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Still looking at Severns. Older cars?
dhutch - 25/6/08 at 01:51 PM

What is peoples thoughts on considerable older cars.

For instance: http://pistonheads.com/sales/568995.htm

Registered 1989
Narrow body Westfeild SE with 1800 Zetec on 45 Dellorto's, Escort 4.4 Diff.

Obvously all the older cars will be live rear axle where you 2yo MK indy is going to be IRS. Dont know how that affects drivabilty?
I suppost also pottentally degrading GRP and rotten chassis members could be an issue, although many cars will stored indoors.

I have a relativity limited budget, but am still after something that will go well and be fairly light and what have you. So an older car thats been reengined might be a good option.

How much has chassis Design changed over the years?
- How does an older west compair to the MK/TigerAvon chassis.


Daniel

stevebubs - 25/6/08 at 01:57 PM

If you can find a westfield pre-lit then it's pretty much the same as the locost chassis....I think Ron took his measurements from one...

Humbug - 25/6/08 at 01:59 PM

I had a 1991 Westy with live axle when it was about 10 years old, and it was fine. My current car has a live axle. It is probably different to drive from an IRS car, but not to the extent that you should automatically avoid one.

Re GRP and chassis condition, IMHO you need to look at the specific car and make your own mind up. If the chassis was poowdercoated and hasn't been pranged I think there would be a good chance it's OK. Most of even older cars haven't done huge mileage, are taken out in bad weather less and often/mostly kept in a garage.

1800 Zetec should be OK, though the 4.4 diff will affect the acceleration/top speed trade-off somewhat

[Edited on 25.06.2008 by Humbug]

mr henderson - 25/6/08 at 02:39 PM

look at the car, carefully, and if you like it, buy it! The price is good for a car like that in good condition, so as long as you check it carefully, you've got a good car at a good price.



John

richardh - 25/6/08 at 03:02 PM

remember its a buyers market at the moment.
I say a westy near me slightly newer (not by much) go for 3.5k
no idea what was in it - pinto i think

go see car and compare cost against cost to put all niggles right.................
sucking eggs next

dhutch - 25/6/08 at 03:15 PM

quote:
Originally posted by stevebubs
If you can find a westfield pre-lit then it's pretty much the same as the locost chassis....I think Ron took his measurements from one...

Yes, i have heard that before.
- And does a the locost compair to other cars? Obviously there a lot fo them about and they seam to work well, although in the past ive heard some pritty disfavorable things about them, although not real specfic issues just generic sucking-teeth noises!

quote:
Originally posted by Humbug
I had a 1991 Westy with live axle when it was about 10 years old, and it was fine. My current car has a live axle. It is probably different to drive from an IRS car, but not to the extent that you should automatically avoid one.

Re GRP and chassis condition, IMHO you need to look at the specific car and make your own mind up. If the chassis was poowdercoated and hasn't been pranged I think there would be a good chance it's OK. Most of even older cars haven't done huge mileage, are taken out in bad weather less and often/mostly kept in a garage.

1800 Zetec should be OK, though the 4.4 diff will affect the acceleration/top speed trade-off somewhat

[Edited on 25.06.2008 by Humbug]

Right. The pottentally rests with my gut feelings about the whole liver/irs topic and my thoughts on chassis corrotion.
- I dont know how easy it would be to mask chassis issues on a seven? But ive not heard that much about it, so i presume its not as large and issue as it could be. As you say a lot will have been garaged and only let out warm days i guess.
- I know nothing about GRP at all, UV is proberbly the main offender? Would it be fair to say that if it looks shot it proberbly is, but if looks in all right condition there should be any problems. Seen a few with painted GRP as well, is that common practice with older cars, or a cheap way of smartening up a ratted body?

Thanks for your thoughts sofar.

dhutch - 25/6/08 at 03:20 PM

quote:
Originally posted by richardh
remember its a buyers market at the moment.
I say a westy near me slightly newer (not by much) go for 3.5k no idea what was in it - pinto i think

Why do you say that?
- Are people really selling that much.

Im in the lucky situation where iv been earning (all be it only small money) for around 15months as a sandwich year without actaully having very much to spend it on (single, living in fairly cheep accomodation in a town without a nightlife, etc) And i also got some money given to me 'towards my years of education' from the grandparents.
So i fine myself with around £4k savings and a yearn for some petrol engined enjoyment.

speedyxjs - 25/6/08 at 04:11 PM

I love the 'Zetec inside' logo on the back

Andy D - 28/6/08 at 08:15 AM

HERE is a cheap one on the wscc website. £3750

dhutch - 30/6/08 at 08:01 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Andy D
HERE is a cheap one on the wscc website. £3750
Yeah, looks nice for the money. 10 years newer, and listed at a lower price. But with a Pinto rather than a Zetec.
- Would the chasis have changed much between 1988 and 1998? I beleave litigation was just before 1988?


Daniel

Andy D - 30/6/08 at 09:14 AM

quote:
Originally posted by dhutch
quote:
Originally posted by Andy D
HERE is a cheap one on the wscc website. £3750
Yeah, looks nice for the money. 10 years newer, and listed at a lower price. But with a Pinto rather than a Zetec.
- Would the chasis have changed much between 1988 and 1998? I beleave litigation was just before 1988?


Daniel


I'm no authority, but they're both live axle "narrow" bodied cars, so the chassis will be very similar if not the same.. I wouldn't be put off by the pinto either, at 140bhp it wont be slow!

PAUL FISHER - 30/6/08 at 10:38 AM

That car looks great value for money,I did not think it was possible to pick up a 10 year old westfield for that sort of money,full weather gear with it too,the pinto engine would not put me off either,watch some of Andy's video's.
The good side of buying a car like that,at that price,is you buy it run it a couple of years,and then sell it and get your money back,free motoring

dhutch - 2/7/08 at 08:46 AM

Sounds fair enough.
- Ive been talking to steve (wrox) as well which might end in another older westfeild as an option. This time with a crossflow engine. Runs but needs some work doing.

Another thought was, in terms of track action, what would be my options?
Proberbly i new topic in its own right, and i certainly know theres a fairly active westfeild club in cannock as ive been out with them as a passenger.
How obvously if i was to end up with a MK they are currently doing a lot of weekend events at Bruntingthorpe which would been excellent, sensable price, and very local. But i guess not open to westys? I mean there are other trackdays, but the MK events seam very good value in comparison to some others?



Daniel