completenovice
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| posted on 14/2/06 at 01:19 PM |
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Help for a novice!
Hi,
I have been pointed in this websites direction and was wondering if anybody out there can help me.
I am thinking about building a kit car and no basically nothing about car mechanics! I think that if I bought a kit and built it, that at the end I
would know more about car mechanics etc.
I have been pointed in the direction of a Tiger Avon Locost as to a first build. I have ordered the build book and will read it through before I
embark on anything.
Is this a good kit car to start with and am I aiming a little high considering I know nothing about mechanics! Also I have seen Tiger Avon car kits
for about £4,200 which is described as a fully comprehensive kit, does this include everything including engine etc?
Thanks to any advice that I reveice.
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David Jenkins
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| posted on 14/2/06 at 01:45 PM |
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You will get mixed reviews about Tiger's build quality and fit... I will say no more, and leave that aspect for others to comment on.
If you want a 7-style car, look at (in no particular order)
MK
GTS
MNR
Luego
Each of these will sell you a kit that will go together without too much pain, although you will have to develop a few skills (the point of the
exercise?). All will end up as good-handling cars. Each will come in at a similar budget, as well. Lots of people on this forum have built these
makes, and can tell you the good and bad aspects of each.
Best thing is to look out for the next big kit-car show, and go around all these makes and see what suits you best - or, if you're feeling
adventurous, visit the manufacturers directly! As long as you let them know that you have the money burning a hole in your pocket (rather than a
tyre-kicker) they'll go out of their way to help you - probably take you out for a nice fast ride round the local roads! 
David
[Edited on 14/2/06 by David Jenkins]
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Humbug
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| posted on 14/2/06 at 01:49 PM |
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...or Mac#1
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David Jenkins
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| posted on 14/2/06 at 01:51 PM |
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Yeh - them too! 
(I couldn't remember the whole list...)
DJ
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James
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| posted on 14/2/06 at 02:15 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by Humbug
...or Mac#1
Nah, it's alright, he already said MK.
Cheers,
James
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"The fight is won or lost far away from witnesses, behind the lines, in the gym and out there on the road, long before I dance under those lights."
- Muhammad Ali
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ditchlewis
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| posted on 14/2/06 at 02:28 PM |
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i like the MK easy to build and good quality.
ditch
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completenovice
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| posted on 14/2/06 at 06:01 PM |
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What kit car!
Can anyone point me in the direction of suppliers of MK, GTS, MNR, Luego so I can price things up.
Being a novice it is very hard to find what is the best and easiest kit car to start from.
Any help is appreciated.
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Jon Ison
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| posted on 14/2/06 at 06:08 PM |
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They all have web sites, most have owners clubs, just do a Google search, most will welcome you too there workshops too, visit a few shows, where are
you based ? Blag a ride from locals, 99% of owner builders will take you for a spin in there pride n joy and talk too you about it till the cows come
home.
Enjoy, n welcome too the madhouse.
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donut
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| posted on 14/2/06 at 06:16 PM |
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http://www.mksportscars.co.uk/-MK
http://www.mkownersclub.co.uk/-MK Owners Club
Andy
When I die, I want to go peacefully like my Grandfather did, in his sleep -- not screaming, like the passengers in his car.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/andywest1/
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Hellfire
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| posted on 14/2/06 at 07:54 PM |
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Have a read of the Build and Rebuild diaries on our website. Regardless of which kit you decide to get, it'll give you some idea of what to
expect and what you're letting yourself in for. You don't particularly need to know much about car mechanics to build one, just paitence
and a willingness to learn.
Oh and forget car engines. Think Bike Engines Much more simple..... and compact........ and powerful..... and sequential.
Seriously though, consider what you're gonna use it for and have a ride in both before making your mind up.
And last but not least, welcome to the madhouse.
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DarrenW
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| posted on 15/2/06 at 10:47 AM |
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Firstly decide what you want the car for. Weekend runs, fast road, hobby trackdays or racing.
Secondly forget what Hellfire says about bike engines - yeah they are good but there a few considerations to take on board first - you will soon learn
that his advice about becs is pre-printed on every post Seriously though if you just want speed then bike might be best for you. If you want
driveability etc then choose cec.
