed / horsepower
-Other, .…………………………………………………….
……………………………………………………..
……………………………………………………..
……………………………………………………..
……………………………………………………..
……………………………………………………..
(put a * in front of your choice(s))

Do you have the facilities and space to build a kitcar?

….................................................


Would you have liked to have supervision or inspection while building the kitcar?

….................................................

What where the total costs for purchasing and building the kitcar?

….................................................

How much time did it cost to build the kitcar?

….................................................


Is it expensive to maintain a kitcar, compared to a “normal” car.

….................................................

kitcar users analysis

Personal data:

-Age 13 ….................................................
-Family status ….................................................
-Interests / Hobbies Building my car….................................................
-Work / Education Education ….................................................

What kind of model do you own?
BEC Locost
….................................................

What’s the donorcar for this model?
All sorts of fords.
….................................................


With what purpose did you purchase this model (just for fun, or as a daily driver, etc)?
Hillclimbing and trackdays
….................................................


What do you think is important in a kitcar?

-Building it yourself*
-Lugageroom
-Comfort
-Basic / High-Tech
-The looks / Image*
-Cabrio / open roof
-Speed / horsepower
-Other,

…………………………………………………….
……………………………………………………..
……………………………………………………..
……………………………………………………..
……………………………………………………..
……………………………………………………..
(put a * in front of your choice(s))

Do you have the facilities and space to build a kitcar?
Yep, double garage
….................................................


Would you have liked to have supervision or inspection while building the kitcar?

….................................................

What where the total costs for purchasing and building the kitcar?
Will be about 3-4k
….................................................

How much time did it cost to build the kitcar?
2yrs probobly
….................................................


Is it expensive to maintain a kitcar, compared to a “normal” car.
No, you understand it so you can fix it when it is broken
.................................................

Kitcar users analysis

Personal data:

-Age 23
-Family status married
-Interests / Hobbies Cars
-Work / Education associates degree in business
-What kind of model do you own? locost
-What’s the donorcar for this model? Mazda Rx7
-With what purpose did you purchase this model (just for fun, or as a daily driver, etc)? Fun, something to do
-What do you think is important in a kitcar?

*Building it yourself
-Lugageroom
-Comfort
-Basic / High-Tech
-The looks / Image
-Cabrio / open roof
*Speed / horsepower
*Other, Handling, fun factor

(put a * in front of your choice(s))

-Do you have the facilities and space to build a kitcar? Kind of, not really but I'm doing it anyway

-Would you have liked to have supervision or inspection while building the kitcar? No

-What where the total costs for purchasing and building the kitcar? total to date is $1000

-How much time did it cost to build the kitcar? so far 55 hours

-Is it expensive to maintain a kitcar, compared to a “normal” car. Ask me in a year

Age 45

-Family status - married



Interests / Hobbies

building this car.......


-Work / Education


electronics design eng, degree




What kind of model do you own?


home built from scratch morgan type replica based on a seven



What’s the donorcar for this model?


ford granada mk3 1987 2.4 V6 (might be taurus or scorpio in holland)




With what purpose did you purchase this model (just for fun, or as a daily driver, etc)?


Fun / holiday touring


What do you think is important in a kitcar?

-Building it yourself 8/10
-Lugageroom 3/10
-Comfort 6/10
-Basic / High-Tech basic - cheap and simple = good
-The looks / Image 10/10
-Cabrio / open roof 10/10
-Speed / horsepower as much as poss!
-Other,

Do you have the facilities and space to build a kitcar?


BARELY - single garage


Would you have liked to have supervision or inspection while building the kitcar?

nope. but access to a technical resource is good (thats what this site is!)


What where the total costs for purchasing and building the kitcar?


6 - 7 k pounds



How much time did it cost to build the kitcar?

…..........................


guestimate 800 - 1000 hrs


.......................


Is it expensive to maintain a kitcar, compared to a “normal” car.


dunno. however as you must do all your own servicing and repair, I suspect its quite cheap on labour!

[Edited on 20/4/04 by stephen_gusterson]

Kitcar users analysis

Personal data:

-Age …47.................................................
-Family status Married….................................................
-Interests / Hobbies Golf & the Car..
-Work / Education …...Mechanical Design Engineer..............................................

What kind of model do you own?

…Building MK Indy.....................................

What’s the donorcar for this model?

…...Ford Sierra................................


With what purpose did you purchase this model (just for fun, or as a daily driver, etc)?

….Fun..........................................


What do you think is important in a kitcar?

