Poll: Haynes Cost Vs Other Kit Options [Back to Voting]
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Author: Subject: Haynes Cost Vs Other Kit Options
Padstar

posted on 6/6/12 at 06:54 PM Reply With Quote
Haynes Cost Vs Other Kit Options

Hi,

I have noticed a few of you have put your build costs on here for your roadster projects, many of which are £10k+. Is this correct? Obviously a build cost can increase to what you make it but in general is this a figure people have found to be realistic?

If so does this not go very far towards a "manufactured" kit car (ie westfield) kit?

What are your thoughts on Haynes Vs Westfield (or others) kits when based on build cost?

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big_wasa

posted on 6/6/12 at 07:02 PM Reply With Quote
The westfield will have a much beter and easier resale value.

The haynes will be more rewarding. I made it ect instead of I bolted it together.

They are what you make them.

[Edited on 6/6/12 by big_wasa]

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ashg

posted on 6/6/12 at 07:14 PM Reply With Quote
most people spend between 3-6k building a haynes where as a westfield is more like £14-15k for a pretty basic one done. a 6k Haynes will most likely have a more trick bits on it than a 15k westfield but the westfield will still be a better car and will fetch good money second hand. at the end of the day a westfield is a more developed product so it is going to cost you more.

[Edited on 6/6/2012 by ashg]





Anything With Tits or Wheels Will cost you MONEY!!

Haynes Roadster (Finished)
Exocet (Finished & Sold)
New Project (Started)

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deezee

posted on 6/6/12 at 07:26 PM Reply With Quote
I built my Haynes for around £5,000 (including IVA) and it took 3 years. You can chuck a Westfield together in a couple of weeks but it will be worth a hell of a lot more. The amount of hours I've thrown in, doing everything myself has been incredibly rewarding and very frustrating at times. I'm very proud of what I've made from a set of paper plans, its taught me a lot. So to conclude

Haynes - fraction of the price, not as polished, need far skill / patience to build, you'll need loads of tools (welder)
Westfield - Expensive, very well finished, doesn't need much in terms of mechanical skill / understanding, basic tools






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Padstar

posted on 6/6/12 at 07:54 PM Reply With Quote
3-6k is far more the budget i was thinking of. If they can be built to this budget and to a high standard then it is a no brainer (unless you have a load of spare money to get a more designed product).

Will the look of them not be very similar? If pre fabricated GRP panels are purchased for the bodywork and a bit of money and time spent on the interior finish? Surely what is under the hood and chassi are very similar (other than a pro engineer welding it rather than my fair hands?)

Whilst i dont really want to compromise on the quality or performance of the car, my main goal is to challenge myself over a few years to produce something i can call my own work. Is there much of a difference in the end performance of the Haynes Vs Westfield?

Out of interest what does the average roadster weigh?

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deezee

posted on 6/6/12 at 08:16 PM Reply With Quote
Any car only has the performance of the engine and transmission you choose to put in it. Makes it a difficult question to answer. The suspension geometry of a Westfield is their own design using their own uprights and wishbones . A Sierra based Haynes (No idea what a Mazda based Haynes is like) adapts parts to suit a kitcar.... with compromises. Also no, what is under the bodywork of a Haynes is not what lies under the bodywork of a Westfield.

My car weighs in (according to the IVA) at 280kgs front and 230kgs rear. I'm a little skeptical though.






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mark chandler

posted on 6/6/12 at 08:53 PM Reply With Quote
Also depends on if you are trying to achieve a new plate, meaning most parts must be new.

If you source a cheap donor due to high mileage then you will produce a car that is already quite worn out unless you spend £££ refurbing bits.

If you get a really good crashed donor then the bits will in general be of better quality.

For myself my locost came in at £3000 including tools to build, welder and good bits such as lightweight brakes etc, making as much as possible.

If you want a kit to assemble it will cost more, for example my wishbones cost a couple of pounds for second hand landrover panhard rods for steel, a bit of weld and some rose joints at £2.50 each I think. Purchased would have been maybe £200 ?

Rear upright, bit of 1/4" flat cut and welded up, again a couple of pounds, purchased maybe £100.

It all adds up, make it and you will save hundreds, buy a kit and it will cost more but will have a better resale value and can be produced in weeks/months not years .

For £6000 I would be able to produce a Busa powered rocket ship on a new registration by making myself, 2/3rd that being the engine !

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Padstar

posted on 6/6/12 at 10:43 PM Reply With Quote
3k all in - wow. I have always had the idea of new parts giving a new plate but thought the £ would prevent it. Are u only allowed 1 refurbished part?

Surely the engine, gearbox, breaks and springs would eat a long way into 3k if purchased new??

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Bluemoon

posted on 7/6/12 at 08:23 AM Reply With Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Padstar
3k all in - wow. I have always had the idea of new parts giving a new plate but thought the £ would prevent it. Are u only allowed 1 refurbished part?

Surely the engine, gearbox, breaks and springs would eat a long way into 3k if purchased new??