Thridly go to a show and take a look. Kit car live at Oulton park is coming up - highly recommended. You will get some advice and prices and your head
will be totally battered. Speak to some owners. You will need some help with the build. Few manufacturers can match Mac#1 for build assistance. Above
all else take your time and dont rush in. Builds take 12 months upwards - a rush choice will haunt you for a long time.
Next try and make sense of it all. You can build a fine car for 5K. You can build a great one with some toys for 7K. Whatever your budget - forget it.
Dont be scared off. Up front costs will be the heaviest. Aftre that you can spread payments and buy what you need next each month.
Once all things are considered place deposit for Mac#1 and enjoy the whole build process.
If you want a truly cheap car there is a supplier for you. Some use complete sierra back end which is heavy and cumbersome in a light car. Be prepared
to rack your brains a few times. If you have a bit more cash and dont want as many problems this is where the better suppliers come into their own.
For what its worth i shortlisted Mac1, MK and MNR and researched them thoroughly. Sometime gut instinct is valuable. Ask builders if they would build
another from same supplier.
the choices are vast. Enjoy.
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Hellfire
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| posted on 15/2/06 at 12:49 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by DarrenW
Secondly forget what Hellfire says about bike engines - yeah they are good but there a few considerations to take on board first - you will soon learn
that his advice about becs is pre-printed on every post Seriously though if you just want speed then bike might be best for you. If you want
driveability etc then choose cec.
Fourthly forget what DarrenW says about MAC#1 - yeah they are good but there are a few considerations to be taken on board first - you will soon learn
that his advice about MAC#1 is pre-printed on every post Although sometimes he even adds the word "Legendary"
Sorry Darren, couldn't resist it but I haven't mentioned bike engines yet. 
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Jon Ison
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| posted on 15/2/06 at 01:18 PM |
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If you want driveability etc then choose cec.
????????
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DarrenW
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| posted on 15/2/06 at 02:12 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by Hellfire
quote:
Originally posted by DarrenW
Secondly forget what Hellfire says about bike engines - yeah they are good but there a few considerations to take on board first - you will soon learn
that his advice about becs is pre-printed on every post Seriously though if you just want speed then bike might be best for you. If you want
driveability etc then choose cec.
Fourthly forget what DarrenW says about MAC#1 - yeah they are good but there are a few considerations to be taken on board first - you will soon learn
that his advice about MAC#1 is pre-printed on every post Although sometimes he even adds the word "Legendary"
Sorry Darren, couldn't resist it but I haven't mentioned bike engines yet.
Ive just nearly fell off my chair laughing at this reply. Nice one. I hope i redeemed myself by saying bike engines are good.
Ref legendary (i thought you had forgotten that post), yeah good point well made. Ill settle for damn ferking good. I do rave on about Mac#1 quite a
lot dont I????? Nowt wrong with sharing my good experiences though. Iam a self confessed Mac#1 extremely satisfied customer raver
I do wish MK had given me the time of day when i was visitting suppliers. I would probs have been a member of the MK club now and writing similar
praises. Oh well - cant win em all.
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completenovice
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| posted on 15/2/06 at 07:53 PM |
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Well having never owned or built a kit car I think I would use the car on nice weather days in the summer. But who knows once I have built it! I may
catch the racing bug so I guess for a first car I will look at something that is easy to buil so I can gain esperience from it and take things from
there.
I will try and get to Oulton park when the kit show is there and I will have a good look around. The only problem is that being a newbie to kit cars I
dont want to ask people there questions in case I get taken for a ride( no pun intended). Its always hard getting into something new but I guess I
will take the plunge.
Now I have had a few replies from people saying that this and that is the best and easiest car to build so my mind is in a spin. Most of the model 7
cars that I have looked at lokk pretty much the same to a newbie like me, so I am still confused!!
I have followed a link from this site and gone to the GTS tuning website, on there they have a Locost GTS kit priced at £2170 inc vat. Is this a good
cheap car to start with?
I have been reading a few books and been reading one about kit cars and how to build them. One says that with some engines they are ok once you have
spend a bit of work on them, so does this mean that you would be able to pick a pig of a sierra for a few hundred, then strip it down, clean it etc
and it will run ok, or is it better to get a good runner in the first place?
Thanks for all your thoughts and suggestions by the way, they are really helpful even if the business of kit cars is complicated to a newbie like
me!!
Completely new to Kit Cars
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