-Building it yourself - 10/10
-Lugageroom - 3/10
-Comfort - 6/10
-Basic / High-Tech - Basic
-The looks / Image 10/10
-Cabrio / open roof 10/10
-Speed / horsepower 11/10
-Other, .…………………………………………………….
……………………………………………………..
……………………………………………………..
……………………………………………………..
……………………………………………………..
……………………………………………………..
(put a * in front of your choice(s))

Do you have the facilities and space to build a kitcar?

…...large single garage........................................


Would you have liked to have supervision or inspection while building the kitcar?

…............no............................

What where the total costs for purchasing and building the kitcar?

…......£6000..............................

How much time did it cost to build the kitcar?

…....5 months.........................................


Is it expensive to maintain a kitcar, compared to a “normal” car.

….......It shouldnt be but its not on the road yet.......................................

quote:

---

Originally posted by kitcardesigngroup
Kitcar users analysis

Personal data:

-Age :35 ….................................................
-Family status :Married ….................................................
-Interests / Hobbies :Building Car/Squash ….................................................
-Work / Education : RICS Quantity Surveyor ….................................................

What kind of model do you own? : MK Indy

….................................................

What’s the donorcar for this model?: Sierra XR4x4

….................................................


With what purpose did you purchase this model (just for fun, or as a daily driver, etc)?
: Just for the thrill/fun
….................................................


What do you think is important in a kitcar?

-Building it yourself
-Lugageroom
-Comfort
-Basic / High-Tech
-*The looks / Image
-Cabrio / open roof
-**Speed / horsepower
-Other, .…………………………………………………….
……………………………………………………..
……………………………………………………..
……………………………………………………..
……………………………………………………..
……………………………………………………..
(put a * in front of your choice(s))

Do you have the facilities and space to build a kitcar? : Single Garage - Quite Long

….................................................


Would you have liked to have supervision or inspection while building the kitcar?
No, definitely not.
….................................................

What where the total costs for purchasing and building the kitcar?: 6-7K

….................................................

How much time did it cost to build the kitcar?
1500 hours
….................................................


Is it expensive to maintain a kitcar, compared to a “normal” car.
: Ask again this time next year
….................................................

---

hellfire

1500 hrs? for an indy kit? what gives?

atb

steve

Total inexperience & painstaking attention to detail

Kitcar users analysis

Personal data:

-Age.........................44
-Family status.............Married
-Interests / Hobbies....Car building, design, computers etc.
-Work / Education......Unemployed

What kind of model do you own?
GP Spyder

What’s the donorcar for this model?
Toyota MR2 (originally VW Beetle)

With what purpose did you purchase this model (just for fun, or as a daily driver, etc)?
Pure Fun


What do you think is important in a kitcar?

-Building it yourself......10/10
-Lugageroom...............3/10
-Comfort.....................5/10
-Basic / High-Tech..........Mix
-The looks / Image......10/10
-Cabrio / open roof.......7/10
-Speed / horsepower..10/10 certainly the feeling of speed.
-Other,
(put a * in front of your choice(s))

Do you have the facilities and space to build a kitcar?
Single garage


Would you have liked to have supervision or inspection while building the kitcar?
Yes!
A second opinion would always be welcome and would help avoid any pitfalls, obvious errors etc.

What where the total costs for purchasing and building the kitcar?
Approx £3,200 and rising.


How much time did it cost to build the kitcar?
Unknown.
Work on it as and when I feel like it.


Is it expensive to maintain a kitcar, compared to a “normal” car.
Sould be a lot cheaper as most work will be done at home.

Terry

Kitcar users analysis

Personal data:

-Age 24
-Family status single
-Interests / Hobbies cars+money+houses
-Work / Education selfemployed/ unrelated degree
What kind of model do you own? Selfbuild

What’s the donorcar for this model? Ford sierra

With what purpose did you purchase this model (just for fun, or as a daily driver, etc)? cheap and fast

What do you think is important in a kitcar?

-Building it yourself very
-Lugageroom - not at all beyond hand luggage
-Comfort - not very important
-Basic / High-Tech - simple
-The looks / Image - couldnt care less!
-Cabrio / open roof - open top
-Speed / horsepower - very important
-Other,


Do you have the facilities and space to build a kitcar? yes

Would you have liked to have supervision or inspection while building the kitcar? - no, too proud!

What where the total costs for purchasing and building the kitcar? less than 2000gbp ideally.

How much time did it cost to build the kitcar? 1000 hours encounting. maybe 200+ hours left to complete.


Is it expensive to maintain a kitcar, compared to a “normal” car. no idea, it isnt finished, but parts and repairs should be cheap due to a common donor and full knowledge of the construction.

hope that helps

Kitcar users analysis

Personal data:

-Age …21..............................................
-Family status …singe (girlfriend doesnt get a say in the matter!.........................
-Interests / Hobbies …..cars, bikes, engines, footy......................
-Work / Education …..uni student doing aeronautical engineering..............................