You don't need every-thing new, just the parts that are required to get enough points for a new plate. Take a look at the DVLA site the rules are on there.

Keeping to a tight budget is all well and good (I did even with the MK kit), but you trade time for money, and if you need to learn new skills as well it will take even longer... Not to put you off but do think about just how long it will take, longer than you think, great if your enjoying it but not so great if you have other commitments...

Cheers

Dan

[Edited on 7/6/12 by Bluemoon]

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Padstar

posted on 7/6/12 at 08:28 AM Reply With Quote
Thanks for the help blue moon. I will check out the dvla requirements for a new plate.

The time is not an issue. I am in it for the knowledge and experience if it takes 3 years then so be it.

A new plate would be a massive bonus.

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mcerd1

posted on 7/6/12 at 11:49 AM Reply With Quote
you really need to look at as many examples of built cars as you can and make up your own mind when it comes to cost vs build quality

but ultimatly the quality of your build just comes down to the time, effort and skill you can put into it - ok more money make it easier too, but I've seen a few westies with shocking build quality and a few locosts with stunning quality builds

----

new plates require all bar one of the 'major' components to be new (with recipts to prove it)
as far as they are concerned the major components are:

* suspension (front and back)
* axles (front and back)
* steering assembly
* transmission
* engine

http://www.direct.gov.uk/prod_consum_dg/groups/dg_digitalassets/@dg/@en/@motor/documents/digitalasset/dg_180218.pdf


if you really don't want a Q plate, but don't want to spend the money on a new plate either. then an 'age related' plates the one for you
that way you only need to prove that 2 or more major components from that list came from a donor car to get a plate the same age as the donor (allowing you to get a personal plate at a later date)





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Padstar

posted on 7/6/12 at 07:24 PM Reply With Quote
I had planned on everything being new (either fabricated myself or purchased) other than the following items;

Engine
Gearbox
Differential

But all of these are extremely expensive from what I can find. For a new plate as I understand it only 1 of these can be reconditioned. Is that correct? Do you guys have a place where they can be picked up new at a reasonable price. Ideally I would get a fully recon diff and box with 2nd hand engine but will that then lose me the new plate?

Can u get a V5 for a year based plate with only the engine?

Sorry for all the Q's

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mcerd1

posted on 8/6/12 at 07:45 AM Reply With Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Padstar
Can u get a V5 for a year based plate with only the engine?

no, but you could with the engine and transmission....
you could even get a new plate - you just need to find a '12' plate donor car and build it quickly
(MX5 on a cat C maybe)



the other issue with a new plate is that you need to meet the latest emissions standards....
with an older engine you only need to meet the same standard as the engines age (so pre Aug. 95 engines don't need a CAT ) then post IVA you can always swap the engine for a newer one if you want


what engine / box / running gear are you planning to use at the moment ?

[Edited on 8/6/2012 by mcerd1]





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Padstar

posted on 8/6/12 at 08:49 AM Reply With Quote
Ohh so complicated. Having a lower emissions requirement would be handy.

Thinking of using a duratec engine coupled with mk3 mx5 box which I believe works without any modification.

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Slimy38

posted on 8/6/12 at 09:23 AM Reply With Quote
I have to admit I'm deliberately eyeing up pre 95 MX5's as donor's, purely to avoid the majority of the emissions rules. I don't see the benefit of a new plate (maybe higher resale value?) but conversely I don't want a Q plate.
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Padstar

posted on 13/6/12 at 12:53 PM Reply With Quote
What year did mazda start droping the duratec into the MX5's?
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Padstar

posted on 13/6/12 at 01:08 PM Reply With Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Padstar
I had planned on everything being new (either fabricated myself or purchased) other than the following items;

Engine
Gearbox
Differential

But all of these are extremely expensive from what I can find. For a new plate as I understand it only 1 of these can be reconditioned. Is that correct? Do you guys have a place where they can be picked up new at a reasonable price. Ideally I would get a fully recon diff and box with 2nd hand engine but will that then lose me the new plate?

Can u get a V5 for a year based plate with only the engine?

Sorry for all the Q's


Had a look at what is required to get a plate in line with teh donor vehicles age from the link given. Am i right in thinking a Haynes build would be classed as a radically atered vehicle rather than a kit car?

Also if a new fabricated frame is made does this count towards 5 of the required 8 points? If not then it seems very hard to achieve a plate related to the donor vehicle.

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mcerd1

posted on 13/6/12 at 02:30 PM Reply With Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Padstar
Also if a new fabricated frame is made does this count towards 5 of the required 8 points? If not then it seems very hard to achieve a plate related to the donor vehicle.


the points system doesn't come into the age related plates for kit cars - it just needs 2 major components


for a radicaly altered vehicle the 'unmodifed' donor chassis would count in the points, but a new or modified one wound not count





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Padstar

posted on 9/7/12 at 08:53 PM Reply With Quote
I now have myself a running gear from and mx5, it's V5 and a VIN plate cut out of it. Please can u explain what is now needed to get the plate from the original.