What kind of model do you own?

….GTS (building)..................................

What’s the donorcar for this model?

…..1.8 cvh sierra..............................


With what purpose did you purchase this model (just for fun, or as a daily driver, etc)?

…...fun fun fun........................


What do you think is important in a kitcar? driving fun, looks, performance, building it yourself


(put a * in front of your choice(s))

Do you have the facilities and space to build a kitcar?

….yeah (parents dont know yet though!)..........................


Would you have liked to have supervision or inspection while building the kitcar?

….Not really (expert help would be good though!).....

What where the total costs for purchasing and building the kitcar?

….(about £5k hopefully (more like £6.5-7k really).........................

How much time did it cost to build the kitcar?

Hopefully ann summer - hopefully on the road easter next year (legally)


Is it expensive to maintain a kitcar, compared to a “normal” car.

….......not really - insurance is cheaper, and you can do most of the maintenance your self..............................

Kitcar users analysis

Personal data:

-Age 36….................................................
-Family status ......Living with partner
-Interests / Hobbies.....Motorbikes,scuba, skiing,paragliding- anything dangerous!…..
-Work / Education ...Production engineer-HND…

What kind of model do you own?
Errr...mid engined roadster prototype.


What’s the donorcar for this model?
Bit o' this, bit ' that!


With what purpose did you purchase this model (just for fun, or as a daily driver, etc)?
Purely fun.


What do you think is important in a kitcar?

-Building it yourself 8/10
-Lugageroom 0/10
-Comfort 3/10
-Basic / High-Tech-basic
-The looks / Image 5/10
-Cabrio / open roof- open
-Speed / horsepower 6/10
-Other, . creating something that isn't a mass produced unidentifiable box…………………………………………………….
……………………………………………………..
(put a * in front of your choice(s))

Do you have the facilities and space to build a kitcar?

Not really.

Would you have liked to have supervision or inspection while building the kitcar?
Nope-learn from your mistakes
….................................................

What where the total costs for purchasing and building the kitcar?

about £6K

How much time did it cost to build the kitcar?

hard to say, maybe 500 hours+

Is it expensive to maintain a kitcar, compared to a “normal” car.

Only if I blow the engine....

Kitcar users analysis

Personal data:

-Age 16................................................
-Family status in a relationship................................
-Interests / Hobbies car and motorsport................................
-Work / Education still at school...................................

What kind of model do you own?

triton body, locost/gts chassis..............

What’s the donorcar for this model?

fords.............................................


With what purpose did you purchase this model (just for fun, or as a daily driver, etc)?

to say I built that and the build.................


What do you think is important in a kitcar?

-Building it yourself 10/10
-Lugageroom 0/10
-Comfort 0/10
-Basic / High-Tech 0/10
-The looks / Image 6/10
-Cabrio / open roof 0/10
-Speed / horsepower 7/10
-Other, .built it my self oh and the look on the boy racers faces
……………………………………………………..
……………………………………………………..
……………………………………………………..
……………………………………………………..
……………………………………………………..
(put a * in front of your choice(s))

Do you have the facilities and space to build a kitcar?

Yep….................................................


Would you have liked to have supervision or inspection while building the kitcar?

Nope….................................................

What where the total costs for purchasing and building the kitcar?

don’t know still building, but no more than £3k not including the body….................................................

How much time did it cost to build the kitcar?

week nights/ends and holidays….................................................


Is it expensive to maintain a kitcar, compared to a “normal” car.

don’t know, cus officially I shouldn’t no yet….................................................

Kitcar users analysis

Personal data:

-Age 20
-Family status single
-Interests / Hobbies cars and motorbikes
-Work / Education - education….................................................

What kind of model do you own?

mk locost ….................................................

What’s the donorcar for this model?

sierra, escort ,granada, cortina ….................................................


With what purpose did you purchase this model (just for fun, or as a daily driver, etc)?

pure fun….................................................


What do you think is important in a kitcar?

-Building it yourself *
-Lugageroom
-Comfort
-Basic / High-Tech
-The looks / Image *
-Cabrio / open roof
-Speed / horsepower *****
-Other, .…………………………………………………….
……………………………………………………..
……………………………………………………..
……………………………………………………..
……………………………………………………..
……………………………………………………..
(put a * in front of your choice(s))

Do you have the facilities and space to build a kitcar?
only lately, metal shed/garage (LEAKS A BIT)
….................................................


Would you have liked to have supervision or inspection while building the kitcar?
not bothered really (get help from ma dad.................................................

What where the total costs for purchasing and building the kitcar?

about £2000 so far….................................................

How much time did it cost to build the kitcar?

what ever i can spare but at uni jus now so non….................................................


Is it expensive to maintain a kitcar, compared to a “normal” car.

…dont know yet.................................................


cheers
patrick

Kitcar users analysis

Personal data:

-Age …....................39.............................
-Family status ….............................married with 2 boys....................
-Interests / Hobbies ….................................building things , usuall stuff................
-Work / Education …............................Electronics Technologist Working at ford of Canada.....................

What kind of model do you own?

…My own design based on the locost drawings and styling of the marlin sportster with a touch of late 30's masaratti .................................................

What’s the donorcar for this model?

…1988 ford thunderbird 2.3l turbo .................................................


With what purpose did you purchase this model (just for fun, or as a daily driver, etc)?

…Allways loved roadsters and to rebuild one here is far more expensive than to build my own . Also to have something of a toy that no one around has that has no practical use other than fun..................................................


What do you think is important in a kitcar?

-Building it yourself 7/10
-Lugageroom 1/10
-Comfort 3/10
-Basic / High-Tech basic/primitive
-The looks / Image I want it to look good to me, could not give a crap if anyone else likes the style
-Cabrio / open roof toppless
-Speed / horsepower an mildly insane amount of hp would be nice -
-Other, .…………………………………………………….
……………………………………………………..
……………………………………………………..
……………………………………………………..
……………………………………………………..
……………………………………………………..
(put a * in front of your choice(s))

Do you have the facilities and space to build a kitcar?

….2 car garage ................................................


Would you have liked to have supervision or inspection while building the kitcar?

…I have 2 supervisors of the build one is 5 and the other is 8................................................

What where the total costs for purchasing and building the kitcar?

…rolling chassie around 12-1500 cnd or 700pounds.................................................

How much time did it cost to build the kitcar?

…I started in October but it was slow going in the winter.................................................


Is it expensive to maintain a kitcar, compared to a “normal” car.
should I include speeding tickets and exessive tire wear(rears) in this, if so it could be

Dale

quote:

---

Originally posted by kitcardesigngroup
Kitcar users analysis

Personal data:

-Age 43 ….................................................
-Family status Married ….................................................
-Interests / Hobbies …...The Car! Computers, Photography..............................................
-Work / Education ….A Levels, City & Guilds................................................

What kind of model do you own?

…........Locost.........................................

What’s the donorcar for this model?

…Sierra, Capri, Bluebird, Micra, Uno.................................................


With what purpose did you purchase this model (just for fun, or as a daily driver, etc)?

Fun, daily drive, escape module….................................................


What do you think is important in a kitcar?

-Building it yourself6/10
-Lugageroom 1/10
-Comfort3/10
-Basic / High-Tech 0/10
-The looks / Image 6/10
-Cabrio / open roof10/10
-Speed / horsepower 8/10
-Other, .…………………………………………………….
…Needs to be different, radical to drive, fun, headturning…………………………………………………..
……………………………………………………..
……………………………………………………..
……………………………………………………..
……………………………………………………..
(put a * in front of your choice(s))

Do you have the facilities and space to build a kitcar?

….Not really, just using initiative, cunning, lying, etc................................................


Would you have liked to have supervision or inspection while building the kitcar?

…No.................................................

What where the total costs for purchasing and building the kitcar?

…....£2000.............................................

How much time did it cost to build the kitcar?

…approx 500 hours to date.................................................


Is it expensive to maintain a kitcar, compared to a “normal” car.

No….................................................

---

Kitcar users analysis

Personal data:

-Age …51
-Family status …..Married
-Interests / Hobbies …Electronics, Computers, Cars.

-Work / Education …Electronic design engineer & software developer.
Used to be an automotive engineer and vehicle inspector.

What kind of model do you own?
Own design 7 style with RV8

What’s the donorcar for this model?
…Rover SD1 V8

With what purpose did you purchase this model (just for fun, or as a daily driver, etc)?

…Fun and relaxation
What do you think is important in a kitcar?

-Building it yourself *
-Lugageroom
-Comfort
-Basic / High-Tech
-The looks / Image
-Cabrio / open roof
-Speed / horsepower *
-Other, .Fun.
-Burning rubber

(put a * in front of your choice(s))

Do you have the facilities and space to build a kitcar?
…Yes large well equipped workshop/garage

Would you have liked to have supervision or inspection while building the kitcar?
…NO!!

What where the total costs for purchasing and building the kitcar?
…Not finished yet but expecting around NZ$9000 (3000 quid)

How much time did it cost to build the kitcar?
…Not finished but scratch built, expecting 1000 hours or so

Is it expensive to maintain a kitcar, compared to a “normal” car ?
No, I can do everything myself.