I guess I need to keep hold of the original VIN plate but does it need to be welded onto the chasis anywhere?

I want to use as little of the original car as possible but want to keep the plate. What is the best 2 parts to use? How do they know that for instance I have used the gearbox from the original car as 1 of the 2 major components? Is the VIN number stamped on each of the major compartments.

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AdrianH

posted on 9/7/12 at 09:10 PM Reply With Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Padstar
I now have myself a running gear from and mx5, it's V5 and a VIN plate cut out of it. Please can u explain what is now needed to get the plate from the original.

I guess I need to keep hold of the original VIN plate but does it need to be welded onto the chassis anywhere?

I want to use as little of the original car as possible but want to keep the plate. What is the best 2 parts to use? How do they know that for instance I have used the gearbox from the original car as 1 of the 2 major components? Is the VIN number stamped on each of the major compartments.


The car will be inspected by the DVLA before any reg number is issued. You will not get the registration from the donor car, but if it is a K reg car for example you could get a K reg number plate.

If you work out the points system you will work out if you will get an age related or Q. In the inspection they will check engine number is from the donor and the guys doing it are not daft they look at vehicles most days so will know what gearboxes go with what engines etc.

The original VIN plate does not get used on the donor, try this and you will be accused of building a ringer.

The DVLA will issue you with a VIN number generally once inspected or at least in with the build, the numbers start with SABTVR0.

Adrian





Why do I have to make the tools to finish the job? More time then money.

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Padstar

posted on 12/7/12 at 09:42 PM Reply With Quote
quote:
Originally posted by AdrianH

The car will be inspected by the DVLA before any reg number is issued. You will not get the registration from the donor car, but if it is a K reg car for example you could get a K reg number plate.

Adrian


Right I think I am with u all now. So if I take 2 major components from my running gear (for which I have the V5 document and VIN plate from original car) then I will get an age related plate (1999) allocated to the car when it completes the SIV test.

If this is the case then moving onto the next question as I plan to use a mix of donor and new when picking the major components to what extent can I mix

Suspension- will rear uprights, front uprights, hubs suffice from donor coupled with new wishbones and shocks?

Stealing assembly - I would like to use a new steering rack. If this is coupled with the balance from the donor will it be classed as a major part tick in the box

Axles - roadster model, what parts will be classed as axle components used from an MX5?

I hope from the 3 above I will be able to obtain an age related plate from the donor

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RK

posted on 12/7/12 at 09:56 PM Reply With Quote
Keep in mind some of the choices are larger chassis, and some are actually gargantuan compared to a Caterham or Birkin (Luego for example). Once you have a certain look in mind, you can base your choice accordingly.

Regrets, I've had a few
But then again, too few to mention
I did what I had to do, and saw it through without exemption
I planned each charted course, each careful step along the byway
And more, much more than this, I did it my way

Do you want to be able to say this??

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Padstar

posted on 12/7/12 at 10:00 PM Reply With Quote
RK. Not sure what u r getting at? I plan to build a Haynes roadster using the book and a few adaptions to the design I have found on the net. Want the chasis to suit a standard pre formed she'll made for the roadster?
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RK

posted on 12/7/12 at 11:35 PM Reply With Quote
Sorry, I was a bit to subtle I guess... with a Westerham or whatever, you can't say you did much more than bolt it together. With the Haynes, you will have had a bigger hand in the design and finish of your car. I thought Paul Anka described it all quite well, so quoted him. Perhaps you don't know Frank Sinatra.

The first part was just to say that the models are not the same dimensions: Haynes is a bit larger than standard "book", or original Westfield size. But really, that just gives you more room inside, and more importantly, more room for different engine combos.

I have the same chassis as the MK Indy, which is approximately "book" size.

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mcerd1

posted on 13/7/12 at 09:54 AM Reply With Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Padstar
Right I think I am with u all now. So if I take 2 major components from my running gear (for which I have the V5 document and VIN plate from original car) then I will get an age related plate (1999) allocated to the car when it completes the SIV test.

If this is the case then moving onto the next question as I plan to use a mix of donor and new when picking the major components to what extent can I mix

Suspension- will rear uprights, front uprights, hubs suffice from donor coupled with new wishbones and shocks?

Stealing assembly - I would like to use a new steering rack. If this is coupled with the balance from the donor will it be classed as a major part tick in the box

Axles - roadster model, what parts will be classed as axle components used from an MX5?

I hope from the 3 above I will be able to obtain an age related plate from the donor

the 'components' need to be what they would count as complete and unmodified...

suspension is not going to cut it as thats the wishbones and shocks

steering might if you used an MX5 rack

axles might (i.e. hubs & uprights) but I'm not sure what the DVLA think about that (I'm going to try that one with mine)

transmission could easily be counted (gearbox & diff - maybe drivshafts too, but I'm not sure were they draw the line)

and the engine would be easy, and its easy to prove becuase the number is on the donor's V5c
(MX5 engines are a good starting point and can easy be swapped out for something else once the cars on the road )





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